Looking those little things that can't be left out of an exop rig.

[EOE_overland]

Dan and all, I need the computer and wifi while in my cabin so might as well utilize it while on the road.
My wife would be very pissed if I wasn't able to get in touch with her so she could talk to her son and me every few days so those are staying since believe it or not, Verizon has 3G from the mainland to the western coast of Vancouver all the way up past Prince Rupert. My son likes to use the ecam to talk to his mom and she uses the one at home so they can see each other while they talk.

Dude, you do what you gotta do! Whatever works for you and your kid (and keeping the wife happy ). Sounds like a great trip, and one your son will always remember!
Post some pics when you get back

 

[Bogo]

Get the fridge/freezer, and add a second battery to the rig. Use an isolator between the batteries. There are a number of threads on adding second batteries.

 

[slickrock]

Got the fridge last week (not a great one, but one that will work for my purposes) and have a battery isolator I need to add for the second battery. Then I need to figure out how to mount the 2nd on my engine compartment in the FJC.

I'm also going to make a rear hitch mount for my winch from my 40 for the trip. From reading, I would need it more to pull dead fall out of the road than actual recovery. Pulling anything, except in an emergency with a high lift sucks, so a winch would be nice to add. I may even make a new bumper just for the winch. But that depends on time and funds since most of my time is limited since I am doing work on my 40 and all extra funds are being stashed for the trip.

I am also going to get a good tire repair kit and see if I can borrow an extra spare so I have two spares. It is a long way from civilization if I cut two tires on some nice lava rock. Or I'll pick up a couple of inner tubes that will fit inside my tires for limping back to someplace if need be. I’m leaning towards the inner tube rather than two spares for space and weight issues.


I'll take a ton of pictures along the way. If this trip goes well, we will do the Oregon trail the following summer on the way up to the cabin.

I'm also at a cross roads. I love my 40 and rock crawling is great. But I could also sell it and build up the FJC into an expo rig just the way I want it. 35 with a 4" lift, front and rear bumpers with swing out gas carrier, and a larger ARB or similar roof rack. I could still wheel the FJC, but not over the hardcore stuff like an can in the 40. I don't know. . . My son loves wheeling with me and the time is great, but I am taking the 40 less and less on camping trips because of the FJC since I can get just about anywhere I want to in it as long as I think ahead on the trail much more than I have to with 40.. It is a hard choice to make. I figure for 4 grand, I can do the mods listed and still have enough (at least 3 grand) to pay a few bills making everyone (read wife) in the house happy.

 

[Bogo]

I am also going to get a good tire repair kit and see if I can borrow an extra spare so I have two spares. It is a long way from civilization if I cut two tires on some nice lava rock. Or I'll pick up a couple of inner tubes that will fit inside my tires for limping back to someplace if need be. I’m leaning towards the inner tube rather than two spares for space and weight issues.

Get a couple tire boot patches. They are big and go inside a tire to patch gashes in the tire sidewall or tread. On a highway vehicle they are a limp to civilization type patch. I finally replaced a tractor tire that had one on it for 6 years. Get a pair of good tire irons, 3-4lbs hammer and learn how to properly use them. Gempler's has lots of tire repair stuff. A highlift jack can be used to pop a tire bead. I also keep on hand rope plugs for quick puncture repairs in the middle of the tread, and tire rivets for punctures near the edge of the tread and on the side walls. Rope plugs will leak in high flex situations. That is why I keep the tire rivets on hand.

Tire Repair Supplies, Tires & Supplies - Outdoor Work Supplies

Tire rivets and tools for them: Tire Rivet Setter Combination Pack, Tire Repair Accessories - GEMPLER'S

These are the really good rope plugs: 4" 4" Refill Tire Plugs for G60030 Tire Repair Kit (box of 60) - GEMPLER'S, 8" 8" refills for G60040 Tire Repair Kit (box of 30) - GEMPLER'S Depending on the thickness of your tires you may be able to get by with the 4" long ones. I just cut the 8" ones in half for use on normal tires. I have to have the 8" ones for tractor and implement tires. You can get them as part of a kit with the insertion tools: Safety Seal Tire Repair Kit for Small Tires (100C) - GEMPLER'S and Safety Seal Tire Repair Kit for Large Tires (100T) - GEMPLER'S

On inner tubes, get ones rated for steel belted highway use. BTW, if the tire has a gash, an inner tube alone won't work. It will just bulge out the gash so you need the tire boot patches. Get patches for the inner tubes. Never run a to large inner tube. They will get creases when inflated and will die at the crease. Always use the right size or up to a few sizes smaller.

While your at it I'd also pick up an extra valve stem or two. A valve stem puller would also be nice. It will make pulling the inner tube valve stem into the hole much easier.

Bead Butter or similar bead lubricant really helps with installing and removing tires.

 

[CowboyUp]

Slickrock, you are looking to include Washington Backountry Discovery Route on this trip to?
If you do, get a extra air filter for your cruiser with you, dust masks and a tarp. The wind ..... can blow ashes from Mt St Helens and can cover the vicinity roads.

 

[slickrock]

Yeah were doing the whole route. cutting over in Portland and all the way through border, cross the order, head west to Tswassen (SP?) for the ferry to head up Van.Isle.

I would have never thought of an additional filter (but I should include that in my spares kit). Thanks for the info.

 

[CowboyUp]

No problem