Build OL'BETSY ZX: 1991 HZJ77

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Today was a day of getting ready. Two weeks away!

Tent and awnings are now back on top.
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And I put another Milwaukee Packout baseplate on the floor in the back (where the seat used to be). Straps are now to a minimum.

Always dreamed of a troopy but none of those dreams involved needing to open the back door. 🤔 Perhaps 76 of dreams is more my style?
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Not sure what your planned route is like but if you end up passing through Bozeman or the Yellowstone area on your way to Utah give me a shout, would be fun to meet up. Hopefully I will have the Prado back together by then.
 
AirheadNut said:
Not sure what your planned route is like but if you end up passing through Bozeman or the Yellowstone area on your way to Utah give me a shout, would be fun to meet up. Hopefully I will have the Prado back together by then.
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I've managed to get some days off during the school year (not an easy feat as a teacher) so we are bombing south as fast as a 1HZ can go. Stopping in Helena the first night (hotel), south of SLC for night two, and then onto the dirt. Wish I had more time - you would definitely be on my list. (As long as you didn't tell me tales of G-wagens. Nobody needs those kinds of unfaithful thoughts swirling around in their brain right?)

coldtaco said:
Alu-cab pop top next on the list?😉
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I can't tell you how many times I've watched that THOR video with their kitted out sandy taupe 76. I even talked to the Canadian reps when I was at an expo last fall. So tempting. But ultimately, I think the platform would change first, before I did something that dramatic, if ever. As @janyyc has (patiently) heard me ruminate many times, I think a GRJ76 might be a good possible upgrade, if I ever found the right one? THEN maybe a THOR? We shall see. Lots of adventures for this 77 yet...

My to-do list for this trip is getting shorter: Tire rotation tomorrow, and a few small details (new drain plugs and gaskets for the diffs and t-case). New hose for my water tank->water pump.
 
That makes total sense; once on I15 you can just bomb straight south into the middle of Utah.
 
EGTs continue to stay low, despite the extra drag on my roof, and the wind gusts we've been seeing lately. I do run out of usable power above 3k rpm but am hesitant to do any more adjusting at this point since it seems like I've found a good compromise. I may leave it for now and see how it performs at sea level in a few weeks...

Meanwhile a spring storm is forecasted for tomorrow after a dusting last night. So even though this morning's drive was through the prairies, we're not out of the woods yet!

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JDM Journeys said:
EGTs continue to stay low, despite the extra drag on my roof, and the wind gusts we've been seeing lately. I do run out of usable power above 3k rpm but am hesitant to do any more adjusting at this point since it seems like I've found a good compromise. I may leave it for now and see how it performs at sea level in a few weeks...

Meanwhile a spring storm is forecasted for tomorrow after a dusting last night. So even though this morning's drive was through the prairies, we're not out of the woods yet!

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I have thoroughly enjoyed your progress my friend, and if I am honest, I am jealous of you going to Utah, and would love to accompany you on this trip. However, your kids you can leave in the classroom, my kids need me all the time, lol!!

I am not complaining... but they take priority... for now. 🤣 Keep up the posts and looking forward to the pics from the trip! :cheers:
 
Looking forward to reading about your Utah trip. I'm planning to head down in September, I'll have to pick you brain for some info / sites to visit.
Awaiting some awesome photos!
 
Well I accomplished something today that I've been wanting to do for 15 years... FINALLY got my Amateur radio license. Took the test this morning and actually passed basic with honours. That was a surprise.

I really wanted to have it for the upcoming trip so I went ahead and booked the test which forced me to get back to studying. (Been off and on for years then got busy).

VE6-SUV is what I applied for. :cool:
 
JDM Journeys said:
Well I accomplished something today that I've been wanting to do for 15 years... FINALLY got my Amateur radio license. Took the test this morning and actually passed basic with honours. That was a surprise.

I really wanted to have it for the upcoming trip so I went ahead and booked the test which forced me to get back to studying. (Been off and on for years then got busy).

VE6-SUV is what I applied for. :cool:
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My dad was a big HAM guy when I was a kid (back when everyone still communicated in Morse Code).
I tried to get his old call sign but it was still in use. ☹️
I went with one additional digit ….. KI4CMQ
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Congratulations!
Are you going to get a permanent mounted rig in the 77?
Also, make sure to get your free radio call sign vanity plate at the registry once the
paperwork comes in!
 
Kroll said:
Congratulations!
Are you going to get a permanent mounted rig in the 77?
Also, make sure to get your free radio call sign vanity plate at the registry once the
paperwork comes in!
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Thanks! It's high time!

I've already got my mobile picked out. Just need to raise the funds. Lol.

As far as a plate, have had "OLBETSY" for the last 18 years so probably won't be getting another and for the first time in years I only have one rig (wifey has two).
 
JDM Journeys said:
Thanks! It's high time!

I've already got my mobile picked out. Just need to raise the funds. Lol.

As far as a plate, have had "OLBETSY" for the last 18 years so probably won't be getting another and for the first time in years I only have one rig (wifey has two).
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I’m going with the assumption that you have both a sunroof as well as an overhead map light so mounting an overhead console for a HAM radio isn’t an option?
 
Okay. Many pics to got through. Vids to edit. And laundry to wash. Possibly not in that order.

But first the details. Over 4000 kms with my buddies:. A Pathy on 35s. A Dodge 3500 on 37s. A 200 Series. And of course OlBetsy. We drove from Calgary Alberta, south to Spanish Forks Utah, and hit dirt soon after. Over the course of the last 10 days we hit as many trails in SE Utah as we could manage. Had some epic campsites. Did some exploring. And overall made some more lasting memories from one of my favorite places on earth. I'll try to detail day by day when I get time. But for now here's a few rough cuts...
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Climbed dozens of passes and my cooling system updates/upgrades paid off. Saw 210F briefly a couple of times and 205 a few others, but for the most part 200F was as high as she got even with the most demanding climbs.

EGT's can still go above 1220 if you allow them but if course I attempted to avoid that. May need to cut the fuel back a smidge more.

At 7-8000 feet she fell pretty flat on climbs. But as long as I was careful, 6000 feet passes were doable at 80km/h (mixing units again for my buddy Charles!). On the dirt was where this thing was happiest and trundled along all day long in 3rd with no need for braking most of the time.

Not as comfortable as my buddies 200 series. Okay, not even same ballpark.

And yes. Rear shocks are done and need replacing, but this girl didn't give me a hitch of trouble for the 10 days she served as house and transport.

More to come.
 
I suppose you have to get a running start to shimmy up that tent ladder? 😁
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