Carolina to Florida

[WCURoverD90]

Hello all,
I am taking my 97 Defender to Daytona for my spring break monday and was wondering if I should worry about the long drive...My defender is top notch and everything is running perfect on it. The thing that i am worried about besides gas mileage :( is the fact that 80 mph for 9 hours with as minimal stops as possible. I am wondering how it will hold up at the speed for that amount of time and back....Is there certain precautions i should take before setting out...The obvious thing i have heard is AAA (the first thing for a rover owner) I used to have AAA but never used it so i did not sign up with them again....I am leaving monday so rapid replys would be great....

Thanks,
Jason Habbal
97 D90 ST

[Davis]

Personally, I would change the fluids in my diffs (about 15 minutes), my Transfer case (add 10 minutes) my transmission (might be a bit longer for a 97 than my 94, but no more than 30 minutes), my oil/filter (15 minutes), check my tire pressues including the spare, quick belt check, remove top, pack cooler, get music selection organized and handy and you should be all set. If you have a lot of miles on your rig, I might jack up the front tires and check the wheel bearings by seeing if there is any wear (grabbing the top and bottom of the tire and push/pull and see if it feels loose). I might even drain the radiator fluid.

This might sound hard any "normal" trucks/cars, but on a D90, you should know how to do all this--it is ridiculously easy--I do this before any major trip anyways.

Realistically, you should be fine right from the words "top notch".

[Burke]

Jason, we moved from Jacksonville, FL to Charlotte a couple of years ago and I had to make two trips up and down in my '94 soft top. You will be fine. 90s are not the choice highway vehicle for sure, but they will get you there. On my excursion I had 2 dogs, a cat, a full Rover, my hard top on, and it was 104 through GA (I have no AC)!!!! I survived, but I couldn't wait for that first cold beer! Have a good trip!

[Mike Hippert]

12 hours to MAR nonstop 70 to 80 mph the all the way, if you keep up with your routine maintenance you will be fine.

[dmarchand]

I concur with Hippert. the mileage and long driving is no prblem if you do regular maintenance and the truck is running well. I did 24 hours of driving in a 48 hour weekend to get to MAR and back, mostly in the dead of night. My truck ran awesome, even on the way back covered in thick VA mud.

[WCURoverD90]

Awesome,
Thanks for the info and the quick responces....Can't wait to get down there and show off the 90....

Thanks,

Jason Habbal

[dmarchand]

Jason, are your traveling with other vehicles? No big deal if you aren't. I found it comical on long trips with other non '97 D90's, having to pull over for gas every 1.5-2 hours. When every other car, even the R380 D90's still has at least a quarter of a tank more than you.

On a long trip, you'll become the butt of all road stop jokes.

Or maybe that's just me....:cool:

Remember, their is no warning light for low gas either...:grin

[chrisvonc]

We did 2.5 days of 75mph highway driving cross the US and then back again in our D90. Just watch your temp, and I checked the oil every other gas stop, but had no issues other than wind noise.

[Burke]

Remember, their is no warning light for low gas either...:grin [/B][/QUOTE]

Do we really have no warning light??? I have been thinking mine has been broken for 10 years now!

[dmarchand]

Pop the two screws off on that light panel and look behind the amber "Low Fuel" warning light. No connections to it.

[cbkearney]

I agree with Dave. He is the BUTT of all road stop jokes and for that matter road speed.

[snuffer]

Sounds like a good opportunity to burn out some of the carbon build up in the heads.

[dmarchand]

He is the BUTT of all road stop jokes and for that matter road speed.


Thanks Kearney. I can count on you to keep it real.

You finally wake up after your long winter snooze or something? It's about time you got that thing back on the trail!

[cbkearney]

I have two weeks off starting the 15th. Where and when do you want to go? Or are you currently relagated to the Su Bar Ru (said in the snootiest Wellesley lock-jaw accent you can think.)

The reality is I am hung over, my kids are taking a test, and I am trying to get lost in cyber space. I think I have quadrupled my post count this morning.

[dmarchand]

Subaru for now. I'll have to borrow Jesse's truck if I want to do anything....

We should take a trip up north to the shop. Check things out.

[WCURoverD90]

Well that sounds good....Can't wait for my gas bill for the month after this trip and back.....lol....Thanks guys,

Jason Habbal

[cbkearney]

I would be up for that. Have we successfully hijacked this thread? Boy is Chris V going to be pissed. Send me an e-mail and we can figure out a day. I sold the Vette so I am about to tear into my project.

[dmarchand]

That is sweet news. Check your email....I sent you a good link.

[sherpamike]

Jason,
I am headed to Ft Lauderdale this afternoon for my spring break. Maybe I'll see you down the road somewhere. Good Luck with the Drive!

Mike

[mattwhite]

Don't stop at Ft. Lauderdale, keep giong and spend the week in the keys:grin

[roverboy]

When I moved to Wilmington NC from Tampa Florida 2 and a half years ago, I had to move up here without my d-90. (Its was in the shop getting new heads put on it...another story entirely) So my great friend Chris Horsman drove it up to me when it was finished a couple of months later.

Let me tell you that Chris is English. He's driven Land Rovers his ENTIRE life, and even did some racing with them back in the UK. He's one of the best friends that I have ever had and is just a genuinely nice guy who would do anything for anybody.

When Chris reached NC and slid out of my truck...he handed me the keys, and weaved an intricate layer of expletives for what must have been 10 or 12 minutes, the likes of which I dare not even attempt to recall here in this forum. The trip that took me 10 hours in a packed Uhaul with my old Range Rover as a chase vehicle...took Chris close to 12. And for a 90...my truck really scoots.

I don't think his back has been the same since. And I've also noticed that he doesn't call me as often as he used to either.

huh.

I'd suggest finding that one that you have that thinks your truck is "really cool"...and let HIM drive it down to Daytona for you. LOL Have him leave NC at the break of dawn....and drive to the airport in Daytona to pick you up on the late flight in. ;-)

[WCURoverD90]

hahaha yeah my buddy is driving his decked out Dakota R/T so he will probably be a good bit ahead of me...I had some parts that were getting powder coating not get done so the 90 isn't gonna look like i wanted, but oh well...thanks for the help everyone

Jason Habbal

[Jase]

Jason,

I don't see where you'll have a problem. I drove my 97 from Seattle WA to Concord NH. If your truck has been well maintained it will go well. Pack a few extra tools and some fuilds to be safe.

I averaged about 16MPG.

Jase

[vesparover]

I just got back from delivering a bike to daytona from charleston, sc with my defender. No problems other than the wind hitting me like a brick!
Brian Bertolini

[WCURoverD90]

yeah im gonna drop the top and hit the road....Can't wait till tommroow.....Thanks for the info everyone..I have just recieved a barrage of responces in 3 days......


Jason Habbal

[rover4x4]

Hope you have a good time . i have been in Fl. for maybe 3 days man its nice here yeah well :eek:

[sherpamike]

Made it to Ft lauderdale yesterday and we are staying the crappiest hotel in the city. Right now I have a pretty sketch internet connection.

There is a really cool 110 with all kinds of cool stuff on it in the parking lot. I talked with the guy and he and his wif ehave been traveling the country since they bought it in 93. I want to make it to the LR centre if I can find it. Maybe I can see Martin's rover in Person??

-Mike

[vesparover]

If you're going to drive it to fl with the top down you better bring a hat at least! From charleston to florida I got absolutely fried! My left arm is roasted from sitting on the door top too. Not to mention that I was deaf for two days from all the wind noise!
Have fun
brian bertolini

[Toddco]

Did anyone mention spare oil cooler lines?

[mpodgorski]

hey mike

call me on my cell @954.520.2408. I am here at the dealership and i can give you directions to get here.

[sherpamike]

Thanks for showing us around Ft Lauderdale and the LR centre, Martin. Everyone really enjoyed seeing your rover, the camel trophy disco, and the Enzo. Too bad we didn'tget to drive anything:grin . Anyway......got to get back to spring break business:toast

-Mike

[mpodgorski]

not to confuse anyone on the board, i dont own a camel trophy discovery and an enzo, just a couple of rovers. they all are here at the dealership.
it was nice meeting you mike and your carolina gang. you need to post a pic of your d90 in the bios. i didnt realize anyone wanted to go for a ride, i could have taken you in my defender or a 360 modena, i just didnt have room for all of you and I didnt want to leave anyone out.

Enjoy the rest of your stay in fort lauderdale and have a safe trip home.

martin

[Ragland]

Originally posted by mpodgorski
not to confuse anyone on the board, i dont own a camel trophy discovery and an enzo, just a couple of rovers. they all are here at the dealership.

martin

I would have let that one slip about the enzo...he made you sound like the man :grin

[WCURoverD90]

Hey everyone....
I got down to daytona and back with the 90...I have to say daytona is one big shit hole and i was pretty sketched out about leaving my truck there for a week...It only took 8 tanks of gas for the whole trip.... :( .....But other than that the 90 treated me well....

Jason Habbal