Road trips are more American than apple pie and Baywatch combined. Whether it's a quick spin down a winding country road or a full-blown cross-country expedition, the magic that makes this country so unique is right beneath your feet. Though we have to admit: Driving your rig cross-country used to be a scary notion. What happens when you break a ring gear? Where will you find a set of 38-inch tires when the trail devours your sidewalls? How are you going to keep your composure when your rig gets towed into Billy Bob's Wrench & Tackle for a front locker repair and he instead replaces the hubs!?
Luckily, support for the 4x industry continues to grow. With more 4Wheel Parts service centers (www.4wheelparts.com) popping up across the nation, you no longer have to worry about where to take your disabled rig when you're far from home.
It was with this peace of mind that I decided to take my recently assembled Project Super Cross (July and Aug. '08) and head out on a 3,000-mile road trip that would take me from my hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, back to the crazy hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. So with the F-250 fresh out of the shop and little to no time in the form of a shakedown run, my father and I began what we call the Super American Adventure. This is a trip that every red-blooded American should experience at least once in a lifetime, just to see what this beautiful nation has to offer.
While most families spent their New Year's holiday partying and making resolutions, we packed our things and headed west. We said goodbye to the cool Atlantic shores with the hopes of reaching the Pacific coastal Pismo Beach sand dunes in approximately one week. From Graceland to the Grand Canyon, with a few crazy stops in between, this road trip was riddled with knobby tires, snow-covered mountains, and an epic good time. Be sure to check out Part 4 in next month's issue as we get our heavy rig snowbound, sandblasted, and mixed up in a little old-fashioned fun in the mud.
At the northern end of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, we dipped our feet in the cool Atlantic before heading west. One of the few places that you can still legally drive on the beach, Freeman Park is a great place to cast a reel, catch some surf, or dig your toes into the sand and relax. | 
With no time for a shakedown run we planned on using a few predetermined 4Wheel Parts locations for support. Strung along I-40 from North Carolina to California, 4WP stores keep everything from 38-plus-inch tires to ring-and-pinions in stock. The rocks out front are for parking, not decoration. | 
Our 7.3L had been sitting on a car lot for about a year, and though we did as much preventive maintenance as we thought necessary (new belt, hoses, fluids, and so on), we didn't plan on our fuel-water separator drain valve giving out within the first 200 miles. Located on the back side of the fuel-filter housing, the two O-rings had worn down, allowing diesel fuel to seep past. Luckily, service manager Lee Agee at the Raleigh, North Carolina, 4WP knew right where to look when he saw the dripping diesel, and got us back on the road in no time. |
Within minutes of having our truck fixed we got a call that a Toyota was stuck not too far from the shop and needed what we thought was just going to be a little tow. What we found was the charred remains of this late-'90s 4Runner. Apparently the owner had been night wheeling alone in the rain and managed to get decently stuck. Somewhere in the midst of appraising the situation, a flare was accidently shot into the rig and this was the result. It took a few pulls and two winches, but we were able to yank him out and tow what was left of this poor 'Yota to the road for a wrecker to pick up. | 
Resting at the foot of the Great Smokey Mountains in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, is the famed Ghost Town in the Sky. From waterfalls to western shows, there's something for everybody to enjoy. Though the town is open full tilt during the warmer months, winter offers a beautiful view of the snow-covered landscape. | 
We were keeping our fingers crossed that somewhere along the way we would spot the legendary Bigfoot (the hairy creature, not the monster truck) roaming through the mountains, but all we found was this larger-than-life motorcycle. Though the locals claim it's just part of the motorcycle museum, we think they're covering for Bigfoot's hog. |
With a little more than 1,000 miles through snow, sleet, and bumpy terrain, we stopped at the Memphis 4WP and received one of its multipoint inspections. This includes a complete retorque of all the suspension bolts with a paint mark placed over every nut and bolt to allow you to see if anything has worked loose without busting out your tool bag. | 
If you haven't had a chance to visit Graceland, you need to go! If not for the love of Elvis, you simply have to check out his collection of, well, interesting outfits. | 
Even the king was a flatfender fan, though we're still not sure what's up with the Surrey Jeep. We think he was "all shook up" just one too many times. |
Elvis had a smokehouse too! If he was still around what kind of diesel would he drive? I'm thinking Ford, since they do have a King Ranch edition. | 
Oklahoma was our next big stop. We had made plans to meet up with legendary freestyle motocross rider turned Rally Car racer "Cowboy" Kenny Bartram. Wanting to see his Rally Car in action, we stopped by Pole Position Raceway to load up the '04 Subaru WRX Sti and search for a little open area. | 
Of course we couldn't leave without having a race! Unfortunately Bartram had broken his rib the night before at an arena 'cross race, so me and Pops strapped in for a few laps around the indoor track. I have to admit I was a little skeptical of the electric-powered carts at first, but let me assure you these things will fly, and after a few laps around the track, you won't ever want to let go of the wheel. |
Leaving the carts behind, we headed out to Cowboy's 150 acres to turn his race car loose. If you ever get a chance to see one these little rockets blasting around a corner, you'll have a whole new outlook on 4WD when it comes to a car. | | |
Next Month
Want to know how this landing turned out? Be sure to check out next month's issue when we stick (literally) our F-250 in the New Mexico snow, blast up some mammoth sand dunes, and hit some of this nation's legendary tourist spots, because it's not a cross-country trip without a little American terra gawking along the way.