lockgessner

I figure since I'm driving 4800 miles(st Pete, fl to Skagway, AK) in the old girl I should probably do some posting about it.


I will be adding pics as we go.


Trip details:

We will be running as quickly as possible until we hit spearfish, SD (hopefully tomorrow night) then to Kalispell, MT and take a few days R&R with some friends.

From there we will head north through Banff, Jasper and then head west until we hit highway 37 in BC.

Gcvw is just north of 16,000( I have the tickets to prove it)

Hope someone gets some enjoyment from reading this...

Truck almost back together.

Boat I'm yarding up there

My dad driving in Georgia

sooty

sweet dude, been there done that, mount rundle is quite a sight, we cut over to prince Rupert and ferried up Sitka prince of wales and Ketchikan, when mi go back, my next plan is ak hiway, then loop back the coastal route for more river fishing, most rivers are loaded when runs are going and your all by yourself, enjoy!!!

thrashingcows

Very cool trip...I will enjoy the updates and trip vicariously through you.

mknittle

Looks like fun! I always like pictures of road trips.

oliver foster

I love it!
Re-do the truck then take it on a huge road trip as soon as it is done.
Enjoy the road trip with your dad in that fresh 1st gen short bed.

kerry.king

That's great man ! Sweet truck! There's one for sale near me, but with a 440. I may have to go get it . .

lockgessner

Well I made it through St. Louis; only had one issue: I lost over half the radiator of coolant, pretty sure it's a bad radiator cap refilled-good to go( going to get another cap this afternoon)


Speed has been between 60-70, slower on grades

Fuel economy has been 9-10

mknittle

You need a first gen.

lockgessner

Oliver,

I literally only had it back on the road for 4 or 5 days around town after being down for a solid month and a half! The real scary thing is I swapped a set of 56" Chevys upfront(thought I got 54" but there in there now) and had absolutely no clue how she would handle(still push pull); I must have got it somewhat right because she handles pretty darn good if you ask me! I would like to add crossover and a trac bar upfront but it's not bad at all.



Bye the way that bad radiator cap... Yea that's a head gasket😳 pretty sure it's only jacket water and it's only coming from the pass side #1; no I don't condone it but I threw some k-seal in and the leak seems to have sealed. I will adress this once I get settled In Juneau with a set of studs and a new gasket.

When I have full charge of coolant I can run pretty darn fast! I can charge up 7% grades for a mile or more start at 70-75 at bottom and crest around 66 and not go above 2/3. I've been running this way for a while and my mileage hasn't suffered... Best yet was 11 and was on the fastest run of them all.

I will start getting good pics tomorrow for all you pic ******

thrashingcows

Man that sucks that the head gasket is starting to go. I would advise slowing down to keep your water temps, and therefore your coolant pressure, under better control. Glad you got it partially sealed up, but would hate to see that it totally went.

Nice pics....enjoy your time with your Dad...will Be great memories!

NJTman

Great pix, man... Love how the truck turned out.


Nice looking pooch. He/she sure looks happy sitting next to his/her grand-dog-daddy...


I guess you don't have a radio in the beast because the sound of the engine is good enough ?

KRB

Man what an adventure! Takes nerve to embark on a trip like that in an old truck and a load. One heck of a shake-down trip.

Good luck with the head gasket and all the rest.

Montana2x2

If you need to deal with your head gasket sooner than Juneau I have tools and garage in Helena Montana you are welcome to use.

j_martin

I have a son in Kalispell. He said he would be willing to help. He also has a shop and enough tools to lift a head.

NJTman

Curious...

what is the approximate weight of one of these CTD heads ?