3000 mile road trip coming up!

masphx

masphx

New member
I have a road trip coming up!

So plan is PHX, AZ to Yakima, WA (GF's family lives there) though Salt Lake city -2 day travel. Stay in Yakima for two days. Then five days down Oregon/ California Coast possibly ending in San Fran or Napa. Then a nice solid 12 hr drive back home to Phoenix the last day (not looking forward to this one). 3000 miles round trip in all.

Never been on any of these roads except the LA -Phx leg of it but have heard good things about the NW coast. We plan on camping in RV parks or camp sites along the way to keep costs down. Anyway, any travel advice for the area is welcomed. We have no plans yet for the Coast leg of the trip but I know there is a lot to do. Wish we had more time but all we have is nine days to complete the round trip.


OK, real reason for this post...

I want to get this truck in tip-top shape for this long trip like anyone would. MPG is important along with not breaking down (its a 3rd gen 4R so not really concerned on this). Right now the rig gets 20 mpg city and highway with the Yakima roof rack on (plan to take it off for the trip). I just replaced the dirty napa air-filter with a OEM filter and six months ago replaced the fuel-filter with OEM.
Spark plugs (but not wires) were done by Toyota at 128K when original owner had the truck. Now our truck sits at 178K and I feel like plugs and wires should be replaced. Where is the best place to buy the parts and materials? There are a lot of guilds, which is best to follow for a someone like me who has never replace spark plugs? Honestly a tad bit worried on doing these as I have read horror stores over the last year about dropping something in the coil or stripping the threads.

Also going to clean the air TB and MAF following this guild in the next few days.... Toyota 4Runner Highlander Throttle Body cleaning and O Gasket Mod

Does anything like MPG or power improve with that TRD Gasket he is talking about?

This is all I can think of at the moment but if there is anything else I should do or look over before this trip I'm all ears. Only other thing MPG wise I can think of is fuel cleaner but I don't know if these engines react well to them or not.

We have put 10K on this rig over the last year since we bought it and everything seems solid. Besides being a daily commuter we have done some off-road travels during this time going camping once, back road to Crown king and Broken Arrow trail including Devil's Stair Case.

Here is a picture of the rig from that trip a month and a half ago (White one on right)....

P1010654.jpg~original



Thanks for the read and advice,

Mason
 
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We took a 2500 mile trip last year, roughly a month after I bough it. I changed the oil, new air filter, and had the tires rotated and balanced. Other than that, I wouldn't worry about too much more. I did take it to a mechanic and have them take a look at all steering/suspension components. That was just a double check kind of thing. If its running well, I wouldn't mess with spark plugs or MAF or throttle body gasket (worthless by the way).
Good luck and have fun on that trip, sounds like it wil be awesome.
 
OK, real reason for this post...

TO MAKE ME JEALOUS!!!

I'm from Napa, and also lived in Glendale AZ (Luke AFB). Damn, you're going to have the time of your life! Been to WA too; Everett WA. Lived in Yosemite as well. You must plan a side trip. I've done the Napa / Phx trip a couple of times...About 24 hrs. only stopping for gas. WA to the Bay area is about the same, but stopped for the night then.

Have a great / safe trip. I'll ask my brother about other places to stay / camp as he's still in Napa. :driving:
 
So, is that a photo of Sedona AZ? Been there too. I lived at the G.C. for 5 years. Hiked Mt. Humphrey a couple of times too.

OK, More jealous! :crybaby:
 
Other than prepping your vehicle, I always like to take a small Road Trip emergency kit. Contents depend on where I'm going and time of year. A northward trip in winter would obviously have some different stuff than a westward trip in Summer.

A metal coffee can is a good holder for some basic items like a candle, TP, Duct tape (wrapped around a pencil). Paper for emergency notes. Basic hand tools. Water etc.

The coffee can is especially handy (around here) for an all year emergency kit. If you put a lit candle in it, it gives you heat, but can also be used to melt water. Good carrying case too for essentials. I actually had to use mine once in a blizzard. Traffic was stuck for 6 hours on US 36. I could move, but all the cars were stuck so there was no where to go. I was low on gas so the candle and coffee can gave us heat.

Anyhow, here's a list of things to take per the DMV. Pick and choose to your liking.

http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/emergency-kit.php

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site...toid=b02e132960780210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

Safe travels, take a camera and enjoy! :)
 
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4R99JB said:
OK, real reason for this post...

TO MAKE ME JEALOUS!!!

I'm from Napa, and also lived in Glendale AZ (Luke AFB). Damn, you're going to have the time of your life! Been to WA too; Everett WA. Lived in Yosemite as well. You must plan a side trip. I've done the Napa / Phx trip a couple of times...About 24 hrs. only stopping for gas. WA to the Bay area is about the same, but stopped for the night then.

Have a great / safe trip. I'll ask my brother about other places to stay / camp as he's still in Napa. :driving:
Click to expand...


So Napa to PHX is 24hr drive, Google map says 12hr? What is the best way to go on that leg? LA is a huge bottle neck but hopefully Sunday it wont be an issue. Yes, can't wait for the trip. It is still in it's early stage of planning and month away.

The picture is from Sedona on the Broken Arrow trail. I have also hiked Mt. Humphrey a couple of times. First when I was ten and got attitude sickness. Second time was five years ago and got to the top in an electrical storm w/ hail. Was a crazy hike at the top!

Mason
 
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Yes it is technically less than 24 hrs. I should have said 1 quite full day w/meals & stretches. If your plans do include Napa valley, and they should, you would have a beautiful drive over on the coast. I'd head west on Hwy 12 past Infineon raceway (Sears Point) to HWY 101 and head south through S.F., Monterey, Carmel... I would try to get a day or two just in the south bay area. You could catch HWY 1, the pacific coast highway or hop over to 5S (if memory serves me correctly I think that 101 hits 5 somewhere around San Jose?) and make a left onto 10E at Burbank. I'm sure you know the rest.

Sedona was a constant destination while in Northern AZ. Devils Bridge? I've done Broken Arrow trail. Too many trips to recount; just Gorgeous. Jerrie & Darlene...We're in the trail head books 2000 - 2005. :offtopic:

Happy Trails.
 
check your front brakes. Take out the brake pads and inspect the rubber boots around each individual piston. I wish I had done this prior to doing the second half of my 5500 mile trip at the beginning of the month. And while you're in there might as well put some grease on them too. Then check the obvious stuff too like rotor and pad wear. You can also check to ensure each wheel spins smoothly and freely (by hand, with the truck in the air, trans in Neutral)...Just to be sure.

Swaybar end-links are a good thing to check. You don't want a surprise if one of those puppies snaps going around a on-ramp/off-ramp.

If your truck is running good I wouldn't mess with the MAF or TB, however if you decide to get a TRD paper gasket, don't use any of that gasket sealer goop, you'll throw a CEL.

Also recommend changing diff and T-case fluids. easy to do, theres a good write-up on the forum. all you need is a couple crush washers from toyota, 10mm allen wrench, a 24mm socket wrench, a few quarts of your favorite diff fluid, and a hand pump.

Happy wrenching!
 
Thanks for the tips so far guys.

I couple more questions....

Currently have BF Goodrich Tong Trail T/A P265/70R16 tires all in good shape. What PSI would be best of fuel economy and safety during the trip? I also just pulled the spare Goodyear from under the truck. Looks like it has never been used but it is the original spare made in 1997. Would it be best to seek out a CL special for another spare tire or will this one be OK in use of emergency (if a tire fails 1000 mi into the trip would this tire hold up for the other 2000 mi?).

For others who have traveled along the Pacific coast highway, is it best to reserve a camping spot or just show up? Again, have no real plans besides driving down that highway over five days. Just but don't want to show up and everything thing is filled up.

Thanks,

Mason
 
I recommend that you go ahead and get reservations in advance. If, like me, you tend to worry; you'll have no worries. PCH is always a very popular destination. I'm going to Arkansas in September and I've already made mine.
 
If you are going off the beaten path in unknown territory, I'd get another tire for a spare, actually regardless of destination, I'd get a new one if $$$ allows.

Reservations are always better.
 
Sounds like a lot of fun! When I bought my T4R, I flew to the east coast to get it and drove it home - did about 1200 miles in 28 hours, 6 of those sleep... Driving a vehicle you ENJOY makes all the difference, trust me...

and 12 hours isn't too bad :) I did a 14 hour stretch, solo. so if you can have companions to keep you awake, + coffee, then you'll last :)

Have fun! :D
 
Cool trip. I'm doing a a 7K mile trip next month too. South Carolina to Montana, to Washington State down to Yosemite and Death Valley and then back across on 40. I've been knocking stuff off my list too. :)
 
masphx said:
Thanks for the tips so far guys.

I couple more questions....

Currently have BF Goodrich Tong Trail T/A P265/70R16 tires all in good shape. What PSI would be best of fuel economy and safety during the trip? I also just pulled the spare Goodyear from under the truck. Looks like it has never been used but it is the original spare made in 1997. Would it be best to seek out a CL special for another spare tire or will this one be OK in use of emergency (if a tire fails 1000 mi into the trip would this tire hold up for the other 2000 mi?).

For others who have traveled along the Pacific coast highway, is it best to reserve a camping spot or just show up? Again, have no real plans besides driving down that highway over five days. Just but don't want to show up and everything thing is filled up.

Thanks,

Mason
Click to expand...

Since you are running stock size P rated tires, I'd run them at 32 psi, which is what Toyota recommends.

Also, if I were you I'd definitely seek out a replacement spare in good shape. The rubber compound in tires breaks down after several years and I wouldn't chance it with the long drive ahead of you.

Happy and safe travels!
 
We just went from Palm springs California driving up to Bellingham Washington. All we did to the 4runner before leaving Cali was an oil change, wash n wax. Then cruise control took over 1200 miles. Not a problem on our 97 with 210xxx miles. Pretty easy driving
 
I'm going to go against the grain here so I'll put on my flame suit. You don't sound mechanically inclined so I would simply say, check your tire pressure and oil levels and rear brakes for gear oil leaking and go on the trip. This is not the time to start tinkering with your engine. It runs. It runs fine. Drive it.

Do a search of the horror stories of high idle after monkeying with the TB. If you make a mistake changing plugs you may be taking the trip in your family sedan. Save it for when you won't need the truck for a while. Go have fun.

Just my $.02

:flamethrwoer2:
 
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farmerjon said:
@89srule: this doesn't apply necessarily to the OP, but you may like this post:

hiking - Thinking about a road trip out West - The Great Outdoors Beta - Stack Exchange

Also, consider visiting Glacier National Park as well... totally worth it!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Glacier is definitely on the list. I am hoping to hit at least 4 NP if not more. I have a thread over on ih8mud going in our club section and plan to update as much as possible there. I am hoping to get my itinerary set by next weekend.

Hi Jack over. ;)
 
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