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SteveG

I didn't look at the route as I'm not near, but I'm sure people will respond as they have in the past, although you are cutting it a little short notice. Congratulations and good luck and good weather.

EC928NC

I-80 in Late January... you are a brave man.

I'd take an extra day and drive down to Flagstaff and come across I-40 myself this time of year. In any event, you may get lucky. I brought a J10 pickup back from Denver several years ago in February. I cought a little snow, but not too much.

Best of luck to you.

dprantl

So did you find the exact car you were looking for? If yes, that was FAST!

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

mcholdfast

I'm not on your route but I wish you the best on your trip. I hope the weather treats you well. Save the phone numbers for our favorite 928 parts vendors in your phone just in case you need something shipped in a hurry along the way. Take your time and enjoy the ride.

mj1pate

I understand the feeling. I drove mine home from NorCal to Maryland. This should be great fun....

A few things to pay attention to:
1) My son and I both purchased mid-later 80's MY Porsches over the last year and found after more than a few miles of driving that battery post connections on both cars were loose, right out of the shop. PPI mechanics disconnect battery in doing some of their checks and (it seems) forget to properly reattach before turning it back over to you. Symptoms can resemble everything you can imagine, and are totally unnecessary.
2) Disconnect the battery and loosen the fasteners for the fuse panel. Swing down the fuse panel and look *carefully* for heat damage to fuse mounts. Fan fuses are generally culprits of overheating the fuse panel backplane area and causing shorts/opens between connections. These kinds of failures can take on very strange symptoms. If detected, their causing a road side outage can be preempted. Owners sometimes report that individual fuse mounts tilt after being affected and this can be a visual cue.
3) Carry some extra 14 ga wire and spade connectors suitable to fabricate fuel pump relay jumpers on the fly. Sounds like a lot of trouble, but you will have time to spare waiting the 2 - 4 hours for a tow truck and it might get you back on the road before they arrive.
4) Corollary to item (3) above. Towing a 928 is an experience painfully observed and experienced and is to be avoided.
5) Do everything else that Dr Bob, Jim Bailey, Wally Plumley suggest in their checkout lists.
6) Please publish the path that you intend to take, so that local rennlisters can offer up support.
7) Have a great trip!

Wild Bill

There used to be a list of 928'rs all across the country who signed up as being willing and able to lend a hand to a stranded brother on the road. Not sure where this is or if it has been kept up to date, as I've not heard mention of it for quite some time.

I flew in and drove home with my S4 from Newark Delaware. Had a no start problem on a refuel stop in Birmingham Alabama and called some locals on the list. Several were willing to pack up tools and come help me, but Jim Bailey talked me through the fuel pump relay swap over the phone and got me back on the road in no time.

Best of luck, be prepared and be safe!

Bill

Jadz928

I can email the road help list to you when I get home....

Jim bailey - 928 International

I will PM you my cell phone number..... it might come in handy. Check the tires for age and condition they all have birthdates stamped in code.

tbill

Wouldn't I-70 to St. Louis, then East on I-64 to VA. be a safer route in dead of Winter?

RedRose

My father and I are in Cedar Rapids in Iowa, 30 minutes north of Iowa City, on I-80. Almost no help in an engine, but we have a guest room should the need arise!

Jim bailey - 928 International

I too would consider dropping South to avoid much of the exposure to the weather.

Glenn M

Congratulations and good luck on the trip.

I've brought tools with me on the plane stowed in the checked on luggage. Socket set, wrench set (8, 10, 13, 15, 17mm min), screwdriver set, meter, jumper wires, spare FP relay, adjustable wrench, duct tape, electrical tape, wire strippers, crimpers, crimp barrels, pliers all in a bag. You may also want radiator clamps, gloves (mechanics& rubber), allen wrench set, cutters, scissors.

You may want to purchase a utility knife once you get there and some of these other items, oil, washer fluid anti-fog wipes, antifreeze, tire plug kit, small tarp.

I sure there are other items, people will add. I’ve bought three cars 1200 miles from home and didn’t any real problems. May want to check the heater control valve under the air cleaner, mine was zip tied shut (Florida car) and was very cold until I figured it out.

Glenn

largecar379

Chris--

not to put my expertise out here for scrutiny, but running all over the country is something I know quite a bit about.

Suggestions:

1. your route is OK during the NON-winter months--it's a great drive, until you get to the south side of Chicago---80/94 is a traffic nightmare.

2. as with any long distance travel across the Rockies, weather is your enemy--no matter what you drive, be extremely prepared for sub-zero temps (don't wear shorts and tank tops---thermal undies and insulated coveralls are a good idea, along with heavy winter coats/shoes), and long distances between available services, at night the temps drop like a rock.

3. Truck stops are your friend---purchase a truck stop directory before making the trip--it will list all locations and services.

4. purchase an atlas or bring your laptop to make sure you don't get lost (finding your way in a blizzard at night isn't fun)

5. Don't worry with bringing a bunch of tools/parts with you. Anything that breaks can be handled in most locations, except for something major. (this is, assuming you've had a PPI done and the car is in great shape...?)

6. do not run your fuel tank below half full/empty. water/condensation in the tank ain't a good thing, nor is running out of gas in the middle of no-where.

7. Take H2O and eats (not junk food or candy, but something to keep alive) in case of bad weather, break down, etc. Hungry or thirsty is no fun.

8. DON'T FEED THE BEARS (cops with radar/laser)----behave yourself. Your nice trip will be ruined if you come home with 16 speeding tickets while exercising your 928.....know what I mean?


I suggest this route:

SLC
I-15 south to Spanish Fork (south of Provo)
US 6 east thru Price to junction I-70 (near Green River)
I-70 east to junction US 191 (near Brendel)
US 191 south thru Moab to junction US 491(Monticello)
US 491 south thru Cortez, CO, to junction US 64 (Shiprock, NM)
US 64 east thru Farmington, NM, to junction US 550 (Bloomfield, NM)
US 550 east to junction I-25 (just north of Albuquerque, NM)
I -25 south to junction I-40 (Albuquerque, NM)
I-40 east to junction I-81 (just east of Knoxville, TN)
I-81 north to I-64 to your destination--you can take it from there!!


I've done this for near thirty years, in all kinds of weather/traffic conditions, and this is the route I use.

Things to see on the way:

Moab--red rocks, natural bridge, etc.
NM--casino's
Amarillo, TX--Big Texan restaurant
Devall's Bluff, ARK--I-40 (east of Little Rock exit 193, go south to dead end, turn left--east on US 70 to Devall's Bluff---see Craig's BarBQue on right---best in the south)
Memphis--Beale Street--lots of blues clubs
Nashville--music city USA
Knoxville--Gatlinburg ain't too far (Ripley's Aquarium is great)

This route is a bit farther, BUT:

The trouble with running the I-80 corridor this time of year is the blizzard factor--this is very dangerous and can be upon you before you realize it--go immediately south if you can to avoid this. Winter in UT, WY, NE is nothing like it is in Virginia......If a serious blizzard pushes in, they close the roads (I-80)---you could be there waiting it out for days on end. The I-70 corridor is no better (Colorado got how many feet of snow recently???). With the I-40 corridor, you stand less chance of being shut down. The way weather is going this season, I would not take any chances.



One other thing to consider---

Most of the Rocky mountain states use sand/gravel for traction control during ice/snow events...not necessarily salt. Ever seen the front of a truck that runs continually through a sand blaster....? Not a pretty picture for your newly purchased 928......go south, enjoy the ride.


Good luck---Russ

Mrmerlin

snow is expected for the mountains this weekend in CO so south of 70, I would think is a better choice.
You never gave any details on the car you purchased , I might have worked on it, as I was working at Motorsport in SLC for a few years. Good Luck on your trip , I live in Aurora just east of the mountains and east of the Denver if you run into trouble, Stan