Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

You forgot the Ariosa

 

Aaaargh!!!! This sucks!!!

But, and I mean this sincerely, keep your spirits up!!! By definition adventures can’t be perfect, otherwise it would just be called “going on an activity.”

While I don’t know the logistics of your trip, I’ll spitball some ideas… Any chance you could follow/meet up with Bessie at the shop and be around for the work? Your presence may help the shop prioritize your issues and get things resolved quicker. Then, depending on timing, continue on to Alaska after a proper local shakedown cruise. You could even ask them if they mind you pitching a tent on the lawn while they are working on it (kidding, not kidding). If paid time off from work is an issue, maybe your work will allow you some unpaid leave?

Hoping for the best on this, and that this becomes merely one part of your trip. While the current issue is not the same type of excitement as going for a wizz in the middle of the night and then having to decide a path around that grizzly that wandered between you and your tent, it’s part of the adventure just the same. Stay positive, it helps with decision making…(regarding the 80, not the bear…with the bear situation you’re just screwed).

Even if the 80 goes no further on this trip than the shop, consider it part of the trip that continues at another time.

Keep us posted!!!

 

Instead of the expense of having it towed back to the shop, could they fly out a mechanic with parts to fix it where it be at now? Might be cheaper.

 

Wonderful night in the Elkhorn mnts. This was sun rise:



The tunnel was a hoot. Couldn’t see the other end at first, but then notice the little pin prick of light. 6000’ and rough. Lots of water too. Deep water, like Kentucky deep. Sharon puckered!

 

Had to use four low to get up and over the mountain on a goat track I chose. Sharon did not like that much. Found a mine:



Then up and over the Continental Divide

 

Things are bad…

 

Can you send a higher resolution photo?

 

What happened??

Is that a high lift Jack on your slider?

 

Don’t have much service. Very bent spindle and tie rod. Long ways from help. Current plan is to try and limp back s was here a tow truck can get to us. Wish me luck.

 

Damn, Pat!

Good luck! I know you're handy enough to figure something out. Hopefully you can salvage some of your trip.

 

Why not just straighten it on site, you did bring a spare forge, right? (jk)

Good luck...

 

If you 2 unlucky road trippers need parts, I can do a TW Express run, seriously. Will be a few days before I can deliver, but I have nothing planned for the weekend. Really, I will bring you parts. It sucks to have issues on a long trip. BTDT.

 

I've got tools and nothing to do from Friday-Sunday.......
...............road trip.

Edit: I have 2 extra tie rods. I think they’re the same as 2G.

 

Aren't there any T.W. members out there that could help a brother out?

 

there is if they goto the local regional forum. im sure someone could help out.

 

Sit Rep - back on the road.



After talking more with Torfab, we're suspecting bad diesel. I changed the fuel filter (the prior one only had 3k miles on it) and that helped with the low idle immediately. I also did an oil change at a local O'Reilly with 15w 40 due to hot climates and elevation changes coming. Lastly, added in a cocktail of diesel fuel additives.

So far, it's running well about 2 hours further west. Plans have altered and we're headed towards Bozeman, then onto Washington state. With the engine dying and with some brake issues, I want Torfab to give it a once over before heading into Vancouver and onto Anchorage. We've canceled our stay at Banff (sadly) and won't be going to Dawson City, Yukon, but the trip is still on for now!

 

So… bent the holy shikey out of the knuckle and inner tie rod end. Ruined the tire getting to a place to get help. Tow truck inbound. Parts are available in either Deer Lodge or Butte. Once we figure out what it will cost for towing I will decide what parking lot to fix it in. Wish I had a acytelene torch and more cribbing. A day of repairs and back at it