My new (to me) 1980 LWB 300GDt

[VermontOverland]

Step 1: Find the vehical version of your soulmate on ebay.

Step 2: Have the luck that the Seller is not only a merc diesel conversion master but also an incredibly nice dude all around (Josh Price in Placentia, CA).

Step 3: Have said Seller go through your new G with a fine tooth comb mechanically.

Step 4: Fly from Hartford, CT to Los Angeles, CA with the Pres of your expedition club for $109 each on Expedia.

Step 5: See, touch, feel and drive your vehicular soulmate for the first time.

Step 6: Take said awesome Seller to lunch at equally awesome authentic LA mexican restaurant to close the deal.

Step 7: Hit the road and drive 3000 miles in 3 days flat in a 30 year old G wagon all the way to Vermont with one guy driving and one guy sleeping fetal in the surprisingly comfy rear bench seat.

Step 8: Live happily ever after.

http://vermontoverland.com/galleries/gwagonlavt/

[Rallyroo]

Awesome story and great pics.

[Michael Slade]

I *heart* the Wigwam Motel. I also *heart* that you actually stayed there. Very nice indeed!

Oh yeah, the G ain't bad either.

[BikinCO]

Very cool. Congrats.

[spencyg]

Its pretty cool to first see this thing for sale in the classifieds section of Expo, 3000 miles away, and then watch a neighbor buy it, and drive it home to the Northeast. Quite an adventure from the looks of it. Good on'ya.

Spence

[Root Moose]

What were you messing around with under the truck in those fuel station shots? Some kind of an oil leak?

[VermontOverland]

oil pan worked its way loose a bit. Josh packed us a small tool kit with the needed allen key.

[galen216]

If the G is your soulmate is the Series a mistress?

[Indiana Drew]

Great looking truck! I have found that long drives in the 1980 truck are not hugely different then long drives in the 2002 truck as far as the ride ... Sure noise level and ambient engine heat might be more noticeable in the older trucks, but as you say, it is a 30 year old vehicle ...

[1leglance]

great rig and cool story..