First time owner - Border to border road trip (1 Viewer)

[TorchRedTulsan]

After years of reading, researching, and waiting for the stars to align, I finally own a 100 series. I found it on Autotrader in San Diego and a local forum guy was kind enough to go check it out the next day.

1998, 190k miles, locking rear diff

The seller wasn't sure when the timing belt was last done and there wasn't a sticker, so he dropped it off at The Truck Shop in Miramar (I found it from a thread here on recommended shops) and I flew in the next day to pick it up. They did the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, tensioners, and crankshaft oil seal as well as replaced the cracked radiator. I brought the heater t's with me and he threw those on for me as well

Here it is as I was leaving the shop

 

[trdcorolla]

Nice 100! Congrats!

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

With a long drive ahead, I stopped in at an audio shop and had them install a Pioneer MVH-2400NEX. I brought my camping gear and took off for Joshua Tree the next day

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

Saturday, I made a run for Yosemite. Got there in the dark, but spent Sunday in the park

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

I stayed Sunday night in a tiny cabin in Hilt, CA, then went to Crater Lake on Monday. It was covered in clouds and mist, but it was still a sight to see

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

I made it home Monday night. Spent Tuesday taking off the running boards/frame weight, windshield bug deflector, aftermarket roof rack, cut down the mud flaps, and lubed up the windows. Yesterday, I grabbed the dog and we rounded out the trip by driving to the Canadian border. 1,987 miles total. Today I'm going to change the engine and diff oils

 

[ClassyJalopy]

As a very recent owner (about 6 months now) of a 1998 LX470, I can tell you did well. That rear diff lock makes her extra special.

 

[Peabody]

This is absolutely fantastic! Sounds like you made the most out of that buying trip!

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

This is absolutely fantastic! Sounds like you made the most out of that buying trip!

I wanted to spend longer in Yosemite and drive up the Oregon and Washington coast, but I broke my credit card in Yosemite and had to make it the last 1k miles home with Apple Pay and whatever cash I had

 

[custyota]

Looks like a great trip!!! So you did not take the cruiser to SD Trux you went to a different shop it looks like. Where in Joshua Tree did you stay? I have not been out there yet and it's on my radar for thiw winter.

 

[CloudCity]

I wanted to spend longer in Yosemite and drive up the Oregon and Washington coast, but I broke my credit card in Yosemite and had to make it the last 1k miles home with Apple Pay and whatever cash I had

These rigs have been known to break a credit card or two but generally only at fuel stops.

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

Looks like a great trip!!! So you did not take the cruiser to SD Trux you went to a different shop it looks like. Where in Joshua Tree did you stay? I have not been out there yet and it's on my radar for thiw winter.

It was a lot of fun! Turns out SD Trux was started by the father of the owner of the shop I went to. His dad sold it and works for him now.

I stayed at a tent site about 5 miles from the west entrance that I found on AirBN. Seems like the thing to do out there is build plywood platforms and rent them out to travelers. Mine had a hot shower outside and a real toilet

https://abnb.me/TNR7cZRg6Q

 

[TorchRedTulsan]

These rigs have been known to break a credit card or two but generally only at fuel stops.

Coming from a Honda Accord, I felt that. I had my card in my front pocket and was climbing up to Bridalveil Falls. Must've committed harakiri after the timing belt invoice and a few fill-ups

 

[Tylerh84]

I'm glad shes working out for ya!!

 

[implayaz9]

Very Nice. Looking forward to seing more pictures and travel stories.