Lewis and Clark, et. al - 2 months and 8,000 miles in a FJ40.

[tglaser]

I just found your thread today and am glad you are back to writing! I drove a 69 JF40 through high school and half way through college. My dad has a 72 now. My wife drove a 71 her grandpa bough new and is still in my father-in-law's garage. Your long distance adventure in your 40 is great, but it raises a few questions for me:

Was the engine original or did you have some work done on it before you left?
What suspension and tire size do you have? It appears to be lifted a bit with 33" x 10.5"? It looks great.
Do you have an estimate on how fast you drove on average? My cruiser and the other two I get to drive are at home at 45-50 but much more and it is pretty loud. Just curious

Keep up the writing and pictures. I can't wait to see more of your cruiser in action!

Thanks for reading!

The engine was and still is original, but we rebuilt the top end before take off. The transmission, transfer case and electrical is all still original as well. The only things I've changed have been the axles - swapped 'em with later model with disk brakes - the suspension and unfortunately the carbureration device. The original one finally gave up the ghost and there happens to be a few years in the late 60s for which I have not been able to find a decent rebuild kit.

The suspension has 2.5" lift springs and the tires are 33x10.50x15s.

You know, I didn't and still don't have a speedometer or an odometer in that thing. I did have a handheld GPS unit that claimed I got up to 77 mph one time - but then again that was chasing after a pretty girl down the LA Freeway. So, it can move when it really needs to.


Thanks again for the kind words.

[tglaser]

Old coast Rd?

Yes Sir, I believe it was.

Either you have a really good eye or you were following me......

And either way is pretty cool with me!

[tglaser]

Sounds like those people sent you to Big Caliente Hot Springs. Loving the pictures from Big Pine, too. You certainly can't get a better view of the vast southern expanse of Los Padres National Forest. I lived in the area for a short time and couldn't get enough of the fact that 15 mins of driving from my house would bring me up and over the mountains into relative solitude.

Also, about this...

The Mex. 1 toll road is definitely the better way to go, but you bypass the road that goes to the top of the statue that way. On a good clear day, the view is amazing. It's kind of a long detour if you are on your way further south though because you have to travel for a good distance or turn around to get back on the toll road again. I went down there to surf last summer, caught K38 really good, and made it up to the statue to take some pics.

Hey - these are some awesome pictures! You got a view from behind the curtains, so to speak. Thanks for sharing!

[southfarms]

Amazing trip and writeup. Enjoying every post. Thanks for today's edition. Looking forward to more!

Stephen

[sandalscout]

Cool, glad to see this one get some action. Great pictures!

[swampjeep]

Amazing trip and writeup. Enjoying every post. Thanks for today's edition. Looking forward to more!

Stephen

same here. I just hope it doesn't take another 8 months, talk about suspense LOL
great pics and write up

[Abeer]

Yes Sir, I believe it was.

Either you have a really good eye or you were following me......

And either way is pretty cool with me!

I just spent some time last month in big sur/bay area/lost coast. I think I have a photo of my D90 in the exact spot of your FJ. Great pics all around.

[xearth]

Awesome writing man! This definitely is leading me to start planning some more overland oriented trips. Kudos!