Afternoon all, so happy, I had to share!
So Woody, my 79 F250, 4x4, 300 I6, NP435, NP205, made the trip from CA, to Kansas last week, almost 1800 miles, with not one problem!!!!
I sold him to my BIL since he had been looking for one for a while, and most around him are rusted piles. And he needed to get his man card back also! I left Thurs morning, going out the back gate of Yosemite on the 120, Lee Vining side, down the 120 to the 6 thru Tonopah, Ely to the 50, 50 to the 15 to the 70 and on eastward thru Colorado into Kansas, all the way across to almost Missouri. The highest elevation was 11,138, and it seemed I was at 4000' or above until Kansas. Only had to downshift 2X going up the mountains. Also got to be there for my grandpa's 100th birthday, as that was also part of the reason for making the drive!
At almost every stop for fuel, someone came up and admired and was amazed I was driving him that far, and had no issues, and was not worried. Made for a long drive in 2 days, but was well worth it!



Starting point, Yosemite





Way up high!





Wind turban blade in KS





Happy niece and nephews!





And the birthday boy! 100!!! And 71 and 46

 

Awesome story, and pic! And way to go grandpa.

 

Great road trip. It's a testament that these rigs can get it done. And a testament to your wrenchworthiness.


....And happy birthday to pappy!

 

Thanks gents! And that picture doesn't do him justice, had a friend say if they didn't know he was 100, they would have thought 80! My grandma, his wife, just passed in March of this year, after 81 years of marriage on December 29th of 2014, they made fox news and a few others!
Yes, we are all proud of them for 81 yrs, and him for 100! And of course he is the reason for my Ford truck addiction,,, ahem, I mean hobby



Owned a Ford dealership in Nebraska, and was a Ford parts man for years after selling it.

 

Excellent story. Hopefully Grandpa will see another 20 years at least.

 

Wow, great story! Congratulations to your grandpa as well!!

 

So funny, having talked to a few folks since being back, they all were amazed I drove a 36 yr old truck from CA to MO! And my Brother In Law is just as happy as can be,,, says he has guys at work wanting one now!

 

where in KS is this that older man looks familiar, and KS truck are usually rusted or completely restored, few in the middle ground.

 

I actually take that back the guy I was thinking of died a few years ago.

 

Very nice. Love that drive across to tonepah. I rode 100 miles that way from 88 to 395 side one time and didn't see a single car. Glad you made it with no issues.

 

Excellent story, thanks for sharing (and the awesome pictures!). Making a nice trip with no problems to make a birthday like that...priceless.

 

x2.....


I bet the OP was alone and afraid at some points of his journey?

 

hahaha! I was afraid hwy 6 was getting longer!! Alone, yep,,, afraid,,, nope, what is there to fear?

 

Fear itself

 

Hahaha,, yep, but got over that years ago