Month: January 2020

No, I didn’t hit a deer.

After a couple close calls during my FL to PA road trip, I researched LED headlights and ended up ordering them so they’d be there when I got to my final destination. Luckily I didn’t hit either of the deer, but I won’t need to take any chances anymore.

The headlights came in and after reading the instructions I figured install and wiring isn’t too hard so I went ahead and knocked it out in the parking lot of a local mall. Pretty pleased with the result.

Thanks to all the great input from JL Wrangler Forums, I saved some money and lowered the risk level of riding at night in the Jeep. The DRL (halo rings) stay on while the iginition is on. The LED projectors are powerful, have a very clean lighting pattern, and a very sharp cutoff. I’m a happy camper. 🙂

Will be seeing some apartments tomorrow, hoping to be settinged into peranent digs soon. I had a couple hours to kill so I went to look at one that was listed on Craigslist. It was built in 1860. The apartment is upstairs, and you need to go up a steel fire-escape style staircase. You share the garage with the owner of the building. The floors have 1″ holes leading to who nows where, guessing they’re pine knots.

The building manager was very cool. If it weren’t for the fact that this apartment is in an alley, and has no fire escape…myea. Nope.

Short trip, I know, but needed to rest for these final miles. I went too far the first three days, planned to do 250 miles per day, based on some input from friends who have gone long distances in Jeeps. I ended up doing 350 or so a day. I’m rested up now.

After doing research every night since I left, I ordered some LED headlights. Reading and posting to some Jeep forums, the most widely recommended headlights seem to be the Oracle Oculus Bi-LEDs. I’m not a fan of “halo” headlights, but the Jeep doesn’t have Daylight Running Lights (DRL), which isn’t safe. So DRLs are right up there with being able to see farther at night. So I’ll have to suck up the halo stuff.

No video for today, it was just an hour and a half. I’m finally here, gonna grab a cheap hotel and scout the areas. My temporary housing will be ready tomorrow (Jan 8).

Last night’s Gloden Globes monologue by Ricky Gervais was the best, since, like forever. I have coffee on my iPad because of that bastard! Ricky has cojones grande for that bit.

Here is the full clip:
Ricky Gervais, Golden Globe Monologue

As expected, driving long distances in the Jeep isn’t as comfortable as the CR-V used to be. I’m getting used to it, realizing now that I need to make hourly stops to stretch and move around a bit. That’s actually a good thing, since I used to drive for hours at a stretch before I got this Jeep.

I’m really hating the headlights in the Jeep. I expected them to be bad, since they’re the halogen reflector type. My CR-V had halogen projectors that were better, but still not great. I’m researching LED projector headlights, hoping to pick up a cheap(ish) set once I get to my final destination.

Today’s drive was 371 miles, about 100 miles short of the total trip. But I’m tired and need to get some sleep. Here’s today’s route:

https://videopress.com/v/fN55Hgyn?preloadContent=metadata

One thing for sure, Jeep Wrangler seats are not made for touring. I mean the front seats are (manually) adjustable and have lumbar support, but they are definitely not cushiony. If its any consolidation, I’m getting decent gas mileage.

Started the day at 41 degrees with 2,041 miles on the odometer. Took it easier today for my butt to recover. I found a cheap hotel that’s Harley-Davidson and Jeep friendly.

If you travel a lot, you’ve got to use Pelican Air luggage. Tough as heck, waterproof, and if you pack camping clothes you can pack enough for 4 days.

Got word from HaulBikes. They’re picking up my Harley-Davidson Road Glide is getting picked up tomorrow. If you’ve ever seen the inside of their trucks, you’ll understand why special equipment and care is needed to schlep an 840 pound motorcycle.

The bike’s front wheel is rolled into a steel bracket and the bike is strapped down using special motorcycle straps. No fork lifts or kickstands involved. #tongueInCheek

Gonna tune in to watch Ricky Gervais’ monologue at the Golden Globes before resting for tomorrow.

Todays route:

https://videopress.com/v/ko3KilHn?preloadContent=metadata

Starting the trip with 1,646 miles on the odometer and Hootie And The Blowfish on CarPlay.

I changed my mind and decided to slab it this first day, since the terrain is flat. I was impressed, stable even at 115 mph. Wait. Wat?

Not smart doing 115 mph in a Jeep, honestly thought Jeeps were electronically limited to 97 mph. When I noticed I slowed down right away. I’ll have Jeep check that once I’m in PA.

Here is today’s mostly boring route:

https://videopress.com/v/vqVYW3LI?preloadContent=metadata

After 4.5 years at my current company, I got an offer I couldn’t refuse. So on Sat, Jan 4th, I’m relocating from Florida to Pennsylvania. Brian’s Valley Forge Harley-Davidson recommended using HaulBike to ship my Road Glide to them for storage. Its being picked up a couple days after I leave. Another company is handling my household goods.

I’ll be driving my Jeep Wrangler Sport (JL) 2 door the 1,000 or so miles. I won’t be slabbing it, since short wheel base is less than ideal at Interstate Freeway speeds. I’ll be taking some regular roads, even some unpaved if I get lucky. I’m giving myself 5 days, and might avoid fast roads. I want to get there in one piece.

I’ll be buying cool/cold weather clothing as I head north. Its slim pickings here in Florida. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Once I get to Pennsylvania I’ll be staying in a temporary place for 30 days, then on to permanent digs. Hoping to find a place away from congested areas, and garage space (at least for the Harley-Davidson). Now that I have the Jeep I’m not too concerned about getting around in the snow. #fistpump

So today I’m putting all the remaining stuff into the Jeep for the early morning departure. I shipped everything I wouldn’t need for a month, so I have roughly 300 pounds of stuff that’s going into the back of the jeep. I bought a few Craftsman and Lowes Commander totes, amazing how handy those things come in for packing miscellaneous stuff. 🙂 Clothing is going into a large check-in and carry-on luggaeg and . Putting a sheet over it and a couple racheting tiedown straps to keep stuff from moving around.

Good thing I removed the back bench seat. That really opens up the back to fit more stuff. I stopped at Lowes to buy some 5 and 10 gallon heavy duty totes for packing hard to pack stuff. My clothing is going into my two motorcycle sissy bar bags, since they hold a lot. I’ll put a moving pad over everything, and a bed sheet over it all, then I’ll use a few racheting tie downs to hold it all down.

I won’t be camping, but I’m bringing the gear in the Jeep. Figured I might get lucky with weather, besides its light “fluffy” stuff that’ll help cushion stuff in back. I did however pack a tow strap since its too early to figure out what I’m doing with a bumper/lift/winch kit (crossing that bridge in the Summer time). Planning on 2.5″ lift and 35″ tires.