San Diego to Tetons/Yellowstone

What’s up guys, coming up soon my girl and I are making a trek to the Tetons and Yellowstone from east SD at the end of august. I have been putting in a lot of work to make sure my truck is road worthy and would like some input or advice on anything. It’s a 2006 4.0 with around 165k.. I feel like I have covered most the bases on regular maintenance and repair work, but anything else worth thinking about doing is appreciated. So far I’ve completed the work listed:

-2015 strut/shock take offs with ~40k miles
-2016 leafs with ~80k (had a cracked original leaf)
-New OEM lower control arms
-New inner & outer tie rods
-Wheel bearings inspected (previous owner replaced)
-New rear brake hardlines and brake flush
-New AT tires
-New AC compressor clutch & pulley
-Trans drain and fill with additive(put in temp check mode, whole deal)
-Alignment

That’s pretty much all I’ve done since owning the truck for the year. A lot had needed to be replaced since the truck was neglected. I tell you what I saved a bunch by using OfferUp and FB marketplace and doing all the work myself lol. So yeah, looking forward to hearing anything from you seasoned Tacoma owners since this is relatively new to me in terms of what is solid and what needs an eye on, thanks!

 

Got a good spare - not some old tire & some good wiper blades?

 

I do have new wipers. Thanks for the reminding me about the spare!

 

How is the battery, serpentine belt, u-joints, hoses? I would focus on the items that if they failed could leave stranded.

 

Basic tools, zip ties, wire, tape, and a code reader. A spare serpentine is a good idea. Make sure your radiator and hoses are in good condition.
I had a solid vacuum line fail on 160, between Flagstaff and Colorado ona hot day. My HVAC vents wouldn’t work right. A little vacuum line and a couple of zips ties solved the problem for the rest of the trip.

Check out the Wolf and Grizzly preserve in West Yellowstone. Jenny Lake in the Tetons is pretty awesome. Jackson Hole is pretty cool.

 

Colter’s bay & if you go - read about John Colter. Talk about a badass

 

Contemplating doing a preventative maintenance water pump change and serp belt. Belt is fine but water pump is factory, which kind of worries me especially going through Vegas and what not.

and for basic tools yes I’ll be bringing my light box for essential tools as well.

 

All that heat, tires gonna be popping left & right. Last time I drove across country, RVs broken down all over I70. Old tires weren’t taking the heat. Helped an old man change an RV tire & when I went to get his spare it had a fucking birds nest in it. Well I’m pretty sure that fucker popped too but I was long gone by then. He did pay for my gas though

I don’t have the spare tire lock but check your spare in the morning to make sure it wasn’t stolen @ hotels & shit

 

^ Good advice, and yeah these tires are only about a month old so I’m not worried. Still going to grab a decent spare

 

@Wannabe4x this is about as comprehensive a list as you can get...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/going-alone-single-vehicle-wheeling-safety.454083/

 

Verifying you have a good spare was good advice but the rest seems a bit alarmist for a trip up I-15 and a bit east. I don’t think you get out of cell service the whole way and winter storms won’t be a problem in August.

A more practical recommendation is to pick up an America the Beautiful Annual Pass. The entrance fee for both Yellowstone and Teton are each $35 and the pass is $80. That means you can stop at Zion, Cedar Breaks, Bryce, Golden Spike, or Craters of the Moon on your trip and not worry too much about getting your money’s worth. Or take a trip later in the year to Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Yosemite, Sequoia/King’s Canyon or any of the other fee sites within an easy drive of San Diego. You can grab one before you go at Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma and enjoy the best sunset in San Diego with your lady friend before you go.

 

Just came in yesterday!


My girlfriend and I love to get out and hike and do camping trips. Zion and Yosemite are in the spring! I also want to hit the sequoias as well later this year

 

If you have time, stop by St Anthony sand dunes. Literally STEEP dunes that rise up from flat farmland. Idaho Dunes RV park is cool for that. Also pick up some Grand Teton Potato Vodka, by far the smoothest vodka Ive had!

 

I did that trip few weeks ago you’re going to have an awesome trip. Have fun and be safe

 

Awesome man! What part SD you from?

 

I love this pass and how it doubles as an adventure pass. Quickly pays for itself if you use it.

 

East Chula. Went to Glacier too. Then on the way back to SD we hit Kanab, UT. Try to bring your own food the food spots in Yellowstone are far in between and always packed. I had a coleman backpacking stove from Walmart and lots of Mountain House. Brings lots of water and gatorade the local shops were always nearly out of them. Oh and good windshield wiper fluid. Bear spray and bug repellant are must haves!
Download ‘Just ahead’ app.

 

Good stuff. Got 99% of the essentials except for bear spray but it’ll be in stock on Amazon soon. I wish we had more time off because I would love to hit Zion on the way back. Spring isn’t too far away tho.

 

How was your trip? Would like to hear back. Id go back and take the kiddos again. No more Disneyland type trips for my family.

 

I used to live in Lander, Wyoming and when we were thinking of going up there - first week of June or last week before snow close was our usual habit. Not near the traffic problem. Bug spray for sure - skeeters and flies can ruin your fun. Hike the geyser basins for sure, nothing like them anywhere on earth (except Iceland and New Zealand). Also take a jaunt out the east side to Cody and take a look at the Buffalo Bill Museum - art exhibit is spectacular, plains indian collection - and Winchester guns are there as well.

Trying to find a less crowded camp spot we went over to the west side of the Tetons - and down the east side of the park in Sunlight Basin. We spent many good times in the area - just had to seek them out.