Road Trip 6300 Miles in a 200 Series!

[desmocruiser]

As I planned for a ~3 week long Western adventure with the family, the vehicle choice was part of the decision.

But in the end it really wasn’t, Land Cruisers were meant to be driven and getting to memory making destinations!

200 Series, 5k Mile HE with BP 51, Aux LRA tank, etc.

One item I contemplated were the ARB drawers, we opted to not install those to keep the packed height as low as possible. Adding one drawer would have probably been the best choice to keep@ few small items organized and accessible, however the lack of side kit availability and time helped make the decision. Lack of third row seats make a big difference in the Cargo area and keeping items below (except a small softside cooler and snack bag) privacy cover kept things a bit more tidy feeling. We did add a Cargo Carrier to add extra capacity for a large cooler and a few other small weather proof items, freeing up some space in the cargo area.

Here are a few pictures of some of the stops along the way!

We had not traveled far when the advantages of the Auxiliary tank were evident.

You don’t stop when you don’t need Or want to, making it much easier to put on road miles when all are content!

Interestingly none of us had ever seen the Arch, typically skipping over the Mid West to see rest of the West!

 

[mooneywa]

How do you like the UWS hitch carrier? Any functional issues like tailgate clearance or drivability or constant rattling going down the road?

 

[desmocruiser]

We had a couple of over night stops along the way, Kansas City highlighted by Carry Out from Arthur Bryant’s, yes the reviews are accurate it is 5 Star! Next to Cheyenne which was a cool little City!

Our first real stay was Jackson WY, neat place but becoming a lot like a Western SkI Town, about 3 days of good food and crowds (which were particularly concerning this Summer) I am ready to find Some space!

We were able to squeeze in an afternoon float trip on the Snake River!

We just beat the big crowds everywhere we went, I have learned that just after we passed through the entire West was seeing record crowds!

 

[desmocruiser]

How do you like the UWS hitch carrier? Any functional issues like tailgate clearance or drivability or constant rattling going down the road?

If we were in a business meeting, I would use the much over used “Great Question”

I really like the quality and the extra space was priceless (I am not the biggest roof rack fan despite having one a heavily modded 80) there was no additional noise using quality hitch locks.

I rattle canned it black to cut down the bling and will likely have some bedliner sprayed on. I didn’t use an extension at first trying to cut down on the overall length, but ending up being so annoyed with the inability to lower the tailgate, we stopped at a UHaul along the way and adding an extension!

Were able to leave it at multiple places we stayed by locking it with the cable lock I use on the cooler for “day trips”.

 

[desmocruiser]

After a couple days and hikes in Grand Teton, we headed to Yellowstone. During the stay we went in and out of Yellowstone multiple ways, each offering different views, hikes, and fishing destinations!

We stayed in southern Montana for a week in an old farmhouse on the Yellowstone River, which gave us great access to More fishing, area hikes, Americana sites and Parks!

 

[04UZJ100]

How do you like the Ridge Grapplers? How’s the noise level compared to stock?

I really like the black accents. You did a really good job with them and I think they look great.

 

[desmocruiser]

How do you like the Ridge Grapplers? How’s the noise level compared to stock?

I really like the black accents. You did a really good job with them and I think they look great.

I have been a huge fan of BFG AT’s, have had them on 10+ trucks through the years, so I am a harsh critic to other tires, but opted for the Ridge Grapplers based on size availability.

At first I wasn’t overwhelmed with the Ridge Grapplers, maybe leaning to disappointment ( More Noise than stock, unsettled ride etc.) however this trip I really started to Love my 200 and have increased fondness for the tires. The ride could be the suspension settling in, but the tire size with spacers and BP51’s really has turned out to be a great combo!

IF they don’t significantly increase in noise and this level of smoothness/handling continues as miles and time goes on, I will install another set.

I wouldn’t say better than BFG’s, but at this point, as good in multiple terrain and warm weather situations (haven’t seen any cold or any snow/ice) and I do really like the fact they seem to pick up far fewer gravels in the tread than BFG’s!

Thanks, the truck has turned out as I had planned, the white with black is becoming more trendy over the years, but I have been removing chrome since my High School 80’s mini truck days. I guess you could say IH8Chrome!!

 

[desmocruiser]

From S Montana back into WY and Yellowstone for a couple days VIA the Beartooth Hwy.

To keep a Tech theme, I don‘t like soft suspensions/lack of body stiffness and therefore dislike most vehicles that aren’t a Land Cruiser or proper sports car!

The BP51’s set on the mid setting with 4 people and decent load of cargo was about perfect for this road! I had always had 80 Series ride and drive as my favorite, but a properly setup 200 is getting close for my taste!

Of course the family enjoyed a few more creature comforts and the extra power, Room, and stronger A/C Never hurts!

I am not certain if it was time of the Year, luck or it is always this way, but the YS entrance at the end of the Beartooth was by far the greatest. Herds of hundreds of Bison, Elk (not in the yard of the visitor center) Wolf, and Moose, made us laugh at time we took a picture of wildlife in a parking lot, much better to see in a more natural environment!

Unfortunately, not everyone has enjoyed this as we had to basically harass some visitors to move along while taking pictures out the car window of a Altima to take pictures of a Buffalo that was trotting at 20 mph along the white line, not crazy about this 2000 lbs animal ramming us for the sake of a good picture Or story! I think my son rolled video Just in case!

I did wonder where the nearest place to get headlights replaced in the unfortunate case an animal crossed our path?!?!

 

[desmocruiser]

Will continue!!!

 

[Crush 4]

Just came back from Yellowstone. Bought an 80 out of Bozeman and hit the park for 3 days. Did a portion of bear-tooth and the mountain pass from East Yellowstone to Cody. Man did the 80 struggle on some of the grades. Finished trip through Big Horn and Custer National. Drove back to Mi and promptly ordered a 21 HE!
My wife and I are going to trick it out and head back out next spring for all the areas we missed!
Are you doing any camping? We want to add in a little more camping vs just hotels.
I’ll be looking forward to your updates

 

[FerrisBueller]

Awesome looking rig!

Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but in the pictures it looks like your lift in front is way higher than in back. Or did you just have a huge amount of cargo weight on the back?

 

[desmocruiser]

Thank You!!

Actually turned out Perfectly level, even with a normal cargo load and both tanks full.

I have been pleased with the mild springs and BP51‘s ability to remain level in normal loaded conditions even towing my duck hunting/fishing boat. It may have squated a little with the cargo carrier attached and fully loaded With a few hundred lbs, it doesn’t appear so in the first picture, but my headlights seemed Slightly higher than normal.

 

[1carnut]

I have been a huge fan of BFG AT’s, have had them on 10+ trucks through the years, so I am a harsh critic to other tires, but opted for the Ridge Grapplers based on size availability.

At first I wasn’t overwhelmed with the Ridge Grapplers, maybe leaning to disappointment ( More Noise than stock, unsettled ride etc.) however this trip I really started to Love my 200 and have increased fondness for the tires. The ride could be the suspension settling in, but the tire size with spacers and BP51’s really has turned out to be a great combo!

IF they don’t significantly increase in noise and this level of smoothness/handling continues as miles and time goes on, I will install another set.

I wouldn’t say better than BFG’s, but at this point, as good in multiple terrain and warm weather situations (haven’t seen any cold or any snow/ice) and I do really like the fact they seem to pick up far fewer gravels in the tread than BFG’s!

Thanks, the truck has turned out as I had planned, the white with black is becoming more trendy over the years, but I have been removing chrome since my High School 80’s mini truck days. I guess you could say IH8Chrome!!

I’m finding the stock rear end on my HE bounces around more than I would like even when fully loaded at highway speeds. Considering swapping the rear springs or going with the standard BP51 setup. Did you fit BP51s all the way around? Notice much improvement in highway ride and stability?

 

[desmocruiser]

I’m finding the stock rear end on my HE bounces around more than I would like even when fully loaded at highway speeds. Considering swapping the rear springs or going with the standard BP51 setup. Did you fit BP51s all the way around? Notice much improvement in highway ride and stability?

Yes, I wasn’t very happy with My HE in stock form, even compared to my wife’s 15’ model with stock suspension, RW’s and BFG’s.

I went with the full BP51 suspension including SRC UCA’s and added spacer with the larger tires. I am very happy with the build, ride and handling now, pricey, but will put the 200 in a keeper category for a long time!

 

[desmocruiser]

Just came back from Yellowstone. Bought an 80 out of Bozeman and hit the park for 3 days. Did a portion of bear-tooth and the mountain pass from East Yellowstone to Cody. Man did the 80 struggle on some of the grades. Finished trip through Big Horn and Custer National. Drove back to Mi and promptly ordered a 21 HE!
My wife and I are going to trick it out and head back out next spring for all the areas we missed!
Are you doing any camping? We want to add in a little more camping vs just hotels.
I’ll be looking forward to your updates

Congratulations on the 80! Still my favorite, but yes they do have limitations as you have pointed out. A garage with an 80 and 200 will be a nice combination.

Sounds like we covered some of the same ground, really amazing sights and space! For the most part we did VRBO With the exception of a Night in Yellowstone, The Mort hotel in Jackson Hole, and few others in transit.

Would have loved to have camped, however most Campgrounds were closed or already booked, we tried to avoid as many common areas as convenient, and carrying camping gear complicated our packing strategy. Next long trip out Will be more tactical and not try to visit As many areas and we will spend time camping.

 

[1carnut]

Yes, I wasn’t very happy with My HE in stock form, even compared to my wife’s 15’ model with stock suspension, RW’s and BFG’s.

I went with the full BP51 suspension including SRC UCA’s and added spacer with the larger tires. I am very happy with the build, ride and handling now, pricey, but will put the 200 in a keeper category for a long time!

Good to hear. Might be the way we have to go as well but holding off until we get our rear drawers installed because that all likely add 200-300 pounds once loaded.
What size tires and spacers are you running?