GL/SU cross country convoy

[monterey1962]

We have new developments in all of this, so I'm going to start fresh to keep details clear and straight. People I am most concerned about hearing from in this thread: GL, FatNasty, Nathan, and Zack. Anyone else who is going to be along the main route GL and I are taking out that wants to convoy up, speak up here. Details below.

GL will be driving from Cove, OR to Bismarck, ND. From there, we will convoy out to SF.

-If GL sticks to Interstate, it'll be ~1,300 miles/~18 hours to Bismarck. On the way, he can hook up with FatNasty in Post Falls, ID. They can each drive their own cars to Bismarck, ND.

-Once in Bismarck, Mark will leave his car at my place and ride the rest of the way out to SF with me or GL. From Bismarck, ND to Tremont, PA it's ~1,800 miles/~24 hours. It will be on the following Interstates: I-94, I-90, I-39, I-80, I-76, and I-81. It's tollways once we hit Illinois, so have cash handy.

**For a quick view of the routes .... Go to GoogleMaps and search the follwing routes ---> Cove, OR to Bismarck, ND ... and ... Bismarck, ND to Tremont, PA.**

-We will be going around Chicago as best as we can on I-39 and I-80. It's the only bad part of the whole trip. GL and I are planning on running CB's, so we can keep in touch if we lose sight of one another.

-GL and FatNasty will have to work on a time schedule on when to leave and meet so they can get to Bismarck sometime on Friday, July 13th. Be here early enough so that you can get plenty of sleep for the rest of the trip. It's a big push. Remember, it's all easier said than done. Safety first ... NO DROWSY DRIVING. Even if stopping for sleep costs us an extra day to get out there.

-We leave Bismarck early Saturday morning (July 14th). We need to get into Wisconsin before stopping Saturday night. Reason for this: We need to time it so we can get around Chicago in DAYLIGHT! Also, we are planning a stop near the Twin Cities to meet up with Nathan for supper before heading into Wisconsin.

-Sunday (July 15th) will be the big push. We will need to get around Chicago and as far as we can get in that day. I'm thinkin' we should make it as far as Youngstown, OH before having to stop for the night.

-Monday (July 16th) is the day we hit Skippyville. We rest, then rip S.U. apart for the new motor and trans. We can also help Scott out with gettin' ready for SF the following weekend.

==========================

Then, there is the issue of getting home. I'd like to give us at least four full days to get back home. Maybe five, depending on when GL and FatNasty need to be home. That means we will leave Skippyville on July 24th (Tuesday) or 25th (Wednesday). We are planning on meeting Zack in Nebraska on the way home.

-We will depart Skippyville and try to get as far as western Indiana by nightfall.

-Day two will be getting past the south side of Chicago again on I-80. Instead of going north on I-39, we will continue west on I-80 to Nebraska. We should easily get to Zack's area by that night.

-Day three is up in the air. We either hang out with Zack or continue our trip home. At this point, FatNasty would ride with me back to Bismarck to get his car and continue home to Post Falls, ID. GL has the option of not going north. Instead, he can stay on I-80 and continue west and north to Cove, OR. This would save him some miles and time. It's entirely up to him if he wants to take the southern route or come north with me and FatNasty to Bismarck, ND.

-Day four should be the final driving day for me. GL and FatNasty should only need another day and a half, or so, to get home at that point.


I want you guys to speak up and post your ideas, correct any of my errors, and let me know if I missed anything. Plan for something to go wrong (car troubles, construction, bad weather, etc.). Chances are things won't go completely as planned, so we need to be prepared as well as we can. Anyone else on or near our route should speak up, as well. The more involved in the convoy, the better.

I will give you my honest opinion of the route, since I have driven most of it twice. Butte, Montana to Bismarck is smooth sailing. Bismarck to Tremont is also smooth, minus Chicago. Even though we are going around Chicago, it is still going to be a challenge on the south side (I-80). The more people involved, the more fun it will be.

More details as the time nears.

[Nathan in MI]

Well, as we discussed, if you want to just stop by my house, you can do that. Otherwise, if you want to meet at a restaurant and get supper, that's fine too. Just let me know as the time gets closer what you want to do.

[grandpaslincoln]

I live in La Grande instead of Cove, but it's only 15 miles difference lol

It all sounds good to me, I'm gonna stick with you guys all the way back to Bismarck.

[interceptor1985]

I wish..... you guy's seem to have a good plan here...I could go possibly next time..:(

[monterey1962]

It all sounds good to me, I'm gonna stick with you guys all the way back to Bismarck.

That's good to hear. Safer to do it that way. I think Zack was unsure about meeting due to the timing of the whole thing. I'll let him confirm this. If he isn't available, we'll come back to Bismarck the same way we go out.

[FatNasty]

Well this all seems very well planned out:2up: My only concern is i forgot you were going a little early for the engine work, therefore i would need to take more time off of work. With my work schedule i work Fri, Sat, and Sun 11am-midnight (Long days but it gets me 4 days off per week). I think i would be able to get 6 days off; 2 weekends total. I would love to spend as much time as possible on vacation however if i miss any more than the 6 days i might go broke and my boss wouldn't be too happy either. So the problem is with this plan i would miss july 13,14,15,20,21,and 22nd. And if we left skippyville on the 24th and were able to return to bismarck on the 26th i would still miss the 27th (7 days). Not sure how we might be able to avoid this, but if it's possible i would like to just miss the 6 days. If not i might be able to get the extra day or so off, and eat a lot of ramen for a while. It will be worth it got go to scottfest, hell ramen ain't too bad anyways:)

REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!!!!:banana:

[zwack88]

Yeah you guys can stop by if you want but during the days but I won't be availible to hang out till 4 pm during weekdays unless it falls on a friday, in that case I could just skip school cause we only have a half of day on fridays. Anyway do what you want I won't be offended if you guys don't want to come.

[gabegt90]

justin why is it gong to be hard around south Chicago/?

[Nathan in MI]

justin why is it gong to be hard around south Chicago/?

Have you ever driven thru Chicago? The traffic and road construction are awful. I never drive thru there unless absolutely necessary.

[DanHool]

just take 39 to 80


BTW.. i should come too when is this?

[interceptor1985]

DAMN I wish I wasnt a broke beeeech...I would go to!

[monterey1962]

Yeah you guys can stop by if you want but during the days but I won't be availible to hang out till 4 pm during weekdays unless it falls on a friday, in that case I could just skip school cause we only have a half of day on fridays. Anyway do what you want I won't be offended if you guys don't want to come.

Zack, if we don't get to you this time around, we'll make damn sure to get a Mid-west meet together. Due to time and your schedule, we may have to pass you up (sorry, man :( ). Then again, who the hell knows what's gonna happen. Why the hell do we all have to be so spread out up here?


just take 39 to 80
BTW.. i should come too when is this?

I-39 and I-80 is what we are taking. Read my first post for most of the details thus far. Would you drive or ride out to SF? You're more than welcome to join us on the trip. If you wanted to meet us at Nathan's, you could ride out with me or GL. Would just need a place to put your car for a couple weeks (if you drive down to the Twin Cities).

[Nathan in MI]

Zack, if we don't get to you this time around, we'll make damn sure to get a Mid-west meet together. Due to time and your schedule, we may have to pass you up (sorry, man :( ). Then again, who the hell knows what's gonna happen. Why the hell do we all have to be so spread out up here?

Yeah, Justin, I know you've said you won't be able to do a midwest meet this year :(, but I'm still up for it, so if we can drum up some interest and get a few people to come, that'd be great.

Zack, I dunno if you'd be up for driving all the way to MN or not....let me know (we can take this discussion over to the Midwest meet thread).




I-39 and I-80 is what we are taking. Read my first post for most of the details thus far. Would you drive or ride out to SF? You're more than welcome to join us on the trip. If you wanted to meet us at Nathan's, you could ride out with me or GL. Would just need a place to put your car for a couple weeks (if you drive down to the Twin Cities).

If it comes to that, Dan, you're welcome to leave your car at my place.

[monterey1962]

Bumpity-bump. Anyone have anything to add? Any updates on current comin' or not statuses? FatNasty, you still game?

[monterey1962]

GL, you mentioned in the chat that you would consider driving to ND and riding out the rest of the way with me. If FatNasty is coming for sure, that'll be three guys in the car. This is a good thing. That will be three guys splitting fuel costs. This could be a good option for all of us, especially at $3+/gallon for fuel.

I like the idea of all of us in one car, not just from the cost angle, but also from the angle of keeping track of one car, not two (again, I remind you of getting around Chicago).

If Dan decides to come, that's quite alright. It's a Panther, we could still stuff Nathan in the back seat with room to spare. :p

As for hauling all the stuff home ... I could pull the subwoofer out of the trunk and leave it at home beforehand, ... or ... if need be, buy a hitch and rent a trailer to haul the engine.

We've got lots of options, so keep your minds open.

Also, I'd like to leave open the option of seeing Zack. He's got to be one of the coolest people I've ever met and I feel bad when I think about not getting to include him in all this. Three people in the car means we can cover more ground in a shorter time and less fuel expense per person, giving us a better shot at reaching Zack on the trip home.

[grandpaslincoln]

Sounds good to me!

[FatNasty]

Well i still would love to come, but it just depends on how much work i can get off. If i only needed the six days off, it would work fine. I could probably get away with 7, but 8 would be pushing it. If we could somehow plan to be back in ND on the 26th, then i could be back home by the 28th to go to work. That would be seven days. If we could work that out I should be good to go, but i don't want to be cutting the trip short at all for you guys. If that works for everyone though, i'l put in the vacation request friday. Being back to ND on the 25th would be best of course, but i realize thats asking a bit much. Let me know what you think.

[monterey1962]

The soonest we'd leave SF is July 24th (Tuesday). Idealy, I'd like to leave on the morning of July 25th (Wednesday). If we come straight back from PA (thru WI and MN), it would only take us about three days to get from PA to ND.

I'd like to add that if we get to Nathan's on the first day (heading out), we should be able to get clear of Chicago the next day. I went from St. Cloud, MN into Ohio in one day, so we have flexibility on the way out.

Should S.U. not be able to make the trip (even if I have doubts of her ability to make the trip safely), I will be throwing a hitch on the CV and pulling her out. S.U. is 100% minus the transmission. I haven't had a chance to give it a good run, yet. Hopefully in the next week or two I'll get a good hard drive on her. I won't be hauling you guys in a car that I feel isn't capable of making the trip safely. The CV and the '91 will be prepped and ready to go in case something happens.

[Nathan in MI]

It's a Panther, we could still stuff Nathan in the back seat with room to spare. http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/../forum/images/smiles/tongue.gif

Think about who you're discussing, here. You could have 10 people in the back seat of a Geo Metro and still have more than enough room for me. :p

[FatNasty]

I really hate to say it, but it doesn't look like this trip is in my cards this year. I don't think it will be a problem going next year, but it doesn't work out this time. Its just too much work to get off, especially since i had some prior obligations that i will be missing some work for. It would be a good idea for me to be at work during july since a lot will be changing there during that time. And of course there is the money issue, i will be much more prepared to go next year, and bring my car all the way. I was really looking forward to meeting all my fellow panther enthusiasts, but at this point i would be kicking my own ass by going. Sorry Justin, but hopefuly we can get another convoy going next year.

[monterey1962]

Gotta go with what you feel is right, man. No worries. Just gotta see if Jon and Dan are up for the trip, yet. I really don't want to go alone. 2K miles one-way alone is el-sucko.

[DanHool]

whats the nearest airport to scotfest? harrisburg? hmm, i really dont feel like driving all that way, i drive with work and it would be like having to work, except not getting paid

[Lincolnmania]

cheaper to fly into philly mang........one of us locals can pick u up at teh airport
or you could ride with monty and act like a retarded bus passenger the whole way hehe

[DanHool]

u guys can flip a quarter to see whse godda pick up danarchy

oh and u got a liquer store right?

[Lincolnmania]

yea we have state stores and beer distributors mang

[gadget73]

I'm nearest the airport, so I could pick you up on my way. Need flight info though.

[monterey1962]

Crap, who the hell is gonna split fuel cost with me, then?

[DanHool]

Crap, who the hell is gonna split fuel cost with me, then?

300 dollars at nates place sound fair?

[grandpaslincoln]

Crap, who the hell is gonna split fuel cost with me, then?


You forgot about me already? OK, fine. Be that way. :p

[monterey1962]

You forgot about me already? OK, fine. Be that way. :p

Who the hell are you?! :wtf: :p No, man, didn't forget, just a little spooked by $3+/gal. fuel costs.

[grandpaslincoln]

I know mang :(

[87vicFIVEO]

COOOL where do you meet up with interstate 90???

I can meet you there and convoy the rest of the way....

[zwack88]

Shit if scottfest was early july I would go with you mang. :(

[monterey1962]

Well, since it looks like it's just GL and me, we'll shoot down and hit Zack on the way home from SF. Should be in Lincoln, NE later in the day on Friday, July 27th.

[monterey1962]

Five weeks and one day 'til departure from ND. Gettin' excited.

[Lincolnmania]

woo.....i'm waitin on teh machine shop

[gabegt90]

scott you using the 96 explore block I gave you?

[monterey1962]

scott you using the 96 explore block I gave you?

Yes, he is.

Looks like it's just gonna be me on this trip. If anyone wants to meet up with me on the way out, let me know. I'm takin' the same route listed in the first post.

[zwack88]

GL is not coming? I hope this trip out there goes smoother then last year.

[grandpaslincoln]

I'm still going, but I'm flying down to PA

[Nathan in MI]

:(

Was looking forward to meeting you, mang.

[grandpaslincoln]

:( I know mang

[gadget73]

Let me know where you're flying into and what time, if its Philly I can probably pick you up. Just need to know when/where ahead of time.

[grandpaslincoln]

My boss approved my time off, I'll get the 18th-24th off. I'll let you know what time I'll get there, haven't bought the tickets yet.

[87_crown_vic]

wish i could go...i would need to save some money and talk to jelybean if we can make it possible. i aint promising...

[boXman]

My boss approved my time off, I'll get the 18th-24th off. I'll let you know what time I'll get there, haven't bought the tickets yet.

:banana: :nana: :fucker:


:bolt:

[monterey1962]

My boss approved my time off, I'll get the 18th-24th off. I'll let you know what time I'll get there, haven't bought the tickets yet.

The earlier you buy, the more you save.

My boss is leaving at the end of this week. New boss is an okay fella, but I have a feelin' the company has "forgotten" that I am going to be gone for two weeks. We'll see what goes down when the time comes.

[87_crown_vic]

i am in the Omaha, NE area. if me and Jelybean dont move, count both of us in. we will have a Panther convoy. dont know which vehicle to take though. somebody respond quick to this so we know when to request our days off. i will be off due to medical anyways, and i will also be taking vacation and personal time toward this if there is a problem with them wanting me to work. get a hold of me asap to let me know when all this will take place. i have made trips on the road before, and i have driven from Omaha, Ne area to Cinncy Ohio on 1 shot and back to Omaha the next day in one shot.

[monterey1962]

You could meet up with me around La Salle, IL. My route out/back is posted in the first post of this thread. I'd pass through La Salle, IL sometime in the afternoon of Sunday, July 15th. I plan on meeting Zack in Lincoln, NE on the way home. I'm runnin' on a tight schedule because S.U. needs to be done before SF, so I'll be rushing out to PA. In other words, since I'm goin' alone, I ain't stoppin' unless I have to.

[gabegt90]

so whats the latest with your motor any updates block still in machine shop? trans getting done soon sorry about my car getting work at brians hope that does not interfear with you plans heck my old trans might end up being your core

[monterey1962]

so whats the latest with your motor any updates block still in machine shop? trans getting done soon sorry about my car getting work at brians hope that does not interfear with you plans heck my old trans might end up being your core

Last I heard, block was still at the shop and trans wasn't started on, yet.

[monterey1962]

Well, here's how I figure my trip out will go ...

Saturday, July 14th, I'll leave Bismarck as early as possible (7am-ish). Get to Nathan's place by 3pm. Spend a couple hours with Nathan and rest, then hit the road again that evening. I figure I can get as far as Madison, WI the first day. This would give me a better chance of getting around Chicago earlier on Sunday, July 15th. Don't know if I can finish the drive in one shot from Madison or not. Just depends on how I feel.

[monterey1962]

Craptastic. Three days 'til departure and I'm stressed out.

[Lincolnmania]

hey your motor is here mang......you got a 306

[gabegt90]

any pics of the block yet How did the machine shop go?

[Lincolnmania]

looks nice, no pics yet

[monterey1962]

hey your motor is here mang......you got a 306

Now I just have to get out there to it.

[monterey1962]

One more goddamn day. I'm stressed out to the max. :mad2:

[gabegt90]

One more goddamn day. I'm stressed out to the max. :mad2:

just make sure you have everything justin don't want to be half way across the country then you forget something

[monterey1962]

Just over 24 hours until departure. Gonna be a long day at work today. :(

[gabegt90]

Just over 24 hours until departure. Gonna be a long day at work today. :(

amen to that one more work day before the family trip to north carolina outer banks

[monterey1962]

Things are already not going as planned. I slept in an extra hour. Will be out the door within the hour, I hope. Need to wake up, first.

[monterey1962]

I'm headin' out now. Nathan, I'll contact you later today. Otherwise, I'll catch you guys on the East Side.

[grandpaslincoln]

I'll be seeing you real soon monty, have a safe trip bro! :beer:

[Lincolnmania]

good you needed that extra hour sleep

[Lincolnmania]

good you needed that extra hour sleep :merk:

[monterey1962]

Woohoo! PA! S.U. did the trip flawlessly. 23mpg. Only burned 1 qt. of oil for the 1900 miles. :D Rolled the odometer just over 180K miles, too. Hope she likes the new motor/trans.

[gabegt90]

Woohoo! PA! S.U. did the trip flawlessly. 23mpg. Only burned 1 qt. of oil for the 1900 miles. :D Rolled the odometer just over 180K miles, too. Hope she likes the new motor/trans.

I'm sure su will like the new motor and trans just take care of my old aod core for me its cool that brian used my old aod core for your new wide ratio also cool that your 306 block used to by my school motor

[boXman]

welcome back to PA, man. :wave:

[monterey1962]

Headin' out tomorrow mornin'. Lookin' forward to seein' Zack on the way home. Got your E7's and headers, man. See you all on the West side. :D

[boXman]

See you next year, Justin! Hope all goes well for you on the way back.

[Nathan in MI]

Good luck on the trip home, mang!

[Grand Marquis GT]

HAve a good trip, mang!!

[gabegt90]

let us know how it went on the way back

[gadget73]

Curious how you'll do for fuel on the trip home. Let us know how things went.

Oh, did you change the oil before heading out? Usually the first change is around 500 miles.

[87_crown_vic]

i dont think he got 500 before leaving...

[Lincolnmania]

close.....we changed the oil at like 405 miles

[87_crown_vic]

burn outs and all the trips helped...didnt realize all the driving since my car was parked most the time....too bad he doesnt at least call to say how he is for updates

[zwack88]

Monty just left here. Damn Scott you built one hell of a car, I love it. He even let me drive it, wow!

[Lincolnmania]

thank you zach.......monty helped you know

[monterey1962]

Lines were gettin' fuzzy from lack of sleep, but the trip is finished.

[boXman]

glad you're back safe man.

[gadget73]

How did you do for fuel economy?

[monterey1962]

How did you do for fuel economy?

Averaged 19.2 mpg.

[gadget73]

Not too shabby.