Just completed 11,500Km trip in 1976 FJ55!

[ecodan]

Just completed 11,500km trip from Perth to Sydney and back via Canberra and Aderlaide (across Australia and back), towing a wind-up camper, with loaded roofrack and car full of kids. Our old 55 rocks! The guys at work were certain we would be in trouble by the first 500km but she sailed along not a problem. Sat on a steady 95-105km/hr with an average fuel consumption of 5km/Lt of premium unleaded. Only nominal oil consumption over trip, with no mechanical issues (other than a little driver error -fell down a 2ft drop -poorly marked carpark boundry... ouch, another story).

Did a lot of prep work, but would definetly encorage anyone with an old cruiser (and a measure of confidence) to give it a go! was worth it just to see the heads turn!

Eco-dan

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Awsome, and welcome to the board!!!

In case you don't know, we want more pictures!

 

[loeky]

awesome! sounds like a great trip.

you definitely aren't getting away tha easy for your first post. more pics are mandatory.

 

[nuclearlemon]

you definitely picked one of the best rigs for head-turning...glad everything went smooth

 

[ecodan]

Okay, I get it -more pics

Will try to send more pics, but guess i'll have to set-up a webpage to do it properly. Attached is one taken today of the beast looking her best, the other is one of her lower moments, a slight miscalculation on my part. New drive shaft, radiator, and fan had her back on the road later that day (ouch) still havent replaced the muffler, needs a good back fire to fix it i think. Cant thank the Blue Mountain Wreckers in Penrith enough for all their help. Would have been stuck for a long time without their help.

Trip prep included the following:
Oil Change and general service
4x new shocks
Steering dampner
Steering alignment
2x new tyres (left till last so didnt get much choice in the tyres available)
Extractors
Fuel Pump
Spark leads
Distributor cap
Radiator, heater and vacuum hoses
Transfer case seals fixed
New Master Brake cylinder, plus brake adjust
Greased everything
Re-built alternator
Air fillter

(Transfer case re-built 6months ago, Engine re-built 2years ago, Transmission given clean bill of health despite some gear wine)

During trip:
Replaced fan belt
Replaced fuel hose (leaking after changed fillter)
Changed rear diff oil (ran out of time before)
New Radiator and Fan (thanks to mishap
Changed bannana shaped drive shaft
Added Driving lights (desperately needed -wonder if the old girl could take some halagon globes without frying her existing wireing?)
DVD entertainment system to occupy the kids
Extra power socket for Cooler fridge (runs off our deep cycle duel battery)
PCV valve (not changed before.. seemed very old)

Things to do:
find out why the hell my fan keeps kissing the radiator... second time now, must have a busted engine mount but cant find it... will have to pull them out one by one i think.

I'll get some more pics up soon.
We are now discussing a 2000Km round trip up the coast to Carnarvon!
Dan

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Ouch, at least everything's ok now. That's a fine looking pig you have there.

 

[cruiser88]

impressed good show

 

[Gappy]

congrats on the trip!! very cool rig! love the color! how long did the trip take?

 

[ecodan]

6days each way, to the grandparents house, then daytrips to nearby towns.

Old car felt quite smooth after a while, though i think the anti-sway bars on the camper van helped take some of the jolts out of the ride.

 

[JuttyShabango]

6days each way, to the grandparents house, then daytrips to nearby towns.

Old car felt quite smooth after a while, though i think the anti-sway bars on the camper van helped take some of the jolts out of the ride.

I am totally inspired....thanks for sharing. to you and the family!

 

[ecodan]

I am having trouble recovering some lost pics, but here's more to tide you all over... i understand now - more pics!!!

(I just descoverd www.photobucket.com)