Ask a photographer to pick their best images from a solo two week roadtrip in Alberta and BC. Humm. I took thousands of photos with my ancient Nikon D700 and Samsung cell phone. I was traveling in my ancient 1991 FJ80 Toyota Landcruiser. Fall colors were absolutely amazing – perfectly timed, and there was almost no one else on the road. I took the Forestry Trunk Road (Alberta #40 / #732) on and off from Hinton to Coleman. Details in previous posts.
My selection for best 12 photos.
October 5, 2023
This route followed Alberta highway 93 Castle Junction to Wasa Lake through Kootenay National Park. Unfortunately, this was the last day that the Trans Canada Highway was closed between Castle Junction and Lake Louise. As you can imagine – the road was stupidly busy !.
Whiteswan Provincial Park
A long and poorly marked forestry dirt road to Whiteswan Lake. Arrived late in the evening, needed flashlights to cook dinner and set up the tent. During the night, the elk were calling, and there was one splashing in the lake quite close to my campsite. The morning, calm and foggy. Pulled out the tripod for the first time in the trip, to photograph the foggy – almost mystic scene. Later, a person fishing in the lake surrounded by fog and a slowly rising sun.
October 4, 2023.
This post describes the Canmore + Alberta 742 + Alberta 40 loop. The route heads south on Alberta 742 from Canmore, passes Spray Lakes Reservoir, Spray Valley Provincial Park – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and returns via Alberta 40.
I’d been looking forward to solo roadtrip to the mountains since I had left my Toyota Landcruiser in Edmonton after the mass evacuation in August. The truck was already packed with camping gear, clothes and food. Being retired I could take a road trip and hit some of the best fall colors in the Alberta.
My truck is slow (the story goes that 1991 FJ80 Landcruisers will only reach 100km/hr going downhill), and not wanting to drive at length on the Trans Canada Highway, secondary and tertiary roads are my preference. As this was also my first solo trip, and my first lengthy road trip with the Landcruiser. I didn’t want to go on off-road trails, or technically challenging routes. This was to be a ‘Shake-down’ trip.
On October 1, with the truck fuelled up (plus 30l in extra fuel) and coffee in hand, I pointed the truck west to Hinton.
Having read reviews for the Forestry Trunk Road I was confident the road would be fine, if not quite dusty. The Forestry Trunk Road (FTR) runs for 1000 kilometers from Grande Cache to Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass. Most of the road (~800km) is gravel and the remaining 200km is paved. The FTR was a north-south resource road, some segments of the road have been designated as parts of Highway 40 or Highway 734. The Forestry Trunk Road runs mostly through Crown Land, it is possible to camp just about anywhere, or in provincial campsites.
This post describes the route from Hinton via Nordegg to Ghost Valley. I did a modified route. From Hinton taking the Robb Road and Pembina River Road joining the Forestry Trunk Road near McLoed River. According to Google Maps, this is a 6 hour 51 minute (440km) route. I took three days- beautiful scenery and washboard roads made the drive quite a bit longer than expected.
Day 1: October 1, 2023. 138km
The Pembina Road runs through appropriately named ‘Coal Valley ‘; coal mining, logging, oil and gas wells.
Camped at McLoed River.
To Nordegg and beyond. Google maps did not record the entire route. I camped near the green dot shown on the map.
Day 3: October 3, 2023.
Camped on the Ghost Valley Road overlooking the Ghost River.
Summary. This route is highly recommended. I was especially fortunate, as the road conditions were good, and the fall colours were superb. Additionally, there were very few vehicles on the road. Other drivers on this route had mentioned an abundance of industry-related vehicles.
Another post will highlight the Canmore + Alberta 742 + Alberta 40 loop.
Have you ever purchased a ‘Used’ item and wondered about its history ?
If you buy a used vehicle – you can ask the owner about the vehicles history, and / or purchase the vehicle history report (e.g. CarFax) that includes accident and repair notes.
The title of this post “Project” I should probably get a girlfriend” and the text below were written by the previous owner of a vehicle I now own. The previous owner “crawlin cruiser” had purchased the 1973 FJ55 Toyota Landcruiser and described the restoration and rebuild on the ih8mud forum (https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/project-i-should-probably-get-a-girlfriend.401231/) (July 23, 2010 – Sept 26,2018).
I have copied and condensed the text from the link above, and in bold some unique sections.
I already have an fj40 buggy, a nice hj61 as a dd, my dodge cummins tow rig and now this……….
1973 FJ55
Purchased from previous owner in Keremeos, B.C.
Those are the pics from last summer when I picked it up.
It has sat in my yard till yesterday when I started work
Plans are
soa with lockers
ps(saginaw)
35s
might use my sm420 out of my buggy when I install my stak
and yes those ARE fj55 bushings
For the steering I was just going with what I have and what i know. personally I think 60 series boxes suck the big one anyways. never used a scout though?
thnaks, the po did the turn signals. guess it works? this truck is all go no show good from far far from good. paint is done,
I actually bought a set of soa axles about two months ago dirt cheap. rear even has a locker . cut the old ones out, bolt the new ones in. done. I do need to add a set of ford towers though
Paint finished and it drives.
There are still rust issues in the rockers, rear fender lips and rear quarters but overall for what i have into it(which isnt very much) im a happy guy.
Any pics of the headliner. This looks interesting to me.
i don’t think its stock. It looks good though
Curtains !!
Weird… What the heck is that headliner made of? Are those indentions where it screws in?
curtains= shagin wagin!
Wow. I’m surprised I didn’t think of that. I’m actually kind of bummed I didn’t think of that….
Sign you are getting old…
Curtains was one of my first up grades when I got my cruiser … I took them out! Of course mine didn’t look that good. They were 1970’s bandana red looking weirdness.
I have no idea how its held up. but its soft foam with the liner over top. if I flip the truck over it would be a great place to sleep.
Well guys,
This project has taken a turn for the worst
Project” i should probably get a girlfriend” turned into “wholy fxxx, I landed a smoken hot redhead”
Lets just say progress has been slow. I have stared on the rust repair, and ps.
Teaser of this weeks project
Grinding, cutting, torching,welding…….. repeat x100
New rocker, floor, body mount
Tech question, what is the relation of a pitman arms lenth to its “home” steering box? I got a scout box as Jon sugested, but the arm is about 10″ !! i have shorted steering arms for saginaw boxes… what will this do to the steering raito?
I had no idea that you were this cool. Where did you find the 55?
I’m soo cool….. I can have a project in every section (IH8MUD forums)
Long time no update. Finished off all the little stuff. took the swiss cheese passenger fender and gave it new steel.
Shotty fender repair
Finished product?. I doubt it
Few more little additions. I got the roof rack on, stereo installed and even got the tires ballanced
Shot of the truck at the lake with the rack
Well guys…. Time to dig this pig out of its ice sarcophagus and do some fixin. A bit of cosmetic, got the brass gear for the window. And a few small mechanical mods she will be as good as new!
Has it been sitting there since 2011?
No not at all. Only about a year. Only reason I parked it is because the clutch is gone. So instead of a clutch job it’s getting an sm420 with an EBI adapter kit
Clutch,trans,transfer. Front shocks. New hood Window gear
And probably a bunch of other crap while its in the shop haha.
It has begun….
GUESS GIRL FRIEND THING DIDNT WORK
Sure did, getting married this summer. And she let me build this
A couple wheeling pics to keep you interested while I wait for parts
So after pulling the 4spd and transfer I found out my truck actually has an f engine. Now I know why it’s so slow haha. Has anyone put the 10 spline chev disc in the f clutch?? I’ve only done it on 2f components. Just wondering differance and whatnot.
Well The chev disc fits in the f flywheel but I don’t know how I feel about the old Style pressure plate. I think I’m just gonna tear into another parts truck and grab the 2fbits needed
Hey guys I’m still having clutch problems. I’ve got ll my 2f bits on the f engine but I have 2 different throw out bearing hubs. One has a 1 3/4 for the bearing and one is 2″. Both came off 4 spds. Does it matter what one I use??
This part of the clutch fork assembly should determine which bearing.
Not too much to report.. Sm420 swap worked out great. Drives good. Replaced the drivers door. But back in the shop right now for more body work. Just out for a Little rip at the river behind the farm!
I’m also on the look out for a good drivers fender and affront rad support. Mine is beyond fixing.
1980 BJ42 Toyota landcruiser.
Diesel (3b engine), 4 speed, two speed transfer case (2H, 4H, 4L). 10% gear reduced transfer case to compensate for the large tires. Drives and runs well. Rear body needs work. missing rear window on passenger side. Winch. Front turn light removed and is included. $5800 – OBO. Clear Title. Not at location shown in photos. **** Don’t ask if still Available. If post is up – it is available.
