Florida to Arizona: 2,500 miles at 40MPH
Part 1.
I’m going to write about the trip so far below. Will try to keep it simple. I would like to do a more thorough write up later, but for now, this at least explains what’s happening.
I always thought FJ40s were cool, but the pickups and Troopy were what gave me the “warm fuzzies” as they say.
Some months ago I approached a friend who has an old 70 series short wheelbase FJ sitting in his yard. He’s letting it deteriorate so I offered to buy it and restore it. My plan, I explained” was to restore it and turn it into my overloading vehicle.
My friend’s answer was that he will not sell it because it’s worth a lot of money and what if I wreck it. I explained that the Land Cruiser is literally starting to deteriorate: like the several rust holes through the hood from just sitting there for years. I’m talking it’s been sitting there, not running over a simple points issue, for the last fourteen years!!!
He would not budge.
It was a pretty distasteful experience: not because he wouldn’t sell it per se, but because he would rather let it rot.
Then, a few days later, another friend calls out of the blue and asks if I want a good deal on his HJ45 pickup. I said yes, and here we are!
The HJ45 was a coffee plantation truck in Costa Rica. Now its my project Overland Tourer.
Back during Spring Break, I had one day to get it from my brother in law’s house in West Palm Beach to my in-law’s trusted mechanic over in the Sarasota area. So I flew in to Sarasota, got a ride to West Palm Beach and…
The truck was killing batteries and, not having seen it, I was worried there was something really serious. I am new to diesel, so my brother in law, Rick, immediately noticed it needed two batteries. We bought a second battery, I did an oil change, and she started right up.
By the time this was done, however, it was about 7:30 PM. My plan to document the drive on video was thwarted by the failing daylight. I still filmed some though, and will post it soon on my new YouTube Channel.
The truck ran fine that night, albeit slow, and I dropped it off at the mechanic (Gonzalez Motorsport) at about 1AM. The next day I caught a plane back to Arizona.
For the next couple of months I looked forward to driving it back to Arizona. I hoped at first to have a five speed installed by then, but alas, the time arrived for the drive, and the 5 Speed is still yet to happen.
Monday, June 5th, I drove the HJ down to Key Largo to finalize the sale. I had driven my wife to the airport at 2AM, then went back to the in-laws to sleep a little bit, but was still tired when time came to start the drive.
Years ago I had an amazing experience hearing the calls of the Sandhill Cranes waking me up one morning (maybe will talk about that someday). Now, this morning, nervous and tired and about to step into the HJ and drive to Key Largo, I heard the cranes calling again. My nervousness vanished.
The first part of the drive was just a nightmare. Avoiding highways, I took 41 South, but didn’t realize the insane amount of traffic lights between Sarasota and Naples!
Once out of the Naples area, though, the road opened up, and I was able to relax at 38 MPH. I did push it to 50 a few times, but don’t want to stress out that old engine. As it is, I get white smoke when I change gears.
On the way I got a lot of thumbs up and people yelling “Cool ride!”. There was only one jerk: a man in what looked like his mid to late 60s driving a convertible sports car-maybe a Corvette-shot me a birdie as he passed.
We signed the paperwork at the DMV, they hit me with a damned sales tax, and then my friend and I went to eat at our favorite pizza place down there: Tower of Pizza.
Before leaving he gifted me a brand new 12,000lb Badlands winch, still in the box!
I then drove up to Pembroke Pines and stayed the night in another friend’s house who I’ve been friends with since 6th grade.
It was that night that some people contacted me, trying to convince me not to do the drive. By then I was exhausted and about to go to bed, so the doubts and second guessing hit me pretty good.
I had already told my nephew about this trip, and didn’t want to disappoint him. Last summer his plans to visit got cancelled and I wasn’t about to let him down. I was sure this was a good thing to do, but at the same time I worried that my pride could be clouding my judgement.
So I talked to the friend I was staying with, and posted here on IH8MUD. The replies were just awesome: everyone pointing out that it was indeed a doable thing, and even offering help if needed. I am very grateful for all the positive comments and encouragement!
On Tuesday I picked up my nephew after his graduation from 5th grade, and we set out. It was late, about 3PM by the time we started driving, and we arrived at the hotel in St. Augustine at about 2AM, and passed out.
The next day we explored St. Augustine a bit, driving on the beach, seeing Castillo de San Marcos, and walking to my favorite pizza place on St. George street. I gotta say, engaging the four wheel drive and going on the sand felt absolutely wonderful!
Still feeling tired, we spent one more night in the hotel and set out the next morning, which was today!
Yesterday the passenger window started acting up: needing to be pushed down by hand and acting strange.
Today the air conditioner stopped working. Apparently there is a freon leak. I am debating whether to get one of those AC stop leaks and recharge it myself. An hour or so later, the passenger door refused to open-from inside or outside.
Right now we’re in a hotel in Augusta, GA. Wanted to get to Boone today, but I would arrive at around 1 or 2 AM. I don’t like driving at night due to more hazards from animals, being tired, and you miss seeing beautiful sights!
My nephew has been a real trooper. No complaints-not one. Takes everything in stride. He’s 12 but feels like I’m driving with an adult sitting there. It really has been a great experience! I thank you all again for the encouragement!!!
I’ll post more when I can.
Thanks for reading!
Tomorrow we head to Boone, NC.
