NC to the Top of the World via the Dalton 2024 ---- What Vehicle

In reply to akylekoz :

Not certain the roads are wide enough to turn that train around/

Nice suggestion though

In reply to Mike (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks for the input

Odd is great within 200 miles of home (AAA towing range)

Parts availability for common stuff would seem to be prudent, as anything in the $12.5 K range more than likely will have major miles on it.

Ran the One Lap back in 1985

Choose the then NEW Bronco II with the V6 motor

Needed a lower radiator hose in the Death Valley area.

The only 6 Cylinder Ford part that was within 500 miles was for a 300 CI Straight 6

Lesson learned and remembered

Thanks

In reply to akylekoz :

Not certain the roads are wide enough to turn that train around/

Nice suggestion though

Cross Posted in Advrider motorcycle forum

Similiar input

Regards

Is the  worst roads in Canada or once you cross the Alaska border ?

What do the Mounties use or Canadian road crews .

I would think the part that is most likely to fail is the Auto Trans ,  at least that's what I am always worried about .......

once you make your pick , start a thread on whatever spares to bring on a trip like that , 

Have fun :)

Thanks

Manual transmission and locked (posi) are two non negotiable "bits"

Thoughts the Canadian Mounties still rode Horses?

Good point though

There will be a FOLLOW ME THREAD

YRMV

The Adv rider motorcycle group is pushing   GMT800 or GMT900 based truck/SUV,

Need to dig a bit deeper

Thanks

Why would a bunch of motorcyclists suggest trucks?  Are motorcycles not on the options list?

Back back, gimp knee and ...............................................

Thus the 4 wheeled option

Guys on a motorcycle forum, don't ride, they just post.

Running joke over there for a long time

FWIW

Regards

Sure.

Gen 2 Prius with a few 'overlander' mods. Seriously. I started searching and found quite a few stealth campers and some blogs like this:

http://rgkbjk.blogspot.com/?m=1

Thanks Jon

FIL has a Prius that might be going to be surplussed.

Will investigate

Thanks

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Suburban RCMP mostly Explorers, some F150 SuperCrews, and F 350 4x4 Crew Cabs. The farther north and more remote would skew more to F 150, F 350.

Google Search Foo not that strong here

However, the Ford F Series makes sense.

Miata is always the answer for a Sporty Type car, why not the F Series.

Regards

Anymore there are a ton of SUVs that will make the trip. It's not a vehicle problem, It's a what do I want to sleep in problem and a can I fit enough gas in it problem. The second one shouldn't be an issue unless one of the stops doesn't have gas which isn't uncommon. 

I'm sure you have seen this but a good guide to what is out there.  It's a 9K+ mile round trip so getting something a little more fuel efficient than a GMT800 may not be bad. 

Dalton HWY guide

You want bug protection up there so if you do a pickup, price out a shell. Problem is, you aren't sleeping in most of the f-150s out there. 

Thanks for the input

Only a One Way trip for the Vehicle

Will have accomodation for either a larger fuel tank or RotoPax Type container

Planning on Donating or Selling once I get back to Fairbanks

Appreciate the link

This was bought for $2750. I spent a weekend doing maintenance and we put in on the road for 4000 miles up through Maine. Lots of gravel roads while exploring. It now has 340k on it and I'd climb in it tomorrow to drive to AK. They are as reliable as an anvil. So many vehicles were made that share the drivetrain that parts are cheap and available everywhere. This one is 4WD and does very well off-road as long as you keep the approach and departure angles in mind.  It's only downfall is going to be the fuel economy. 17 mpg is the best I've ever gotten and it's usually more like 15.5. 

^^^^^^^^   Year range    Great Price Point

Thanks

Suggestion of search engine to locate a vehicle once the type hs been finalized?

The vehicle toyman suggested is the GMT800 suburban, 2000-2006.  Agreed they are the most recent automotive cockroaches and will have the best parts availability anywhere in North America.  I've personally been involved in the maintenance of 2 of them

In reply to Sonic :

Thank you both for the input

The Adventure riders gang is high on Suburbans also

Might be the right approach.

Regards

Don't think you'll be able to find a manual transmission Suburban easily...

Manual is not a "HAVE TO HAVE",but thank you

Mrs. Racing questioned the need of another vehicle

"Whey not drive the 2005 Mustang you already own

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/2005-mustang-gt-5-speed-53k-miles-mine/164582/page1/

It has a cage, good seats, no back seat, nothing in the trunk, tow hooks on both ends,

She suggested replacing the lowering springs with the stock SN197 Springs, installing stock (Narrower Wheel and tires, and just going for it.

Probably change the rear gears back to 3.27 or close, set alignment back to "Stock"

Camping out of the Mustang would be similar to what JamieZ did with the Miata, but hey, he is JamieZ.

Wheels and tires might be an interesting challenge

Parts should not be hard to locate as Ford made 2, 608, 814 and there are many many parts that are not SN197 Specific.

The Donation at the end of the trip thought might change the dynamic.

Thoughts and or input

TRMV

I mean, dang, that's a change of scope.

That said, it's a road.

There are a wide variety of Mustangs in the world, and at this age, a wide variety of conditions. If it's a particularly special car in particularly special condition, I would question whether you are putting that special condition in peril. 

If this is just a clean daily or below, it sounds like you'd want to spend some time thinking about protective options and prep. Everything I've read warns of flying debris from passing trucks, managing fuel, tire punctures, and accidentally yeeting yourself from the right-of-way.

Protective might include paint film, mud flaps, and other things to protect from thrown rocks.

Prep might include one or more full sized spares, recovery gear, a tool set, gas cans and some way of carrying all of that, and maybe a CB and/or ham radio.

If this is your beloved Mustang, you're driving back, which ads to time off from $dayjob, or shipping back, which I'd $$.

I imagine it's not hard to find Mustang wheels and tires on Facebook Marketplace, or to sell them when you're done.

No shop along the way is going to be flummoxed when faced with a Mustang, and some stuff is likely to be in stock at the Oreilyzonebros.

None of what I'm saying is clever though. I've just been daydreaming this trip a bunch.