2009 Arizona Route 66 Fun Run...representing Mopar

[47heaven]

Took the Plymouth out to the Arizona Route 66 Fun Run this past weekend. It was pretty good because this time I took my time with the drive and tried to see a lot more than last year. The only thing is that I didn't realize just how bad my front end alignment was and by the time I got to Blythe, California, I needed two new front tires. So I just replaced all fours with black radials and now it has the "blackwall" look, which was common then, as well. I originally wanted to hold out for wide whitewall radials, but in the middle of the desert you really don't have any choice. I have to admit that the Plymouth drives better on the road and no more being thrown around on the freeway every time I drive over a rut. I do miss the whitewalls, but I'm gonna start looking for the white inserts.

Anyway, below are some pics I wanted to share from the trip, but made to look like they were taken back in the past in glorious black and white. Out of Kingman going towards Oatman, I stopped at a completely restored 1930's gas station on the old highway called Cool Springs. It was restored from ruins. It was once a popular place to stop, rest, get gas and eat something before heading west through the approaching switchbacks.

The owner took my pic.

How it would have looked had I stopped there in '47.

Info on the gas station itself:

http://www.coolspringsroute66.com/

The weather in Arizona was nice and it wasn't too warm going back through the Mojave desert, but it was sure windy, and it was against me all the way. Also, when I got to Newberry Springs, I had to seek shelter behind a building because a small sand storm was approaching and I didn't want to get the paint or windshield pitted. All and all it was a great trip.

Between Ash Fork and Seligman.

Heading into Kingman on a pre-1953 alignment.

Posing for the "broke down" look.

In Oatman with just of a few of the original-style classics I saw there. We were a rare breed amongst the 55-57 Chevys and hot rod Chevelles...etc.

[47heaven]

An old gas station along the route

Met a fellow Moparer and his clean, original 1947 Desoto in Kingman. He had travelled from Orange County.

Beautiful Arizona scenery heading up to Oatman.

The switchbacks at Sitgreaves Pass, just before Oatman. Hard to believe that cars, busses, trucks and trailers and even military vehicles had to pass through here prior to 1953. Even the poor farmers of the mid-West passed right through here during the Dust Bowl era, as well.

And the descend from Oatman towards the Colorado River. Still curvy and winding.

Edited May 5, 2009 by 47heaven

[desoto1939]

Last Summer I drove route 66 east from Kingman to the Grand Canyon. Sad to say I was in a modern car. I have attached some pictures of the gas station at Hackbury. They had lots of old cars and parts sitting in the yard including a 35 dodge four door sedan that was still oiginal and then we drove into Saligman.

If you every get to drive on route 66 definately stop at these two sites

Some really great sites.

Rich Hartung

[Normspeed]

Great shots Darin. Glad you enjoyed the drive. The P15 looks really good.

[47heaven]

Great shots Darin. Glad you enjoyed the drive. The P15 looks really good.

Thanks, Norm. What do you think about the new blackwalls?

[47heaven]

Last Summer I drove route 66 east from Kingman to the Grand Canyon. Sad to say I was in a modern car. I have attached some pictures of the gas station at Hackbury. They had lots of old cars and parts sitting in the yard including a 35 dodge four door sedan that was still oiginal and then we drove into Saligman.

If you every get to drive on route 66 definately stop at these two sites

Some really great sites.

Rich Hartung

Rich-

I did pass Hackberry, and there was a small, modern day Corvette club parked there, so I didn't bother stopping. I did see a lot of what was in your photos, though. It's one of those towns that if you blink you pass it.

[RobertKB]

Great pictures that for those of us who have never been there make it seem like we have! I really enjoyed them and the old roads are a delight to drive in an old car. Your pictures really give a sense of history and show off the Arizona desert very well. Thanks for posting! PS...your car looks great with black or whitewalls.

Edited May 5, 2009 by RobertKB

[Dennis Hemingway]

We were just down the street from you at Lake Havasu City, Az camping. We just got home today and the wind is still blowing at 50 mph. I had a heck of a time keeping the truck and travel trailer on the road.

Dennis:eek:

[steveplym]

Awesome pics! Glad you had a good time. The blackwalls look good. Glad you like the radials, my car drives so much better on them.

[TodFitch]

Great photos.

I'll be driving out to Flagstaff for a family get together in August. In the past I've just stuck to the freeway to "make time". Maybe this time I ought make it a two day drive so that I can do old US66 from Barstow, Calif. to Seligman, Ariz.

[47heaven]

Great photos.

I'll be driving out to Flagstaff for a family get together in August. In the past I've just stuck to the freeway to "make time". Maybe this time I ought make it a two day drive so that I can do old US66 from Barstow, Calif. to Seligman, Ariz.

Todd, if you do decide to take that route let me know and I'll give you all the turnoffs so that you don't miss and inch of driveable 66 from Barstow to Seligman. I know it like the back of my hand.

[47heaven]

We were just down the street from you at Lake Havasu City, Az camping. We just got home today and the wind is still blowing at 50 mph. I had a heck of a time keeping the truck and travel trailer on the road.

Dennis:eek:

I guess no matter which way I went home the wind was going to get me. I couldn't believe just how many semi trailers were driving in that like it was nothing. I saw one on the 40 sort of start tippingmade sure that I kept my distance.

[dezeldoc]

If the truck is loaded it isn't to bad but these knuckleheads try it with an empty trailer and WHAP on their side they go!! did you see the donkeys in oatman?

[47heaven]

If the truck is loaded it isn't to bad but these knuckleheads try it with an empty trailer and WHAP on their side they go!! did you see the donkeys in oatman?

Oh yeah...they were all over. You had to be careful not to hit them.

[T120]

Hi Darin,Nice photos of the car and great scenery.The blackwall tires look good on your car - what size radial did you choose?I have blackwall tires on my 1946 and I'm going to be putting Lyon metal whitewalls on. Ralph

[Don Coatney]

Nice photos! Did you get your front end alighned when you got the new tires?

[47heaven]

Nice photos! Did you get your front end alighned when you got the new tires?

Thanks! Yes, I did get the alignment, but the place that I had the alignment done at said that the king pins were possibly worn. What important role do the king pins play in the alignment anyway?

[Young Ed]

If the king pins are worn the wheel can move in and out. Hence it throws your alignment off. I'll be replacing mine (again) on saturday. If you need the Napa part # let me know.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Thanks! Yes, I did get the alignment, but the place that I had the alignment done at said that the king pins were possibly worn. What important role do the king pins play in the alignment anyway?

Darin..an alignment shop should never have to say possibily..they should say they are worn by either visual inspection or discovered in the process of alignment to say that they travel X dgeree when traversing a bumpy road or engaged in a turn...

[47heaven]

Tim, that's what I was thinking, but it sounded more like he was bending more towards the fact that they were worn. I thought that they were replaced when I had the brake system rebuilt, but I guess not...I'd have to look on the paperwork. I noticed that when I hit a bump in the road the front end seems loose and the stearing wheel moves to both sides by itself. Is that a sign of bad king pins?

Ed, yes...please send me the part number. Which are better pins to get...brass, steel or bronze?

[TodFitch]

Tim, that's what I was thinking, but it sounded more like he was bending more towards the fact that they were worn. I thought that they were replaced when I had the brake system rebuilt, but I guess not...I'd have to look on the paperwork. I noticed that when I hit a bump in the road the front end seems loose and the stearing wheel moves to both sides by itself. Is that a sign of bad king pins?

Ed, yes...please send me the part number. Which are better pins to get...brass, steel or bronze?

The pins are always steel. The bushings/bearings that come in the kit are usually brass though some cars have a ball bearing for taking up vertical thrust.

You are looking for Chrysler part number 933435 "MoPar Steering Knuckle King Pin Package". Looking up that part number on NAPA Online I find:

http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S(dwjipt55zima53ijtd11m145))/Detail.aspx?R=NCP2621290_0238159607

(NAPA part NCP 2621290 for $88.49)

[Young Ed]

Thats the same part # I just bought. Its possible yours were done recently and need it again. My current ones have only 9k miles. Here's the kit

[steveplym]

How difficult are those to change Ed? I assume the longer they have been in there the harder they'll be to get out.

[Young Ed]

Mine should be a piece of cake then...... I don't recall them being overly hard last time but its a pretty involved process. Requires removal of the entire brake system to get access. Then most people including me have to remove the spindles and take them to a machine shop to have the bushings installed and reamed to the proper size. I've been slacking at putting some new shoes on the front of my car to try and rid it of a squeak in the brakes so I'll be doing that now too.

[Captain Neon]

Darin,

Your photos reminded me to get a spare copy of Cars so that my nephews don't scratch up my good copy.

I am looking forward to my own little excursion on Rt. 66 from Springfield MO to Tulsa in a week or so.