FJ40 Cross-Country Expedition: Will YOU join us???

[AZOKIE]

Theme song should be I've been everywhere by Hank Snow

Probably better John Cash since he had a 40
The southern baton will be moving again as soon as the stars and schedules can be aligned

 

[4Cruisers]

The briefcase will be headed further west in early July. @Reznugget and I have tentatively scheduled a hand-off on July 11th or 12th between Los Alamos, NM and Chinle, AZ. His FJ40 is being finished up and checked out in southern Colorado.

 

[4Cruisers]

Well, it looks like more maintenance is needed before my meet with @Reznugget. This morning I drove the FJ40 up to Pajarito Mountain, the local ski area, for a hike with my wife and our grand dogs. I noticed a low mechanical rumbling from the front of the 2F while warming it up in the driveway. Definitely sounds like the bearings in the water pump going out. I'm fairly sure with ~64,600 original miles on the 2F it's the original pump. Luckily I bought a new OEM pump from Marv at SOR when I was in southern California a number of years ago, and I've got the new hoses, clamps, and gaskets I need. I might as well go ahead and pull the radiator to have the drain petcock pipe re-soldered to the bottom of the tank, that's the one I accidently popped off the morning of my planned baton hand-off with @POTATO LAUNCHER. I don't really want to drive to Arizona in July with the temporary fix I rigged up in my hurry to get to Santa Fe.

 

[AZOKIE]

Southern baton to move to me in Las Cruces, NM on Sat the 8th. @graham5david will be driving to meet me there. He will take on the lion's share of the miles as he needs to pick up some seats for a recently acquired 80. Temps will be in mid to upper 90s or higher. From here it will go to AZ with a meet up with @SOAZtim. I believe he was the first to throw his hat in the ring for this journey.

 

[UZJ40]

I'm happy to meet @SOAZtim and bring it in to NV, or any other AZ member for that matter.

 

[graham5david]

I will be meeting @AZOKIE in Las cruces around noon tomorrow to get the southern leg going again. I'm making about a 340 mile trip one way so nearly 700 miles in total. Should be fun. Lol. hopefully next year we find some 40 owners in west Texas to help out.

 

[AZOKIE]

Anyone in Southern NM that wants to join us for this EPIC and HISTORIC occasion, we will be at the Spotted Dog Brewery around Noon.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

You guys have a great handoff tomorrow. Keep adding regional trinkets to the baton.

 

[trainrech]

Hoping next round goes further north through the Plain states.

 

[TheHardWay]

Anyone in Southern NM that wants to join us for this EPIC and HISTORIC occasion, we will be at the Spotted Dog Brewery around Noon.

I'll be there.

 

[AZOKIE]

Southern baton now in Pinos Altos, NM
Drove my 40 about 250 miles to Las Cruces and back. The most I had previously drive on pavement was 30 miles
I discovered that my radiator needs to be checked out as my engine was getting hotter than I am comfortable with
I am going to Tucson Wed evening so hopefully I can get repair done then. I had a good meet up with @graham5david with @decavo as witness

 

[graham5david]

had a great time meeting @AZOKIE and @decavo today. Went 340 miles both ways so close to 700 total. The 40 ran well but my oil pan gasket that I replaced a few weeks ago is leaking again. I'll have to do it right next time. Lol. It was a cool drive. With good scenery. Going through the mountains was challenging but as always the fj40 didn't let me down.

 

[graham5david]

hard to take pics and drive a 69 fj40. Lol And I was running a little warm as well. The heat was brutal.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

You drove 700 miles and had to see @decavo too . Jeeez, that was a full day man.

 

[AZOKIE]

The hand off picture was taken on the bank of the Rio Grande River. David for sure gets the iron butt award for this trip. I will try to get a few pics up in the travelogue thread soon.

 

[decavo]

You drove 700 miles and had to see @decavo too . Jeeez, that was a full day man.

Heck I drove 840 to catch up with you.. Drove an un- tested 80 420 of those miles back to Cruces..... Good times meeting other Mud folk.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

Yessir I agree. My brother and i did 1055 miles in my 40 to take the other two batons North and West. Always a pleasure meeting Cruiser guys in person.

 

[micruz60]

hard to take pics and drive a 69 fj40. Lol And I was running a little warm as well. The heat was brutal.



View attachment 1493263

Look at that dash! Cool! Yes, a HEAT wave.
Now for tech, were you revving at a refuel stop, (3500 rpm, 0 mph) making the fan clutch pull some hot air?

 

[decavo]

The hand off picture was taken on the bank of the Rio Grande River. David for sure gets the iron butt award for this trip. I will try to get a few pics up in the travelogue thread soon.

The cup holder mod u came up with is brilliant,,,,,, you should share that on the 80 forum.....

 

[graham5david]

Look at that dash! Cool! Yes, a HEAT wave.
Now for tech, were you revving at a refuel stop, (3500 rpm, 0 mph) making the fan clutch pull some hot air?

speedo doesn't work yet. Need to buy the cable. I always use the speed on my gps so I never fixed it. That picture was taken going up the franklin mountains