4500 Mile Trip Planning for a 1st Gen

Maybe this is crazy, maybe stupid but I'm gonna give it a shot. My girlfriend and I are planning a week and a half long 4500 mile trip in May to see some stuff before we get married and have kids and such. Planning to go from KY to see my grandparents in MN then quite a few stops from there. Here's the list.

And the route


Planning on taking the truck with topper so we have plenty of room for anything we'd like to bring with us and anything we want to pick up and because I'm planning to do some light offroading. Not planning to sleep in the truck either.

Could this trip absolutley suck from being in a vehicle for so long? Yeah for sure it could but I always hear older people telling stories about traveling around and seeing stuff and some stories about the car breaking down and it's always memorable many years later. If shit hits the fan then so be it, I'll probably remember it forever and may never do it again.

Trying to make sure I have everything in tip top shape. Timing belt, water pump, radiator, O2 sensors, lower and upper ball joints, and frame (among other things) have been replaced in the last 8 months or so.
Planning to bring almost everything possible with me to work on anything that may break within reason.
Current list of things to do with the truck.


The thing I'm most worried about doing myself is the ECGS bushing but mostly the front axle seals as I'm worried about getting them at the correct depth and making sure the c-clips are set correctly. Any pointers from anyone would be great. Still need to order the bushing and remover/installer (don't really want to rent the on here as I'm not sure when I will be doing the work) and seals. Don't really have any super reputable places around that I know of that I'd want to do this work. Plus I'm gonna be in about $1000 worth of parts just for this trip.

Other thing I have to figure out is a really good way to lock the rear topper glass even if that means drilling a hole or two in the topper (not the truck). Don't have the key for it and lock doesn't seem great anyway. Wanting some sort of blocking plate that would require the tailgate to be open before the topper can open since I can lock the tailgate.


Really looking for the best advice on a few things especially the axle seal install or ECGS bushing or just cool things to see or places to stay anywhere that we're planning to go. Only gonna be spending a day or 2 tops at most places.
Thanks to all.

 

I usually keep a good assortment of 3/8” tools, a few 1/2” (17,18,19,21,22,35mm) a 1/2” electric impact and a 3/8” impact for longer trips with some metric combination wrenches and a ratcheting screwdriver with bits.. covers a majority of things to make road-side repairs.

the route youre taking will take you right through my neck of the woods. Be prepared for the shitshow we call driving in illinois.

 

I'm planning to have at least all that you have listed there so that's good.
Hopefully well be through there late enough traffic won't be bad but we'll have to see. Sure we'll deal with rush hour in one state or another.

 

Stay out of chain restraunts, go around big cities, if you see a sign for a roadside attraction stop and stretch your legs.

roadtrips are great. I dont use navigation, so each day when i plan my route, i look for backroads, and parks, and scenic overlooks, and museums, or whatever to stop at. Also helps to plan fuel stops, like fill up before memphis, so you dont have to stop in memphis.

If you’re not a road trip regular, make a practice run, load up, live out of the truck for a weekend, and make note of things you forgot. Or didnt know you needed.

 

Sounds like a lot of fun, hope it goes well! One thing I've come to realize with a topper, and I'm sure you have too, is no matter the work we do to secure them, someone who is dedicated to get in will still get in. The keys are so generic and easy to duplicate.

I think your idea of blocking the window somehow with the tailgate will make it where it's too much effort to get in and people will leave it alone. Interested to see how you'll accomplish that.

I haven't tackled the ECGS bushing yet, but I have this saved for when I do: https://www.tundras.com/threads/ecgs-bushing-tool.59664/page-4#post-2197897

Since you're going to be in the Flagstaff area, check out Grand Falls to the north east: https://www.flagstaff.com/grand-falls-arizona. If you drink, you won't be able to easily get alcohol north of Flag either.

 

We took my husbands 03 RCLB with camper in tow to Florida and back for flying comps a few years. You did the major maint items I was gonna mention already so you should be stylin. He has 300k on his truck, she did fine.
In short: yes, it sucked being in the truck that long. BUT Its because hubby’s is a RC. Zero room to recline and the only way to get a cat nap was to curl into a ball on the seat. We took my 2018 double cab down the last two years, game changer. I think if you have at least an access cab of some sort to store snacks and recline for naps you’ll be fine. You mentioned it but definitely bring tools! We both keep basically full socket sets and half a toolbox in our trucks. We had gaskets leak, mudflaps rip, shit squeakin, etc. and were able to fix at a rest stop.
If your gf has tiny hands, shes helpful too. We blew the driver side exhaust gasket. I was able to articulate my arm up under the truck to remove the old gasket and get the new one in without having to drop the entire exhaust. Good for somethin..

 

If The Mangler can pull off the ECGS bushing, I'm sure you'll be fine. It really wasn't that hard. One seal is impossible to mess up because there is a ledge to keep you from driving the seal in too far. Worst case, order a spare seal for the passenger side in case you screw it up. I honestly don't think you will.

I'll post pics later of what it looks like.

I would definitely remove the backseat for this trip. You'll be amazed how much the Access Cab can haul with it removed. Maybe buy some Noico to stick on that cab wall if you are worried about noise.

Organization is key if you're like me and get stressed with clutter. Home Depot and Lowes sell inexpensive totes that we use for our road trips. They are stackable and fit nicely behind the seats. If you have time to build a bed box that would help too.

 

I had the topper on for about 2 weeks after I bought the truck and that's it. It's pretty ugly although functional but if I have to work on the truck with it on it won't fit in my garage (rear half is extra tall).

I'm interested to see how I accomplish it myself lol. Thinking maybe pull out the screw inserts for the tailgate metal cover and using bolts to hold in a piece of sheet steel that's bent to fit but that's just a rough idea at the moment. Would only be temporary.

If I had a month for this trip I'd plan it out like that for backroads and all the attractions and stuff but with only having a week and a half it's probably best just to focus mostly on the days destination to keep with the schedule. Maybe when I retire in 40 years I'll try again lol.

Mostly worried about the seal not sitting in just the right spot and causing a leak. Rather not have to pull it all apart in a parking lot or something like that but I'll be sure to bring the tools to be able to. I'll probably order a 2nd seal just in case.

I'll probably just pull the seat bottoms if anything. Totes may be a good idea for the back seat though.

 

I was about to add an extra week worth of sights to see, like devils tower, flaming gorge, alamogordo, little sahara, mt. Petit jean…

 

Amarillo you say? That's my neck of the woods. Well, plains. We don't have trees here.

Bring a roll of tp and a 5 gallon bucket. You never know....

 

Don't overthink it. I eyeballed mine and it was fine. It wept oil for about 10 days and then never did it again. I hade a typo above and meant to say it's impossible to mess up the driver side

See pic, you just tap in until you it won't go any further.




I believe this is the instruction for the passenger side tube.

 

Dont Tumbleweeds count as trees too?

 

You sound crazy to me just for the record!

You will certainly discover just how compatible you are by the end of this drive.

I will just chime in about the Cap though,you can easily get a key for that thing and if it works just do that.

You can also easily get 2 Cam Locks for each side and drill 2 holes and mount them near the edges instead of in the middle and you can do both and have 3 points locked along the tailgate if you want!

I also carry Walmart baby blue foam pads that are $7 each and tape them inside the cap in front of the glass so that no one can see inside there. They are also great for working off the ground if you need to and all sorts of other uses and even as sleeping pads which is what they are sold as.

I would also pass on what I have learned about driving the West during the last 2 years about filling up.
Buy gas when you see it in Wyoming,the Dakotas,Idaho,Utah and Nevada!

You will need it anyway and there might not be any when you do if you are one who likes to see how far you can go for some idiotic reason?!
So many people warned me about this and until I was in Wyoming praying for an open station the first time I did not truly embrace the spirit of this advice,Buy the Gas now if you can!

 

Amarillo by Mornin'.
Up from San Anton'.
Everything that you've got is just what he took home.

 

Oh and @NickB_01TRD fill me in on this cap situation.

Some things to share:

The lock barrels are swappable, you can get a replacement barrel with its own key.

A lot of times the barrel will have a number stamped in the face, and you can get a replacement key based on that number (which is also why they're not as secure.

You can probably find a more stout barrel, also. Your local camper/shell supply place may know if there's one nearby.

 

One thing you might add to your kit is a set of mud chains. I pull a hay roll into a soft and soggy pasture with my 2wd, open differential truck and with the chains, I can cut furrows with those back tires. You can install them after you get stuck as well and they make self-extraction a lot easier.

 

It ain’t a road trip if you don’t do an oil change in an O’Reilly’s parking lot!!

 

Add a spare key or hide a key to your things to do

 

Sounds like an awesome trip! On the passenger side axle seal, just follow the directions above and it's actually pretty easy. I bought a 2" PVC cap as suggested and then made a sharpie mark at 5.5mm depth. It's been a year with no leaks.

 

We just made a cross country move in my 2006 Tundra...it was awesome...until the steering rack shit the bed in CO. Make sure you have AAA for a tow if need be. It was VERY handy for us.

As for your trip, if you have never been, add two days and hit Yellowstone and Devils Tower. We did a 2 month western trip in 2011 where we hit ALL the big parks out west...Yellowstone is right up there with the best. A ton of pictures here that may make you want to add some more stops. There are 18 entries and it's a blog, so it starts with the last entry...but you would want to go back through it to see the pics. If you dare to read any of it, excuse the typos, I wrote all the entries in hotel rooms at 2 AM while the family slept and I never went back to proofread it...

https://2011usatour.blogspot.com

 

I applaud your enthusiasm, and as much as I enjoy road trips, the idea of sitting in my truck for 60+ hours over 14 days does not sound like fun. I will say if you and your girlfriend survive and somehow manage to have a good time, you should upgrade her from girlfriend to wife.

Anybody remember this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3mvQ8V6evY

 

Well to fill you in it's a cap that fits my truck and is the same color. Ugly and I took it off right after I bought the truck but it came with the truck so I keep it around since I know I'd never find another. It has a number on the key barrel and I'm sure I could get one but it just doesn't seem very secure to me especially when I'm planning to have so much stuff back there which is why I'm trying to figure out a more secure situation hopefully using the tailgate to lock it. I couldn't even tell you if we have any kind of local camper shell place here either. Haven't looked.

Planning to get some traction boards, but also not planning on doing anything wild enough where I may get stuck but just trying to plan for everything.

Good idea.

So with the 5.5mm part that means that the back part of the seal should be set in 5.5mm correct? Or does it mean the very front lip of the seal should be 5.5mm back? Also is it a piece of 2 inch PVC or a PVC cap that fits a 2 inch PVC pipe?

I wish you hadn't said that about the rack because I was already thinking about it lol.

Wish we had more time for sure but gotta take what we can get. It'll be 11 days total. I think we'll see some cool stuff and hopefully it all balances out the amount of time we have to spend in the truck.

We're engaged already. Getting married is on the to-do list hopefully for next year. Hopefully all the cool stuff we see will balance out the time in the truck but only time will tell.

 

It's measured from the front of the seal because the PVC cap goes around the lip, not on it. (hope that makes sense). I measured from the edge of the PV cap back 5.5mm. I can't take credit though, I think that was @FrenchToasty suggestion.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-2-in-PVC-Schedule-40-Socket-Cap-PVC021161600HD/203811678

 

Ah I see, makes total sense. That's helps a lot. Thanks!

 

I would definitely poach some ideas from that this thread if you are planning to camp. I want to mention a few things. To save space, I use packing cubes instead of a suitcase for my clothes. With the back seat removed the carseat hooks are still there and my packing cubes hang perfectly from those. I think we got ours on Amazon.

 

Prepare for many pee stops and say yes dear when she says she really has to stop !
Enjoy the time together !

 

If your tailgate locks and I think you are saying that it does????

You can make a platform that sits under the top of the tailgate that has a flip up hinged top that is locked to the closed and locked tailgate and this will be fairly tough to get into at least without making a lot of noise especially if you also get the rear of the shell locked.

 

No we will not be camping in the truck. Hotels or air BNBs and such. I tossed around the idea of it but it's not her thing and I respect that of course.

Tailgate has lock from factory yes. Thinking of just mounting some sort of metal bar to the topper bottom that will hang down low enough that the tailgate will have to be open first. I just have to wait till closer to time to leave since I can't fit the truck in the garage for maintenance stuff with the topper on.

Half ass quick drawing but the metal bar would mount to this bottom plate with bolts at the dotted spots and be on the inside of the topper.

 

Well now you have my attention at least.

The topper rear window closes against the outside of the tailgate and your bars will need to close inside the tailgate if I am following you?

So how are you going to close the whole thing and have the tailgate end up between the bar inside and the glass outside of the gate exactly?

You could just drill and install these on the back window and keep it simple.

$20 MASO T-Handle Door Lock Latch Truck Cap Camper Trailer Cabinet T-Handle Garage Door Lock Bright Chrome Black（Hole is 3/4"）

https://www.amazon.com/MASO-T-Handle-Camper-TrailerCabinet-Garage/dp/B07T291RN1

 

Close topper glass and bar will hang below where tailgate will go then once tailgate is closed that bar will be pushed right behind it not allowing topper to be open. Like I said very rough idea and only has to work for a week and a half.
Could also just use 4 or so smaller pieces instead of trying to get one big piece of metal.
Really just trying to go with one key easy locking if possible but I'll keep those lock latches you linked in mind.