Would you drive 500 miles in your cruiser?

[TxCruzr]

I've driven my 40 with 37s and no top a tad over 300 miles from college to back home. I would do 500 in a heartbeat. I have a sterio now and enough music to last me 1000 miles
I'm young and stupid though....I still drive around in the rain without a top

 

[FLYINGLOW]

I have done 1300 km, (700 or 800 miles) in a day a couple times. I plan to drive to Moab from Vancouver Canada. The trip to Moab will be 1800 km (just over 1000 miles) each way I estimate, 36" TSLs and all.

 

[miletwo]

I was looking for the "in a heartbeat" option. I'd drive my '75 FJ55 just about anywhere now that it's running good. Take along some tools and my iPod and I'm ready to roll.

 

[killer1954]

Hell yeah!

Bought my 1974 '40 in 1976. In 1977 I drove it from SF Bay Area to British Columbia, at least 2500 miles round trip. Had problems near Garberville on my way home, overheated, burned exhaust valves. But it never stranded me. Got me home and promptly died in front of the house. An awesome trip. Drove 18 hours darn near straight through. Ah, to be 23 again. I want to do it again. Still have it and it gets driven every day. The wife would divorce me if I ever got rid of it.

 

[rgsiii]

I have no problems driving my BJ42 500 miles. It doesn 't have A/C so for sure it will be getting less use as the weather warms up.

My FZJ80 is much more comfortable on the road and I can hear the radio.

 

[dieseldog]

killer, I'm with you. Sometimes I think my wife likes my 42 and 45 better than I do. She can't drive a manual transmission vehicle; however, she loves the trucks and just tooling around in them with me. Never fails to get lots of smiles. Apologies for the hijack.

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

Why would you drive them less in the summer, regardless of AC or not? You know them little thingies down near the clutch pedal that you can kick out? They're kick vents, and when used with the main window down and the vent window (the special triangle window that unites us pre-75ers), along with fresh vent and blower on low, summer is a wonderful time. Take the top and doors off, and you've got yourself a real summer ride right there!! Driving it less in the summer, sheesh, that's the only time to really drive them, as when winter comes it's daft to be driving them.

 

[rgsiii]

Why would you drive them less in the summer, regardless of AC or not?

It is easily explained.

I noticed that your location is Michigan (MI). My location is one letter off

MI - I= M; M+S=MS

It is HOT in the summer here. Winter is a wonderful time to be in one!

 

[t-o]

500 miles no problem!
I can't think of how many times I have done it. At least 8 of those times I thrashed it on trails at the midpoint and drove home no problems, once pulled a trailer thrashed it and pulled trailer home (with wife, 90 degrees, bikini top), and once 2500 miles to Kentucky to Tellico and back. My most excellent dog accompanied me on all long trips. Almost forgot about the rainy 50 degree trip with no doors...my wife wouldn't forget that one!

As long as there are no glaring mechanical issues and you bring some earplugs...go for it! You won't soon forget it, it's a blast. And if your companions don't complain, then you know you've got some keepers.
Tim

 

[subzali]

Okay, guess mine isn't quite as long...but just under 300 miles from Grand Junction home the day my dad and I bought a weatherstrip-less heaterless loose doors rattling '77 FJ40 is still pretty good. In the snow. With no windshield washer fluid either. Exhaust leak and gas tank breather leak to the inside of cab and all. I love my 40. It totally schools my buddie's J**P, but that's to be expected.

 

[hammered]

I do 300 miles in a day no problem. soft top only

 

[LC_Hamma]

Get A Tow Rig & Trailer 'Ya Cheapo's!

My cruiser's basically a trail only & I'd drive it to any local trails. Anything over 50 miles & I'm towing it on a trailer. The ride is much more comforting in my 1 ton tow rig.

 

[Elk Hunter]

road trip

Drove my '78 from NC to CO (1800 miles - 3 days - no stereo). The only issue that I had was I picked up a bad tank of gas in Kansas and had to "blow" out my fuel filter about 5 times and then ultimately found a parts store and rigged up an aftermarket filter to get me there. All in all, call me crazy, but it was a great trip.

Oh yeah... I forgot to add that my girlfriend rode along on that trip and didn't bitch once. She still talks about that "fun road trip". Funny thing is, shortly after that trip, I proposed to her; we'll be married in June.

 

[highgravity]

I plan on driving my 40 to central america in late July/early august. Then again.........most everyone I tell thinks I'm F*#kin nuts. Other than gettin the s*** shakin out of me on bad roads, I think it'll do fine.

 

[Isotel]

it wasent comftorble, but i drove to moab from Colorado springs.. all went good.. SOA 35" tires.. the 3 - turn GM PS box kinda sucked, because i had to always be very atentive to the road

 

[Mud_Guppie]

500 miles, no problem
I've driven straight thru to Warden's or Pardi's in Placerville and I live in B.C. Canada. I've done it over a 2 day period with the wife and 120 lb. rotti as well
My FJ40 and other cruisers cost me too much so I can't afford a tow rig and trailer

 

[mustardfj40]

2000+ miles. Drove from San Jose, California to Moab, Utah, wheeled for couple days then drove back home. It was fun!!!

Here's the pics:

http://www.employees.org/~dirttrak/cm-page1.html

/td

 

[Jerry D.]

Wouldn’t hesitate to drive my ’68 FJ40 anywhere, for what ever distance.

Took many a trip from So. Calif to Northern California in single day, to deer hunt, pulling a eight foot truck bed trailer with supplies. Stay a week, hunt and drive back. That’s with the factory soft top. No stereo. Many trips into Baja and throughout So. Calif.


Now that the truck is 37 years old and I’m 37 years older also, I’ll still drive it anywhere I desire to. Now I mainly run a bikini top.

Living now in Florida, the sun and the T-storms just require either sun screen or a rain suit, still no stereo. I do trailer it to Tellico, just in case we need a trailer to haul someone home.

 

[74fj40]

If it was together......Yeah i prolly would lol

 

[ridgerunner]

My cruiser's basically a trail only & I'd drive it to any local trails. Anything over 50 miles & I'm towing it on a trailer. The ride is much more comforting in my 1 ton tow rig.

Sissy.