Last road trip of 2015

I recently took a road trip, when i started i was just going to go to Virginia Beach but as i hardly ever definitively have a set schedule i decided that id try to make it to the furthest point south that and be traveled to by road in the U.S. destination key west i had just picked up a set of new tires changed spark plugs new shocks and a steering rack and pinions tie rods and all so being "good to go" i set out and drove 20 hours stopping only for fuel when i got to Orlando i did a check on my tires and fluids and belts, at this time i noticed that my alternator belt was coming apart so i decided that id try to make it to Miami as it was 0230 in the morning and no Auto parts stores were open anyway i made it to Miami at around 0440 and "slept" in this seedy Little Havana Autozone parking lot i awoke at 0640 and decided since Autozone didn't open till 0730 id go to the beach in Miami and take some pictures of the sunrise and as i start my truck up and pull from the parking lot i now don't have power steering not as much as a cause of concern i continued on my mission for some great pics after taking some pictures of the sunrise i found a advance auto parts which was much closer so i went and bought the belt and proceeded to replace it in the parking lot...... it was at this time that the adjusting bolt breaks off in the back of the locking nut and i enter panic mode for a few minutes as i call around to toyota dealerships to find the part as well as try to rig some kinda fix together. as i slow down and think i realize that all i need to do is pull the alternator tight with my hand and crank on the locking nut and that should suffice for now so i leave my junk belt still on with the plan to put the new one one IF it gives way and unfortunately for me i decide it would be best to head back north without making it to Key West this trip i start to drive for a friends house near palm beach and realize that with that solution i may well have just gone to key west anyway. But all in all it was an awesome trip and i now have an excuse to do it again. I included some of the pictures i took sorry for being long winded and jumpy, and thanks for reading.....P.S. Have you ever tried to parallel park a vehicle with no power steering SHIT

 

Nice pics man! Life happens, driving older trucks tend to require more love than a new one but it's what makes them so great! Anyone can buy a new truck, but real men keep the old ones running! I'd love to go for a road trip in mine, but no money right now. Wife and I would like to road trip to Florida to see my sister-in-law one of these summers. That's from Montana to Melbourne, FL so would be a heck of a drive but a total blast!

 

Yea man It sure would I really had a good time and felt pretty awesome when I calmed down and figured out what to do. Truck is now at 657k......

 

657k miles?!!!

 

You read that right...... Wanna see

 

I do want to see. I believe you... I just want to see!

 

I love showing that to people

 

That is crazy!!!

 

make me feel better about buying an 05 with 155K. I got a long way to go to catch up.

 

I hear ya there they aren't much cheaper used than new

 

not to hijack you thread, but got a good deal on this one. already made a few minor mods.

 

Good find. I like buying used I'm not afraid to tinker with it

 

I bought my taco with a blown up 3.4. PO was ready to send it to a local pick-n-pull junk yard. I bought it, rebuilt it and i drive that truck with a big smile on my face. And yesterday i bought a 1 owner 1996 4runner with a seized 3.4. That's how i like to buy'em. I get great satisfaction of buying vehicles that people consider junk and fixing them with my own 2 hands. Here's a pic of the 4runner. After the motor seized a friend of his towed it with a tow strap by the front bumper.

 

I like those 4runners I have a pathfinder that I have Transmission issues with which is why i bought the Tacoma..... Id still love to fix the pathfinder fond memories of other roadtrips in that thing

 

Very nice. You know I don't know why I never though about buying trucks with blown engines. I'm gonna have to look around. That picture I posted is my sons first truck. We got it in November and I have enjoyed helping him fix it up. so much I want one now. you have a suggestion on where to start looking, auctions, insurance yards?
I'm currently driving a 99 Silverado 4x4. still runs great.

 

I'd say Craigslist

 

thanks, ill check it out

 

I'm a auto tech so broken vehicles kinda find me.

 

You were so close, should have just tagged Key West. How many of those miles did you put on the truck?