Cross country planning

[Das Delfin]

Wattup r3v.

I grew up in the SF bay area but a few years ago moved to Connecticut. Well I'm moving back home. I'm going to drive route 80 along the way. I'm going to stop at the Rock and Roll hall of fame in Cleveland. Other than that, anything I should see? I'm trying to make this a 4 or 5 day trip.

My car is in good shape, maintenance up to date etc. I'm going to pack an extra alt belt just in case. I'll have all my tools and some extra fluids. I've redone the fuel lines, coolant hoses etc. What else could go wrong? Space is really a premium as I'm packing everything I have in my convertible.. thankfully no furniture!

Really debating picking up a Racelands wind deflector. Some say it makes a huge difference, others say it's whatev. Chime in since I have a little extra money!

[McGyver]

Wattup r3v.

I grew up in the SF bay area but a few years ago moved to Connecticut. Well I'm moving back home. I'm going to drive route 80 along the way. I'm going to stop at the Rock and Roll hall of fame in Cleveland. Other than that, anything I should see? I'm trying to make this a 4 or 5 day trip.

My car is in good shape, maintenance up to date etc. I'm going to pack an extra alt belt just in case. I'll have all my tools and some extra fluids. I've redone the fuel lines, coolant hoses etc. What else could go wrong? Space is really a premium as I'm packing everything I have in my convertible.. thankfully no furniture!

Really debating picking up a Racelands wind deflector. Some say it makes a huge difference, others say it's whatev. Chime in since I have a little extra money!

Hahaha, I'm moving from Richmond, VA to Oakland, CA with my GF and will be making the cross-country trip in early August. I think we're going south though to see that part of the country.

I stopped at my buddy's shop last night to look over my car. I don't NEED to do everything on the list, the car would probably make it there as-is, but for the peace of mind, this is my list:
-All brake lines
-P/S Reservoir with new crush washers on the rack (it's currently leaking)
-Replace C/V boots, or get new half shafts
-Water pump/timing belt
-Accessory Belts
-Thermostat
-All main radiator hoses (not doing the heater core ones)
-Shift rod seal (leaking)
-VC gasket and rocker shaft plugs with valve adjustment
-Oil pan gasket
-Possibly a clutch kit (gonna pull the trans and check it out)
-Change engine oil, PS, trans, and diff fluid
-bleed brakes
-New spark plugs, cap, rotor, and wires
-New O2 sensor
-Put a stock exhaust back on

[BobombETA]

I'd change all the fluids and pack various fuses, relays, and bulbs.

[freeride53]

Hey, I just road tripped from Connecticut back to the SF Bay Area last week.

Got back via the South though. Check fluids everyday and be check the weather. Good luck!

[Ether-D]

Go to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It's an all time top five for me.

[LateFan]

At Wyoming, take a right and make a big side trip to Glacier National Park. You won't forget it.

I once drove across Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado in a worn-out Fiat 124 Spider, with all my worldly belongings stacked up to the top of the headrests. I put one of those old style chrome trunk racks on it and strapped a bike and all kinds of stuff back there. All two-lanes. I had to nudge my way through a cattle drive somewhere in WY, and a big cow hip-checked me and dented a fender. Did the whole thing top down, it was exhausting. But wow, what a trip.

You'll make it.

[Das Delfin]

^ That's awesome! Kinda what I have in mind. I'll have to plug in Glacier Natl Park into Google maps.

I'm not going to be as anal about it as you, mcgyver. I just need to do an oil change and replace my right rear wheel bearing (already did the other three). I've had the car for the past three years and have done most of your list by now. Though I should adjust my valves before going. You and I are going to be offset by about two weeks! My last day here will be July 22nd or so. Almost exactly three years since I flew out here!

My sister lives in Oakland. It used to be terrible but the gentrificaiton of SF has pushed many people who can't quite afford to live in SF but still have money into Oakland.

My check engine light has actually been removed. I've found the wires but am missing the tiny bulb holder. I had a new aftermarket cat put on last year but I'm going to keep my CT plates for as long as I can while I figure out the check engine light bs. The car is CA compliant so I shouldn't have to do too much to get it up to spec.

[101]

Anything rubber under pressure - make sure it's in good shape.

Anything rubber under tension - make sure it's in good shape.

Any leaks - make sure they are not something that will get worse in short period of time. Seeping valve cover gasket is fine. A dripping rear main seal - not so much.

Fresh coolant, a new thermostat and making sure that the aux fan works correctly are always a good idea, especially when there are mountains and hot temperatures involved. I always keep an extra eye on the temperature gauge since BMW decided in its infinite wisdom to not install an idiot light on the temperature gauge for overheating.

I fully agree with you on having an extra drive belt and the tools necessary to do that job in your trunk. Check the current belt tension. If it's loose it can slip, get hot and destroy itself. That has been the only thing that has ever stranded me on a road trip with an E30.

Otherwise, sounds like an adventure to me!

On the windblocker question, driving with the top down does get annoying after a few hours if you don't have one installed. Windows up only helps so much. I'd recommend purchasing one.

[McGyver]

I'm not going to be as anal about it as you, mcgyver.

It got bad, I ordered about $650 worth of parts (mechanic shop wholesale price) and I plan to put everything together in 2 weeks.

The car developed a strange rattle/grind when driving that we couldn't replicate on a lift. It might be a blown water pump bearing because the fan is wobbly, so we're going to replace that. But the timing belt is gonna be right there, so I'm gonna replace the 2 year old timing belt at the same time. But the grind could be a leaky trans that's low on fluid, so gonna put in a new shift rod seal. But while I have it on a lift, might as well check the clutch/pressure plate to make sure it's not that. But then I might as well replace that. So it's gonna be easier to just drop the engine. So i guess I might as well do the front and rear main seals. Shit, might as well make sure all the oil leaks are stopped and replace the valve cover and oil pan gaskets. A rocker plug is leaking too, so I should replace that and do a valve adjustment. Oh yeah, my brake lines are pretty bad, so those are getting changed and I'll flush the fluid. A half shaft has a torn boot, so I guess I'll replace both axles with cheap "lifetime warranty" ones...

My list has snowballed. But I have a good friend that will work with me on a saturday and sunday to take care of everything at a shop.

[BobombETA]

I feel like McGyver would just wing it with a swiss army knife and the contents of his pockets.

[McGyver]

I feel like McGyver would just wing it with a swiss army knife and the contents of his pockets.

The GF doesn't want to break down in the middle of nowhere or something. No sense of adventure I guess.

[bikerjim2000]

Looked for a GardenO G shot for Jacob, but found this Grand canyon/Condor Pic from my trip, Just go to any national Park brother! trust me!

[Ether-D]

Aw, thanks anyway bikerjimbo. Garden of the gods is a place I've lived in past lives, I'm pretty sure.

[bradmer]

West of Laramie on the 80 is Walcott, Saratoga is 20 minutes South on the 130 and has hot springs in the North Platte River that are great (free). Or take the 130 out of Laramie for the canyon carving scenic route :) and no back tracking. Look out for elk.

[Das Delfin]

101, thanks for the heads up. Bought the wind deflector!

I looked up a bunch of shit and tbh don't really want to make too many stops. My wallet is teaming up with my homesickness and they are winning the fight over sightseeing. What that means is my projected overnights are Cleveland, Des Moines, and SLC. I'm thinking a night in with some pizza will give me some deserved alone time. Once I get home there will be plenty of time for whatever