Have any forum members driven a Series lll cross country?

[Squidrow]

Hello, I'm picking up a Series lll in Seattle and running it cross country through Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, Minnesota Wisco, etc all the way to Cape Cod. It has a 2.25 petrol engine and is in very good shape. Is still a sprung suspension no parabolic etc. Have any of you done this? Just looking for advice.I am aware of the limitations. Much of the trip will be done on back roads. I'm taking three weeks to complete so I can fly fish in Idaho and Montana. Mainly car camping with good gear. Any and all advice, comments, routes, scenic and fishing related are welcomed.

Much thanks,
Squid

[fly cubs]

Chiming in as I'd like to see what others say- I was just thinking about this recently. The longest trip I've made in a day in mine is about 200 miles. I stopped every hour or so. I'd like to hear what others recommend doing to keep a long cross country in a stock Series truck palatable.

[ricker]

Here are a few blogs about relatively recent long distance trips:

https://thewildrovers.wordpress.com/

http://cambrianadventures.blogspot.com/2012/?m=0

http://www.seriestrek.com/trips.html

They are pretty good reads..........

Regards,

David

[Revtor]

I've done Oregon to NJ in a 2a 109, 2.25 petrol. We made a vacation out of it, about three weeks. an AMAZING time.
An overdrive is key. We could cruise on the highways with traffic and also had "extra" gears to make those long uphills go smoother. Without an overdrive I don't think this would be bearable.

Now if you're strapped for time, that would be a different story. Having to rush or hit mileage deadlines woudl be stressful. Especially when youre stranded for two days fixing a broken truck. That can be fairly enjoyable or incredibly stressful.

Go FOR IT!

~Steve

[lumpydog]

I've done a few 3-5 day trips.

My advice/thoughts:

- Overdrive is pretty important if you are going to be hitting steep hills or mountain regions. "Splitting" 3rd is super important for engine braking on long downhills so you don't go so slow in 3rd gear that traffic is ticked off or go so fast in 4th that you need to ride the brakes. It's also important for splitting 3rd gear on long uphills where 4th can't cut it and 3rd will scream and slow you down too much (ticked off traffic).

- Use Google's Map app. Use the "avoid highways" feature. Mainstreets and backroads will show you true Americana. Also - those backroads and speeds are better suited to a Series Truck. I try to stay off the highway as much as possible.

- If you have a home base is Seattle, try a few shakedown trips/dry runs. Do an all day round trip somewhere. Make sure everything runs well. Series trucks that have only been driven around town on short hops all the time act differently when run for hours on end and constant higher speeds.

- That’s a 3000+ mile trip. Make sure the oil has been changed and everything else is full (both diffs, gear box, transfer box, overdrive (if equipped), both front swivel balls and steering box.

- Bose noise cancelling headphones are your friend - and, you can listen to/hear music.

- Bring Spares. Others will have their own thoughts but I like to bring a tool roll, spare bulbs, spare distributor, spare coil, extra 90wt oil (can be hard to find on the road).

- Read this book. The driver, and his Series 3, loop from DC to Canada and join a caravan/expedition driving from the Canadian Border to the Border of Mexico - with lot's of adventures and trail riding in-between.

- Cell phone holder (inside windshield)

- Sign up for the Birmabright Brotherhood

- Bring a 5 weight and 6 weight! Call ahead to the local shops to see what’s takin.

Good luck!

[80sailor]

This is a great thread about something I've wanted to do but never knew if my truck could handle it.

My plan has been to drive from Dallas to South Carolina via I-80 and see the sights.

[lumpydog]

Hey Squid - one other thing to add to my comments above.

The guy I bought my truck from purchased it site unseen in 1993. He was from VT and flew out to Olympia Washington and picked it up. He drove it across county with his brother all the way back to VT. Pretty similar trip to yours! But... No cell phones, no internet, etc. I met him and can tell you that there was not a ton of pre-planning. Pick up the truck and drive.

Don’t overthink this. One way or another you will make it. Go for it and share here if you can!

[Squidrow]

Here’s the truck. Finalizing all details. Taking 3 weeks in Sept to make the journey. Thanks to all for support/ suggestions.

Best
Squid

[jimsshuman]

I did Albuquerque, NM to Raleigh, NC few years back. Great trip, tons of fun, but ultimately a mistake. Sounds like you're in the right track, however!
Mine was a mistake because I ultimately killed the 2.25 diesel by pushing it fairly hard for 3 days straight, 1800 miles all on interstate 40. Truck had sat idol for a bit before the trip. A buddy and I flew out one morning and went over the truck that afternoon. Checked and changed fluids, fixed electrics, and inspected mechanicals. Then pulled out next am and drive approximately 12 hours a day for the next three days. Motor burnt copious amounts of oil early but tightened up throughout the trip. We had zero problems along the trip, but as soon as we arrived home, truck got increasingly difficult to start and ultimately required new engine.
So, my advice is take your time, don't push it hard, and enjoy the trip!!!

[SafeAirOne]

Having driven from the top right corner of the country to the bottom left corner of the country in 5 days in a SIII, my recommendation would be to install a "normal" cable-operated throttle pedal before the trip--The funky, high factory pedal has your foot at an increasingly excruciating angle that gets to be a real endurance challenge after hour 5 on the road.

[Brian Holmes]

Hello Squid,
I drove my IIA the 475 mile (one way) between our home in SE BC and the Seattle area several times. I did all but one of them in one long day. I have a Fairey overdrive and parabolic springs and survived it ok despite being past age 70 at the time.


Look up and read Peter's book recommended by lumpydog- its a great read and accurate. My wife and I did the trip with him and his co-drivers. We drove our 94 Disco. There was about an equal number of series rigs and coilers. The only series breakdown that I remember was an overdrive failure on a series three. It took about an hour to diagnose the problem and remove the overdrive. Several coilers had mechanical problems (including ours).

As soon as we got home I began to look for as series rig and now have two.

There is a professionally done VHS tape floating around of that trip titled Border to Border Trans-American Trek 98.


Good luck on your trip,
Cheers, Brian

[tmckeon88]

I drove my IIA from Maine to Alaska and then from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego over about 5 months. What everyone has said here is good sense and of value. Things might break; you'll be able to get them fixed. People will be eager to help. Seconding the overdrive notion. I had a Fairey then which I drove until it was scrap metal; I have a Roamerdrive now which is worth it. Use it all the time. Good luck.

[Squidrow]

Thanks for all the helpful hints. Getting ready to bring through customs soon. Put on new 4 core radiator as well as new fuel tank. Truck has inspected out well. Only 18,000 k on clock and has lead head with hardened vales, 5 bearing..... Getting excited. Off to British Columbia to pick up on Sept. 18.

Here is link to photos of truck. Jeff Aronson of Rovers Mag has been very helpful. Thanks Jeff! I'll update shortly if you guys want to come along! Best Squid!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fAUE4OERxKQKlNRzAdAezz5UHCGtk3tB?usp=sharing

[lumpydog]

I'll update shortly if you guys want to come along!

Please do!

Great looking truck - looking forward to reading about the trip. Fishing included - tight lines!

[Squidrow]

Hello Squid,
I drove my IIA the 475 mile (one way) between our home in SE BC and the Seattle area several times. I did all but one of them in one long day. I have a Fairey overdrive and parabolic springs and survived it ok despite being past age 70 at the time.


Look up and read Peter's book recommended by lumpydog- its a great read and accurate. My wife and I did the trip with him and his co-drivers. We drove our 94 Disco. There was about an equal number of series rigs and coilers. The only series breakdown that I remember was an overdrive failure on a series three. It took about an hour to diagnose the problem and remove the overdrive. Several coilers had mechanical problems (including ours).

As soon as we got home I began to look for as series rig and now have two.

There is a professionally done VHS tape floating around of that trip titled Border to Border Trans-American Trek 98.


Good luck on your trip,
Cheers, Brian

Yup, read it in a night. It was great and sounded like an epic trip! My goal is to go slow and not mess up truck en route. We will be cruising along US 2 most of the time except for a quick drop down to Wyoming. We are going to take "Going To The Sun RD" through Glacier which i'm sure will be a test for the 2.25. Thanks for all the thoughts.
Best,
Squid