How far will you go with your wagon

[bobm]

Git it back together and driving . She might change her mind after it's running . I'm feeling similar, want to go but the comfort of home and a routine with no change, makes it easy to make excuses to not go! I feel ya. It's Sucks. Be Positive though, makes all the difference . Here to Help!

 

[mtnpig]

What I want to do and what will happen could be two totally different things. But I have always wanted something to be able to drive to any moderate trail and car/tent camp out of the back anywhere in the Western US and British Columbia. Will I have the time to do this, not likely... but that will be the requirement of a "completed pig" for me anyhow.

 

[TachedOutOffRoad]

That’s why it‘s an adventure just getting from point A to point B. It’s an expedition if you actually do something along the way.

Most underrated statement on Mud. That is the pure essence of driving a 55 anywhere. Always an adventure.

 

[TachedOutOffRoad]

What I want to do and what will happen could be two totally different things. But I have always wanted something to be able to drive to any moderate trail and car/tent camp out of the back anywhere in the Western US and British Columbia. Will I have the time to do this, not likely... but that will be the requirement of a "completed pig" for me anyhow.

Nothing in life is guranteed except death at the end. Make the time. Drive the Pig.

 

[SirBarton]

This is a question I ask myself almost every weekend. If it's about the destination, I take my 4Runner because I just want to get there and get back in comfort and convenience.

But if it's just about a drive, I've been taking the Pig farther and farther from home lately and getting more comfortable with it. I don't know that I want to take it on long trips yet because just when I think it have all the bugs worked out, something pops up. So lately it's just been a lot of weekend trips to the coffee shop, hardware store and up the nearby hills for a hike.

 

[scrapdaddy]

So lately it's just been a lot of weekend trips to the coffee shop, hardware store and up the nearby hills for a hike.

Nothing wrong with that, either. The wagons are good for just about anything you want them to be, except maybe a low rider. One thing I miss since I put the drawers in back is using it as a grocery getter. Now we take the Focus, oh the shame.

 

[bobm]

Other side of the World for Evac ops

 

[smooth]

Good thread @scrapdaddy. Makes me think a bit more about the long term future.

I typically role with what I have/bought. Make everything safe, functional, attempt to stop rust. No big changes or mods. I don't mind spending money to keep them on the road. As we all know, this is a cheap hobby . I guess by choice I have too many vehicles to go all in on one. I sometimes wonder what my ride would be like if I only had one Land Cruiser and I dedicated all my time, effort and money into one build? Probably wouldn't be as much fun!?

I'm not an extreme off roader. Dirt roads every day on the farm, power line and forestry roads. I do drive my Land Cruisers every chance I get. One to two days a week to work, weekends, exploring and some vacations. The 55 is my long range vehicle. I'm not afraid to drive it medium/long range. Haven't had the time to plan any cross country trips. I have taken the PIG on a few 10+ hour trips. Looking forward to expanding the time out and range in the future.

I love the simple life and cruising on the back roads. Although fun, it is not for the faint of heart. You have to have the right mind set, experience, knowledge, money and adaptability to be prepared for what may happen. Gotta role with the punches. Could jump in the new 200 but that's boring.

Not planning on making any big mods. Bought a Moseley Motors radiator & fan for better cooling, hope to install it this fall. I made the big commitment, (my 3 yr project) to save the body with new metal, rust repair and paint. Installed the bucket seats for my big body and more comfort. Would like a roof rack, if I do that, it wouldn't fit in my garage . AC would be nice but no immediate plans.

My wife has been awesome. She's a city girl who I somehow convinced to live in the country and drive around in these old utilitarian vehicles. When we are going out she says "what car?" Dresses accordingly and off we go. Topless FJ40's, 12 hour rides in an FJ55 and she still manages to fall asleep. I know I got lucky with that kind of attitude.

As for camping, I'm a tent camper from wayyyyyy back. As great as the wife is when driving, she needs a shower when camping. I bought a nice teardrop a few years ago and yes it does have a shower and indoor plumbing. I have successfully towed it a few times with the PIG. It weighs only 2,000 lbs loaded. Ideally we'd tow the camper to base camp, do day drives, and return to the camper at night. No camper means motel/hotel stays with maybe a night or two in the woods.

The 55 is my long range vehicle and I'm ready to go. God willing I'm committed to more trips in my future.

 

[landcruisnman]

I am aiming for daily driver worthy and road trips to at least 10 states. I’ll keep tweaking it once she’s been on the road. I drove it into Mexico dozens of times back in the 90’s with her

 

[scrapdaddy]

road trips to at least 10 states.

Interesting, I'll have to look at the map, but I'm betting the prairie is the limit.

 

[landcruisnman]

Interesting, I'll have to look at the map, but I'm betting the prairie is the limit.

What prairie? Little house on the prairie?

 

[scrapdaddy]

The great fly over states. North & South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma. Most westerners won't drive east over the prairie. It's a full day of driving with little excitement unless you go looking off the highways.

 

[PabloCruise]

When we first started planning our 55 pre stroke, it was to be a stock looking diesel powered go anywhere rig. The plan was to tow our Airstream to both coasts over time and explore this great country we live in. Given the situation life has bestowed on us, I just want to put it back together and drive it. Wife has zero interest in traveling anywhere, so around town diesel grocery getter will work.

That sounds like it would be a tough dream to give up on.
At least you two still have each other!

 

[RUSH55]

What’s the consensus on a good stereo system in a 55 versus getting tinnitus on road noise?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Bag of worms right there. Road (gear box) noise is a real deal even in a padded up wagon. I have tinnitus bad, comes with working in a beer factory, but really don't like blaring music when traveling with Jeri. I know we tease a lot about listening, but I do like to talk about the scenery, what and where we're going to eat for dinner, etc. We've made whole trips without listening to a tape. Personally I wouldn't build a speaker box in the back and if you're thinking of putting some slim type of speaker up in the new roof bows, don't. I put a couple up there because reg. size speakers don't fit and the skinny ones sound bad. I added two door speakers which sound great. I guess the best would be those earphones (buds) ? plus they drown out the ringing in your ears. You can't find out what's for dinner listening to the nitty gritty dirt band.

 

[brisveganbj42]

I found adding sound deadening and marine carpet went a long way to making my old BJ42 a lot more quieter and comfortable to drive. I'm HOPING it'll have a similar impact on the comfort of pig when I'm done...

 

[brisveganbj42]

I've been meaning to add to this thread for a while but never got around to it...

I'm hoping my pig will take our family as far as any more modern rigs would today. Like when looking at 80 or 100 series wagons and where you'd take those.. thats where I'd hope to take my pig. I'm building it to do all of that.. from daily driving the kids to school, to grocery getting, weekend drives or hardcore wheeling inthe bush with the kids and exploring further afield.

Again I recognize my pig aint the same as what rolled off the factory floor all those years ago and the mods I've made to it reflect my intended use... the economical 4pot diesel, the comfortable yet capable coil springs... but more importantly it'll be spec'd out to support a family of 5 camping for a weekend or more, or a solid 8-12hr day driving and the like.. It's always going to be what you make it and i'm lucky in that I have had that opportunity...

 

[RUSH55]

Bag of worms right there. Road (gear box) noise is a real deal even in a padded up wagon. I have tinnitus bad, comes with working in a beer factory, but really don't like blaring music when traveling with Jeri. I know we tease a lot about listening, but I do like to talk about the scenery, what and where we're going to eat for dinner, etc. We've made whole trips without listening to a tape. Personally I wouldn't build a speaker box in the back and if you're thinking of putting some slim type of speaker up in the new roof bows, don't. I put a couple up there because reg. size speakers don't fit and the skinny ones sound bad. I added two door speakers which sound great. I guess the best would be those earphones (buds) ? plus they drown out the ringing in your ears. You can't find out what's for dinner listening to the nitty gritty dirt band.

Yeah, it’s made its way into my mind a couple times now, pretty far off to be a real concern at this point, but have been thinking I’d like to have a decent sound system in it. There was remnants of 6x9’s in the cargo panel that was left, but not much else. Never knew if it was factory or what.
The door panels seem to be the only logical location for speakers, and as mine will all be custom, that shouldn’t be an issue. The only speakers I was considering putting in the overhead was some tweeters. If I end up building a slide-out drawer system, maybe I can find an area to build the boxes for the six, 12” Rockford-Fozgates that are a necessity for any humble vehicle stereo system.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I'm hoping my pig will take our family as far as any more modern rigs would today

Don't get me wrong, soundeadening is wonderful stuff and it does make things better. When it's hot out and you need a/c with the windows up it is very quiet inside, but then the blower on the a/c is screaming ( mine makes big noise on high ), your back is sweating and sticking to the seat. I find myself rolling down my window so I can get air on my face and the a/c on for Jeri, all that equals up to noisy. We've had to shut the a/c off and window up to answer her phone. It's all part of traveling in a 55 and we accept it as such, young kids don't have the same acceptance level as real humans, if you know what I mean.

 

[White Stripe]

Hey Guys,

I thought it might be fun to read how far you would drive / travel / camp out of your 55. Are you building it for long trips or just to the coffee house? Would you trust it to get you there and back? Total camping / roughing it with what you bring along or finding a motel? Maybe just a rock crawler or weekend trips. How much can you and the better half endure comfort wise, heat / ac? Let's hear your future plans. No pipe dreams, but more realistic goals.

I built mine for long trips around the country. I knew they were tin boxes, noisey, hot and cold with water dripping in everywhere. I tried to make it comfortable (to a point) and make it faster than 50 miles an hour, but more important, reliable. That last one has been a thorn in my side. My 55 has gotten us home every time, but I've had to fix something when we got home. With each passing year we add to it and rethink what will work, so when we do take off for an extended trip there will be no regrets. I would like to add heat to the RTT via a diesel heater and solar panels / lit. battery to the mix, but we're getting close to the end goal for us.

Let me add this, we don't use the 55 for daily driving or hauling kids and junk. We have other vehicles for that type of stuff, so the 55 is setup just for traveling. Having a multi use vehicle can change how you plan the build in a big way. Nothing wrong with that at all, just all part of the big picture.

What do you want out of your 55, investment or use it until she is no more. What do you REALLY want to do with your wagon?

I daily drive my cruisers as much as possible. It allows me to find bugs while I'm local rather than far from home. It really does help increase reliability for long trips. I've broken down several times just driving to work. Since I'm not far from home repairs are much easier. I also have invested significantly in vehicle security so I'm not worried when parked out and about.