NEW FJ Owner - Long Trip Advice... (Lots of pictures)

[jesus888]

So... I'm a recent FJ40 owner, and come from the Classic Bronco world...

Just a little history... my good friend and I built a 69 Bronco from the ground up and threw every option we possibly could at it... including a fuel injected 302, nv3550, disc brakes, hydroboost, power steering/brakes, AC, long arms, 3.5" lift, and an assortment of other goodies. The problem was that it was SO customized that I was perpetually fearful of something breaking. As life goes, I put about 1000 miles on it, and then my then wife and I had our first child and I was in a spot where it made more sense to sell the truck than keep it, mainly because it wasn't really a "reliable" toy... and the fact that someone was willing to pay what I had into it (~$35k). Keep in mind that the only part of this build we didn't do was the paint... which we outsourced. The rest of the money on top of the $2500 purchase price was parts, machine work, etc... took 5 years and my buddy and I almost killed each other numerous times. I learned a lot but HE was really the proficient mechanic, and I was more like the helper. Thank god for good friends.

Before:

After:

Fast forward... recently divorced (because that's just what happens sometimes) and I got the bug again... but this time, I was looking for something already built and "sorted" for some reliability and I bought the 1972 FJ40 below... some of the specs: 5.7L Chevy 350 and NV4500 out of a 1992 Chevy P/U, onboard air, disc brakes, ARBs front and rear, storage galore, 4.88 gears, 35" BFG All-terrains, etc... there was a FS thread to this rig on Ih8mud and it was on ebay... I put down the deposit and am flying out to Monteray, CA in a few weeks to pick her up.

I have vids of a cold start, a walk around, and comments about the truck being ready to be driven. The history I know (and if anyone knows the original owner/builder, please let me know) is that it was rebuilt by a father and son in 1999, and based on the plaques in the pictures, they drove it a lot to events and wheeled it too... it has 53k miles on it since the rebuild which is HUGE in my book because it means it's likely "sorted" and has spent some time on the hwy. The current owner said that it starts always on the first try, even after sitting for a month, and it tracks straight and can easily keep up with traffic on the interstate...

Either way, I'm picking it up 1/14, and am driving it back to Atlanta... with an extended stop in Show Low, AZ to see a buddy for a few days...

Otherwise my itinerary looks something like this...

City, Zip, Miles, Hours
MRY, 93940, 502, 7.75 hrs
Las Vegas, NV, 89109, 387, 5.75 hrs
Show Low, AZ, 85901, 318, 5 hrs
Santa Fe, NM, 87506, 606, 9 hrs
Thackerville, OK, 73459 ,492, 7.75 hrs
Tunica, MS, 38664, 411, 6.5 hrs
Dunwoody, GA, 30338

My question is... what advice do you have for this long trip, as I will be travelling alone for most if not ALL of it... I'm planning on staying in hotel/motels (probably close to a few casinos, so I can play some poker along the way - I <3 Poker) and the big break comes in Show Low, AZ for about 5 days.

What are MUST HAVE that I should bring with me in the truck, and any advice that folks have?

I figure, if by the time I get to Show Low, AZ, and the drive is too much for me, or if there are any significant issues, I'll just get it shipped from there and fly home.

Also, prob wouldn't hurt to keep some phone numbers of FJ mechanics on the way across the country, so feel free to share

And onto the pictures of the new (to me) rig...

 

[hecrod]

Beeaautiiifulll!!! Congratulations...

Check this link... Across North America in Five Weeks!

 

[JohnnyC]

Looks pretty well put together... IMHO it looks like it will go without issue... Since I don't know history of when things were replaced last... Bring...

Cap, rotor, wires, plugs, extra belt, fluids, rags, hose clams... That type of stuff

You say this was from a mudder looks to be a long time tlca member as well

 

[jesus888]

Not sure if it's from a mudder... the most recent owner just posted a FS ad here, I know that... would love to know the original owner since the rebuild in 1999

 

[jesus888]

Beeaautiiifulll!!! Congratulations...

Check this link... Across North America in Five Weeks!

Thank you, lots of great stuff in there!

 

[Fast Eddy]

If something happens, post a help-wanted ad in chat. You may not get any help, but it will be entertaining. Welcome.

 

[tls3601]

I am in the Prescott, Arizona area. You will be passing thru my way, I am kind of between Las Vegas and Show Low. Send me a PM, maybe we could meet up for a beer or something. My rig(s) are more stock as far as drivetrain than yours but deep down a 40 is a 40. Looks like a great trip and a real nice rig!!!

 

[tls3601]

The Bronco may have had better over the road manners; will be interesting to hear how the two compare on pavement. I was considering a Bronco of the same vintage before I purchased my '78.

 

[jesus888]

The Br

I am in the Prescott, Arizona area. You will be passing thru my way, I am kind of between Las Vegas and Show Low. Send me a PM, maybe we could meet up for a beer or something. My rig(s) are more stock as far as drivetrain than yours but deep down a 40 is a 40. Looks like a great trip and a real nice rig!!!

You bet! Maybe we can grab a bite, on the way! PM Sent

 

[jesus888]

If something happens, post a help-wanted ad in chat. You may not get any help, but it will be entertaining. Welcome.

I am here to entertain, thanks!

 

[jesus888]

The Bronco may have had better over the road manners; will be interesting to hear how the two compare on pavement. I was considering a Bronco of the same vintage before I purchased my '78.

I hope that's not the case... the Bronco with the lift and the gearing 4.11s, 35s, and the nv3550, while that shoulda been ideal, I just never felt great about being on the highway with it... even with an alignment and rebuilt steering gear, always just felt a bit unsafe... hoping the FJ40 has a little better road manners.

 

[jesus888]

This is the tentative plan...

 

[DSRTRDR]

starting from Monterey, you should take the most scenic road in the US: highway 101 along Big Sur - takes just a bit more time but a lifetime experience

MUST have ? AAA Plus Premium membership and a list of trustworthy cruiser shops and of MUD members along the route

also, considering time of year, avoid possible snow areas, so going I-10 would be the better bet than I-40 high on the plateau all the way to Albuquerque

 

[jesus888]

A

starting from Monterey, you should take the most scenic road in the US: highway 101 along Big Sur

takes just a bit more time but so worth it

MUST have ? AAA Plus Premium membership and a lost of trustworthy cruiser shops

AAA Plus Premium membership will be UP TO DATE... where can I find a list of Trustworthy Cruiser shops!?!?

 

[edwjmcgrath]

You're figuring 66.5 MPH average.

FWIW, I do 1500 mile trips 4 times a year in modern (2010+) vehicles going 80 in much of the south and 70+ on the rest of it. Almost all is highways. I average 60MPH over the whole trip. There's NO WAY you're going to do that in this vehicle. Your experience in the Bronco sounds pretty much par for the course for the FJ40. The truck will go faster than you feel safe at because of the lift, the short wheel base, the area it presents to cross winds, and the fact that it's a 45 year old truck. If you average 50 MPH, I'll be surprised.

My advice would be to take your time, take the scenic route rather than the highway, and enjoy the ride.

If you break down near Flagstaff, come back here and ask who NOT to go to.

 

[tls3601]

You will have to drive quite a bit slower and yes, the 10 would be much less prone to snow.........................just saying DSRTRDR is right that route is high elevations thru Flagg to Albequerque

 

[edwjmcgrath]

You will have to drive quite a bit slower and yes, the 10 would be much less prone to snow.........................just saying DSRTRDR is right that route is high elevations thru Flagg to Albequerque

I10 is safer but isn't guaranteed. I remember driving cross country several years ago and choosing the southern/I10 for that reason. Sure enough, I ran into a huge blizzard on I10, I (stupidly) tried to pass a snow plow who was going 25MPH and ran off the road. Amazingly, he stopped and pulled me out! At that point I smartened up and spent the night in Amarillo. Anyway, drive safely, have fun, and report back on your stories.

 

[70fj40]

I am looking forward to following this thread. Add Bobby Cruiser Connection Little Rock Arkansas to your list of fj40 shops.

 

[UZJ40]

I'm in Vegas if anything happens in the area (or within an hour or so). I can usually get together a pretty good tool setup with 20 minutes.

 

[74 fj40]

I've done a couple 400+ miles each way trips from Atlanta in my stock 74 and managed 65 - 70 mph on average in it, but like what's been mentioned before it is short wheel base and the cross winds are no jk. Brakes and steering should be top notch before embarking on that trip. Just make sure you have a great set of headphones if you don't have a radio, And cruise control would be the ultimate upgrade to have as you'll learn after this trip. I've done each trip in the summer and winter and having the roof and doors off was the best. Enjoy your trip and take lots of pictures.