Am I asking for it, visiting Death Valley in July? What PM is needed to even consider it?

[Beej]

Hey folks,

I have a chance to do a couple week trip this summer and I'd love to hit all the great 4x4 spots in the Southwest. The trip has to start in Denver so I figured I'd try and wrap around and down through Death Valley and Reddington Pass and continue east to the Gulf region. I'm considering dispersed camping as my primary method of lodging.

While I think the Cruiser is plenty built for the trip (or will be in a few weeks), I wonder if the cooling system should ever be subjected to that kind of treatment? I've done a flush; truck is from the Northeast, so its never been really all that stressed. Radiator is original and this is a 97 with 160-ish thousand miles.

I will be doing RavenTai's gauge cluster temp mod regardless but what other PM is advisable?

Also open to other travel suggestions from Denver; just seems like its south to hot desert, or north to Mosquitos

Whatever happens, as long as I get out there; whew boy, it'll be great.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

-- Beej

 

[Corbet]

Early or late July? Some or much of the CO high country will be open then. Pretty much all of UT. I'm just trying to wrap my head around driving all the way to CA for Death Valley then back to the gulf region?

But anywhere in the desert SW is going to be real hot in July.

Truck should be fine as long as your getting proper airflow and heat exchange. Fan clutch good? Slow speeds and AC running will show your systems weakness quickly.

 

[retrofive]

Hot, hot, hot.
Bring lots of water, and then some more water.

I would skip the RavenTai gauge mod and install a koso gauge.

 

[ewillis]

80s hit DV every summer...just be sure your cooling system is in prime condition. I'm in the process of changing my PHH, fan clutch, radiator, hoses, heater control valve, and water pump right now. Always carry plenty of water and a way to communicate in an emergency and everything else should be fine!

 

[bloc]

I would skip the RavenTai gauge mod and install a koso gauge.

This. And add a power switch so you can shut off the display at night.. damn thing is quite bright.

Beyond that, same stuff others said. Check Fan clutch, belts, idlers, hoses, etc.

On the radiator I'd look for any discoloring of the plastic end tanks. If they aren't nice dark black original coloring I'd replace with OEM or koyo from a good source so you don't get ripped off.

 

[retrofive]

This. And add a power switch so you can shut off the display at night.. damn thing is quite bright.

Beyond that, same stuff others said. Check Fan clutch, belts, idlers, hoses, etc.

On the radiator I'd look for any discoloring of the plastic end tanks. If they aren't nice dark black original coloring I'd replace with OEM or koyo from a good source so you don't get ripped off.

Ya, the gauge is pretty bright.

 

[Kofoed]

Yeah, the fan will be running a lot, make sure the clutch assembly is working properly.

Death Valley gets hot, obviously, but three of the paved routes out of the valley require a RELENTLESS climb out.

IDK what the koso gauge is, but an actual real time coolant and atf temp gauge is important for peace of mind (at least it is for me)

 

[retrofive]

Yeah, the fan will be running a lot, make sure the clutch assembly is working properly.

Death Valley gets hot, obviously, but two of the paved routes out of the valley require a RELENTLESS climb out.

IDK what the koso gauge is, but an actual real time coolant and atf temp gauge is important for peace of mind (at least it is for me)

Koso Gauge
Koso slim water temp gauge install
Koso water/tranny gauge install

 

[mechanist]

Water, electrolytes, and shade.

You're going to need A LOT of water. If you think you have plenty of water - then double it. Once you've done that, add a little more. Bring distilled for your truck just in case. Oh, and don't forget salty, fatty foods - like dried sausage, salt pork, electrolyte powders (like Gatorade), etc. Droeworse (google is your friend) is a fantastic option and keeps well.

The heat combined with the low elevation takes it out of you quick, but then drinking all that water will flush your electrolytes and can cause an imbalance - which can be fatal in the desert. You probably know this, but it bears repeating. All those signs in Moab apply in the California high desert and places like Death Valley.

We spent a lot of time in Death Valley growing up. It's one of my favorite places in the US. However, we've only been once in July and it was very challenging. We had to pull over several times on the way out to let the motor in our Chevy pickup cool down. If you don't have an awning, then I'd get one before you leave. There's no humidity down in the valley so any shade you can make will provide a cool shelter rather quickly.

Ironically I remember it getting pretty cold at night. We were always comfortable in sweatshirts, but needed blankets at night to assist our Army surplus sleeping bags.

Also bring an inverter and a regular box fan.

Sorry for the long lost. This sounds like a super fun trip!

 

[NLXTACY]

I'll be the voice of reason, skip DV in July, especially late July/early August.

 

[Beej]

Thanks for feedback! Cooling system seems to be in good order but how does one know until it fails? PHH is done. Heater valve has been checked. Is there a procedure in the FSM to stress test the system? (sorry for laziness)

Early or late July? Some or much of the CO high country will be open then. Pretty much all of UT. I'm just trying to wrap my head around driving all the way to CA for Death Valley then back to the gulf region?

This is still all in the planning stages but I'm talking several weeks and I eventually need to make it back to the east coast.

I would skip the RavenTai gauge mod and install a koso gauge.

Skip RavenTai? I thought that was a nice mod. I have OBDII with Dashcommand so I get a (close to) real time read out of coolant temps on the head unit or phone. Is Koso an improvement over this method in form or function?

 

[Beej]

I'll be the voice of reason, skip DV in July, especially late July/early August.

Probably smart. May take that advice. Still going to be puttering around the SW. Seems like its going to be "hot, hot, hot" either way.

 

[retrofive]

Skip RavenTai? I thought that was a nice mod. I have OBDII with Dashcommand so I get a (close to) real time read out of coolant temps on the head unit or phone. Is Koso an improvement over this method in form or function?

Ah, then probably wouldn't worry about.

 

[NLXTACY]

The RavenTai mod is great if you want to drive yourself mad watching an analog needle move in a seemingly arbitrary arc while in your head you are trying to remember if the spot before the line, but just before the red, means 217 deg or 227 deg? Or was it 207 degrees? ScanGuage gives you the number. An actual number. My simple brain can process a number.

 

[NLXTACY]

Probably smart. May take that advice. Still going to be puttering around the SW. Seems like its going to be "hot, hot, hot" either way.

I'm in SoCal and been to DV more times than I can count and not always in my vehicle. I've learned to stay away in the summer.

 

[bajaphile]

If I were you, I'd check out the Sierras instead.

 

[mechanist]

PM required:

All your normal PM, with emphasis on cooking and brakes. Cooling system and brakes are top concern with all the elevation changes going in and out.

Comms are important. We always have a CB and haven't had any issues, though many recommend HAM to be on the safe side.

Death Valley in July is a great excuse for adding an aux cooling fan up front, and thoroughly servicing your AC.

 

[retrofive]

If I were you, I'd check out the Sierras instead.

Awe.... Tahoe in the summer is beautiful. (I prefer winter but....)

Rubithon is July 11th-16th I believe.

 

[mechanist]

I'm in SoCal and been to DV more times than I can count and not always in my vehicle. I've learned to stay away in the summer.

It earned its name. Not a place you ever want to be stranded.

 

[B Todd]

Why leave Colorado? Just don't move here.