Good Idea/Bad Idea

"LastFirstMI is my name" (donstone13) 04/18/2019 at 19:12 • Filed to: None

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I have a grand plan to drive to Denali next summer (2020). Actually “plan” isn’t accurate, as that implies thought beyond “I’m totally going to probably do that”. Since I don’t own the slammed Outback pictured above, I need to choose a vehicle to coerce into my delusional adventure. I’m a little hesitant to take the 221,000 mile Land Cruiser, although I think it could probably make it.

It just seems like overkill when the trip involves mostly highway driving, with gravel or dirt roads being the maximum capability required. Let’s not even get into the fuel consumption (insert your own Exxon Valdez joke here).

My wife wouldn’t want me to take her beloved FJ even if I wanted to, and honestly it reminds me of one of those shelter dogs that’s been abused but is loyal as hell; the lift kit, aftermarket skid plate , mystery wires and switches for accessories that are no longer there, and rust in unusual places (like the interior- what happened there?) make me a little nervous about trusting it on a long journey.

Enter the solution:

That’s right, “Lumpy” the Crosstour. Nobody will care if it comes back covered in rock chips like pimples on a teenager, it gets decent mileage, is AWD, and get this: if I decrease the wheel size to 16” I can put KO2’s on it! The thought of gnarly knobby tires on an Accord wagon makes me giddy for some reason. I’m planning on building a roof rack that can hold my Thule cargo carrier, a jerry can of fuel, a full size spare, and 38 pounds of beef jerky. I looked for a lift kit, but was shocked (shocked!) that there isn’t a lot of overland support for the Crosstour.

Obviously this will not be a true off road machine, but driving on washed out dirt roads really just takes patience and a disregard for the well-being of the vehicle, which the Crosstour is perfectly suited for. I don’t like that it won’t hold first gear for steep grades , and have had a few instances of worrying that the brakes would fade at a very inopportune moment , but I haven’t ended up in a ravine yet. This doesn’t worry me as much as it should, because if I do end up leaving it at the end of a logging road to serve as a shelter for field mice and hippies, I won’t really miss it.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 19:57

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You have my Mule of Approval.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 20:08

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You’re outta your damn mind. Unless you already own the Accord, and then you’re outta your damn mind for owning a Crosstour. 

WilliamsSW > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 20:19

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  That’s an excellent plan really. Be prepared to have the windshield broken, but otherwise you’re good.

My brother did it in a Honda also - but it was a 175k mile 1985 Prelude, and he made it ( albeit waiting 5 days in Whitehorse for an alternator but whatever).

LastFirstMI is my name > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 04/18/2019 at 20:20

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You’re not wrong

Kiltedpadre > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 20:22

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This is an excellent idea. It will either leave you stranded with a busted oil pan and an awesome story of riding back to civilization with a grizzled, old trucker or come home and finish it’s days being recognized as a legend.

I salute you and your endeavor sir.

LastFirstMI is my name > WilliamsSW 04/18/2019 at 20:59

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Window solution

shop-teacher > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 21:36

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Hmmmm ... Seems reasonable to me.

LastFirstMI is my name > shop-teacher 04/18/2019 at 21:39

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We now have my wife outnumbered! Democracy wins again!

shop-teacher > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 22:03

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*high-five*

WilliamsSW > LastFirstMI is my name 04/18/2019 at 22:56

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But honey I NEEEEEEEED to get this!