Great thread
Our 1976 FJ40 - "Tonto"
- Thread starter SOAZtim
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- Thread starter
- #122
Ol Tonto got to tow Goose to Camelback Toyota. Goose decided he didn't identify with his Transmission and therefore rejected it. We're putting in a used trans.
The old FJ40 did a great job playing tow truck. Especially since Goose has about 43 Gallons of fuel on board making him quite the pig!
15 miles later.
The old FJ40 did a great job playing tow truck. Especially since Goose has about 43 Gallons of fuel on board making him quite the pig!
15 miles later.
- Thread starter
- #123
Long time no talk.
We put Tonto Rockford into storage for a year while we drove to Peru in the 80 series. Then, we returned home a couple weeks ago to work... We turned the key on Tonto and he started on the first try. It took a good 10 seconds and he smoked a bit, but he started and that's all that matters.
The first part of our work fell through so we have some time until Overland Expo. What to do... well, we decided to go and visit New Mexico and explore a bit for 12 days. Was Tonto up for a couple a thousand highway and dirt road miles.... wellll.
We didn't have our normal camping gear so we got the cheapest crap from Goodwill, Salvation Army, Walmart and Costco. What could go wrong! $150 later, we're good to go!
On night one, we froze our asses off in the $15 sleeping bags.
We put Tonto Rockford into storage for a year while we drove to Peru in the 80 series. Then, we returned home a couple weeks ago to work... We turned the key on Tonto and he started on the first try. It took a good 10 seconds and he smoked a bit, but he started and that's all that matters.
The first part of our work fell through so we have some time until Overland Expo. What to do... well, we decided to go and visit New Mexico and explore a bit for 12 days. Was Tonto up for a couple a thousand highway and dirt road miles.... wellll.
We didn't have our normal camping gear so we got the cheapest crap from Goodwill, Salvation Army, Walmart and Costco. What could go wrong! $150 later, we're good to go!
On night one, we froze our asses off in the $15 sleeping bags.
- Thread starter
- #124
We defaulted to the side road or dirt as we drove to keep it mellow.
Nights 2 through 12 were also cold as hell, but don't worry it got colder later.
Lots of nice dirt roads.
This camp looks nice! I'm sure it will be warm!
Ah, s***.
Tonto almost didn't start this morning. He was cold, had a 3 year old Costco battery that has sat for a year and was starting to foul plugs up at the 6,900 elevation. No worries, new plugs took care of it later in the day.
We met up with Sackwear Tim to grab a beer. What a nice 45!
That next night we were PRETTY HAPPY it wasn't snowing... until it sleeted. Little did nature know, but we had 2 new Fleece blankets from Wally World!
We were still cold.
- Thread starter
- #125
Then we got an invite to stay in a real life house in Santa Fe with some friends. Hell yes! We stayed 2 nights and finally rode our muddy/rusty bikes we'd been carrying.
Anyone recognize this scene from Breaking Bad???
When in Santa Fe.
Then we headed out to do a loop. We headed by Longmire's cabin in Wyoming.... (Valle Caldera, NM)
Now, we fancied ourselves reel smert... so we headed for low elevation.
It started raining early. It got cold. We got cold. Damn.
Then we hit Route 66 for a while.
Anyone recognize this scene from Breaking Bad???
When in Santa Fe.
Then we headed out to do a loop. We headed by Longmire's cabin in Wyoming.... (Valle Caldera, NM)
Now, we fancied ourselves reel smert... so we headed for low elevation.
It started raining early. It got cold. We got cold. Damn.
Then we hit Route 66 for a while.
- Thread starter
- #127
We headed to AZ hottest Hot Springs. It's a fun little trail and you can drive to within 100 yards of the scalding hot water.
We had a couple decent hills for the old fella to navigate. He did well, of course.
Mountain lions in the area!
Our last campsite. It was great! Haha. The hot, dusty and low elevation campsite in AZ was the nice camp. Still, I love NM for it's high elevation, unpredictable weather, empty trails, spicey chile and great beer. It's maybe my favorite state.
Cheers the end and it's time to go work, earn some money!
We had a couple decent hills for the old fella to navigate. He did well, of course.
Mountain lions in the area!
Our last campsite. It was great! Haha. The hot, dusty and low elevation campsite in AZ was the nice camp. Still, I love NM for it's high elevation, unpredictable weather, empty trails, spicey chile and great beer. It's maybe my favorite state.
Cheers the end and it's time to go work, earn some money!
What a great write up!
That cruiser is really nice I like the color combo.
Was that bill at Bills toy shop that fixed your cruiser ?
That cruiser is really nice I like the color combo.
Was that bill at Bills toy shop that fixed your cruiser ?
- Thread starter
- #129
Thank you. Yes, Bill did the engine and we did everything else. Bill is the Cruiser whisperer in my opinion!
Yes he is!
I keep in contact with him. He has done some work for me.
Good guy all around.
Is he in AZ??
- Thread starter
- #132
He was in Tucson, but moved to Farmington, NM. Had to find a cheap shipper to get the truck to him if it isn't drive-able. ($250)
You guys are such an inspiration to my build!!
Nice video!
Cruiser sounds great!
And looks good.
Cruiser sounds great!
And looks good.
Good stuff
Looking forward to seeing you both when you return stateside. Tom
Looking forward to seeing you both when you return stateside. Tom
Reading these pages and watching that excellent bonus vid were FAR mor exciting and interesting than anything I could have binge watched on Netflix! This was so great. The scenery you’ve tracked down is EXACTLY why an FJ40 first appealed to me all those years ago. Thanks for documenting and sharing and letting us all live vicariously through you and your adventures.
More, please!
More, please!
- Thread starter
- #138
Thanks Kelly. We're in a little town in Patagonia trying to upload the next part. Day 2 of uploading and we're at 40%. Haha!
Standing by....