Long road trip...What's the worst that could happen?

[Aggiesdm]

If your camping in Big Bend the only place at elevation is the Chisos Campground or hiking up from the lodge into the mountains. It's really nice for a non backcountry campground. There are a few shaded backcountry sites along the river but it will be pretty hot around this time of year. All the other backcountry sites have no shade. I usually play all day and try not to get to camp till around dark due to lack of shade. Another thing to remember is National Parks won't let you have a ground fire.
If your really up for an adventure check out Big Bend Ranch State Park. The worst road in the Nation Park is pretty much the best road in the State Park. When I was there I asked a ranger how many other people were in the park and they said I was the only one they knew of. Campfires are okay if there isn't a burn ban. It's one of the darkest places in the US which is great on a moonless night. It feels like you are in space.

Great info. Thanks! I've thought about the Chisos campground, but kinda wanted to get away from everyone! What about Panther Junction? It looks to be about 1/2 way up the elevation scale from Rio Grande Village to the Chisos. Any good places to camp from there? I'm also looking into the state park. I met one of their rangers when I was in Terlingua 2 years ago on a motorcycle trip. He was really cool and said it was awesome mountain biking, but we didn't talk about camping.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Panther Junction is a visitor center but stop in their because that's where you get your permits. They have pictures of all camping spot and are very helpful in planning a trip. All backcountry permits are on a first come basis but I have never had a problem getting the sites I want. Depending on what your plan is I usually start on one side of the park and camp my way to the other over a few days.
One place to see is Cat Tail falls which is not on the map for a reason. If it was everyone would go there although it probably isn't flowing this time of year. Ask a ranger or look on the interweb for how to get there.

 

[darwink1]

A month after buying my 93 fzj I took it on a 6600km road trip to Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia. Worst thing that happened was the ds window messed up a bit and I had to help it up after lowering it.... In retrospect I should have done way more pm but hey, we made it there and back and had a blast.

D

 

[jonheld]

I think I'm leaning toward the 80! It'll all depend on a few maintenance/repairs that I need to get done before then. I still need to swap the radiators, T-stat, Dizzy O-ring and figure out the fan clutch (whether to mod or replace) and I'd really like to replace the u-joints, but damn....there's never enough time. With two active kids, wife and a job...Daddy doesn't get many opportunities to string several hours together to do the work. Plus its so freaking hot here right now (105 today), that it is just miserable to work on in the driveway or garage. Oh well, I'm finished complaining....I'll figure out a way to get it done!


BTW, still looking for some good recommendations on backcountry camping in Big Bend at a decent elevation. Anyone??? I'll post it in the camping forum too

Is your distributor o-ring leaking oil? That is a 1FZ-FE common issue, but very rare on a 3FE. If it's not leaking, leave it be and take care of things that need to be addressed. Don't create problems (one of the problems with this forum).

Do your universal joints need to be replaced? Properly greased OEM joints last a ridiculous amount of time. I'm still on my original fronts. The rear gets bashed around a lot, so they have been replaced several times.
Remove each drive shaft and work the universal joints through each axis with your hand. If they have a "notch" or if there's any play, then they should be replaced. If the movement is smooth, then grease them and go.

Take care of the cooling system and don't forget a new OEM radiator cap.

I just got done "freshening up" my brake system, and she really stops now. I had neglected my brakes for the last 2 years and had a close call on the way home from CMCC. Rear drums require periodic maintenance as they tend to trap water and debris. You should also use the handbrake regularly as this keeps the shoes adjusted properly.
Front calipers need to be looked at each pad change. The pistons should all move easily and smoothly. If not, clean and rebuild and flush the system.
Non ABS FJ80s are easy to flush with new fluid.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Don't create problems (one of the problems with this forum).

OMG so true

 

[DRTDuck]

Worst thing? Zombies!


Drive the 80, it will take it, you have done the PM, it's reliable. I'm at 305k. 3-4 1,700 mile rt per year, no problem.

 

[OGBeno]

Worst thing worst than zombies: PHH blowing. Only person I know that did it on the side of the road was Robbie.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Worst thing worst than zombies: PHH blowing. Only person I know that did it on the side of the road was Robbie.

3FE! No PHH

 

[OGBeno]

3FE! No PHH

Ah... Lucky!!

Be careful then of really really slow speeds!!!!



Safe travels. You'll be fine

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

Worst that could happen?

I know a man who once rebuilt an engine in a parking lot half way to his destination.

 

[Aggiesdm]

Ah... Lucky!!

Be careful then of really really slow speeds!!!!



Safe travels. You'll be fine

I embrace slow speeds! Bring'em on!!!

 

[DSRTRDR]

maybe carry the high pressure line for the power steering system as a spare - seen one of those blow up on the trail

caliper bolts also seem to go missing from time to time - they are an odd size

 

[ppc]

Worst thing that could happen... making home and having to go back to work !!

 

[TexasJack]

I have over 250k on my 95 80 series. I hunt mule deer not far from Big Bend every year. Do your maintenance and enjoy your 80. I do. I have had it since 97 and I have kept it specifically because it is comfortable on long drives and super capable when I reach my destination. I drove it to Ouray last summer, did all of the challenging trails, drove onto Denver to attend a rising sun club event and then back to Dallas. You might want to take some extra cans of gas to Big Bend.

 

[Qball]

Run out of gas?

 

[Aggiesdm]

Thanks all

Thanks for all the great feedback and advice. Today, I ended up replacing the radiator, replaced the T-Stat and gaskets, considered replacing the tranny coolant lines, but after inspection, they've been replaced and they are in good shape so I let them stay. I got a nice surprise when I took the t-stat housing apart. Lots of caked up green and white crap! I thought "OH NO!!", then I pulled the t-stat and realized that it was just calcium deposits from someone using hard water instead of distilled. Got after it with a wire brush and my Dremel and it cleaned up nicely. Also took time to replace the weird "U" shaped bypass hose that comes off of the t-stat housing to the water pump. All hoses and other areas looked really good and I think my cooling system should be pretty solid now. I haven't buttoned it up yet, as I forgot to GET distilled water when I grabbed my coolant. Anyway, I'll do it tomorrow and give her a test run!

Other than changing out the dizzy o-ring, she's almost ready for the road trip!! The whole passenger side of the motor is still covered in gunk from the PO's high-pressure PS hose leak, and I can't seem to see if I actually have any oil leaks or not. The old PS fluid never really dries up, it always stays sticky so I can't see what's new and what's old. Gonna try to use some brake cleaner and a gentle hose to clean it off after she's buttoned up tomorrow. See if I can make a dent in the funk.

 

[80inOR]

Just did a 2k mile round trip in my truck and the worst thing that happened was throwing a tire weight and having to keep it around 70 until I could get the tire rebalanced. Averaged 16mpg for the whole trip to Yellowstone.

 

[jonheld]

Gonna try to use some brake cleaner and a gentle hose to clean it off after she's buttoned up tomorrow. See if I can make a dent in the funk.

One of the tricks that someone posted here years ago was to simply use hot water hooked to a garden hose to clean things. I was going to try this with my condenser wand sprayer.

Brake cleaner is not the nicest thing to use in an engine bay.

 

[newbtrayback]

XX2 on what Jonheld said. I did this trip last year and no regrets taking the LC. One piece of advice on bacjk country. Stash water at half way spot and at homer spits overlook. A ranger told us it was not needed because there was a spring at the half way and we could refill there. WRONG. Spring was dry and so was I. No BS I barely made it to the hwy at Homer spits. Nurse happened by with ice in her cooler. I woke up with bags of ice everywhere and EM team pumping me full of IV's. 4bags later I was good to go. On retrospect the ranger that interviewed us for our permits looked like she favored Krispy Kreme's over hiking. Have fun!!

 

[surfpig]

maybe carry the high pressure line for the power steering system as a spare - seen one of those blow up on the trail

caliper bolts also seem to go missing from time to time - they are an odd size

A hub bolt will do in a pinch...