How far will you go with your wagon

[PabloCruise]

That being said I usually make poor choices, so we will see how far I will take it some day.

Ha ha, we read from the same play book!!!

 

[fj55tlc]

It's kind of cheating, but I was 10 years old when we drove it to Maine. I think I was 12 or 13 when it went to the west coast. Maybe some day I will drive it to either coast.

 

[PabloCruise]

Personally comfort in a vehicle that's 40+ is not my intent, although it is enticing.

Right? How much are you willing to change the Pig to make it like a 100? And then have you lost some of the original Pig character?

 

[PabloCruise]

It's kind of cheating, but I was 10 years old when we drove it to Maine. I think I was 12 or 13 when it went to the west coast. Maybe some day I will drive it to either coast.

Fine by me! I love that you have all that history in your Pig!
But it does help me calm down with all that time/space business. Right now time feels like we have to prep our boy to get ready to leave us in a few years - college or otherwise.

 

[PabloCruise]

I believe I made a mistake putting in the 4:1 low transfer gear. I've used it a few times in Moab, but that's all and it howls pretty good going down the highway. I've tried to sound deaden the body as much as I could and cool it down inside a bit. Driving 8 to 10 hours in a wagon is hard on my back and with the 55 gal. tank you don't really need to stop often. I'm with Doomer on going to all the States and National parks, we've hit a lot of them, but need to up our game since the clock is ticking. I'm very fortunate to have a wife that likes the wagon and will go along anywhere we point it, as long as she gets a map to hold. Hot shower, cold drinks with no floating lunch meat, a dry bed off the ground, plenty of water, a/c and music, what else?

One thing I'm debating is some sort of awning/screen room. We've been camping where it rained for three days straight, luckily we had the ground tent to sit in. It's tough sitting in the roof top or 55 with two people for a few days. I like the idea of getting to a great spot and staying a few days before moving on, so setting it up wouldn't be a big problem.

You are fortunate Ron. My Lady is not that fond of riding in the Pig for long periods of time, and I can't blame her, the front bench really does suck. I need to reconfigure it for some more comfort...

The 4:1 gears represent a choice, you get the crawl, but then you stuck with the road noise. Each mod carries that cost to benefit ratio, right? I have just been trying to make sure each choice doesn't take me too far away from what the original Pig was.

 

[PabloCruise]

My truck is pure garbage compared to yours. I know that and am silently suffering, but happy in my own right.

I did a lot of work to make mine as drivable as possible, 80 chassis, fuel injected V8, 5 speed, 55 gallon tank, with the intent to drive to Alaska.

This is a dumb idea.

There is no real RATIONAL reason to drive these old, loud, leaky, bricks….. except the pure f***ing badass feeling you get EVERY-TIME you drive. I drove my Tundra to the last Pig ride and was super bummed. Comfortable, but bummed.

Ive put about 5-6k miles on mine in the last 10 months. Prepping for a 3,500 mile trip right now which is a warm up for the trip to AK next summer.

LONG LIVE THE BACON

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Nothing dumb about the idea of driving a Pig to Alaska. My woman might have a different opinion, but that is a memory of a lifetime.

And yes, when you drive that Pig, and people are all like, "WTF is that?!?", that is what it is all about. Amirite?

As for driving the Tundra, I feel you brother! Every year I drive the 100 to Classic, and people in the DTC are like "Where is this Pig we keep hearing about?", I just think well, life is a series of choices... We made it here, with a camper that I would not ask my Pig to pull. So we are here to enjoy the Classic, and I have my family, but not the Pig. Still a good time!

 

[PabloCruise]

I admire everyone that wants to drive these anywhere and everywhere. I am currently thinking more like a 2 to 3 hour max radius and if the is with me it’s probably more like 2 to 3 miles. She likes the pig and appreciates the enjoyment I get out of driving it but finds it too uncomfortable to ride in for an extended time.

My motivation is to bring it back as close as practical to original condition and most importantly to ensure that it won’t rust going forward. Sounds easy enough; right?

This!!! ^^^

My woman is glad I have the Pig, and that I enjoy it, but she no loner enjoys the idea of driving it hours and hours and then sleeping in a tent at a Land Cruiser event.

This is okay.

 

[PabloCruise]

but man we could of chose a easier vehicle to build.

My wife said one time "why don't we fly out and rent a vehicle", can't do it.

Good thoughts here - both points...

 

[PabloCruise]

I’m probably the weirdo in the group. My interest has always been in the experience of driving an original, for better or worse. My goal is to keep my pig original as possible. Okay, so I added power steering and a roof rack but that’s about it. I’ve been amazed at how versatile the truck is. I take the kids to school, I haul all sorts of big cargo (don’t have a pick up truck), grocery getter, cars n coffees, date nights and some pretty gnarly wheeling. This stock pig has taken me to some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. It is slow, loud, mildly uncomfortable on long road trips and the AC is totally inadequate for Phoenix. I still wouldn’t change a thing. For me, it’s perfect as is. That being said, undoubtedly it will likely be pulled pork to the next Pig Party but whatever. I’m just excited to have my kiddos with me on the next one.

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This ^^^ I picked up the boy from his high school orientation in the Pig and many of his friends were saying, "Cool car" or "I like your car!".

The boy was glad I picked him up in the Pig.

As for the inadequate AC, I can only dream...

 

[PabloCruise]

Since I only invested $5,000 in piggy and all the rest of the work and accessories were free (?????) I have dubbed my 77 “Silver Spoon”. I built it to be able to wear numerous hats. Taking the refer, cook box and bed out takes about 5 mi. The gear boxes another 10. I can use it for daily use, day trips, weekend or long excursions.
I have been snow bound at the north rim comfortable but cold. Rained-in but comfortable. The awnings are key. At home it belongs to the dogs, it is their daily driver, it take them to the park or the mountains for a drive almost every day.

With the new lithium battery its looking like the bugs in the build are almost gone, other then wear and tear. The deep cycle battery just wasn’t deep enough. Not totally proven yet but the lithium battery may get me 5 to 10 days maybe more refer time before a charge is needed.

The 71 I dubbed “Lipstick”, it’s the color red woman wear when they want to seduce you. And also most humans of the female gender stare at it and jab there mail escorts in the ribs. It will remain all stock except for after market AC. It’s intent is similar to SilverSpoon, just simpler camping and more hotel time. My refer from the 80’’s is a Dometic that runs on propane. So no need for more battery power. The dogs don’t get to ride in it because it has cloth seats. Just slowly going through it to be mechanically sound

Ha ha, every time I see you writing about your fridge I stumble on refer vs. reefer.

Not reefer like , but reefer like slang for a refrigerator.

 

[scrapdaddy]

It reads to me like you are asking 2 questions, 1) How far will we road trip our Pigs for fun adventures, but also 2) What is our intent in our Pig build projects, eh? Am I reading you correctly Scrappy?

Yes and like you said, how far will you improve/change/add to your pig to make it do what your plans are for it. Only Bob and Remy could take a stock rig and drive it out West. Less than stock really, three brakes and part time clutch.

Everyone has a different idea what stock means to them and what they feel is right to change. Change, but stay Toyota or something aftermarket. I like to hear what everyone is planning when they get it done or get the time to do it. We're close to that time, if I could just get rid of some goats. We do more traveling by ourselves than with the group, so I'm trying to make the wagon as bullet proof as possible so Jeri doesn't have to walk too far when we break down.

I tried to keep mine looking like a stock pig and that's fine with me. I've never been that committed to any vehicle brand before. Toyota built these to be reliable and make a profit in the 70s, they weren't thinking about a bunch of crazy guys running around the country in them 50 years later.

 

[greenbeast]

Once daughter graduates next June we will most likely be packing up and moving.
Agree we need to hook up soon.

 

[Pigeaten]

My current build(Steve) is being built for camping, short trips to the coast and longer distance, multi week trips out of state. Eventually storage, shower, maybe solar.
gearing is 3;70 with 5 spd, new cop motor by Mosley(he says shipping tomorrow), vintage air,HD ome susp, long range tank, KO 33s, and a set o Corbeau bucket seats. Alucab RTT, awning with optional sidecurtains- hope to take first trip after Oct 2 sons wedding. Been running my business with few breaks for 30 years, time and years slipping away

 

[PabloCruise]

Toyota built these to be reliable and make a profit in the 70s, they weren't thinking about a bunch of crazy guys running around the country in them 50 years later.

Yep! In my mind, I see a group of Japanese engineers in white lab coats, smoking cigarettes while designing the Pig. If they could see us out in some of the places we take our Pigs they would probably shake their heads and smile.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I see a group of Japanese engineers in white lab coats, smoking cigarettes while designing the Pig

I wish someone would of mentioned "rust prevention" to them.

 

[TachedOutOffRoad]

So I have this really fun FJ45 that I fixed up but am selling to fund a shop at the new house.

guy just came to test drive it and was all smiles and “it’s so cool” and stuff like that. Very uncommon truck. The mustard is spot on.

……I took him for a ride in the pig and he was slack jawed and dazed and was like “that thing is ****ing awesome!” “Bleep bleep bleeep” when I gassed on it.

All Cruisers are special, but Pigs are more special than others.

 

[PabloCruise]

Yes they are…

 

[greenbeast]

So I have this really fun FJ45 that I fixed up but am selling to fund a shop at the new house.

guy just came to test drive it and was all smiles and “it’s so cool” and stuff like that. Very uncommon truck. The mustard is spot on.

……I took him for a ride in the pig and he was slack jawed and dazed and was like “that thing is f***ing awesome!” “Bleep bleep bleeep” when I gassed on it.

All Cruisers are special, but Pigs are more special than others.

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I love em! Our BJ45 is way cool and I bet we will take a few trips in it every now and then. However there is just something about the pig and its ability to take cool couples across beautiful America.

Did the guy buy it?? Now I am off to shop to work on the yellow 40.

 

[RUSH55]

I’ve always been into exploration and getting to places where there aren’t any other people (or very few). Used to go on some extended weekend outings in the 55 years back out into some places most people don’t or wouldn’t go. Got into boating (IK’ing/rafting) for the same reason only more so and discovered the satisfaction of week-long and longer trips. It isn’t necessarily about covering a ton of ground, just getting thoroughly familiar with a given location which includes wheeling, hiking, exploring, camping, and could also possibly include things like photography, gold panning, checking out archaeology, geology, etc…
I’ve run my rig from its bone stock form, to modified with 35’s and have really never regretted any modification. They’ve all helped getting into the back country easier and more fun.
After this build, there will be an increased emphasis on longer back country outings not only here in AZ, but anywhere in the country I’d like to go. Pig Parties and SSS’s add another reason every year to load up and get the **** out.
As far as the modifications in line with reaching that end? It’s quite a few. Beyond where I was at previously, it’s a drivetrain change, larger fuel tank, and some interior revisions that lend to an easier and quicker bug-out, i.e. roller drawers and the new storage compartment, center console, overhead storage in the new interior cage. I’m personally not into RTT’s but I do like the awning and awning/tent setups, so I’ll probably include one of those. Swing-out tire carrier with Hi-Lift and jerry can, roof rack for gear overflow (mostly for looks).
Really looking forward to to getting back out there…

 

[scrapdaddy]

I’m personally not into RTT’s

Rush, what would be your preferred sleeping arrangement assuming two people. I don't like the look of the RTTs, but really enjoy the setup and take down time. I miss sitting in the tent in bad weather and that's where the annex would be good. Like Pablo said, it's a give and take I guess, no perfect answer.