Oregon Trail Off-Road Expedition

[CALIcamperdad]

OTO team regarding the J80. I had a very very nice one for many yrs. Look up "pesky water hose" if you have not yet inspected and changed it. I discovered mine after dumping a fair bit of coolant going across town. Do it before you guys get to far into the back woods.

Also front axle inner seals when done the axle needs to be really clean or they will start leaking again shortly. Been there done that ;-)

Valve cover gasket can dump considerable oil down the back side of the block, been there done that too. Once I had those things squared away it was bullet proof. Stick with stock pads, we tried after market pads on my cousins rig, ended up cooking the caliper. Seems the stock pad compound is semi specialized to help keep heat down, but they do wear fast. 9000 miles for me in a few cases. I may have a set of pads in the box still if your interested.

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Cali,
Thanks for the info were looking at picking up another FJZ80 as well. We're new to the Land Cruiser world so thanks for the tips I'll definitely start digging into those. And yes I would be interested in the break pads message me and we can work out the details.

Jason OTO
Navigation/Logistics

OTO team regarding the J80. I had a very very nice one for many yrs. Look up "pesky water hose" if you have not yet inspected and changed it. I discovered mine after dumping a fair bit of coolant going across town. Do it before you guys get to far into the back woods.

Also front axle inner seals when done the axle needs to be really clean or they will start leaking again shortly. Been there done that ;-)

Valve cover gasket can dump considerable oil down the back side of the block, been there done that too. Once I had those things squared away it was bullet proof. Stick with stock pads, we tried after market pads on my cousins rig, ended up cooking the caliper. Seems the stock pad compound is semi specialized to help keep heat down, but they do wear fast. 9000 miles for me in a few cases. I may have a set of pads in the box still if your interested.

 

[CALIcamperdad]

Cali,
Thanks for the info were looking at picking up another FJZ80 as well. We're new to the Land Cruiser world so thanks for the tips I'll definitely start digging into those. And yes I would be interested in the break pads message me and we can work out the details.

Jason OTO
Navigation/Logistics

Ill look pretty sure I have a box of new stock pads. Mine was a 93 with the 4spd, no locker in the rear that was one thing I wish I had. Stock suspension, with 34 inch BFGs. If your replacing the shocks the stock shocks to my surprise were far more beefy than the after market Ranchos, the bottom bolt on the rear shocks is a mother of all battles to break loose without breaking it off, be very careful not to break it. I broke one, spent two hours cautiously grinding it out with a diamond tip dremal tool. Threads were intact saved my hide, do not use a wedge bolt removal tool they break and are a complete disaster trying to remove.

Go through the radiator too the original was so buggered up cooling capacity was greatly compromized.

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

We are honered so many people are responding to the trip our team is putting together. We wouldn't be able to fulfill our goal without the help of the overland and off-road communities. We appreciate everyone's input and help in the planning of our trip. On that note if you are trying to get involved please email me with your info the area of the route your wanting to help out with and what you use for navigation. That would help me make sure I get back to everyone. I'm working hard to finalize the OTO Route but it's a slow painstaking process so bear with me while Im going back through the map. Thanks again for all the support.

Jason Hamasu
Oregon Trail Off-Road
Navigation/Logistics
P.O. Box 1683
Oregon City OR, 97045
541-941-1145
OregonTrailOffRoad@gmail.com
www.OregonTrailOffRoad.com

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Just wanted to give Mel Barkalow and Chuck Margosian huge thank you for doing a little day recon in western Idaho.
They took off for the day to run the OTO route some of it was viable and some of it was not but they definitely saved
us a day of wandering the back roads of western Idaho. Thanks again you two. OTO IDAHO!!

OTO team

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Well after much deliberation Dom and J decided to trade in the Titan & FX4 for an LX450 & an Fjz80 were excited to add them to the two rangers balance is the key to life and apparently the OTO team. Looking forward to building these things

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Dom came up to Portland and after spending a few days installing lights and other tinkering on the OTO Land Cruisers we decided to take a few of the kids and head out to Scott Mills and Crooked Finger ATV area. We had a blast roaming around the backroads to Scott Mills, OR and even got turned around and lost for a few minutes. Anyway heres a few pics. Off to the Hood national forest to pay in the snow....

Happy Holiday
Oregon Trail Off-Road

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

There is nothing like driving through the snow as it billows off your tires like a plane sliding through the clouds. The contrast of the harsh weather and the warm cockpit of your overland vessel shared with your family makes you appreciate all the little things we forget in the hustle of the day to day. Our OTO snow day out with the families just reminded me of all the things I love about the pacific northwest. After Helping a stranded Mercedes we headed up the mountain cutting tracks in the snow. We stopped did some sledding and after taking in a warm bowl of soup around a roaring fire for lunch we headed back out on the trail this time with the kids and wives in tow on tubes. We chased the sunset as we rounded frog lake, took one last pass through the virgin snow and headed home as the glow of the the days sun passed behind the trees.(5 photos)

Oregon Trail Off-Road Team

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

So I'm starting planning on the big project for the Oregon Trail Off-Road Land Cruiser and I'm torn on what to do with the engine. I'm leaning towards rebuilding and turbocharging which hasn't been done much. My other though was the LS swap which there is a lot more support for. I've never done an engine swap but I do have a little experience with custom turbo systems. Let me know your thoughts and why?

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Had a blast over the Christmas Holiday took a group of Toyotas up Dutchman Peak in southern Oregon. Everything went well until we started cutting tracks on the snow covered road. We chained up the J's Land Cruiser and started forcing our way through two feet of iced over snow after a few hours of inching our way toward the cut off to head to Mt Ashland a few guys from one of the local off road shops decided to try there hand at cutting trail. We decided to use an empty jerry as a land anchor so we wrapped it in a tow strap and buried it in the snow. It worked great but as the sun was starting to set we decided to cut our losses and head back home but as we turned around and headed back we realized something was wrong with J's cruiser. As it turns out we blew out the birfield bearing in the driver side axel, so I guess you play you pay!! Looks like its time to upgrade to chromoly's another project for the OTO garage. lol

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Plates are in!! I'm not usually a huge fan of the front license plate but I'll make an exception in this case.

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Ok so it took me much longer than I thought it would but I'm finally done with the Idaho section of the route. Its right about 536 miles in total and it travels south of the snake river along the southern part of the state. Mel one of our OTO affiliates in Idaho has already started running the western portion of the state with chuck another fellow overlander but they could always use some help. The eastern section of the state is where we need the most help basically from highway 93 over to the Wyoming border. Were in the middle of winter so the roads may not be travelable but I wanted to get a jump on planning. GPS with the ability to track your progress is a must DM me if you have any question or would like to help out.

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Wander the West we are looking to add key team members to the team. Our team has grown and shrunk over the past year but we are looking for like minded overlanders with experience in expedition travel, videography, medical and must have a good attitude and a sense of adventure. This is not for the faint of heart this is a 40 day expedition crossing 6 states and the amount of time and prep it takes is no walk in the park but if you have the time to spare and are looking for an outlet for that burning sense of adventure contact us and we'd love to have a chat. We don't discriminate young or old we'll take anyone with the passion for overlanding with the experience necessary to achieve our expedition but keep in mind that we are based in Oregon and most of the extracurricular activities we do as a team is usually in or around our areas.

We also wanted to share with you guys our first team gear review on the Tepui Awning check it out!!

Tepui Awning Review

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Well the summer has been hectic as it always is and as time tics on and plans unfold we find there is more to do than hands to accomplish it, but thats all part of the adventure. It's not just an expedition but its a chance to try and accomplish something that just might be out of your reach, so it continues.

We've spent much of the last few months outfitting Cauxby's Ford Ranger (Our Second Vehicle) for our summer recon/practice expedition. We finished the utility cage on the flat bed added a Warn M8000 Winch w/Synthetic line, and added the OTO decals to the rig which proved much more time consuming being that his rig is rhino lined. There is much more to do on the ranger before it is ready for the main Oregon Trail Expedition next summer but we'll get there. We added a couple of Overland Research awnings to the Land Cruiser and are awaiting our 84-quart ARB fridge to install for our summer trip. We are rounding the final modifications to the land cruiser for next years exped and it has been a lot of work.

Our trip this summer will be 10 days of practicing and recon on the route we've planned through Oregon and Idaho hopefully reaching Wyoming before running out of time. For those unaware we have plotted an overland route through the six states the Oregon Trail ran through but most of it has yet to be ran to see if it actually goes through where we have planned. Anyone interested in helping to run the route in Wyoming Nebraska we could use the help.

As always our documentary series "One Lane Road" will capture all the obstacles we face along the way. If you haven't had a chance to check the current episodes out feel free to hit up our YouTube Channel or Website. We are also in search of folks who may have the time and energy to be part of our team, it is not for the faint of heart!! We are looking for those with Medical, Mechanical, Overland, Photography, Videography experience and an extreme sense of adventure.

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

Just a quick update the newest episode just released yesterday. One Lane Road - Episode 5: Exploration takes the guys to a couple of mountain lakes in Oregon's Cascade Mt range. If you got a few min check it out and let us know what you think. And while your at it check out our first 4 episodes as the guys prepare for their 40-day journey next year down the Oregon Trail
Episode 5: Exploration
[video=youtube_share;VwC303bN6IE]https://youtu.be/Haa-0puJeNg[/video]

Episode 4: History
[video]https://youtu.be/rOEZ7W4bATA[/video]

Episode 3: Reunion
[video]https://youtu.be/rIDJ1HhDEWc[/video]

Episode 2: Begginings
[video]https://youtu.be/-7lKTUe6jOE[/video]

Episode 1: Foundations
[video]https://youtu.be/rqUpPEvf3v8[/video]

 

[OregonTrailOffRoad]

T-minus 50 days and counting till we embark on the biggest exped of our lives!! Were excited nervous stressed and as with any big trip were a little behind but like we've said all along we leave weather were ready or not and July 19th is right around the corner.

Here is the next episode. We finally make it to the boarder but not without a few minor obstacles and with all the miles behind us and the unknown terrain of Idaho we couldn't help look back on how far we've come.


[video=youtube;ptvaAh0kB7Q]