Graduated college recently. Before I get a "real job" and am left with no free time, I'm planning a 3k mile road/overlanding trip in my D2. Hopefully leaving in a week or so. I have never done anything like this before and am pretty excited. However, I am a bit concerned that I will be left stranded. Is it a terrible idea in this car? What spare parts or other car related stuff should I bring?


I'm loosely following this route and plan to camp in national forests. Any recommendations of places to check out, route alterations, or cool offroad trails? If anyone is along the route and wants meet up or join part of it, I would be open to that. What else should I take into account while preparing for the trip?

 

I think that looks like a total blast. I’ve done a number of multi thousand mile fly and ride or drive adventures. The benefit you have is you’ve already got the vehicle and hopefully know it fairly well.

In all my years of doing this stuff on motorcycles, in the ADV community people would often say, “whatever you forget, or whatever goes wrong, it can all be fixed with a credit card”. As you aren’t getting too remote, it really is doable, and would be a nice drive before getting mired down with the responsibilities of life. As such, it seems to me the only really constraint is the budget. Shoot, there was a guy who took a used Audi R8 up to the Arctic Circle and back, it he did end up having a healthy thousands of dollar fix he had to do in a parking lot somewhere in AK or Canada.

Fuel will probably cost double what you think, and then you’d want a decent list of spares and of course all the tools needed to be able to fix stuff. Either that, or a few thousand dollars for tows and/or shop repairs. This is just being prepared.

It doesn’t look like you’ll be doing any appreciable off road, so that makes things easier, but you should still have some simple recovery stuff like a tow strap and such.

That’s the finance side. Then there is the service side. All fluids should be changed prior to launching: oil, diffs, transfer case, transmission (and filter), and certainly have confidence the cooling system is sorted (radiator, fan clutch, thermostat, and possibly the water pump). Other simple checks like brakes and tires and serpentine belt. I’m sure you know the criticality of an Ultragauge or some means of constantly monitoring temps.

Then you’d want a list of spares like: coil packs (unless you’ve changed them), CPS, a MAF (maybe), tensioner pulley (maybe), and other simple stuff like some electrical wire and fuses. Of course some duct tape and bailing wire.

Then a list of tools. There are a million threads and other stuff out there on what is recommended, but a scan tool would be critical with a Nanocom being gold plated, and an iCarsoft as just being able to find out what could be going on.

Now this is all just to be prepared to enjoy the journey, and none of it is critical because you could just say heck with it and roll the dice and go. But I’m a be prepared kind of guy determined to be self sufficient (again, from all the years on motorcycles to VERY remote places) and also done distance 4x4 trips driving to, through, and home from the Rubicon Trail multiple times (except my first year where I needed a helicopter ride), and by being prepared, you get to enjoy the journey and surroundings rather than always being nervous about bad stuff.

If you plan on camping I assume you know all the gear you’ll need and since you’ll be in bear country, the appropriate stuff. I’ve never carried personal security stuff and since you’ll be crossing the border, I’d caution against anything beyond bear spray, but an ability to secure food properly (not in the vehicle or close to you) would seem key. I’ve only had bears come close to me or my camp a couple times, and not being stupid is the best way to avoid anything bad.

Again, what you have mapped out should have some amazing scenery. I’d make sure to add the ubiquitous ADV roads like the “Road to the Sky” in MT, and the “curves for the next 77 miles” one in WA or OR (I can’t remember where exactly it is) and a few others you can find in some simple searches. Yellowstone will suck for traffic, but there are a number of other amazing places to see along your route.

My vote is get the truck ready (pretty straight forward), make sure to have good tunes, don’t be in a hurry (you don’t have a choice as you’re in a D2), and have fun!

 

"Job market gloom hasn't been this bad since the Great Recession"

Good luck to you - most get jobs before they actually graduate these days

 

@evil_goat The BC bit is more remote than you think. Cell service can be intermittent and there not really big towns. Alberta is windshield destruction territory, give the big truck slots of room.

@longtallsally covered most of it, spares just go basic CPS, Serpentine belt, fuses. Don't go nuts on spares. Have your a battery and alternator checked before leaving and get a jump pack just in case.

Gas is a lot more expensive in BC about 6.50 Canadian a gallon.

As for things to see it really depends how much time you have, and when you are going.

 

If your rig is running tip top then send it. Change your oil out but I would just check my trans, diffs, transfer case and brake fluid. Top it off if needed. I just came back from an 1,100 mile trip to the UP of Michigan. Stopped for a few days in Silver Lake Dunes and hit plenty of forest roads as well. Prior to this trip the Disco had been down for 6 months. I had chassis work done and put a new suspension on it. It had been running great prior so I just sent it on this trip. Either way a credit card is required on a road trip. Hopefully you just need it for gas! As for essentials like others mentioned I brought a CPS, Serp Belt, fuses, basic tools. I always bring a 1/2" breaker bar. Check that your lug nuts are NOT torqued by a shop. I had work done recently and they torqued the crap out of my lugs. No way I could have changed a tire. A jump pack is nice to have as they have hook ups for charging phones and have a light which could come in handy. They are inexpensive. All great advice but it depends on how deep you want to go to "prep" for the trip. Looks like a fun route.....enjoy the journey!

 

Post social engineering exercise, the entire world is in a free fall and a dumpster fire. This is the best time in life for a recent grad to make sure they are going down the path they want to. Self discovery in a trip like this is one of the best ways to determine your character. Do it on a motorcycle if you really want a visceral way to experience your surroundings.

 

Do you have AAA? Does it cover Canada? Do you have front and rear recovery points? Emergency radio/communication? Bring extra gas AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Extra food, water, first aid kit (KNOW HOW TO USE IT!)

I would advise against doing anything off-road alone. Esp with your stock truck and current experience. Nothing against you, but all it takes is one stupid move and your spending a night (or more) in a ditch hoping someone comes by to help you (ask me how I know). You 100000% need a winch if you're planning to do anything off-road alone. which I STRONGLY advise against. See if you can communicate and join other off-road groups up in Oregon, Washington, Canada, etc. They may have trips that align with your route and timing. Check out this website: https://www.anarc.club/ and other club websites! Check weather forecasts and have backup plans ready to go. Know when to trust your gut and turn around.


I don't mean to discourage you but this isn't a ***** nilly trip to Hollister Hills like we did. Wish I could join you, sounds like a trip of a lifetime for someone our age! definitely send me photos!!!

 

I used to live in Boise Idaho and there are some really beautiful roads waiting to be discovered by you!

 

Check post #6 in this thread: https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...97/#post875543 Evaluate your rig appropriately.

 

Have done much of that trip in our 2003 D2. Take tools, check things like coolant level when you get gas, monitor coolant temp with an Ultra Gauge or similar, have fun, don’t be in a hurry.

I would suggest download maps to have available offline (no cell coverage).

Here is a pic my D2 heading to Yellowstone from the Seattle area. Saw over 100F and below freezing on that trip. Biggest issue was aftermarket mud flaps getting very soft in high temps and coming apart (I removed them). We had 4 people, big dog, box and bag on the roof, bikes…