Long range trip advice

[BigSteve]

This could be a question for the outfitting page but I figured I would get some group input.

I am moving from Vermont to Virginia, and I have to drive my FJ62 down there b/c I can’t imaging spending 1000$ to ship it.

It is 800 or so miles.

What do I need to have in the truck in case it breaks? I know to have oil, antifreeze (still chasing the leak), tranny fluid, ps fluid and 10 extra gallons of gas, belts....

What else though?

I would appreciate any advice.

Also, anybody live in the Blacksburg area with advice on a mechanic?

 

[stonefly]

800 miles??? That's nothin' I do that every month or so just to go fishin'. I think what you've listed plus some tools will be more than adequate.

 

[Doc]

For an 800 mile trip I generally take..... a credit card.

Seriously. I don't even carry oil if I'm going that far.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

The only thing that I would recommend is that you have it tuned up by a local 'Cruiser mechanic. 800 miles loaded with lots of stuff is a long way. I'm sure that you'll be fine, just make sure you're running right before you leave.

 

[3puttcop]

I drive my 60 that far a couple times a year....good spare, extra belts, beer, and a cell phone!

 

[cruzerfetish]

If you maintain your cruiser regularly that distance shouldn't be any trouble at all. I have a real piece of s&%t fj60. and I just got back from 2100 miles of driving without any problems. When I bought the truck it was running awful! That day I drove it from NY to FL. No problems. No shocks, no shockmounts, stalling everytime I took my foot off the gas all the way down the east coast. Maybe I was just blessed but I feel like a broken cruiser will go farther than most other cars in good shape.

 

[re_guderian]

I am moving from Vermont to Virginia, and I have to drive my FJ62 down there b/c I can’t imaging spending 1000$ to ship it.

It is 800 or so miles.

What do I need to have in the truck in case it breaks? I know to have oil, antifreeze (still chasing the leak), tranny fluid, ps fluid and 10 extra gallons of gas, belts....

What else though?

I just shipped my 80 from VA to AZ for about that much. You should be able to do much better on shipping... And if it were me, I'd find the leak in the cooling system before I tool a long summer drive. But I imaging you aren't going to be too far off the beaten path on that trip, so as mentioned earlier, cell phone and $ ought to fix most anything else.

 

[Corbet]

I 2nd fixing the coolant leak, other than that you will be fine. Top off all your fluids and hit the highway.

 

[Fearnofish!]

How soft are your coolant hoses? might be worth the 10$ or so to buy some extra hose and clamps just in case. WD40 and some ducttape might be good. Zip ties are convenient to have for securing stuff that has come loose. COuple of wire coathangers for securing things that get hot ie exhaust stuff. Can't think of anything else. Good luck

 

[sl33py]

maybe AAA membership? nothing like getting pwnd by a local tow truck driver... AAA might be worth the peice of mind. Otherwise - the above, tools, extra oil, belts...etc. I would definately fix the radiator leak before you go, and swap the hoses while your at it. Good luck!

rob

 

[hammer1]

definately a AAA card.
interstate tow-truck operators = criminal ( no offense to anyone)
800 miles @ 11 mpg =72.72 gallon of gas @ $2.75 ea = 199.98 for gas

make sure your spare is accessable, and the lift isnt frozen
hammer

 

[re_guderian]

definately a AAA card.
interstate tow-truck operators = criminal ( no offense to anyone)
800 miles @ 11 mpg =72.72 gallon of gas @ $2.75 ea = 199.98 for gas

Throw in another $100-150 for motel and food, since I don't think I could've driven my FJ60 for 800 mi in one day, and you're probably around 75% of the cost of shipping. If it's just you with one car, cool. If you've got another car and/or family, I'd say ship it...

 

[Mark W]

I saw this thread title and expected a Maine - Bolivia type of thing. 800 miles on east coast interstate? turn the key and go.


Mark...

 

[swank60]

There are a couple of members on the board in the B-Burg area. Look up Arya, he might have a line on a good mechanic.

You heading to VA Tech?

 

[BigSteve]

You heading to VA Tech?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I just got a job there. Should be fun

Thanks for the advice,I will get the leak taken care of by the time I take the trip.

 

[Mike S]

800 miles? A nice day's driving.

M

 

[cruiser_guy]

You've GOT to be kidding. I just did a Long range trip, Guatemala City, Central America to Vancouver, B.C., Canada and back. That's long range. 800 miles is nothing!!

for what it's worth, I was overloaded for the trip down with probably 2-3" of compression of the rear springs and I'm at 430,000kM on the clock!!

 

[3pits]

food
toilet paper
bunch o cds and a few empty credit cards, along with good old american CASH!
I second or third or fourth finding the leak, and replacing hoses if you are indoubt

 

[Adventure Teq]

Water, who could forget water. Antifreeze is good but water works good to and tastes better than antifreeze. Check that spare tire pressure. Flashlight, pretty much all the nice things to have if broke down on the hiway. I'm sure you'll be fine, have a great trip.

 

[mep1811]

long range trip

I would take hoses,beltsantifreeze/water,gas filterand T-stat. Triple AAA is great but get the plus so you can get 100 mile towing.

Mike TLCA 8009
1985 FJ-60
1977 FJ-40