Overland check list (1 Viewer)

[RyanCostaRica]

Hey guys so I'm planning a log road trip once I get the 40 back to Canada. From Toronto to Northern BC. Anyone ever do something like this in 40? I know it's long but we are taking a month to do this. What are some things I need to switch or add to make the 40 expedition worthy.?
Right now it's pretty stock except for the 2 inch lift and I'm running 33x12.5 15 MT. I plan on getting a roof top tent but anything else I'm clueless.


Proud owner of Beast. 77 BJ40

 

[want2wheel]

You need to nut and bolt it. Check everything and change all fluids.

 

[JohnVee]

Wow, nothing but log roads? You'll want a good air compressor if you'll be traveling a healthy mix of paved, dirt or other roads so you can drop tire pressure for a softer ride on rutted out dirt track then air up fast for pavement travel.

You going via USA or CAN? Weather and timing will play a big part. Make sure your defrost tubes are installed and clear. Rain-X Anti-Fog (on the inside) is good stuff, regardless, since the side and rear windows can fog and frost, too.

Obviously fluids, tools and AAA or the Canadian equivalent. Water, first aid, etc. Make sure your electrical system is completely up to snuff. Plenty of other stuff, too.

Don't forget the changes that the truck will go through when moved from a tropical to frigid environment. New problems will randomly show up. Make sure your oil is rated for the temp range it'll see.

So much more, but others will post up. Oh, yeah... a FSM.

 

[RyanCostaRica]

Ok great, now as my rig is form the tropics, we don't have vents or defrost haha brutal i know....but good call i would have totally looked over that..Other than switching my rad fluid for canadian weather and making sure the oil is rated properly, anything else i should be switching out? also how does one go about getting a heating unit installed? This trip would be a summer ride but still plan on using this as my DD....as for electrical, I don't have much however could use a whole new wiring for lights i guess? Oh also have you ever ridden with the Jerry cans inside the cab?

 

[1911]

Oh also have you ever ridden with the Jerry cans inside the cab?

Jerry cans would take up a lot of space in the cab; far better to get a swing-out bumper (such as the 4+) that can carry them outside.

I (and a single passenger) have used my 40 for overlanding, barely touching pavement and no gas stations, for a week at a time. It was filled pretty high in the cab, and I carried 10 gallons of gas and 1 gallon of water outside on the swing-out bumper.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Snow chains... recovery gear (winch or Hi-Lift jack,, straps, blocks, etc.), spare tires and/or ARB (or such) emergency tire repair, along with first aide kit, also consider, survival gear (waterproof matches, fire starter, mylar blankets, compass and/or GPS, maps, axe, shovel, chainsaw, sleeping bag, sleeping pads, tent, flashlight and/or lantern, headlamp, emergency rations, small ultralight stove and fuel, drinking water or a LifeStraw.

Security items: a good knife and/or multitool, .44 Mag pistol (my preference) and 220gr-240gr ammo (perhaps a rifle), extra blankets/heavy clothes and some good books.

I use a SPOT GPS Messenger to keep my family apprised of my exact GPS location, at all times and subscribe to GEOS Emergency Rescue insurance - just in case. I can press a button and ask my 'family' to send help or press a different button and ask for emergency rescue. If you are going to travelling across Canada in the winter, you really should consider something like this - just in case.

HTH

 

[RyanCostaRica]

Wow great list "spot" sounds great. Thanks for the heads up. I've done the drive three times before but want an off road trip so camping in non camp grounds is what we want.


Proud owner of Beast. 77 BJ40

 

[JohnVee]

Learn how to pack really well. You'll be loading and unloading such a small vehicle constantly and it'll get old very fast. Find a system of containers that wastes no space and works for you. Label them.

One of our club guys uses small, heavy duty Rubbermaid-type containers on his 80's roof basket. Each one has a number. He and his wife keep a master list of contents by number on their phones. They got lucky in that the rack dimensions perfectly fit the multiple containers. They bring a ton of stuff along but are very fast because they stick to the same well organized plan each outting.

Don't forget all the preventative maintenance. Have you ever changed tranny, t-case and gear oils? Have you ever even checked them? Same for brakes and clutch (DOT3). Does anything leak now? New wiper blades and a spare set. And the wiper motor grease might not be as fluid in Canadian temps so the wipers might not move as fast.

You'll obviously want to take some spare parts if you'll be going over long, isolated stretches - alternator, starter, fuses, fusible link, M&F spade connectors, a spool of 14g wire, spare tire (on the other side of the swing out you should buy - it can also mount your jack), fuel hose, hose clamps, water, zip ties, etc. Better to have them with you than wait on them in the next town. Some would go so far as to bring axles and birf's - you might not know how to replace them, or have the tools/supplies, but the mechanic in town will.

Learn how to do things like - remove a driveshaft, adjust your carb, use a multimeter, safely use your hi lift jack.

SPARE MOTHERFAWKIN KEY

Make sure your electrical system is top notch with no crappy splices and good clean grounds. Add some LED flood lights for camp set up and some driving or spot pattern for driving. They'll pull much less on the system if you run them with the engine off. Lots of threads here about cheap Amazon options. How are your spark plugs and wires?

Does your 40 leak into the cab when it rains? Fix it. And remember that it might not leak sitting still but it might when moving. Check the rear quarters, front doors and under the dash.

Lots of this is common sense, but common sense is sometimes learned from experience. Your truck is old and is not the same as newer vehicles. Lots of hidden problems can exist that can't be diagnosed on a scanner. They're usually easy to fix if you can find the problem but parts availability might hold you up if you had to order something.

Last thing - you don't have any squeaks or rattles, do you? That never gets annoying on a long trip.

Sorry for the long winded post.

 

[RyanCostaRica]

Ha John great post. Lots of rattles and I have not checked my fluids or electrical. Hoping this is something I can do here in Costa Rica.


Proud owner of Beast. 77 BJ40

 

[JohnVee]

@RyanCostaRica When are you planning to take this trip?

 

[RyanCostaRica]

Not sure yet. I own a restaurant here in Costa Rica and bought the 40 over a year ago, I am slowly improving it, new steering/shocks/paint metal work etc...The plan is once we are ready to move home to Canada to ship the vehicle back home, there is no way in hell I am selling this beast. Probably not for a year or more

 

[RAYJON]

Just a thought I would plan at least one winter back in canada, before the trip. the temp change will bring out alot of little problems, seals engine gaskets etc. That wouldn't show up otherwise. With the labor cost down there, I would get as much done there, bearings/seals etc, baseline the truck real well, given the age you may want to have the axles and gearbox resealed and inspected for wear. Dont know about parts availability down there but the more you can do ahead of time the better..

Good luck, also check out expedition portal lots of good info on there...