Long road trip...What's the worst that could happen?
- Thread starter Aggiesdm
- Start date
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Big Bend is a great place to visit. Unless traveling on the river road plan on not seeing another vehicle, other than border patrol, in the backcountry if there during the week. You can bring either vehicle and be fine on all roads. Border patrol drive Tahoes in the park. The Black Gap road is the worst road and it can be done easily with a high clearance 4x4. I had to do it in 2WD in a Jeep due to breaking the shift lever.
If on a budget take the Tacoma due to gas prices. You should top off the tank and fill cans, if you have them, in Marathon on the way. Inside the park there are two gas station which will be $1 more per gallon than you are used to.
If on a budget take the Tacoma due to gas prices. You should top off the tank and fill cans, if you have them, in Marathon on the way. Inside the park there are two gas station which will be $1 more per gallon than you are used to.
About to take my 210k 1996 on a trip to Orlando from Boston. I'm a little nervous but damn, I've put many thousands into PMing the truck including the brake lines as we speak. I hope she'll do great. I am more excited about the drive than anything!
5 adults and 1 child, my friends really have faith in her.
5 adults and 1 child, my friends really have faith in her.
You have a 3FE motor. I don't know if the clutches are interchangeable. The 3FE fan clutch is extremely robust and has more fluid shearing area than either the blue hub or black hub OEM clutches. Either Tools or Landtank did a side by side comparison between the 3 clutches internals.
They are not interchangeable.
Yes...
Not quite 1000 miles, but I did just drive my 'characteristic' 3FE cruiser down from Denton through Arlington and onto Glen Rose. Total round trip there and back, plus in town (and a 2-3 hour safari in 95* weather going 5-15 mph) was over 250-275 miles as I recall. The one 'issue' I had was the coolant temp rising but not into the red, to which I reacted quickly by blasting the heater and within 5 minutes it was all back to normal (happened after the safari!).
And I haven't even rebuilt my brake calipers (Stupid? Maybe). Just new pads on old ass rotors, warp 9.9 shake at over 55-60 mph due to unbalanced tire and loaded with 2 kids/baby, bags, 50 qt cooler, wife and myself. I've not done nay maintenance to the engine itself (no idea on oil change, plugs are a few years old). Just checked/topped off the coolant, trans and engine oil.
And I haven't even rebuilt my brake calipers (Stupid? Maybe). Just new pads on old ass rotors, warp 9.9 shake at over 55-60 mph due to unbalanced tire and loaded with 2 kids/baby, bags, 50 qt cooler, wife and myself. I've not done nay maintenance to the engine itself (no idea on oil change, plugs are a few years old). Just checked/topped off the coolant, trans and engine oil.
I say F it! Take the cruiser and add more off roading to your trip! If it breaks you'll deal with it. It's not like you're gonna die.
Exactly. Just have faith in the vehicle and dive in. sounds like you are on top of the maintenance and the real risk probably isn't breaking down but just the nuances between the two vehicles.
In the end, we are talking about a trip of 1,000 miles or so right? Are you concerned that the 80 could not make it 1,000 miles in town without breaking down? If so, I would take the Taco. If not, I'd take the 80.
Drive it - that's what it was made for. Keep thinking about it and you'll end up with analysis paralysis.
I drive my 80 from Richmond to Rausch Creek ORV Park which is about 600 miles round trip maybe more like 575.
Either way I drive it there wheel the crap out of it and drive it home, nothing more satisfying.
Do I worry about breaking stuff, sure I do but then it would not be any fun then would it
Plus your trip is going to be fairly tame
I have 200k on my 80
While the other guys trailer their junk
You will thank yourself later if you take the 80
Plus it is way cooler than a Taco
Either way I drive it there wheel the crap out of it and drive it home, nothing more satisfying.
Do I worry about breaking stuff, sure I do but then it would not be any fun then would it
Plus your trip is going to be fairly tame
I have 200k on my 80
While the other guys trailer their junk
You will thank yourself later if you take the 80
Plus it is way cooler than a Taco
Aggiesdm
***** Regular
- Thread starter
- #34
I Like it!!
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
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
gray rider
SILVER Star
Take the 80...
Would you rather nap sitting up with your head against the glass? Or sprawled out in the middle seats while the other guy drives?
This!!
The only time I ever worry about my rig is when I'm not driving her
330,xxx miles and still making routine 1200 mile trips back and for from NYC to Orlando
This!!
The only time I ever worry about my rig is when I'm not driving her
330,xxx miles and still making routine 1200 mile trips back and for from NYC to Orlando
That's what I'm talking about! These trucks were made to endure so much so give it to them.
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.
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.
