Cross country expedition planning

[FJ60-Hokie]

I have decided to share the planning of my journey with those of you cruiserheads who would be interested. I plan to continue this thread throughout the upgrade and planning process that has just begun.

Background: About 5 years ago when I graduated college my wife and I decided to move from our homes in Virginia to

Southern California. In preparation We sold our college beater cars and purchased a used mini van which we loaded (rear springs fully compressed = standard) with all our earthly possessions and travel 7000 miles zigging and zagging while camping for 15 days across the country.

A lot has changed since then and we are ready to begin planning the journey back. After my first big break in my career I was able to dump the mini van and acquire my dream vehicle, a 1985 FJ60 w/ 112k from an old guy who had it in his garage for 8-10 years since he used it to prospect gold in Arizona. My wife and I have since then fallen in love with the rig we affectionately call JD after its previous owner. After sitting for as long as it did, several things have done bad, so with your help in many cases I have tried to do what was needed to get it to a point where you can trust it out on a desert road down in Baja or out in Borrego.

- New distributor components, plugs, and wires
- Rebuilt the cooling system
- Replaced intake gasket
- Upgraded to OME Dakars
- 32 x 11.5 BFGs on stock wheels
- Actively rebuilding brake system

Objective: I am now ready to begin planning for its biggest journey to date. The plan this time will be to spend as many as 30 days on the road. We are contemplating taking the road to Cabo and back up through mainland Mexico, or if this is not wise for a summertime journey, taking the coast north to Alaska and back down.

Planning: I have spent some time on this site researching what the ideal setup would be to make this trip feasible. Our budget has put some tight constraints on what can be done and based on our needs I decided to go with the following modifications in between now and then in order of priority.

- Reliability - Replace exhaust with 2.5 inch pipes and high flow cat and muffler (original is in bad shape)
- Reliability - Replace damaged front fender (paint and install)
- Reliability - Investigate leak from recent trip to AZ (potentially the transfer case)
- Reliability - Upgrade headlights
- Reliability - Recharge AC
- Storage - Custom roof rack
- Reliability - Purchase jerry cans for additional gas storage (how many?) and mount to roof rack.
- Storage - Rear platform with sliding droors.
- Storage - Purchase box for lockable storage on roof (waterproof?)
- Reliability - Mount off-road survival gear to rack (shovel, axe, highlift, etc.)
- Cancer Prevention - POR-15 removable undercarriage parts and frame plus rust inhibitor spray fenders
- Comfort - Pad for rear platform
- Comfort - Rig up some sort of privacy or SOR's rig tent
- Comfort - Rollout awning
- Comfort - Outdoor shower setup
- Comfort - Fridge
- Comfort - Outlets for running laptop, radio, etc (second battery and beefy alternator required?)
- Comfort - Running lights
- Reliability - On board air
- Comfort - iPod direct input to stereo

The following are the items that didn't make the cut purely because of cost. I am curious if they will make a late Entry onto the list, but have my doubts.
- Bullbar
- Custom back bumper with swing spare and additional storage.
- Long range fuel tank

I look forward to hearing your feedback on my list. I plan to post some pictures of my rig and getting started from the top of the list ASAP.

 

[svo_jon]

Sound cool. I would move the long range tank to the must do list.
Jonathan

 

[60/40GUY]

Depending on how many miles you are planning to go on the trip. You may want to replace the cluch. If you do it yourself it is not very expensive. I have purchased 3 used FJ60's over the years and I had to replace the cluch on all between 130-140,000 miles. You may be able to get an idea how the cluch is doing by removing the inspection cover.

Just my 2cents.

Have fun.

Frank

 

[2mbb]

Sound cool. I would move the long range tank to the must do list.
Jonathan

Check out the thread on the mud co-op cheap long range fuel tanks. Guys on this list figured out how to mount a cheap Ford gas tank in place of the original. The only issue is that the spare must be reloaced which means you need to put the spare someplace else...Here's the thread on the tank: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=92455

I highly recommend the African Outback roof rack sold by slee off road. I recently purchased one and it is sweet. It also has attachments for jerry cans, spare tire, hi-lift, shovels, etc...It's not cheap, but it is very well built. Here's my thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=139171 and check out the pic's on the slee off road web site.

 

[FJ60-Hokie]

Sound cool. I would move the long range tank to the must do list.
Jonathan

Issue = the big tank and the swing spare bumper seem to be a package deal

You may be able to get an idea how the cluch is doing by removing the inspection cover.

What would I be looking for if I removed the inspection cover and took a peak?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Issue = the big tank and the swing spare bumper seem to be a package deal

The big tank and bumper wouldn't be a package deal if you put the spare on the roof.

What would I be looking for if I removed the inspection cover and took a peak?

When you remove the inspection cover, you would be looking for the condition of the flywheel as in any excessive wear, and in terms of the clutch plate, you would be looking for how much pressure material is left on the disk.

 

[High Desert]

Just a note on the Sleeping arrangement. Sleeping in the rig means unloading it every night. Means cleaning/packing up if you are day tripping from a base camp, every time you need to use the rig for anything other than a bedroom. Means lots of condisation in the rig if it is humid or is raining. A awning attached to the rig seems kinda hassel filled too. Lots of quick pitch free standing awnings out there too. I like having my Cruiser ready to go with out so much loading and unloading and crawling in and out...I'm 6'1" so sleeping in there is a diagonal deal anyway..

there are a lot of tents out there for under $200, that set up in like, 10 minutes, and you can stand up in many of them (beleive me, your wife tough as she may be will get tired of pulling her pants on while sitting down in the back of the rig)..have plenty of room and can be kept in your roof rack box/bag with other "soft goods" so you just grab it throw it up and your home. I keep my total sleeping clothing kit up top, somtimes that's all I unload if just sleeping and not setting up camp..Rest of my gear stays locked in the rig..food coolers and all..

Lot of info on Roof Top Tent$... Seems like a good idea for some situations but same problem if you are at a base camp..packing up every time you use the rig..

Just some thoughts and opinions after many cross country trips..

 

[phoenixrider]

If it were me, and I was planning any sort of potential solo offroading, and winch is a must! Possibly an Aussie or lockright in the rear?

As for sleeping, yeah, unloading everynight is a pain. So is setting up a tent. Depending on weather conditions, my plan is on my current rig is to make a extentable rail along the roof (you could incorporate into the roof rack) so that I can string a tarp off of the roof. a couple short poles, some poles, and you have a nice lean-to. Throw down a tarp, a queen size air mattress (an absolute must!) and you got some nice sleeping arangments. Maybe not alot of privacy, but then again, hopfuly you won't be camping in a KOA!

If your trip from CA takes a northerly turn, Glacier NP is an awesome place to visit in the summer! Taking a rafting trip down the Green river through the Dino NP would be cool too!

 

[fowldarr]

Hmmmm, depends on what kind of roads you are taking, but I would be nervous about having too much wait up top, 3 full jerry cans are heavy, add a box with misc. stuff and your getting pretty top heavy. If cost wasn't an issue (but I know it is) I would go with the rear bumper with dual swingouts, for the tire/jerry cans/hi-lift and keep some of that weight lower on the vehicle.

 

[ellington12]

few other maintenance items:

repack wheel bearings and maybe even a knuckle rebuild if they're seeping.

new fuel filter, rubber fuel lines.

valve adjustment

i'll be living vicariously through you...trip sounds like fun.

i too say go for the long range fuel tank.

 

[umpqua]

Extra fuel filter, fan belt, radiator hose.

What about building some sort of plywood deck to sleep on in the back with storage underneath?

Just returned from drive from Portland, OR to Cabo and back. Posted a report in expedition area. Seems like the baja would be VERY hot in the summer. I've also driven the mainland south as far as Mazatlan. Still seems like the summer would be hot. Maybe not as hot as the baja.

Something you might want to do is consider the ferry system out of Seattle through the inside passage to AK. That's my next trip.....maybe the ALcan HWY as far north as possible to the artic circle. Someday.

 

[sandcruiser]

If you plan a lot of overlanding, my experience has been the following:

1) extra fuel is good. Jerry cans offer the advantage that you can carry them (or send them with someone) to get filled. A long range tank keeps the weight down low and isn't as messy. Duel fuel tanks are, IMHO, nicer than a single, large tanks. But I"m in Central America where getting bad fuel is as much a problem as running out of fuel.

2) comfort can make the difference between getting stuck and not getting stuck. Seriously. If your back and butt are tired you might just be too lazy to get out to flip your hubs and end up stuck. Or you might be hot/cold and tired and get distracted ... then drop your front tire into a stupid hole that you should have seen. So don't think that "comfort" is always less important than other stuff.

3) Before you do *anything* to updgrade the truck, fix what you've got. If fixing something, ask yourself-- "Can I upgrade this?". Double Bonus.

4) Belts and hoses. Cheap. Crucial. Buy new ones, install them, keep the old ones for spares. Then you *know* that they fit, but you're less likely to need them.

5) I didn't upgrade my headlights till this year. WOW!!! I got Cibea lenses w/ slightly higher wattage bulbs (I think 75/65 or something like that) the difference is AMAZING. I really wish that I had done this mod 6 years ago. Big increase in safety and comfort.

6) Tires. If you plan to travel far, stick to tires that are common. No matter where you go, you'll be able to find 31x10.50. You might not be as able to hunt down some exotic 17" tire size. You certainly won't be able to find much selection in 33x10.50 vs. either a 31x10.50 or a 33x12.50.

7) Winches are good. A hand winch (Tirfor type) can be more useful than an electric winch. A LOT cheaper too. And less hassle to install.

8) Toyota earned a world-class world-wide reputation for reliability. The Landcruiser is chief among the reliable vehicles that Toyota has made. The more changes you make, the further you get from that reliability in most cases. I'm not against changes, but make sure you consider the tradeoffs. Toyota did, and they engineered what they have to be long-lasting and easy to repair (while keeping costs low enough).

9) Good maps= happy traveler. Getting lost can be fun as can be... but knowing where you are is awfully nice when the sun is going down and you've got a flat and you are pretty sure that there is a town "not that far away"...

Have fun!
Steve

 

[Mark W]

A roof rack is not the place for tires or gas cans. Awkward to load, awkward to unload, big impact on the center of gravity (even in terms of body roll, much less off camber stuff), and over the long term big impact on the structure of the body.

Awnings strung from the truck or anywhere else will not keep you warm in cool weather the way being in an enclosure of any type will to. This makes a BIG difference. Sleeping in a tent will usually be warmer than sleeping in a rig too. An awning will not keep you sleeping dry in the rain unless there is ZERO wind or it is a very large awning. Too big to be practical. It will work well for providing a place to stay out of the bulk of the moisture during daytime activities, but you don't want to sleep damp and in the breeze.

Avoid exotic mods to the rig if you are going to be far from modern support. Don't too focused on the rig itself when you plan for your trips. You can run to Alaska and travel the entire road system in Canada and Alaska in a Subaru Justy if you choose to. If you have significant off road plans, then tht is different. But few people who come up here really understand what true north country off road really is and even fewer are actually looking to do it. Even if so, you will be able to get to some pretty nice places with a pretty stock rig.

Probably the same applies even to the worst roads in Mexico. Some of the locals beat down those roads in true pieces of crap rigs every day.


Mark...

 

[moneypit]

My wife and I spent a month on the road a few years ago traveling the western USA. We took a tent for the times we were staying in a single spot for awhile because it was just a lot more roomy. Sleeping in the truck works well, but need to rig up mosquito netting on windows so you can get some ventilation. One thing we noted after living in our truck for a month and sleeping inside of it for most of that month is that it got a little stinky!!!-We tried to bathe on a regular basis, but it didn't always work out. A roof top tent would be great but tons of money. Something you might look at is a Tent Cot which is just as it sounds,a sleeping cot that has a tent canopy. they take minutes to set up and you are 12 inches off the ground, so snakes and creepy crawlies won't tend to visit as much during the night!!

As for roof racks I would recomend not using one if you can avoid it. Any wt on top will mess up the CG. Anything on top can also be stolen. also, if you decide to take a ferry in the San Juan Islands things on top will increase your fare. A very wise man who has done a lot of expedition travel and wrote a book(Overland Expedition Guide) wrote that if it does not fit inside, your vehicle is probably too small!!

A fridge might be a good idea, but If you buy a good one you really need to do a dual battery set up to avoid killing your starting battery. In this country where there is a 7-11 on every corner in every little town and ice access really is not an issue just buy a really good cooler like the professional versions at cabellas. They cost 100+, but still a hell of a lot less than an Engel or ARB fridge and associated dual batteries and charging system

My limited off road experince over the past 25 years-3 jeeps, 2 troopers, 1985 toyota 4x4 pickup, 1 FJ40 and and FZJ80 as well as my current FJ60 has led me to be a firm believer in going as stock as possible. Fix anything that is broken, repair anything that might break, put on a slightly larger than stock BFG all terrain tire and have a blast. Save the money you would spend on high dollar modifications and take and add a couple extra weeks onto your vacation, or have some extra cash to spend on a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon, or an occ. well deserved night in a nice hotel.

Just my randomn thoughts. Have a great time. See lots. take lots of pictures and every time you go someplace rember it as though you will never be back. Long distance road travel is addictive. Once it is in your blood, you will never be the same.

 

[cruiser88]

sitting that long seals threwout might be dry and cracked.such as rear seals in the axles,rear main seal,front main seal,things of that nature

 

[FJ60-Hokie]

Many thanks for all your suggestions. Keep it coming, but I need to take a little time to digest them before I create an adequate responses. I am stoked that you guys have taken interest in my plans and will keep em coming.

As promised, here is my rig as it stands this evening.

One of the key points that many of you made was that I need to spend the time and money making sure the my rig is in tip top running order. As you can see in the pictures I am knee deep in that process. I have disassembled both rear drums to replace leaky cylinders and shoes. I should be rolling around again this weekend. Hopefully with good breaks for the first time in a while.

While at lunch yesterday I prematurely drew up some plans for the droor system and an idea to create privacy for sleeping in the rig. When they mature I will definately share them with you guys.

 

[BlueHZT60]

Maggiolina - it will make 30 days on the road a joy, trust me.
#2, a Kitchen Box, #3 all your maintenance items.

Bob

 

[cody c]

sounds like a fun journey!
does anyone know what the ford fuel tank costs? as opposed to buying a few metal gas cans maybe better to spend money on the bigger tank, more room without gas cans, and i think a spare on the roof would be lighter than full gas cans.

Not a safety issue, but more for your back and maybe sanity, how are the stock seats, if they are worn it might not hurt going to a wrecker to find some better seats. gotta make it comfy if your gonna spend a couple weeks driving!

What about using one of those racks that slide into a reciever hitch to store most of your stuff, less junk in the back makes it easier if you sleep in the back. Also Ive had a few inflatable matresses in the back and they always lose there air in the middle of the night, id get a good foamy or something, nothing like a long day of driving in an uncomfortable seat followed up by sleeping on a crappy air matress with no air in it. Doesnt make a happy co-pilot either.

 

[cruiser88]

sounds like a fun journey!
does anyone know what the ford fuel tank costs? as opposed to buying a few metal gas cans maybe better to spend money on the bigger tank, more room without gas cans, and i think a spare on the roof would be lighter than full gas cans.

Not a safety issue, but more for your back and maybe sanity, how are the stock seats, if they are worn it might not hurt going to a wrecker to find some better seats. gotta make it comfy if your gonna spend a couple weeks driving!

What about using one of those racks that slide into a reciever hitch to store most of your stuff, less junk in the back makes it easier if you sleep in the back. Also Ive had a few inflatable matresses in the back and they always lose there air in the middle of the night, id get a good foamy or something, nothing like a long day of driving in an uncomfortable seat followed up by sleeping on a crappy air matress with no air in it. Doesnt make a happy co-pilot either.

ask jim c (fj40 jim)about the ford conversion.he did it

 

[cody c]

it sounds like they can be found for around $200, im not looking for one myself, and i havent contributed to jim for his project so i dont think it would be appropriate for me to bug him with questions since it was a co-op project. Not that i have anything against them but it seems like the benefits of that project were meant for those who contributed.