Wisconsin Trip Complete
The inaugural trip in the Land Cruiser was a success! I spent the last month in Wisconsin: two weeks at a farm out in Amish country near Boscobel and then two weeks in Monroe. Over 1,500 miles in total (pink line on map), driving up from St. Louis and then meandering around the countryside. I've always wanted to see a bit of the Driftless region of Wisconsin, and it felt like the perfect destination for a shakedown journey in the FJ40 after wrenching on it all winter.
Driving around at 45 mph has never been so fun! The all original F engine and 3-speed transmission will do 60 relatively easily on flat ground with a tail wind (and with earplugs in), but it's definitely more comfortable around 50. I love that though, honestly, a leisurely drive through the backroads is always the way to go to really see the local flair. The truck is right at home on those types of roads and did amazingly well. The rear main seal is leaking a bit, but nothing a couple quarts of spare oil couldn't take care of. It's a real trooper otherwise, never missed a beat. It feels really solid overall, and with a few tweaks it should make an awesome overlanding machine. Maybe next time I'll actually take it off road...
I have a number of different plans for the 40 in the future, but for now it's heading back into storage as I prepare to take off on another adventure in the BMW. Why can't I just drive two cars at once!?!?
