Building for Alaska/ TransCanada Adventure

[Blue Phoenix]

Brake Woes

Well last week, after towing a U-Haul trailer to get a couch, I noticed a deep grinding feeling throughout the truck upon braking. Even the slightest bit of braking would produce the feeling in the pedal and sound.
Being acutely aware the something just wasn't right (as if it wasn't already completely obvious), I took the left front wheel off only to find a deeply ground inside rotor, so much so that the slots are nearly gone.
After getting some pads from Man-A-Fre, I looked more closely to figure out why I hadn't had squeal from the wear bars. Well as I figure it, the slots actually broke it clean off most likely as soon as it began squealing. No telling how many miles later, metal on metal grinding together wreaked havoc and here you have it...

The first picture is the new versus old pads. (the one on the upper right clearly the problem pad)

Inside versus outside of the rotor.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Brake Woes Part 2

Pictures of the rotor...

 

[Blue Phoenix]

On a good note, I just purchased a used Heavy Lift here in the Classifieds on MUD. I'm going to put it on myself since every shop in Colorado seems to busy to manage getting me in within a couple weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to get it on so I can wheel it here in Colorado before returning to Arkansas for good...or at least for now.

 

[alia176]

weren't you gonna go to Alaska or did that fall through?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I know this seems to be turning into more of a blog...I posted somewhere back the date: MAY 22 of next year.

 

[alia176]

ahh, it got pushed back. Gotcha.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

OME Heavies finally installed:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/407921-ome-heavies-installed.html

 

[77cruiser77]

So you replaced the pads but what about the rotors? di you replace, machine, or leave them?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I left it the way it was. The dude at O'Reilly told me he didn't think they could machine slotted rotors, I have never heard of that, but either way, I checked it when the lift was being installed and it is grooved a little still, but for the most part it looks ok.

There's no pulling of any noticeable sort, so I think it'll be ok.

Now to test load the truck and start seeing firsthand what I'm missing for the trip.

 

[firetruck41]

Just saw the original post, thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

You don't need to build anything. Just two weeks ago, I met my cousin twice removed (or some such), ~70 year old single gentleman. He was here in the Portland area. About a month prior, he left his home in Ohio, jumped in his Chevy Malibu, and drove to Alaska by way of the Alcan, went to the artic circle via the "haul road", IIRC, and then made his way south, closer to the coast and stopped here. He reported his only vehicle issue, was a chipped windshield, that did not need immediate replacement.

Moral of the story, just get a used Malibu, and take off!

 

[JO MAOMA]

Just saw the original post, thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

You don't need to build anything. Just two weeks ago, I met my cousin twice removed (or some such), ~70 year old single gentleman. He was here in the Portland area. About a month prior, he left his home in Ohio, jumped in his Chevy Malibu, and drove to Alaska by way of the Alcan, went to the artic circle via the "haul road", IIRC, and then made his way south, closer to the coast and stopped here. He reported his only vehicle issue, was a chipped windshield, that did not need immediate replacement.

Moral of the story, just get a used Malibu, and take off!

i once saw a guy drive a 16 penny nail into a fence post with
a soup spoon, that doesn't necessarily make it a good idea... j/k

 

[Blue Phoenix]

firetruck---Yeah thats just not my style. Maybe the military ruined my younger sense of adventurous spirit, but I have found myself on more than a few occasions extremely relieved to have had forethought to possibilities.

 

[concretejungle]

Just jumped on this thread and i'm really liking the advise.... i'm actually planning a very similar trip.

I agree with a lot of what has been said. In my mind my priorities are towards vehicle reliability, survival gear, then technology and creature comforts.

So i am in the process of rebuilding the motor now, so new HG and all that mess should be good to go. I would say no need for sliders on this trip, but i already have them. I also think a bull bar is important along with at least a 12,000lb winch. If you are going with a lower rated winch then get a snatch block for sure. I think a bull bar will add some protection in case you have a low speed collision with an animal or even slide off the road into a ditch, plus give you all the attachment points to be rescued, mount the winch, mount lights, high lift jack, antenna, ect... Plus, IMHO just having a winch makes me feel so much more comfortable in my mind that i can pull myself back onto a road 99% of the time.

I am pretty set on getting an expensive airland RTT that has the fiberglass clam shell and crank up. My thought is it's tough, reliable, weather proof, comfortable, and save me money on skipping some lodging expenses. Plus, like others have mentioned when you are tooling down the road and you realize it aint' getting any darker and you are tired, you can pretty much pull off the road and get a good nights sleep anywhere and be up off the wet ground. This also allows me to keep all my gear locked inside the truck if i'm out hiking or fishing.

Dual batteries i think are important and i am torn if it's creature comfort or a necessity, but i think a fridge is on my list. If i'm camping/driving for 4 days, i don't want to worry about ice melting, food going bad, ect... so i think i will invest in a fridge (another reason i want dual batteries).

I have a garmin GPS now, and am working on loading topo maps into it. I also plan on taking my laptop and paper maps. Sure think knowing where you are and where you are going is very important.

This may be stupid but i'm not sure i will get a CB or a sat phone. Maybe just pray that i'll never need one...

I have a IPOR rear bumper with tire carrier, so i may put a spare back underneath and keep one on the bumper for two spares. I have room for two jerry cans on the bumper, so i figure i'll load it up with two big fuel cans and put the water cans inside.

I have a set of new truxus that are 35' and a set of 315 nitto terra grapplers. I think even after the rebuild i am leaning towards 4.88 gears. I think with a fresh 4.6L motor and 4.88 gearing i should be comfortable on long highway runs with either tire i decide to go with. I really want to be able to use the cruise control on long stretches of road. My current setup of a tired motor, big tires, roof rack and a lot of weight make cruise control somewhat of a joke on road trips.

Need to sort out the gun laws/rules so that i can take a pistol for protection... plenty of good info in this thread for figuring this out.

That's my thought process for the truck right now.

Plan is to ship my rig to Seattle, fly out and then drive up through BC/Canada into Alaska, drive up and around and at least take a pic of deadhorse, then make my way back down and cross west to east working toward the east coast of Canada. Hit labrador and other spots mentioned on this thread and then make my way back down through main and back into NC. Hopefully i can do this on a time table of about 1.5 month vacation!

Sounds good anyways!

 

[Jomama]

Need to sort out the gun laws/rules so that i can take a pistol for protection... plenty of good info in this thread for figuring this out.

AFAIK you wont be able to bring a pistol through Canada, long guns can be with paperwork..

 

[Mark W]

Yep... that is a non-starter. Nothing to sort out.


Mark...

 

[greentruck]

Yep, you're allowed to shock the bears, but probably not to taser them.

I've been considering a portable hot wire set up.

 

[concretejungle]

AFAIK you wont be able to bring a pistol through Canada, long guns can be with paperwork..

OK! Again, i have not read that link to see, i was thinking about a firearm for protection rather than hunting.

Sorry to hijack, but really i'm probably piggybacking this thread.... what about fishing license? I'm sure i will need a fishing license to stop and fish streams, lakes, ect...? Is there one license for all of Canada or is it town specific?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

There's a link somewhere on the first two pages of the thread...not sure but it's in the with the hunting and gun info.

Yeah pistols are for sure a no go and really, I don't see the point in having a pistol. I know I know, personal protection. But if someone has the element of surprise on you, the likelihood of being able to effectively defend yourself is very much diminished. If you have the upper hand or someone even sees you with a gun, I think it's a moot point to compare the differences in having a pistol versus a rifle.

I'm taking my 30-30 and borrowing a 7mm from a friend. I think it's enough for anything I may choose to do.

 

[constructeur]

I'm taking my 30-30 and borrowing a 7mm from a friend. I think it's enough for anything I may choose to do.

My Alaskan mates tell me neither of those will stop a grizzly if it comes down to it.

c/c jungle- Freshwater Fishing Licence for British Columbia

There are many types of B.C. licences, dependent upon where and for what you are fishing for.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Has anyone heard about plans for Alaska Cruiser Trek 2011?

I think it was Mark who mentioned he won't be heading it up anymore and I realize without anyone who knows the back country up there I may as well plan on not venturing too far by myself. Also, it just looks like a blast.

Also, I just want to put this out there: If there is anyone considering doing this trip next summer HIT ME UP. We could stick together for how ever long it would work out.