Maybe I'm insane, but next week I'm flying back to California to drive my 62 F100 all the way to Atlanta. I moved to Atlanta from SoCal about 3 months ago, and I miss my 62 dearly. In 3 months here, I've seen one 61-66 truck in the Atlanta area. My Uni might become the only one around. Just in time for $4.00 a gallon gas and no more Interstate 10 in Louisiana, it ought to be a good time. The '62 is (or was 3 months ago) a daily driven, 3-speed, column-shift, 223-cube, unibody shortbed. I'm pretty sure we'll get here in one piece. The engine was 100% built about 4 years ago, fresh clutch, generator and rear end seals in January. Radiator is fresh, all belts, hoses and tuneup goodies are new. Brakes, exhaust and steering are new within a year, and all new fuel lines throughout. The tires of course are new and she runs like a top. I've got a bedfull of replacement sheetmetal (doors, hood, core support, tailgate and floorboards) and lots of caffene on tap. The whole trip should take 4 days, about 12 hours a day behind the wheel. If the wind and road-funk coming through the holes in the floorboards don't make me commit suicide before the non-stop window rattle, I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes, and how much it cost in gas. Anyone of you guys ever rolled this far in your old pickups? How'd it go?

Oh yeah, I've got AAA Roadside assistance, not that I'll need it!

 

I haven't done it in my 62, but I did make a trip from Montana to Ohio by way of Denver and back in my 48. Round trip of about 5400 miles. Once you're rolling it doesn't matter if you're going 10 miles or 1000. Take it easy and enjoy the adventure. Between AAA and basic tools you should have fun!

I've been thinking it's time for another long road trip. Just can't find space on the calendar to get it done.

 

I drive my 223 daily, its been fron LA to Canada, LA to Washington, LA to oregan, LA to Wyoming, LA to N califronia numerous times, LA to Colorado 2 times, and I'm leaving on a 1400 mile trip thru Arizona on the 2nd of October...don't think twice ...go for it

 

I drove my 64 f100 with a 223 eng, 4:10 gears and t-98 4 spd trans. from Kalispell MT to Tacoma WA. this June. It was 521 miles and with the 4:10 gears I only went 50mph which made this an easy 2 day trip. The truck performed flawlessly. The worst part was the am radio. In Montana, Idaho and Eastern Washington the only stations are right wing talk and spanish stations. I need a cd player!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck on your journey I think the truck will do just fine as long as you keep the rpm's down

 

VintageBlueOval.
Good luck on your trip. I've made that run in a '66 Mustang.
I now live in the Atlanta area and own a '66 short wide and a '61 uni.
Maybe we can compare notes on our projects.
Have Fun with it!!!

Al

 

My 62 was driven daily, used it to chase contract work all over the country, pulling an RV. Had a 223 when I got it, put in a 390 when I got a 5th wheel (around 1997).

I saw the odometer turn all 0s three times in 10 years, I bought it in 1992, and from the mechanical condition, it had well over 100,000 miles when I got it.

 

Its funny in a lot of ways I would feel somehow safer in my late (to me) model 95 pickup on a road trip. Now that I think of it I would probably never go far from home in my 65 F100. Now its not so much that I fear the truck as much as I fear the maniacle interstate drivers doing 85 in a 65 with no concern at all for anything but themselves (or maybe the next cell phone call). Our trucks really werent set up for extended high speed driving. Not in stock form anyhow. At least with my later model I have the capability of being somewhat competative in their race of insanity. By the way where the H*** is everyone in such a hurry to go? I just don't get it!

I will say this for the older rides, at least if you have some type of mechanical problem there is a darn good chance you could get it fixed right on the side of the road. You go ahead and try to fix that late model on the side of the highway. Good luck!! Your talking being at the mercy of some local tow service and repair shop for a day or two. You will have to pay any bill they hand you and you wont get to price shop for the motel that you will be stranded at. But hey, you are warm and comphy in BFE, and better yet you made it off the interstate alive. The glass is always half full....

 

thanks Greg, I agree with you totaly and wanted to say basicaly the same thing, but you saved me doing all the typing......lol...I always look at the speed demons who are going to save 5 minutes as morons who will only crash harder

 

VintageBlueOval! Excellent plan. There are lots of these old trucks in the Atlanta area! Most are still working! I drive mine every day. If you can grab a couple of rust free California core supports they will pay for your trip. Plenty of old Fords and other sheet metal around here. Give me a shout, I have been here about seven years and know where many junk yards are hiding in the piney woods. Hoopdie! Where are you? And by the way Georgia has a FTE chapter.

 

I would recommend a kidney belt and an overdrive installation.

 

on a trip like that, I would be tempted to throw some 3:00 gears in the rearend.
I second William's statement about filling the bed with core supports to more than pay for gas.

 

Hey guys,

I know it took forever to post this, but we made it! The trip was every bit of 2350 miles, I averaged 13 MPG towing a 13ft utility trailer full of rust-free sheetmetal. All together the trip took me 3 days. The first day I made it from L.A. to the AZ/NM line. Day two got me into Dallas where I spent the night. I made it into Atlanta at the end of day three. With the exception of springing a leak in the rear diff cover (which I just replaced) it was totally uneventful, like it was made to drive 70 MPH all day long! What a great trip.

If you guys ever have the opportunity, drive your junk across the country! I've driven all sorts of stuff over the years, from Cadillacs to Mustangs to El Caminos to early VWs... nothing is more fun than my Unibody!

Rock on!

T.J.
(From SoCal to the ATL)

 

Great news, wife and I did a 1280 mile trip to and around Arizona about the same time as you, got to love these old trucks, did a good portion of it on old Route 66 and the truck really felt at home there..223 averaged 16.8 overall....glad you made it without any problems
Jim

 

Way old post, but since I'm also in the Atlanta area, I thought I'd wake it up instead of starting a new one.

Just drove home a '63 F100 with a 223 and a T18 from Wisconsin - averaged around 15mpg at a steady 56-58mph over about 800 miles.

If you're still in the Atlanta area - I'm near Six Flags - would be fun to meet. Or anyone else around here with a Uni.