Damn Straight...I'll be there with bells on and Steamworks beer chillin'
Help me plan/plan for a cross country trip. Want to grab a beer and/or wheel?
- Thread starter jgordon
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
i'll look for the guy with the steamworks beer! i'll bring some of utahs finest 3.2
Oh, ur fROM Utah? I....mean...no....I won't have any Colorado beer in Utah...no no no, this is juice sir.
OP'er...You gotta make CM09!
Check out Rising Suns Website: Rising Sun Toyota 4x4 Club * Denver, CO
I live in Tuscaloosa AL if you want to stop by, it is right off of I-20 which is a good route to TX. I've got a guest room and a shower and may be able to do some wheeling depending on when you come through.
- Thread starter
- #26
Guys,
These offers and the advice you're giving me is huge. I really appreciate the offer of a bed and a shower - I've done the cross country thing before, and when there's no camp ground around (which is most of the country) the choice between $70 for a shoddy motel or sleeping in the car is never fun. I'll try to put as much info as I can out to help get the best advice I can.
First off, the current fitment:
- Truck has a stock engine and tranny (4 speed). I debated installing a 5 speed, but the savings on gas and the dollars out the door don't really make sense. She'll cruise at 70 all day, and I stripped the interior and installed damplifier under new carpets, so she's not all that loud.
- Suspension is OME medium, 33X10.5 BFG AT/KOs
- Front bumper is MAF 4+
- Rear is the first SROR dual swing-out, spare tire, ladder and hi-lift carrier.
- winch is going to be either an M8000 or an XD9000. Still debating cost/performance.
As far as wheeling, the comment was made that a locker probably isn't necessary given ratio of pavement to dirt. Add to that the fact that I'm kind of a newbie, and I need my truck to do approximately 12,000 miles and get me home. plus, it's just not set up as a killer rock climbing rig. So I'll be looking for more intermediate type terrain/wheeling.
Pics below (the pimp-mobile is my brother-in-law's):
These offers and the advice you're giving me is huge. I really appreciate the offer of a bed and a shower - I've done the cross country thing before, and when there's no camp ground around (which is most of the country) the choice between $70 for a shoddy motel or sleeping in the car is never fun. I'll try to put as much info as I can out to help get the best advice I can.
First off, the current fitment:
- Truck has a stock engine and tranny (4 speed). I debated installing a 5 speed, but the savings on gas and the dollars out the door don't really make sense. She'll cruise at 70 all day, and I stripped the interior and installed damplifier under new carpets, so she's not all that loud.
- Suspension is OME medium, 33X10.5 BFG AT/KOs
- Front bumper is MAF 4+
- Rear is the first SROR dual swing-out, spare tire, ladder and hi-lift carrier.
- winch is going to be either an M8000 or an XD9000. Still debating cost/performance.
As far as wheeling, the comment was made that a locker probably isn't necessary given ratio of pavement to dirt. Add to that the fact that I'm kind of a newbie, and I need my truck to do approximately 12,000 miles and get me home. plus, it's just not set up as a killer rock climbing rig. So I'll be looking for more intermediate type terrain/wheeling.
Pics below (the pimp-mobile is my brother-in-law's):
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #27
As far as other stuff to bring, I'm going to install my:
- radar detector
- CB radio
- some sort of GPS system (I don't really believe in them, I prefer maps - but if Alaska happens, I'll want to be able to figure out where I am)
I'll bring most of my tools, extra belts, oil filter, miscellaneous spares (I'll do a search as I know a lot of threads have been put together on "what should I bring along for a long trip")
As far as timing, I think that I'll be leaving around March 13, heading down to Charlotte NC. I'll take the woman with me to visit a good friend down there. At the end of that weekend, I'll put her on a plane and i'll cut west. That's where things get interesting.
There are two scenarios here. I may have a job prospect which would be hard to turn down, and which would necessitate a shorter trip. If that doesn't pan out, then I can do the whole thing (all timelines are approximate as I'm still trying to figure this out):
- cut west from NC as of March 15
- March 15-20/22: TN, AK, OK, Southern CO (can't turn down an invite like Trappers, especially after reading his beer winching story)
- March 22-27/28 - CO/Utah/Nevada wheeling/hanging out/snowboarding
- March 28-30 - SoCal wheeling, hanging out
- March 30-April 2-3 - Mid-cal
- April 3-8/9 - SF with a good friend of mine (he works so I'll be up for wheeling during the week)
- April 10-13/14 - woman flies out and we do some sf touristy stuff, then do napa valley wine country)
- April 13/16 - put the woman on a plane and cut north through Oregon, Washington, into Canada
- April 17-19 - driving through Canada up to Alaska
- April 19-22/23 - wander around Alaska, do the Alaska highway, maybe hit kodiak island to see some bears
- April 23-28 - head back down through BC to Idaho, meet up with another friend for some snowboarding
- April 28-May 3 - Cruise Moab
- May 3 - Head back east, through the rockies, maybe hit a day or two at a nice resort for some more boarding, chicago to see a friend, etc.
If I end up having to take the job, I'll head west on a much more expedited time schedule, I'll kill alaska, and just do SF and maybe a little further north before turning and heading back (maybe through Idaho). That is up in the air. Hoping that I can postpone the real world until I've had my fill of travel.
Thoughts? I basically put that timeline together on the fly, so if I'm way off on anything then please let me know. I tried to give myself some breathing room so I can stop to have a drink/meal/hit a trail with people that I haven't already seen post up.
Thanks again. I'm really getting excited for this.
- radar detector
- CB radio
- some sort of GPS system (I don't really believe in them, I prefer maps - but if Alaska happens, I'll want to be able to figure out where I am)
I'll bring most of my tools, extra belts, oil filter, miscellaneous spares (I'll do a search as I know a lot of threads have been put together on "what should I bring along for a long trip")
As far as timing, I think that I'll be leaving around March 13, heading down to Charlotte NC. I'll take the woman with me to visit a good friend down there. At the end of that weekend, I'll put her on a plane and i'll cut west. That's where things get interesting.
There are two scenarios here. I may have a job prospect which would be hard to turn down, and which would necessitate a shorter trip. If that doesn't pan out, then I can do the whole thing (all timelines are approximate as I'm still trying to figure this out):
- cut west from NC as of March 15
- March 15-20/22: TN, AK, OK, Southern CO (can't turn down an invite like Trappers, especially after reading his beer winching story)
- March 22-27/28 - CO/Utah/Nevada wheeling/hanging out/snowboarding
- March 28-30 - SoCal wheeling, hanging out
- March 30-April 2-3 - Mid-cal
- April 3-8/9 - SF with a good friend of mine (he works so I'll be up for wheeling during the week)
- April 10-13/14 - woman flies out and we do some sf touristy stuff, then do napa valley wine country)
- April 13/16 - put the woman on a plane and cut north through Oregon, Washington, into Canada
- April 17-19 - driving through Canada up to Alaska
- April 19-22/23 - wander around Alaska, do the Alaska highway, maybe hit kodiak island to see some bears
- April 23-28 - head back down through BC to Idaho, meet up with another friend for some snowboarding
- April 28-May 3 - Cruise Moab
- May 3 - Head back east, through the rockies, maybe hit a day or two at a nice resort for some more boarding, chicago to see a friend, etc.
If I end up having to take the job, I'll head west on a much more expedited time schedule, I'll kill alaska, and just do SF and maybe a little further north before turning and heading back (maybe through Idaho). That is up in the air. Hoping that I can postpone the real world until I've had my fill of travel.
Thoughts? I basically put that timeline together on the fly, so if I'm way off on anything then please let me know. I tried to give myself some breathing room so I can stop to have a drink/meal/hit a trail with people that I haven't already seen post up.
Thanks again. I'm really getting excited for this.
I strongly suggest a good GPS. I like the Garmin 255W - less than $300 and it tells you the street names. Beats trying to read a map and drive in cities. You can program preferences and routes into it also.
Don't miss the grand canyon and the petrified forests, unless you have already done them.
In the SF/San Jose area there is good moderate wheeling at the Hollister Off road Area - it is state designated.
You can camp in Napa Valley at the Napa Boethe State Park - they have showers and you are minutes from the wineries.
If you come up the coastal highway, camp at Limekiln SP. It is a bit over half way from LA to SF and you can sleep to the waves breaking. Freaking awesome. You can reserve spaces at both parks in advance - I think.
x2 on getting a good camera - you are going to see some amazing scenery and since the woman will not be with you, you will want to show her a million pics when you do connect.
have fun. I am jealous.
Don't miss the grand canyon and the petrified forests, unless you have already done them.
In the SF/San Jose area there is good moderate wheeling at the Hollister Off road Area - it is state designated.
You can camp in Napa Valley at the Napa Boethe State Park - they have showers and you are minutes from the wineries.
If you come up the coastal highway, camp at Limekiln SP. It is a bit over half way from LA to SF and you can sleep to the waves breaking. Freaking awesome. You can reserve spaces at both parks in advance - I think.
x2 on getting a good camera - you are going to see some amazing scenery and since the woman will not be with you, you will want to show her a million pics when you do connect.
have fun. I am jealous.
if you head down san antonio way look me up, 808-347-0755
just drove from oregon to texas myself a few eeks ago, went through some sweet snow wheeln in oregon, nevada, did some rocks in new mexico, it was a great trip, just be sure you hve the proper gear for snow travel in the mts, we got stopped a few times by highway road closures and they just let the cruiser pass after we told them we had snow chains in the back, but never had to use them but one guy wanted to see them, anyways man have a great time dont hurry anything, road trips are the best!!!
cory
just drove from oregon to texas myself a few eeks ago, went through some sweet snow wheeln in oregon, nevada, did some rocks in new mexico, it was a great trip, just be sure you hve the proper gear for snow travel in the mts, we got stopped a few times by highway road closures and they just let the cruiser pass after we told them we had snow chains in the back, but never had to use them but one guy wanted to see them, anyways man have a great time dont hurry anything, road trips are the best!!!
cory
Sounds amazing, Nice rig too, looks like Smoky Mountain's 60. Make sure to drop by Steamworks in Durango when you get to the Four Corners, I'll buy you a beer or 3.
A good GPS is good insurance...it doesn't even need to be a fancy dash model, just something to give you current long. & lat.
& SEE YOU AT CM09!!!! where you will see more Cruisers in one place than anywhere else...very cool
A good GPS is good insurance...it doesn't even need to be a fancy dash model, just something to give you current long. & lat.
& SEE YOU AT CM09!!!! where you will see more Cruisers in one place than anywhere else...very cool
NorCalBorn
10 Year
15 Year
There's a great German Restaurant over in Alameda, CA where we've met up for one of the Expedition Portal Meet+Greets. If your coming through here, let me know here+via pm so I can schedule it.
As for bed/bath, sorry, we're full, but I'll definitely throw down mechanical support as I am on pretty decent terms w/ most of the local recyclers, suppliers, and dealerships if parts are needed.
~Shane
As for bed/bath, sorry, we're full, but I'll definitely throw down mechanical support as I am on pretty decent terms w/ most of the local recyclers, suppliers, and dealerships if parts are needed.
~Shane
What is it called?
NorCalBorn
10 Year
15 Year
Speisekammer Restaurant
Good food
. The way I figure it is if someone's gonna come through here they're most likely to be heading up PCH (1/101) or 80 to the Sierras. It's easier for people to meet up in the East bay versus the city where parking any vehicle, let alone a 60 series on or near a weekend is going to be troublesome. Good food, easy location as far as things, cool/neat stuff to see, and the person can always head into the city the next day to go adventure and shop, right? Whatever works, heck I'm down.
Sounds like a great plan. I dont know if you will have time to hit alaska. I know the next time i go up there i am going to probably be there for a month just driving around. Lots and lots to see. I am in Kansas City and if you come here I have 2 extra bedrooms and always have a hotel room thats never used.
Tint the windows
I would tint those windows they will help with:Security (a road trip like that is the last place to loose your stuff) It is nicer to sleep in a truck that people can not see into. Also it will stay way cooler when that AC goes out.
I have slept in my 60 all over the place with a dark tint people do not know what is going on.
MJM
I would tint those windows they will help with:Security (a road trip like that is the last place to loose your stuff) It is nicer to sleep in a truck that people can not see into. Also it will stay way cooler when that AC goes out.
I have slept in my 60 all over the place with a dark tint people do not know what is going on.
MJM
2X on the tint
I'm planning to do a similar trip in about 3 months but problably only take three weeks. I'm planning to spend a week in the telluride, colorado area and then head back.
I definately argree with the window tinting and plan to do it before I leave. Sleeping in my truck aways seems weird since my windows are not tinted yet.
Good thread. Its helping me prepare too
NorCalBorn
10 Year
15 Year
have you thought of coming into California via Arizona and the Hoover Dam? That way you can hit up Las Vegas while there and then take the 15 into California and work in a visit to Specter Off-Road (Chatsworth)or even the Toyota Museum(Torrance)?
A couple of "silly things" but when else would you have the chance right?
Specter Off-Road 21600 Nordhoff St. Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818)882-1238.
Toyota Museum 19001 South Western Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 (310)468-4728.
The museum is open by appointment only to Toyota associates/employees or Clubs for their meets, so maybe try to hook up with the folks locally with TLCA and make a mini event out of it so Susan can justify the opening if she needs to, or mention the desire to see it to Marv Spector and see what he can do to help pull it off. (in other words, more than just a couple people attending.) The Museum's Curator, Susan Sanborn can be reached at the number above.
A couple of "silly things" but when else would you have the chance right?
Specter Off-Road 21600 Nordhoff St. Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818)882-1238.
Toyota Museum 19001 South Western Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 (310)468-4728.
The museum is open by appointment only to Toyota associates/employees or Clubs for their meets, so maybe try to hook up with the folks locally with TLCA and make a mini event out of it so Susan can justify the opening if she needs to, or mention the desire to see it to Marv Spector and see what he can do to help pull it off. (in other words, more than just a couple people attending.) The Museum's Curator, Susan Sanborn can be reached at the number above.
Last edited: