by "Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
Published 12/27/2017 at 14:20
by "Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
Published 12/27/2017 at 14:20
Tags: Oklahoma Adventure Trail
STARS: 3
Apparently our last road trip was inspiring because George, of the 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trash Can , is going a little off-roading mental. The latest manifestation of this madness is our new road trip. That starts tomorrow.
I’ve been back in town for less than 24 hours, and need to leave in about 24.
Anyway, the three of us will be doing about half something called the “Oklahoma Adventure Trail,” a 1600 mile loop around Oklahoma that is approximately 70% overland/ offroad. I’ll be in my ailing Land Rover, George will be in his Fiat Jeep, and Taylor will either be taking his D21 from the first trip or his daily driver Xterra.
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Full disclosure: George discovered, planned, mapped, and booked the whole thing and I’ve not really looked at... any of it. BS MODE: ACTIVATE
So the Oklahoma Adventure Trail, or OAT for short, is, as mentioned, a 1600ish mile route around Oklahoma hitting various historic and interesting sights. It was originally made for and by people wanting to complete the trail on motorcycles/ dirt bikes but all the roads should be navigable by car.
Our plan is to start in Tuner Falls, south of Oklahoma City, and drive clockwise about 800 or 900 miles, ending in Tulsa. We’re calling it OAT West. I made stickers.
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All three cars are slightly problematic, if I’m honest. The Disco, as previously noted , has two blown head gaskets and a leaking throttle body heater. Also is a Land Rover so....
The Jeep is, by far, the newest of the three, a 2016, and should be relatively problem free. That said, the 4WD relies heavily on the traction control, which went out the last time we went off-roading and he is currently running all season tires. So... fingers crossed.
Taylors two cars are both 2WD, which is a thing. The Xterra has been well cared for but certainly has some unknowns and a lot of miles. The D21 has a relatively unknown history and approximately 400,000 miles. Also it keeps losing clutch fluid... which is worrying.
On top of all that, we know the weather is going to be pretty nasty, with several days not getting above freezing at all, so that is going to suck a bit. Luckily there hasn’t been much rain recently, so we’re not expecting much trouble out of the river crossings....
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Unlike the overland trip we took in California, we’re never going to be more than about an hour from a city and never more than about three hours from home, so the stakes are much lower.
Wish us luck!
UPDATE: NOW WITH STICKERS
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/27/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 1
This sounds like the worst idea ever. But I’m sure it’ll make for a great story!
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/27/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
We’ve had/ done worse... but this is up there. It feels more intimidating because we know what is wrong with these cars and the route, versus the last one where we only found out after it was too late haha
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/27/2017 at 16:31, STARS: 1
The car problems, during this time of year, could be especially dangerous if they strand you in a bad place. Do yourself a favor and at least bypass your throttle heater before you go.
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/27/2017 at 17:47, STARS: 0
You’re not wrong. Luckily one of the benefits of bringing three cars rather than one.
I bought some “stop leak” tablets in case the head gaskets get to where they’re leaking faster than I can reasonably refill.
I just checked the throttle heater and it is, indeed, leaking but at the rate of about a drop every 30 min. So... not much of a concern.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 10:06, STARS: 1
The throttle heater gasket is flimsy and 2mm wide. It often fails like old faithful, and without warning. Those alone have probably killed more disco engines than head gaskets.
Head gaskets don’t usually just let go all at once. You can often manage then for a while. They’re much less of a concern to me.
Avoid using those tables if you can. They often plug up radiators and heater cores. They might work in a pinch, might, but shouldn’t be used preventatively.
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/28/2017 at 10:18, STARS: 1
Oof. Good to know! I’ll bring a spare gasket just in case. (I bought a new heater w/ gaskets to be done when I do the head gaskets)
Yeah I have never been a fan of “stop leak” products for that reason. Seems like in the long run they’re going to end up doing more harm than good. But in a pinch....
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 10:31, STARS: 1
Oh good. Make sure you have a lot profile ratchet and 5.5mm socket to do it then. Or, if you have the time, just do it before leaving. I can do them in 10-15 minutes. Super easy.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 1
Don’t even need to drain coolant. You might lose a few ounces, a pint at most. Just top off when done.
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/28/2017 at 10:48, STARS: 0
5.5mm!? That’s not a real thing! O_O;;
Yeah in that case I might leave work early and bang it out. I’m literally the only one here...
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 1
Lol it is. That’s why I mentioned it so you wouldn’t be trying to do it in the middle of nowhere with the wrong tools.
"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/28/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 1
I _think_ my kit has a 5.5? It certainly has one metric half size socket and I was like “Where TF would you ever need that!?” Either way, thanks for the heads up.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
12/28/2017 at 12:16, STARS: 0
Lol yeah it’s probably that one, I’ve never seen another half size.