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

[Fast Eddy]

I've got to agree about avg speed. Just looking at the Monterey-to-Vegas segment, it's going to be 10 solid hours of driving plus stops.

You might consider flying into SJC instead of Monterey and taking an airport shuttle. It might save you some money. If it wasn't during the week, I'd do it for you, just to check out that rig.

Welcome to Monterey Airbus | SFO Airport Shuttle | SJC Airport Shuttle

I don't know if I agree about driving down Hwy 1. It's pretty twisty for a tall rig with no sway bars. If it's a nice day? I guess so. If you do it, connect to I-5 via Hwy 46 near Cambria.

You might want to get the current owner to get some new wiper blades for it. I wouldn't want to go cross country with my current wiper setup.

 

[jesus888]

I've got to agree about avg speed. Just looking at the Monterey-to-Vegas segment, it's going to be 10 solid hours of driving plus stops.

You might consider flying into SJC instead of Monterey and taking an airport shuttle. It might save you some money. If it wasn't during the week, I'd do it for you, just to check out that rig.

Welcome to Monterey Airbus | SFO Airport Shuttle | SJC Airport Shuttle

I don't know if I agree about driving down Hwy 1. It's pretty twisty for a tall rig with no sway bars. If it's a nice day? I guess so. If you do it, connect to I-5 via Hwy 46 near Cambria.

You might want to get the current owner to get some new wiper blades for it. I wouldn't want to go cross country with my current wiper setup.

So my ticket straight to Monterey was reasonably cheap ($189), and the rig is actually being stored at the airport in a hanger that the current owner has space rented in.

As far as Monterey to Vegas, that may not exactly happen... I would be just as happy to head straight towards Show Low, AZ, and end up somewhere in the middle, so I will gladly take that advice to heart... I feel like any more than 6 hrs of scheduled driving per day may be pushing it... of course, I'll know how much it's pushing it once I get in the rig!

My plan was to get some blades beforehand and just take em with me... assuming it's a stock 1972 FJ40 setup, any idea exactly which blades to get? That plus A BUNCH of rainx... because no one likes to not see when driving :-0

Keep the suggestions coming!!

 

[mtquivr]

Your first stop out of Vegas will probably be Kingman. If you need a break, give me a call.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Sounds fun and please update as you go.

Make sure the oil in the motor, tranny and t-case are fresh before the long drive. Check obvious stuff like coolant before you leave. As to what to carry-make sure the truck has a jack, spare tire and factory tool kit. Parts for that Chevy motor will be plentiful along the way.

Weather is likely to be challenging. Take lots of warm clothes.

I agree with the whole go slow and enjoy the trip idea. A 40 gets pretty miserable when you really push it.


And if I had to guess, that truck was built by BTB. They always did things the same way back in the day-
-Land Cruiser Advanced Handling kit
-cut front fenders with riveted flaps
-rear fender rubber fenderguards

 

[bkdraft]

You will be coming through my home town, Chillicothe, TX. Welcome to stop by or even spend the night.

 

[1911]

Have fun on your trip, it will be an adventure regardless.

I've done 750 miles in one day in my 40, more than once. It's got 3.70 diffs and 33" tires (and the stock 2F engine) so I could do 65 mph comfortably, but the average speed including frequent gas stops and etc. was less.

I agree with the others who have said take smaller highways if possible. It's no fun beating yourself to death on an Interstate, trying to keep up with traffic and hoping no one rear-ends you (especially at night). The old U.S. highways are way better; less traffic, more time to enjoy the scenery, more scenery to enjoy than the interstate, smaller towns with more interesting people and restaurants. For your route, consider U.S. 380 instead of I-40.

Also agree with Crusierdrew on having layers of warm clothes (including a warm hat and gloves); the flow-through ventilation on a 40 can make it cold in the winter, even with a functioning heater.

 

[Landpimp]

I love the road trip idea, more so if it were not winter.

But if it were me.....I'd have it trucked to your door. I almost drove my 45lv from CA to WA, had it trucked instead and I am glad I did. Even though it had lots of new parts and work done, within a day, the started went, generator went and a few other things. I was very glad to be able to sort those issues out at home and not on the road.

 

[beneharris]

Looks like you'll have plenty of help if something happens. I'm in Flagstaff, so if anything happens, I'd love to help, or you guys plan to meet up for a bite, let me know!

Looks like it'll be a fun trip. Take it slow and have fun.

 

[mtquivr]

I drove my 40 many times from AZ to MS. My foot was against the tranny hump and rested on the gas pedal just right. It was almost like cruise control. The worst trip was I40 in the winter. I'm just glad I hit Amarillo early on a Sunday morning. Ice everywhere!
The next time, I decided to stay on I10 and avoid the snow. Stopped outside El Paso about midnight to rest. A few hours later the quiet and brightness woke me up. The full moon illuminated about 4" of snow.

 

[tls3601]

Any route changes jesus888 or still planning the same route?

 

[jesus888]

Any route changes jesus888 or still planning the same route?

Not sure yet, honestly... I think I may bail on the Vegas part and find some place nice between Monterey and Show Low... other than that, I haven't changed things up too much yet! Still have 3 weeks to get this planned out.

On a side note, spoke with the owner that actually got the work done... he said his son and he went multiple times to Moab and drove the 1k miles in a day and a half, and besides the discomfort related mainly to the noise, and the mental aspects of really driving every minute (lifted, big tires, etc), he felt pretty confident that the rig should make the trip without mechanical issue. That was good to hear. Of course, I'll still be hoping for the best and planning for the worst!

I will plan on going slow and taking my time, not chasing any records here

I'm planning on 2 days to get to Show Low and then another 4 days to get to ATL from there... obviously it's all based on how I feel, though...

 

[Fast Eddy]

the flow-through ventilation on a 40 can make it cold in the winter, even with a functioning heater.

I guess I've never driven where it was really cold. With both heaters cranking, I can keep mine pretty warm down to 30f. I'm going to put the full doors on this weekend for the first time in a couple years.

I love the road trip idea, more so if it were not winter.

But if it were me.....I'd have it trucked to your door. Even though it had lots of new parts and work done, within a day, the started went, generator went and a few other things. I was very glad to be able to sort those issues out at home and not on the road.

The current owner is selling it for a reason.

Still have 3 weeks to get this planned out.

Palm Springs is about half way if you go via I-10 instead of I-40. Going around cold, snow and ice seems worthwhile to me.

 

[jesus888]

So, my understanding is that the present owner purchased it 1 year ago from the guy who built and wheeled it for 10 years, and he has 15+ cars and just didn't drive this one... that coupled with it being a little tall and loud for his better half's tastes is why it's getting gotten rid of...

Far as the route, like I said, I'll take a look soon at what I proposed and I'm always up for updating it for a cleaner ride!!

Thanks for the input!

 

[jesus888]

Ok... SO I PICKED UP THE TRUCK!... On Thursday morning and have made 2 drives totaling about 900 miles. I'm in Show Low, AZ right now, until Thursday AM, after which I'm headed the rest of the way...

First impressions... Truck is far more than I could have imagined... Runs great, well sorted, in great shape overall. The stereo is awesome, the body's in great shape (tiny bit of rust on tailgate) and the old Rancho 5000s are doing their job

The things I would like to change...

1) wipers are dry rotted so replaced with a 12" motorcraft? Or whatever auto zone carries... I was the only one that fit and thank goodness I did the swap because I dealt with some rain and snow Oh and they only had one so if there's a different one I should look for that works with stock linkage, lemme know!

2) The headlights... Previous owner said they were upgraded but on anything except for the predictability of the interstate... It's just too difficult for me to see at night... It makes a relatively smooth driving machine into a very tense battle between driving too slow and just wanting to stop... I don't plan to drive in the dark much on this trip but it happens... And so far that 45 minutes in 2 days of driving has been very draining...

3) transfer case whine...
Only part of drivetrain not replaced or refurbished, the stock transfer case... We all know about that and know how to fix it... Replace it... That's for later.

Sooooo... Help with addressing #1... And as for #2, since I'm here in show low for a few days and won't be driving at night on the way to Santa Fe, I sourced a pair of the truck-lite 27270c led lights in Santa Fe for $243/piece including tax... So my question is... How easy is it to install? It's just removing the bezel, then a Phillips head screw driver and most likely plug and play, right?

Either way looking fwd to the rest of the drive through NM, OK, MS, and AL... And I'm doing a time-lapse video of the whole trip, so once I put that together I'll share it!

 

[bkdraft]

LED lights are plug and play, just need a Phillips screwdriver and maybe 15 min for both. Love mine, you will see a remarkable difference

 

[toomanytoyzz]

LED lights are plug and play, just need a Phillips screwdriver and maybe 15 min for both. Love mine, you will see a remarkable difference

I totally agree. Seeing at night is pretty important especially if you're ten hours in behind the wheel in a 40 series on a dark ass highway road.

I can remember doing things like this when I was younger. Those were the days. Now, I check the weather/traffic before I head out to the grocery store (aka, I would have had that beauty shipped to my front door). Keep the pics and stories coming. You'll get a TON of good people looking to help if you run into any trouble.

 

[jesus888]

Well if anyone in Santa Fe wants to meet up for some food on Thursday OR finds themselves in Show Low, AZ before then, let me know! Headed out of AZ on Thursday... And picking up the lights there

 

[mtquivr]

I live 2-3 miles from that middle pic.

 

[jesus888]

I live 2-3 miles from that middle pic.

Nice!...

Yeah small change in plans... Headed to Albaquerque on Wednesday afternoon... Gonna install the new headlights, do some work (for my job) and head out early Thursday AM in my way to Norman, OK...

 

[tls3601]

mtquirr how are things in Kingman??? I filled in for Dr Rose there some years back---nice town! jesus drive safe -glad rig is running well!!! Rock on!!!!!!