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Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 9:00 a.m.

The generator idea is a good one, but I think there is a lack of hitch on the back of the bus.

Got to love that ass though.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid
SyntheticBlinkerFluid UltimaDork
1/16/16 9:22 a.m.

Oh make sure all the lights are working to save yourself a ticket.

ultraclyde
ultraclyde UltraDork
1/16/16 9:41 a.m.
NOHOME wrote:

It's been my experience that maintenance cost is inordinately high on these and they are impossible to start when cold. Not your best option .

iceracer
iceracer PowerDork
1/16/16 10:11 a.m.

Thar door looks like it was sourced from someone out house.

dyintorace
dyintorace UberDork
1/16/16 10:40 a.m.

Can't wait to follow along. Any chance you can have a co-pilot join you? That way we could have live updates!

Once you get this home, what are you plans for it?

SVreX
SVreX MegaDork
1/16/16 10:51 a.m.

I have survived many, many years of working outside in the cold all winter with an insulated jumpsuit and a warm hat. Add heated socks when necessary.

I'm pretty sure I could go across country in that thing with nothing more in the dead of winter.

Seriously- you'd be surprised how incredibly excellent those insulated jumpsuits are.

logdog
logdog SuperDork
1/16/16 10:52 a.m.

Make sure the oil filter is tight!

Wall-e
Wall-e MegaDork
1/16/16 10:56 a.m.
dyintorace wrote: Can't wait to follow along. Any chance you can have a co-pilot join you? That way we could have live updates! Once you get this home, what are you plans for it?

Can you build a fire?

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 11:04 a.m.

In reply to dyintorace:

My eldest son will be joining me. I'm sure we can update the thread every few hours.

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 11:21 a.m.

In reply to SVreX:

That thought crossed my mind. Ollies Bargains has Walls insulated suits on sale for about $50.

If the weather is too nasty, I'll probably postpone the trip a week or so.

FooBag
FooBag New Reader
1/16/16 12:27 p.m.

For purchasing the cold weather insulated bibs or overalls, you'll want to go to a Mill's Fleet Farm. It appears there is one in Colgate, WI (on your route) and in West Bend, WI (just off your route). They typically have different levels of insulation so pay attention to the temperature ratings.

Gearheadotaku
Gearheadotaku PowerDork
1/16/16 12:44 p.m.

What are your future plans for it?

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 1:20 p.m.

I just got off the phone with the seller, the deal is officially done. Price agreed on, deposit is paid. I think the seller is as stoked about me driving it across country as some of y'all are.

He had already bought new headlight and tail light sockets so he's going to install those for me. He says it has a recent oil change so that is one thing off the list.

I have the vin number so I can get it insured and get a temp tag.

It's coming together.

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 1:33 p.m.
Gearheadotaku wrote: What are your future plans for it?

I'm going to keep it as an RV. It'll end up as as the preferred tow rig for the Abomination and the Samurai when we go to events and camping. I might have to build me a retro looking race trailer to go behind it.

There is a chance it will get a diesel swap at some point. Probably a 12 valve Cummins. That's a long way off in the future.

First order of business will be getting some paint on it, so the city doesn't think I'm starting a junk yard.

wheelsmithy
wheelsmithy HalfDork
1/16/16 1:47 p.m.
Toyman01 wrote: It's coming together.

Woot!

No more projects-nice try. The first step is admitting you have s problem

I look forward to an awesome trip/build thread.

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 2:18 p.m.
wheelsmithy wrote:
Toyman01 wrote: It's coming together.
Woot! No more projects-nice try. The first step is admitting you have s problem I look forward to an awesome trip/build thread.

Not necessarily a no projects thing, but a git rid of stuff I'm not using. Today's project was the front garage. There is a ton of stuff on the side of the road for the trash man to pick up.

SVreX
SVreX MegaDork
1/16/16 2:40 p.m.

I'd be significantly more concerned about the condition of the tires than the heat.

If they've been sitting for 2 years or more, they can be compromised internally, and blow when they heat up at highway speed, regardless of how good they look. (Yes, I have experienced this.)

rslifkin
rslifkin New Reader
1/16/16 2:42 p.m.

Good point about the tires. I'd definitely stop and check the temps of the tires a few times early on in the trip and visually inspect them after a few miles of driving to make sure everything seems ok.

SVreX
SVreX MegaDork
1/16/16 2:53 p.m.

In reply to rslifkin:

How will a temp gauge help?

My experience was with perfectly good looking 10-plys. They were not overheated, but they had been sitting for a while.

The problem was the elasticity was compromised internally, and they couldn't really expand once they got up to normal operating temperature. For me, that was when I was about 40 miles down the road doing 70 mph. No warning, just a blowout.

In the colder climate, that could be much longer (or shorter- who knows).

If they are not recent, I'd be aware, and prepared.

JohnRW1621
JohnRW1621 MegaDork
1/16/16 3:12 p.m.

You might want to look into Good Sam Club. They have an RV towing service like AAA for RVs.

rslifkin
rslifkin New Reader
1/16/16 3:32 p.m.
SVreX wrote: In reply to rslifkin: How will a temp gauge help? My experience was with perfectly good looking 10-plys. They were not overheated, but they had been sitting for a while. The problem was the elasticity was compromised internally, and they couldn't really expand once they got up to normal operating temperature. For me, that was when I was about 40 miles down the road doing 70 mph. No warning, just a blowout. In the colder climate, that could be much longer (or shorter- who knows). If they are not recent, I'd be aware, and prepared.

Failures at highway speed can sometimes (but not always) be predicted by heat. If the tire is compromised, it may start to run hot like an underinflated tire. If one starts to run hotter than the others on the trip, I'd consider that one likely to fail soon.

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
1/16/16 4:01 p.m.

In reply to SVreX:

Tires are a concern. It's sitting on 22.5 truck wheels with truck tires. Commercial truck tire carcasses are acceptable for recap up to 10 years of age. The tires on it are right at that limit. I shouldn't be even close to the tire weight limit and if I get 60 mph out of it I'll be amazed. There is no weather checking on any of the tires. I'm going to chance it. Carefully. Any odd thumping will be cause to hit a tire shop and drop $1200+ on a new set of tires.

Petrolburner
Petrolburner HalfDork
1/16/16 6:07 p.m.

You are officially nuts. I look forward to updates. She sure has nice curves.

iceracer
iceracer PowerDork
1/16/16 6:37 p.m.

another thing. Without heat be prepared for windshield frosting.

Anyone who drove a Beetle knows what I'm talking about.

LopRacer
LopRacer Dork
1/16/16 7:03 p.m.
SVreX wrote: I have survived many, many years of working outside in the cold all winter with an insulated jumpsuit and a warm hat. Add heated socks when necessary. I'm pretty sure I could go across country in that thing with nothing more in the dead of winter. Seriously- you'd be surprised how incredibly excellent those insulated jumpsuits are.

Good insulated Coveralls really are all that and a bag of chips. I wish I had mine when I transported my 84 Rabbit from PA to NC without heat in many years ago. This will be epic and I cannot wait to read more about it. KUDOS

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