So Ive decided this summer to take myself a road trip. I-40 from my home in Hickory, NC to the end in Barstow, CA.

Sounds crazy, but Im hoping to take my 1998 Jeep TJ for this journey. Im hoping also to snag a few more people, someone willing to bring an SUV with the back seats out to haul our luggage and stuff.

In any case, are there any tips i need to get my Jeep ready for such a long journey? Ive recently had the front brakes redone, and I am getting a new top. Other then that, Im not sure what else to check!

I will also be needing some tips on places to stay, im shooting for camping at designated spots along the journey..

thanks for any help! BTW, I will want to wheel some of the places out there in Cali, so anyone wanting to hook up with me let me know!

Road trip! Sounds like fun. The reality is a lot of hours driving on the interstate in a noisy Jeep.

So, when are you going to do this, and how much time do you have, Andy?

Hopefully, you've resolved the vibration at highway speeds you discussed. I suspect regular highway tires in good condition would be best for this type of trip. If you have air conditioning, it would be a good idea to have it in top operating condition for the areas you'll be traveling.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to flush the cooling system and consider possibly replacing the water pump and thermostat.

Such a long trip! Mostly through desert out west; pickup truck areas! You'll be the lone Jeep on the road, most of the time. You'll know you're in a four-wheeling area when Jeeps are more frequently sighted on the highway!

It would be great if you could hook-up with some wheelers in Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Kingman, and Barstow, I suspect. I can't believe your traveling this far west and not four wheeling in Colorado and Utah(Moab)!

Hey, have a great trip. I think you're smart to consider preventative maintenance on your Jeep before you start your trip. I'm sure others will have some great suggestions beyound normal oil, lube, & filters. Go prepared.

If you can snag someone with a SUV leave the seats in it and fill the jeep with luggage and TOW the sucker!
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Just give it a good tune up and a lube and filter job. I don't know about changing water pumps and t-stats, but at least draining and refilling the coolant isn't a bad idea.

the vibration is fixed, it was unbalanced tires I think..

I didnt think about the tires, that would save me gas milage if I drop back down to regular size tires!

problem is, what happens when I wanna wheel? where can i store the other tires?

Some guys that I know, who don't have storage room at their residence, rent one of those mini-storage spaces for a few bucks a month. You can get a 5' x 10' space (8' tall) for a reasonable charge. You could store your off-road tires (mounted on some beater wheels), along with a lot of other off-road gear that you wouldn't want to carry around in your Jeep every day if it's a daily driver. Things like recovery gear, spare parts, coolers, etc. You could also keep a decent jack there.

Then, when you're redy to go off-road, drive to the storage space, change tires (leaving the street tires in the space), load up, and you're on your way.

Since you are not towing the Jeep, it is your only way home, I would get a decent all terrain tire in a more moderate size like a 30x950R15 or smaller. This will keep the down shifting to a minimum when you get to the really big hills and you will be able to wheel some when you are there. Don't put on road tire and haul those heavy off road tires with you, that defeats the purpose. If you want to push the envelope and wheel hard when you are there, get a tow rig and tow it. If you insist on bringing your heavy off road tires but have road tires on for the trip, then maybe a small utility trailer would work.

yea a small trailer aint a bad idea then you will be more comfy driving due to more room in the jeep. i would also look into finding the flattest route possible.another thing is have extra water,coolant,fuel and so on with you just in case. it also wouldnt hurt to have a few extra parts and tools with you,belt,hoses,a plug kit for your tires and so on. have a nice safe trip.and have lots of fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

What sounds crazy is ending in Barstow, in summer! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> I stayed there for a week or so about 25 years ago, from what I remember the town is nothing to write home about but after wheeling a bit in the area around there,(in a Dodge van) I learned to like the desert. There's (was anyway) some really cool things/places to see around there, in the desert that is. But I can guaranty ya, if I was going on a road trip, I'd go elsewhere! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

actually i changed the trip slightly. I figured coming back the same way would be borrrring.

So I want to end the I-40 in Barstow, travel along the coast to LA, then take Route 66 all the way to Chicago. I wanna drive to Milwakuee to see my relatives, stay a while perhaps, then head back home!