Hi folks, I'm going on a trip from Seattle to Glacier National Park in Montana. I went once before and always wanted to go back with the FD and enjoy the roads. Now, I am NOT worried about reliability. A ~1000 mile round trip mainly on highways should be easy pickin's for any reasonably sorted car.

What I AM worried about, is theft. This'll be a bit over a week of parking out in the open in some pretty remote areas. I can disable the injectors in my Haltech so that's a bit of solace that even if they manage to try to get in and turn the key, it'll just crank forever and not fire up. But tow trucks exist and if they really want the car, I figure they'll just drag it away.

So I'm just wondering, if you were faced with the same decision... would you?

 

I'd possibly be more concerned if you're staying at the same place several nights in a row, but even then you'll probably be alright. Also take into consideration the area you'll be staying at and if people in that area would be interested in cars like ours, and the size of the town/city.

Years ago my car was illegally impounded by a cop in my hometown in BFE farm country Illinois. It actually sat outside the impound yard all night, which made me more nervous than if it had been inside. I went past there twice throughout the night to check on it even though I knew no one in that town would be interested in my car. That being said, it was only one night and it was farm country, but it sat outside all the time at my Dad's house too while I was home.

Just a couple things to think about. I think if you disable your injectors it would kill the possibility of it being stolen, if that would be the case in the first place. When I think of Montana, FD theft just doesn't come to mind lol. But you never know.

 

My philosophy is if you want a mint, perfect FD and never want anything bad to happen, sell it. You aren't enjoying the car at that point.

I drive to Deal's Gap every year (about an 8 hour trip one way) and have my share of rock chips, lost a center cap, had a flat, few things like that - things that could happen to any car. Would I do it again? Yep. And I will next year and the year after that.

Theft is a valid concern, but if you are at least smart about it - park smart in good lighting. Maybe even look into a locator - hell, you can probably throw an Apple AirTag in your car to find it if something comes up.

Big thing is ENJOY YOUR CAR.

Dale

 

I live in Kalispell and there have been reports of cars getting stolen lately, but most all of those cases seem to be people driving them away. In my opinion disabling the injectors in the Haltech would be sufficient theft deterrent for the average car thief in this area. I think it also depends on where you are staying on your trip. If you are staying in GNP then I dont think there is a high risk of theft, but if you are staying in the areas that are closer to the park than I think the risk goes up.

I think it would be a good road trip in a well sorted car.

 

Install LoJack, your insurance company will help you pay for it, and give you a discount on your insurance for having it. I have trackers in all my toys, buys a lot of peace of mind knowing I'll know if/when it's moved.

******** exist, that's what insurance is for

 

I'd be honestly more worried about me. Its deafening, stinky, un-air-conditioned, stiff as a brick, no stereo and race seats.

 

Agreed. We are getting too old for this.

 

I have nothing against a great road trip. But to do it in my own FD?? Nope. I enjoy my car just fine but it’s not something I would subject to a multi hour road trip to a location where you know you won’t be able to house the vehicle in a secure area.
if however you have your own trailer and you’re able to trailer your car around, then by all means.

ive been to the gap 3 times. It’s a 13hr trip for us from the North. Would I ever do it in my own vehicle?? Not a chance. Just seeing all the damage all the cars take during the trip is not my cup of tea. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time being a co-pilot and being able to drive a few vehicles over the weekend.
If I had the means of trailing my vehicle down, I would do it. Alas, I don’t have that type of hardware nor money to do this.

You’re very brave to be doing a road trip in the FD. As much as you think you have the car sorted, something always comes up. It’s not uncommon for us to always take a trip and make sure we have common parts available for swapping.
Every trip to the gap has produced something odd that has failed. A failed power steering pump, rear shock, headlights that stopped working (turned out to be something electrical), windows that refused to either go up or down for whatever reason, multi cars having tire punctures thruout the trip, etc etc

Back when the cars were younger, they would withstand long trips easier… now that they’re a bit more vintage, there’s always something that comes up. She just needs more TLC and be ready for the unexpected.

otherwise, grab a rental and enjoy the trip..

 

That's why I picked up a truck and an enclosed trailer. I hauled the FD from Norfolk to San Diego and the only complaint was the long hours.

Doing a single-day trip is going to be a breeze in comparison.

 

That's what my daily driver is for – she's at the point where she's practically unstealable

She does have working AC and radio, as well as a back seat, a decent trunk, and excellent fuel economy.

I also wonder if the pandemic has brought out more horse, I mean, car thieves.

 

If the car is an added stress for what sounds like a great trip, maybe reconsider to daily/alternative. I get the carving up the back roads part but to be worried about it when not around defeats and takes away the trips purpose for overall enjoyment IMO. Some thing to consider if you're already thinking about safety ..

 

I've driven my car across the US several times. It's seen both coasts, and multiple trips between NC and MO/IL, and between CO and MO/IL. One of my friends back home told me several years ago that he thought I was crazy for driving it long distance, that he didn't trust his Supra to make it. I told him he should trust a car HE built himself, and that he knows everything about. I know how to fix this thing, and I usually take an assortment of tools and some spare consumables with me just in case it's a problem small enough. I've been trying to get my friends in CO to go to SevenStock with me for over a decade now but none of them will drive their cars, they all want to trailer it. I already drove it out there once, and I'll do it again.

Regarding it being comfortable, that's why I started demodding it to where it's comfortable again. I love driving it and I won't hesitate to take it on a long trip. My biggest problem now is getting in and out of the Kirkeys, but the way they fit me and the car, I'll deal with that.

To ensure it's safety as much as possible, I won't stay in sketchy areas and I'll park it where I can see it through the window, and sometimes I'll check on it through the night if I'm really concerned. I've been looking for a good GPS solution that doesn't have a monthly fee (for an FD owner I'm a cheap bastard on certain things) and something I can track myself (no Lojack). But so far I haven't found a good solution.

Honestly, I think you should take the car. I would regret not taking it and having fun on those roads.

 

Firstly, a big thanks to everyone for the replies, great points were brought up by all. At this point I'm leaning towards bringing a different car. Thing is, if this were a trip to DGRR or Sevenstock I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Those are trips where you drive the car to the destination, then you're with the car and having fun with it. For this trip, It's a fun drive to the park through the Montana roads, but then I'll have to leave the car to actually hike and do national park stuff.

I also won't be able to comply with a lot of the good advice given here. Car doesn't have LoJack or tracking (yet), I can only park in remote areas because that's just the nature of where I'm staying, I'll also need to park in the same place multiple days in a row because that's the parking spot I'm given, and I can't take the car hiking with me to keep an eye on it!

RikTT kind of hit the nail on the head. While I'm driving it, it'll be great. But while I'm not, I'll have a hard time not thinking about it constantly and taking some of the fun away from enjoying the park. They say you have more regret for the things you don't do; and I'll certainly have moments where I wish I had brought the FD. But I think the next time I do bring it out to have some fun, those regrets will fade away. Maybe I'll go on a first-time trip to Sevenstock and make up for it.

Again, thanks to everyone for the feedback, it's nice to have you folks to talk to.

 

Definitely take a rental. If you’re going to be hiking and being away from the car the majority of the time, it’ll be much easier to get something a little fun but not something you’ll had to worry about when you’re away from it for such a long period of time.

if you’ve never been to 7stock, definitely hit it up. It’s been awhile for me but I was fortunate enough to attend 3 of them. Unfortunately, since I live so far, I could only fly in. Had to settle with rentals those days. Gotta tell you, nothing is more funny (or death defying) then carving the roads of Moholland dr. In a Ford Taurus with 5 of your closest friends!
sure, it was a little awful not having my vehicle but doing a week long trek across America to attend would be way too hard on both the car and the driver. Plus, some of us have to work for a living..

see if you can find a semi reasonable fun car for the journey. Something that’ll let you enjoy some of the roads but still be useful enough to do the things you want to do when you’re not on the road.

 

Ok yeah I change my stance now considering the insight you've now given haha. Leaving the car for long periods to go on hikes, having to park in the same spot and on multiple days, etc, and considering the park is the reason you're going and not the fun roads, I'd probably take a different car too.