thatcabledude
GOLD Star
I’m north of the bay in DeFuniak Springs. Im sure you know the place.. All the beach traffic funnels through.
Driving 330 miles in my FJ40 - talk me off the cliff
- Thread starter Last Flight Out
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #63
Yep - know it well. Was looking at a future home there.....or as close to the bay as we can get.
Oh man. That picture just got me thinking I need to go pay a visit to the folks at Vintage Overland here in GJ. Nice set up.
I did a trip of 300+ miles round trip with off roading last Columbus Day for a relic run that I was sponsoring. Events/Trails - Classic Cruise 5 - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/classic-cruise-5.1287263/. The best description that I have heard of these trucks that was meant as an insult but still fitting they are like riding in shopping carts with square wheels. make sure you have plenty of gas money and go to a chiropractor after you get back.
FJBen
SILVER Star
Pretty sure @wngrog drives 300 miles just to get a sloppy cheeseburger and a picture in front of a grain silo.
That said, just send it. Sounds like you have covered the bases, baselined it and are ready to go. Furthest I’ve driven was 460 miles in a day, my 67 FJ40. 37” tires, SOA, 350, sm420 tcase and the noisiest 3spd tcase. It was loud and a bit chilly at times but no worries.
Enjoy the adventure! Take your time.
That said, just send it. Sounds like you have covered the bases, baselined it and are ready to go. Furthest I’ve driven was 460 miles in a day, my 67 FJ40. 37” tires, SOA, 350, sm420 tcase and the noisiest 3spd tcase. It was loud and a bit chilly at times but no worries.
Enjoy the adventure! Take your time.
Bose headphones. Thank me later
Since I got my brother's FJ40 running again these are my 24,623.9 miles of trips over the last 13 years. I have no fear of 2000 mile trips - you should not fear a 330 mile trip if your FJ40 is roadworthy.
If it isn't roadworthy, you shouldn't be driving it on the road anyway because you can kill others, yourself, or most importantly, a vintage FJ40.
If it isn't roadworthy, you shouldn't be driving it on the road anyway because you can kill others, yourself, or most importantly, a vintage FJ40.
| End | Destinations 24623.9 Miles | GPS Miles |
2011-09-26 | Home Zuni Jemez Pueblos Camp FR10 | 450.0 |
2011-10-02 | Matts Pecos Alb Home | 812.0 |
2011-11-06 | Copper Creek | 36.6 |
2012-01-01 | Devil's Canyon | 176.0 |
2012-05-08 | Cruise Moab | 1,900.6 |
2012-08-07 | Charouleau Gap Rice Peak | 100.0 |
2012-12-29 | Box Canyon | 199.0 |
2012-12-31 | Copper Creek | 31.5 |
2013-05-06 | Cruise Moab | 1,411.7 |
2013-05-26 | Tucson Wash | 128.0 |
2013-07-22 | Sedona Broken Arrow | 600.0 |
2013-08-25 | Chiva Falls Mt. Lemmon | 157.0 |
2013-09-13 | CSC Meeting Tucson | 88.0 |
2013-11-17 | Charouleau Gap Rice Peak | 68.4 |
2013-12-28 | Humbug | 359.0 |
2014-01-01 | Kearny Area | 153.0 |
2014-02-23 | Back road to Young | 356.0 |
2014-05-05 | Cruise Moab | 1,566.3 |
2014-06-29 | Alamo Spring | 150.0 |
2014-09-14 | Sedona | 518.9 |
2014-10-19 | Chile Challenge | 971.2 |
2014-11-23 | CSC Meeting Lake Roosevelt | 359.6 |
2014-12-28 | TRAL signing Bartlett Lake CSC Red Creek | 403.2 |
2015-03-02 | Bradberry Cabin | 141.9 |
2015-04-26 | Camp Verde | 489.8 |
2015-06-21 | Pyeatte Draw Mogollon Rim | 545.3 |
2015-07-26 | Rice Peak with SplitShot John | 59.3 |
2015-10-19 | Chile Challenge | 2,097.6 |
2018-01-14 | Rug Road Turkey Creek | 195.4 |
2018-02-11 | Chimney Rock | 117.7 |
2018-10-15 | Chile Challenge | 1,586.5 |
2018-10-29 | Sedona | 534.0 |
2019-04-14 | CSC Classic Superior Globe | 204.0 |
2019-05-06 | Cruise Moab | 1,246.6 |
2020-02-08 | Charouleau Gap | 80.6 |
2020-02-23 | Montana Mountain | 200.4 |
2020-09-20 | Wild Burro | 103.4 |
2020-10-12 | Sedona Overlook | 647.4 |
2020-11-09 | Rug Road Turkey Creek | 186.1 |
2021-01-18 | Battleaxe Boulders Florence Willow Springs | 212.3 |
2021-04-19 | Cruise Moab | 1,688.9 |
2021-10-25 | Casner Mountain | 601.3 |
2021-11-14 | Sonoita Shop | 273.3 |
2022-05-02 | Cruise Moab | 1,472.4 |
2022-10-09 | Montana Mountain | 162.0 |
2023-02-05 | Gas Run | 5.4 |
2023-02-12 | Red Creek | 407.1 |
2023-02-21 | President's Day Run | 369.2 |
Last edited:
I do a multi-thousand kilometers roadtrip every year. It mostly goes fine, just plan for basic tools, fuses, some fencing wire and fluids.
I don't bring a waterpump and would not particularly advise it. Takes a lot of space and anyway I'm not going to change it on the side of the road.
The biggest toll is on you, after multiple days, 10h per days behind the steering wheel, you will be tossed.
I don't bring a waterpump and would not particularly advise it. Takes a lot of space and anyway I'm not going to change it on the side of the road.
The biggest toll is on you, after multiple days, 10h per days behind the steering wheel, you will be tossed.
Last edited:
After a few years of not doing much, my FJ40 is on the home stretch of its’ restoration in South Florida. Current progress at Amazonia 4x4 shown in photo. I’ve been having the same thoughts. After reading all these posts, I’m not so worried anymore. However, I have been thinking about what parts and tools should I should have on hand or in the FJ when traveling.
I’m not really much of a mechanic at all. Much more at home on a computer keyboard and my skill set is more like changing out batteries (finest hour changing out Equinox on Christmas Eve) or minor electric issues. So what kit should come along on my 1st long distance ride?
I’m not really much of a mechanic at all. Much more at home on a computer keyboard and my skill set is more like changing out batteries (finest hour changing out Equinox on Christmas Eve) or minor electric issues. So what kit should come along on my 1st long distance ride?
I totally agree with you - as simple a vehicle as a 40 is, what can possibly go wrong ?
desmocruiser
SILVER Star
pbgbottle
Forum Lifer
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Threads
- 288
- Messages
- 5,556
- Location
- Cloverdale B.C. Canada
- Website
- www.instagram.com
I drive mine anywhere I drove from Vancouver BC Canada to Pismo Beach California ripped around the dunes and then drove it back home. Approximately 2300 miles go for it. It will be a blast
..
..
330... that's nothing. 6 hrs ain't much. Drove 25 of 27 hours and covered something like 1550 miles without letting the engine cool down.
Talking about that, I noticed multiple time that when doing multiple days roadtrip with the engine running for most of the days. I always get a better millage in the return trip and by quite a lot, around 2L/100km of difference. I also feel the engine is smoother and revs easier.
Those engines definitely love to run for hours on and have every little bit of metal get hot.
Seaside?
desmocruiser
SILVER Star
Yes, right in the heart!
The family has everything they enjoy there and having the 40 there was a great way to escape some of the madness!
I think we're spoiled as a culture: everything is easy and soft. Vehicles (and other items) are developed that perhaps do things easier, and the old is suddenly "obsolete" and useless. Meanwhile we lose the beauty of enjoying the details, and taking time just to look, listen, breath...
I just drove a 1980 HJ45 from West Palm Beach to Tampa area, in Florida. Witht he 4 speed, I could do tops 50mph, but really did about 40mph tops. It was my first time ever driving that vehicle. Couldn't find an oil filter so I left the old one there and just swapped out oil. Vehicle kept killing the battery and we noticed it had a big tray, so I got a second battery and hooked both up.
By the time we were done it was getting dark. My brother in law followed me about 2/3 of the way-the rest I did alone down dark back-roads.
It was loud, slow, and awesome!
The ride was the adventure-and that's why, even in my FJ Cruiser than can do 80-mph no worries, I take back roads when I can. I prefer avoiding the highways and the speed.
Enjoy your trip! Learn from any issues!
I just drove a 1980 HJ45 from West Palm Beach to Tampa area, in Florida. Witht he 4 speed, I could do tops 50mph, but really did about 40mph tops. It was my first time ever driving that vehicle. Couldn't find an oil filter so I left the old one there and just swapped out oil. Vehicle kept killing the battery and we noticed it had a big tray, so I got a second battery and hooked both up.
By the time we were done it was getting dark. My brother in law followed me about 2/3 of the way-the rest I did alone down dark back-roads.
It was loud, slow, and awesome!
The ride was the adventure-and that's why, even in my FJ Cruiser than can do 80-mph no worries, I take back roads when I can. I prefer avoiding the highways and the speed.
Enjoy your trip! Learn from any issues!
