Getting Our Kicks on Route 66 in a 1969 FJ40

[120mm]

Spent way too much time driving interstate, watching undrivable sections of route 66 on either side slide by. Finally arrived in Kingman where we managed to get a room at the historic El Travatore Motel. An amazing relic of times gone by complete with theme rooms and a history of famous celebrities who stayed there back in the day. The owner/manager Sam is a hoot.

As the sun went down, we headed out for a neon sign tour. Unfortunately, most of the signs are defunct. Got the obligatory Route 66 pic.

Returned to our home for the night, which turned out to have one of the best neon signs left.

 

[120mm]

Got up early this morning and saw a mural depicting an early Mustang similar to mine.

Kingman wins the prize for best exit on Route 66.

Kingman to Barstow is the prettiest part of Route 66.

Sitgreaves pass is 8 miles with 191 cutbacks, and you gotta stay in front of your rig, especially if you have drum brakes.

Dogs were somewhat anxious on the downhills and lovely bride was a bit concerned with the narrowness.

 

[120mm]

Found a other photo opportunity at Golden Shores/Topock. Home of one amazing huge ORV park. With great reluctance, we passed it by to stay on the route.

Of course, we hit a series of rainstorms, and while the wipers worked well at first, the slowed and stopped completely after awhile.

Still....managed to make Barstow, and can attest that all the rumors passed along by fellow servicemen are true. Town is rough as a cob.

We are waiting to see how severe storms are tomorrow on the way to LA to decide whether and when to go.

 

[120mm]

Woke up in Barstow to dire warnings of a late winter snowstorm in the LA area. We considered our options and decided to set out, as the main action looked to start about an hour down the road, and my plan was to launch from there the next day, drive to the end of Route 66, and blitz homeward to avoid staying overnight in LA.

Things didn't quite turn out that way.

Stopped at the Bottle Tree Ranch on the way. What a cool curio.

Arrived in Victorville, which was supposed to be the only snow free city before LA. Checked the weather radar and noticed a gap at any terrain lower than 5000 feet. El Cajon Pass into San Bernardino is at 4000, BTW. So we pushed on.

I removed the driver's side wiper as it was stuck in the down position. I 15 was wet, but trucks tend to drive slow through the pass, so it was comfy driving, even without functioning wipers.

 

[120mm]

Stopped at a couple obligatory Route 66 stops.

Despite all TEOTWAWKI predictions of a new ice age in LA, this is what greeted us.

Let's be honest. LA still sucks. But Santa Monica/Venice Beach is breathtaking. And I put a bid on a nice room just a block off the beach and won it. At an embarrassingly low price.

BTW, driving Route 66 through LA with a 40 is the hardest leg workout I've ever had. I got out of my rig at Mel's Diner and fell down when I tried to walk. Toward the end I resorted to starting and staying in 2nd to minimize clutch usage.

Sucks getting old.

But I'm damned proud to have made it all the way.

 

[clrussell]

Here I am wanting to get my 40 to the point I can take it to the grocery store.

And you’re over here driving yours the length of Route 66. On bias tires. In a couple weeks time. Bravo my internet friend.

I’m enjoying this journey.

 

[120mm]

Here I am wanting to get my 40 to the point I can take it to the grocery store.

And you’re over here driving yours the length of Route 66. On bias tires. In a couple weeks time. Bravo my internet friend.

I’m enjoying this journey.

All it takes is equal amounts of stubbornness and stupidity. Two traits I have in abundance.

 

[landcrusher909]

What a Fantastic adventure. Not sure your route back home. Your welcome to stop by if you're heading back through the San Bernardino area. We Love cruisers visiting

 

[landcrusher909]

What a Great visit. Safe travels my friends

 

[middlecalf]

Once I get it running, my plan is to drive the wheels off it.

I think you have officially fulfilled this objective.

 

[120mm]

What a Great visit. Safe travels my friends

View attachment 3597242

I really enjoyed my time there. It was great getting the wipers sorted out, but right now I wished I would've stayed longer to get after that timing cover leak.

We are currently in Phoenix, with an extremely sick dog at the animal hospital and will be taking my rig to Higgys tomorrow morning to fix the timing cover. 300 miles of 60 mph has just about wiped out the seal, and we are spraying oil everywhere.

Thanks for the assist in hooking us up, man!

 

[120mm]

More pics from Robs place

 

[landcrusher909]

I really enjoyed my time there. It was great getting the wipers sorted out, but right now I wished I would've stayed longer to get after that timing cover leak.

We are currently in Phoenix, with an extremely sick dog at the animal hospital and will be taking my rig to Avid Cruisers tomorrow morning to fix the timing cover. 300 miles of 60 mph has just about wiped out the seal, and we are spraying oil everywhere.

Thanks for the assist in hooking us up, man!

Cruisers and Family thats what it's all about. Hope everything goes well

 

[120mm]

So... Seems I picked up a hitchhiker while I was there.

Well played, sir! Well played...

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

Found a other photo opportunity at Golden Shores/Topock. Home of one amazing huge ORV park. With great reluctance, we passed it by to stay on the route.View attachment 3595369
Of course, we hit a series of rainstorms, and while the wipers worked well at first, the slowed and stopped completely after awhile.

Still....managed to make Barstow, and can attest that all the rumors passed along by fellow servicemen are true. Town is rough as a cob.

We are waiting to see how severe storms are tomorrow on the way to LA to decide whether and when to go.

Overdue for some Rain-X my man. I never use my wipers with that stuff.

 

[landcrusher909]

So... Seems I picked up a hitchhiker while I was there.

View attachment 3597651

Well played, sir! Well played...

You did say You always wanted a 45.

 

[120mm]

Well, the journey ends (for now), at Higgys in Phoenix.

Higgys

Higgys

higgys.com

Strangely enough, my first land cruiser breakdown was in Phoenix, when @Tools R Us and @inkpot rescued me from my ignorance and poor buying decisions.

Now I am bailed out by yet another Phoenix area cruiser expert. Call it kismet or symmetry, it has a balance to it. Once Mavis is repaired, I plan on returning to Phoenix and completing this adventure.

 

[120mm]

BTW, I gotta say that @landcrusher909 arranges some pretty elaborate entertainment for his guests. Turns out he had Elon Musk have a space launch from Vandenberg to entertain us as the sun went down.

 

[Broski]

Great adventure ! thanks for sharing

 

[70fj40]

The majority of the modern world believes it unthinkable to drive a 50 year old vehicle with most of its primitive originality intact across the country. I am glad there are still guys like you that don’t adhere to that belief. Thanks for taking us on your adventure and congrats for having the fortitude to see it through.