Traveling Advice...and blog: http://jeepincrossamerica.blogs

[Eve]

Sounds fantastic, have to agree with Tim... I'm definitely envious, especially since I have been planning on taking a trip from here to cali with many stops on the way but it got cancelled!!! Have a fantastic time whatever you both do!!

[ZAEDOCK]

If you happen to swing through minneapolis minnesota and need a place to stay, holler! same goes for anyone else coming through minneapolis - JOE!

Thanks Keith! MN is awesome. We had a great trip and the girls had to be carried away when we left the Mall.



@ Steve - Are you looking for any performance upgrades to the 2.5L? She'll be fine for most of what you're doing, except the long mountain passes.
I recommend an electric fan (puller, behind the radiator), bore a 4" hole in the side of the airbox, and add a nice cat/muffler. It really does make a difference.

[nostaw]

FWIW -- I think Zion was the other park near Bryce I was trying to think of... I've seen pics and it looks pretty spectacular.

JW

[SteveB]

@Eve, thanks, I am "between" careers and in a good position to pull off this trip. Hope too make many stops, 'There and back again'.
@ Joe, yes. Got a electric fan kit. Came with 2 14" pullers, i don't believe they will both fit, would 1 be enough. Exhaust is a good idea but time and budget may veto. Where on the air box should I drill, inboard towards the radiator?


I got around to "fixing" the CAD so 4wd has been restored.

I am now exploring sleeping platform ideas. I want to keep it simple and easy to remove, as the cap will only be on for camping trips. I like the simplicity of these designs;
http://www.splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6460
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/tacoma-sleep ... up-220913/

but also like the bling in this design.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... g-Platform

Ultimately in will be out of material I have on hand, ie: a couple sheets of 3/4 plywood and other scrap material.

Power in the cave: I am thinking of going duel battery. That creates a new set of issues as where to fit a standard 12v deep cycle or should I go with 2 6v golf cart deep cycles in series (may be easier to fit?) Mostly we need power for usb led lights and other small items (usb fans, charging; phones, laptop, kindle).
So we're not exactly roughing it.

@John, thanks...Zion is on our list!
@Keith, we'll keep you in mind when in MN.

[SteveB]

We're back! Had an amazing trip! Didn't see all that I wanted, but some amazing places we hadn't planned on.

Out of gas in Arizona...

Camping on volcanic soil near Sunset Volcanic Crater...

Crossing Rocky Mountain National Park...

Escaping Great Sand Dunes in Colorado...

Camping between Canyonlands NP and Moab...

Road from Canyonlands to Moab, 34 miles, 8 hours...

Camping on the California coast...

Yosemite...

into Kings Canyon NP...

Death Valley dogs year storm.... (one every 7 years)...

Mt. Rainier...

Minimally maintained road in Idaho...

Idaho hot spring near Pine Flats campground....

I forget where this is...



We blogged if you'd like to read about the journey. http://jeepincrossamerica.blogspot.com/
Missed wheeling with you all! I am thinking hard about Moab with the club next year.

[Marky]

Sounds like you had an awesome time!

[Hoodoo Man]

Great pictures. Cant wait to see the blog!

[Carl McFly]

wow! I like how the MJ is in almost every picture

[Eve]

Looks fantastic, I'm starting to read the blog now! Don't suppose you'll be at FC to tell us about it?

[Hoodoo Man]

that blog was a great read! I think I"ll look into the JR ranger thing for my girls too. Im hoping in a year or two to take the family across the mid west like that....

[SteveB]

Thanks for the comments....
Not sure when I'll make a club run. The MJ needs a lot of attention after the trip and the XJ is being traded for a '97TJ, which I hope to pick up this week.


PS: Tyler's Junior Ranger patches and badges below.....

[Scott]

Wow, really makes me want to do the same thing! Wish I could. Glad to hear you two had a great time, I'll read the blog soon. I'm sure it'll make me want another Jeep. Thanks for posting it!