kgibson4

Yes, we have been up Mt.Graham and it is fantastic but we haven't been since the mid 90's. It is a very tall mountain and the road is steep and with switchbacks. We were driving an overloaded Subaru wagon and it struggled but made it. Of course at that time we weren't worried about the vehicle being to big to navigate the turns but I don't think it would be a problem for a Toyhome. There are several campgrounds but they had a fire several years ago and I don't know if any were affected. It is very much worth the trip. Edit: I remember numerous bears. And apparently the campgrounds survived: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd47vK5R1TM

Escaper, thanks for initiating this topic. I'm getting some valuable pointers here. And thanks for the responses to my questions. I will be taking another trip in the hot southwest soon. I will try to get some transmission temperature data under the different traveling conditions and will report back. Ken in Tucson

This discussion begs the question: What is the optimal temperature for the transmission to maintain? At what temperature is it suffering damage? I have a transmission temp gauge (which I just replaced) and on the "maiden voyage" we went up a mountain, gaining 6000 ft in about 25 mi. At 30 - 35 mph it reached 190 degrees. Is that too high? It does have a Toyota branded trans cooler in front of the A/C condenser. Anybody have a gauge in their rig that can offer some comparisons? Thanks, Ken

Thanks Debbit I'm glad to see Rt 15 is navigable. I've been up it in an SUV but I'm new to this Toyhome game. Very much looking forward to it! Google Earth pictures show snow all around Meadow Creek Rd. Ha! We should be so lucky. Here in Tucson we're starting to get some monsoon action, though. How 'bout you? Thanks again, Ken

Hi Debbit, Beautiful camping spot! Could you share which road you were on? I'm planning on a trip to the Gila from Tucson in mid-July. This will be the first off-pavement trip and I don't want to get over my head. Thanks, Ken

jdemaris, Fantastic job! You are a true master craftsman. Ken in Tucson

Not trying to be argumentative, just furthering the discussion. This one is purported to be an '82 crew cab. Not a very good photo but it looks similar to me:

From the grill, I'd say late 70's or early 80's. No?

So, encouraged by all the posts in this thread, I embarked on a couple of brake projects on our newly acquired '87 Odyssey. Front pads were a snap! It's fun working on a Toyota that hasn't been goober'd by a PO that should have left well enough alone. Next, the master cylinder that had a small leak at the power booster. Checked the new one for clearance to the power assist servo, mounted it, hooked up the brake lines. Got my better half to be my "brake bleed buddy". Bled the rear cylinders one at a time so we could have a wheel on the ground at all times. All that weight makes me nervous. Bled the right front then the left front. Then I saw it... a drip, drip, drip from the front of the master cylinder! It was coming from around the fitting that the front brake lines connect to. Nothing would stop the leak. Grrr! Don't they test these things? What has happened to quality control? The local parts house exchanged it no questions asked, as they should! They just shrugged and said,"Yeah, they do that sometimes." But we are out much time, having to reinstall, re-bleed all the lines, wrestle the wheels off and on again, etc. Plus a quart of brake fluid wasted. Well, I bet we have the cleanest brake lines of any '87 in the county! Enough ranting. The test ride went well. More stopping power now; I suspect there was air in the rear lines as the front pads were almost worn out but the rear shoes don't show much wear at all. Happy Trails, Ken in Tucson