Driving across the country

[Bstrom]

If you can avoid the uhaul, do it. I drove 1,000 miles with a uhaul in tow and told myself I never wanted to do it again. You can always try a place like uship.com for shipping your furniture, just hold out for the right offer. You'll get some right away that are outrageous then hopefully some really good offers.

I've put 8,500+ miles on my Sequoia (250k) in the last 2 months (which include driving to CA and FL). Here are some of the things I do: check tire tread/side walls and pressure including spare, make sure you have all the tools to change a flat, if my lower ball joints or radiator have over 100k i replace them (skip radiator if tranny cooler is bypassed with an external cooler), change oil, tranny fluid if necessary, check power steering/brake/coolant/windshield fluids. Most of that is obvious stuff but whatever. If I was driving your 4runner, I would replace the radiator and LBJ's if they are original then just check the fluids and tires....and not take the uhaul. Toyota will do the rest.

I agree - pack it all on a pallet and send `it via freight. it'll cost about the same as your additional fuel bill. Then take the roads you want without worrying about something following you!

Do all the maintenance you can including fresh oil and driveshaft lube if have 4WD. Too much to risk to a single failure episode from a single part.

 

[Blue Seat Lyfe]

In AZ AVOID going up the I-10 as much as possible. Avoid stopping on I-8 after dark between Casa Grande and Yuma.


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Thanks, I'll keep this in mind, but I believe we will be shooting across AZ in one day.

What highway is better than I-10 in AZ if I may ask?

the current plan is -
Tampa to Baton Rouge 715 miles - longest day on day 1 makes sense to me
BR to Austin (Staying with a friend) 435 miles, short trip day 2, get the dog some exercise
Austin to Las Cruces, NM 625 miles - LC makes sense as a place to stop, other option was El Paso
Las Cruces to San Diego 680 miles, via I-10 and then I-8

 

[nissanh]

Get a new radiator.

 

[my92t4r]

i would put in the trans cooler if you're going to be towing.

 

[AZBub]

Thanks, I'll keep this in mind, but I believe we will be shooting across AZ in one day.



What highway is better than I-10 in AZ if I may ask?



the current plan is -

Tampa to Baton Rouge 715 miles - longest day on day 1 makes sense to me

BR to Austin (Staying with a friend) 435 miles, short trip day 2, get the dog some exercise

Austin to Las Cruces, NM 625 miles - LC makes sense as a place to stop, other option was El Paso

Las Cruces to San Diego 680 miles, via I-10 and then I-8

I assumed you would be going I-40 to I-17 to I-10 and going through Phoenix which can be quite crappy once into Phoenix. Your route should be pretty flat. I-8 is pretty desolate past Casa Grande. Also If you need gas get it in Casa Grande go to the QT off of Pinal and Cottonwood. Cheaper than off the highways and Top Tier. Get the best mpg with QT.

Also if you are driving in the summer I would really just flush your radiator per the many good write ups on here, check your belts and hoses....especially the hoses from tranny to radiator... I'm noticing some leaking in this area after a long trip.
Your route doesn't seem to mountainous at all so an external cooler probably isn't necessary. And if you run in to trouble in AZ just PM me. Have a great private certified mechanic who does on call work in Casa Grande and some of your t4r.org community could always help.

 

[pluton]

Get a new radiator.

+1
I'd replace any radiator that old, especially a cheapo aluminum and plastic jobby like these trucks come with.
ESPECIALLY since you have an auto trans.
It's overdue.
BTW, it's relatively cheap and easy to do. Couple or three hours, even if you've never done it before.

 

[ajordan1975]

your drive from El Paso to San Diego will be shorter than the drive across Texas. Once your past San Antonio the speed limit goes up the 85!

 

[etc.]

This is a very easy route - I75 for about 250 miles, hop on to I10 for 2100 miles
and I am there

I would personally take the 35h route over the 34h route.

San Antonio, Houston, Lafayette, Baton Rouge all suck to drive through.

 

[jgue467]

I would personally take the 35h route over the 34h route.

San Antonio, Houston, Lafayette, Baton Rouge all suck to drive through.

Its all in the timing!

Besides he said he's staying in Austin with a friend for a night......Excellent night life and everything else town! :cowboy:

 

[diverscale]

done this road the other way around,

you HAVE to stop by Mobile if you have any interest in museums and huge golden age war ships. There is the USS Alabama which is one of the last battlecruisers ever built. You can even go into the heart of these big turrets