Getting Our Kicks on Route 66 in a 1969 FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[120mm]

Last leg of the journey to Saguache was pretty interesting. Made a quick cup of coffee in my Stanley French press/drinkable thermos and headed out. Found some roadside sausage, egg, cheese, potato and green chilies burrito at a divey gas station and it was fantastic.

Drove past the UFO viewing platform south of Saguache, and there were actually people there looking for UFOs.

Lots of these natural rock splits with roads going through them in this area.

Arrived at Gillettes Trading Post just in time to participate in a veteran's trail ride up to the war memorial on Sargent's Mesa. Good to see this guy after all these years.

Terry Gillette actually looks a lot like Chuck Connors. Runs a great firearms and military vehicle/jeep museum.

Also, due to popular demand, I examined the world famous Saguache Toyota Stout. Looks like a complete, fairly straight rig

 

[120mm]

More about the UFO watchtower in rural Saguache county.

Cosmic Highway 17 in Saguache | TravelStorys

travelstorys.com

 

[120mm]

As much as I'd like to loiter in the beautiful state of Colorado, I turned around the next day and started home.

A quick bit of off roading "just because".

Stopped by Classic Cruisers to say hi. Had a good convo with Jesse.

Heading east of town I actually ran into beautiful terrain fatigue. Man that place is gorgeous.

 

[120mm]

Took the Salida skyline just because of good humor.

Stopped in Dodge City Kansas, but took no pictures.

 

[clrussell]

You have covered some ground in a 40. How’s it running?

 

[120mm]

You have covered some ground in a 40. How’s it running?

Really well.

I'm running an 84 FJ60 engine, so had to get used to the higher temp reading on the water temp gauge due to the late model thermostat.

I wish my speedometer/odometer worked, but oh well. Google Maps is my speedometer.

Tie rod ends are giving up the ghost and old seals are failing, but I replace them as necessary. Should be tight and sealed in time.

These rigs were obviously made to drive. Even at 100 degree F, the Weber inside the engine compartment has shown signs of vapor lock only once. Having said that, I wish I were running some kind of conventional air cleaner with fresh air intake.

 

[clrussell]

Really well.

I'm running an 84 FJ60 engine, so had to get used to the higher temp reading on the water temp gauge due to the late model thermostat.

I wish my speedometer/odometer worked, but oh well. Google Maps is my speedometer.

Tie rod ends are giving up the ghost and old seals are failing, but I replace them as necessary. Should be tight and sealed in time.

These rigs were obviously made to drive. Even at 100 degree F, the Weber inside the engine compartment has shown signs of vapor lock only once. Having said that, I wish I were running some kind of conventional air cleaner with fresh air intake.

That’s my one complaint with my Weber as well. I know it’s possible, I just haven’t dedicated the funds to it.

 

[120mm]

I have most of a conversion kit in my garage somewhere. Just need to loosen and retighten the head bolts to install the 1F air cleaner.

 

[120mm]

Today was the day to rejoin Route 66 in Missouri

Kind of fun to rejoin the Mother Road again.

Chasing the sun for first few hours.

Stopped at Mark Twain national Forest to reheat the Chinese from the night before.

 

[120mm]

Drove through Cairo Illinois. Not quite the ghost town it used to be a few years ago, but still gives off post apocalyptic vibes.

 

[120mm]

From there, it was just a couple hours home. Really happy to put a pin on this one and call it done.

 

[1lukeduke]

From there, it was just a couple hours home. Really happy to put a pin on this one and call it done.

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What an epic trip! Thanks for sharing a great adventure. Well done