here she is
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: The Lost Coast
I am really happy to see people actually doing stuff then just talking about it. I spend the year of 1989 driving through Africa, and you would not believe how many people I`ve met since that wanted to do some traveling on their own but never managed to get out of their town or city they lived in. So more power to you. Take your time and enjoy live the way it was meant to be.
But reading your thread, two things came to mind that I would sill address. One is suspension. You are going to hit WASHBOARD and it can literally shake your truck to pieces. Get the damn best shock absorbers you can buy.
Number two is: Things are going to brake. There are some awesome repair products like epoxys and silicon tape etc. that cost little, weigh nothing and can save the day, or trip.
And last, I don`t know if you smoke, but let me tell you, cigarettes got me out of some really hairy situations on the black continent, all for pennies as local smokes don`t cost much. Corruption is only going to get worse, and instead of giving what they want(money, your camera, tools etc) give them some smokes and pretend that you have all the time in the world, as they hope that you are in a hurry and just want to get rid of them.
But most of all, have a blast! Traveling makes for the best memories!!!!!!!!
But reading your thread, two things came to mind that I would sill address. One is suspension. You are going to hit WASHBOARD and it can literally shake your truck to pieces. Get the damn best shock absorbers you can buy.
Number two is: Things are going to brake. There are some awesome repair products like epoxys and silicon tape etc. that cost little, weigh nothing and can save the day, or trip.
And last, I don`t know if you smoke, but let me tell you, cigarettes got me out of some really hairy situations on the black continent, all for pennies as local smokes don`t cost much. Corruption is only going to get worse, and instead of giving what they want(money, your camera, tools etc) give them some smokes and pretend that you have all the time in the world, as they hope that you are in a hurry and just want to get rid of them.
But most of all, have a blast! Traveling makes for the best memories!!!!!!!!
Suspension: Even though I got Rancho 9000's all around, the washboards still feel painful. So it's slow going everywhere we go. But it's all good, we get to see more that way. Good tip on the epoxies and silicon tapes. I already have a list of things I need to fix. I'll swing by one of the hardware stores here to see what I can get my hands on.
We are having a blast, for sure. Hangin on the beach, eating a lot of mariscos, drinking waaay too many Mexican Cokes (they're made with sugar here) and just spending quality time with the wife and kids. I sure hope we can keep it up.
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From: The Lost Coast
Thanks for the kind words, and for visiting the blog. You have helped me with some advice in the past, so I'm triply grateful.
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From: The Lost Coast
I'll be hoping on the forum whenever I can, (read whenever we're in a town, at a hotel/motel/hostel that offers good enough wifi)
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That is where computers rock
Got to take a look at your blog today, and I have to admit that this damn computers have a purpose after all
. Your wife does an incredible job!!!
As to driving on washboard for extended time, try adjusting your tire inflation as every tire brand/model has it`s own characteristics. Some work better with lower, some better with higher pressures. As you know you also have the option to speed up to where you are floating on top of the crests (starts at about 50mph and depends on the spacing of the crests) but you loose most of your steering input, since your tires are only hitting every other crest. It works on long stretches of straight road. Do not under estimate the damage that driving on washboard can cause to your truck. I`ve seen popped frame rivets, whole sub frame assemblies braking off, body panels separating on the seams, fasteners shearing clean off etc, you get the picture.
I would get under the truck every day after you are done driving and do a quick inspection with a flashlight. Upper rear shock mounts, gas tank straps, exhaust hangers and motor and transmission mounts. Then open a cold beverage of your choice
. Your wife does an incredible job!!!As to driving on washboard for extended time, try adjusting your tire inflation as every tire brand/model has it`s own characteristics. Some work better with lower, some better with higher pressures. As you know you also have the option to speed up to where you are floating on top of the crests (starts at about 50mph and depends on the spacing of the crests) but you loose most of your steering input, since your tires are only hitting every other crest. It works on long stretches of straight road. Do not under estimate the damage that driving on washboard can cause to your truck. I`ve seen popped frame rivets, whole sub frame assemblies braking off, body panels separating on the seams, fasteners shearing clean off etc, you get the picture.
I would get under the truck every day after you are done driving and do a quick inspection with a flashlight. Upper rear shock mounts, gas tank straps, exhaust hangers and motor and transmission mounts. Then open a cold beverage of your choice
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 262
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From: Cherryville, NC
To make it easier to find the blog:
Anyway, my wife's blogging about the trip, here's the link: With a Little Moxie - Travel, disability and grabbing life by the *****
Visit it if you'd like, there are pics of all 7 of us (five humans, one dog and of course, Myrtle our land loving truck turtle).
Visit it if you'd like, there are pics of all 7 of us (five humans, one dog and of course, Myrtle our land loving truck turtle).
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Joined: Aug 2013
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no advise but have fun and love the name of you truck my grandmothers nickname was myrtle the turtle
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: The Lost Coast
Got to take a look at your blog today, and I have to admit that this damn computers have a purpose after all. Your wife does an incredible job!!!
As to driving on washboard for extended time, try adjusting your tire inflation as every tire brand/model has it`s own characteristics. Some work better with lower, some better with higher pressures. As you know you also have the option to speed up to where you are floating on top of the crests (starts at about 50mph and depends on the spacing of the crests) but you loose most of your steering input, since your tires are only hitting every other crest. It works on long stretches of straight road. Do not under estimate the damage that driving on washboard can cause to your truck. I`ve seen popped frame rivets, whole sub frame assemblies braking off, body panels separating on the seams, fasteners shearing clean off etc, you get the picture.
I would get under the truck every day after you are done driving and do a quick inspection with a flashlight. Upper rear shock mounts, gas tank straps, exhaust hangers and motor and transmission mounts. Then open a cold beverage of your choice
. Your wife does an incredible job!!!As to driving on washboard for extended time, try adjusting your tire inflation as every tire brand/model has it`s own characteristics. Some work better with lower, some better with higher pressures. As you know you also have the option to speed up to where you are floating on top of the crests (starts at about 50mph and depends on the spacing of the crests) but you loose most of your steering input, since your tires are only hitting every other crest. It works on long stretches of straight road. Do not under estimate the damage that driving on washboard can cause to your truck. I`ve seen popped frame rivets, whole sub frame assemblies braking off, body panels separating on the seams, fasteners shearing clean off etc, you get the picture.
I would get under the truck every day after you are done driving and do a quick inspection with a flashlight. Upper rear shock mounts, gas tank straps, exhaust hangers and motor and transmission mounts. Then open a cold beverage of your choice
I wish I could go 50 on these washboards, but the dirt roads here are also pretty windey. We caught a flat a couple of days ago and when I went to install the spare, I noticed that the lug nuts were alarmingly loose. I have my toolbox out and we are planning on being on this beach for at least a couple more weeks, so I'll be checking stuff. On the beach. Sipping Old Style beer.
I have noticed that in 4x4 the ride seems a little smoother. Could be all in my head though...
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Joined: Nov 2013
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Can`t wash on the wash board
At least you don`t have to work on the truck in some dark back alley. I think the main weakness on your truck is the front suspension, or should I say lack of. I think the reason that you are experiencing an improved ride in four wheel drive is due to the torque put into the front axle through the drive shaft, but I could be wrong. In Africa I watched cars and trucks literally break apart. My motorcycle actually split in half by the time I hit Uganda, and that was my half way point. So watch that front end and all suspension related parts. Again, I would experiment with various tire pressures and see if you can remove some of the vibration that is trying to shake your truck to pieces. Tierra del Fuego is still a long ways to go, and the longer it takes you the better off you are. So take your time, and enjoy every moment. Trust me that you probably wont be looking forward to coming back to the States. It is hard to "reintegrate" with society once you are on such a journey. I keep my fingers crossed for you guys
I think the main weakness on your truck is the front suspension, or should I say lack of. I think the reason that you are experiencing an improved ride in four wheel drive is due to the torque put into the front axle through the drive shaft, but I could be wrong. In Africa I watched cars and trucks literally break apart. My motorcycle actually split in half by the time I hit Uganda, and that was my half way point. So watch that front end and all suspension related parts. Again, I would experiment with various tire pressures and see if you can remove some of the vibration that is trying to shake your truck to pieces. Tierra del Fuego is still a long ways to go, and the longer it takes you the better off you are. So take your time, and enjoy every moment. Trust me that you probably wont be looking forward to coming back to the States. It is hard to "reintegrate" with society once you are on such a journey. I keep my fingers crossed for you guys
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From: The Lost Coast
Just a little update for you guys... We got an apartment in La Paz, our favorite town in Baja Cal. We're probably going to hang for a month or two, and then drive up north to renew our tourist cards. The main reason for this is that we want to take care of a couple of things on Myrtle. One is the AC, which should hopefully be straightforward, and the other is DEATH WOBBLE! Oh ***** it was bad on the potholes, but not so bad (or not so noticeable) on the dirt roads. I've done a search, there seems to be a lot of possible causes. Myrtle's got new Blistein shocks, MOOG steering linkages, reman Ford steering box, steering column. Now that we're in town and close to auto parts stores, I'll be going over all the fasteners to make sure there are none that came loose. Maybe someone here might have an idea as to what I can do to figure out the cause.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: The Lost Coast
So a quick climb under Myrtle revealed a torn up track bar bushing. That's what I'll be doing in the next week.
I understand there are two types of bushings available, the original style one piece (difficult to install, but more durable) or the two piece. I'm not sure which way to go, I suppose I'm leaning towards getting several two piece style and just replacing them more often.
Thoughts?
I understand there are two types of bushings available, the original style one piece (difficult to install, but more durable) or the two piece. I'm not sure which way to go, I suppose I'm leaning towards getting several two piece style and just replacing them more often.
Thoughts?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Charlestown, RI
I can't really offer any advice for your repairs, just wanted to comment that it's great to see your trip is going well, no major breakdowns... and to bump this up to the top of the forum in hopes that someone can recommend a bushing for you. 
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I`m not much help with making a choice here either, but If one is bad then the other ones can`t be to far behind, unless your bushing clamp got loose some how( not that bad roads would have anythinbg to do with that)
Ideally you would lift the whole front end and check for any play in all of the related parts.
)Ideally you would lift the whole front end and check for any play in all of the related parts.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: The Lost Coast
I`m not much help with making a choice here either, but If one is bad then the other ones can`t be to far behind, unless your bushing clamp got loose some how( not that bad roads would have anythinbg to do with that)
Ideally you would lift the whole front end and check for any play in all of the related parts.
)Ideally you would lift the whole front end and check for any play in all of the related parts.
Your advice to check out the whole front end is sound, and I should probably do it. I should take advantage of the fact that I have something other than sand to support my jack stands to get under Myrtle and do some checks.