Road Trips Every Mustang Owner Should Take

Above, the 1989 Mustang in the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yahoo! Life has posted a list of road trips that every Mustang owner should take.

Of the road trips listed, on can say that I took the Route 66 road trip. It is not difficult for me to do as I have often taken my 1989 Mustang on Historic Route 66 between Gallup and Grants, New Mexico. The "Mother Road" is a short two miles from home. 

I have driven other road trips listed, but in my motorhome. 

They begin with:

There's something about sliding behind the wheel of a Mustang that makes every parking lot exit feel like the start of an adventure. Maybe it's that V8 growl promising good times ahead, or maybe it's just that these cars were born to eat up miles. Either way, if you've got a pony car and an itch to travel, America's got some roads that'll scratch it perfectly.

Sure, you could take any car on these trips, but where's the fun in that? A Mustang on the open road is like bacon on a burger: technically optional, but why wouldn't you want it to be even better? Whether you have a classic Foxbody or a new model bursting with horsepower, here are some of the best trips across the United States that are just better with a Mustang.

To read more, go here. 

Mustang In, Jeep Home, But...

Above, the Jeep today at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This should go into the "Good News, Bad News" file.

This morning, Greg Lucier and I (with help from Roger Slape) got the Mustang on Greg's flatbed trailer and hauled it down to the mechanic's in Gallup. I paid for the repairs to the Jeep (it was $85 less than I thought).

Afterwards, Greg and I went to the Silver Screen restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel and we had some lunch. 

From there, I filled the Jeep's gas tank and headed home. For most of the drive, I took Historic Route 66 until the Iyanbito interchange and drove on Interstate 40 to my exit, two miles away. Up to now, the Jeep ran perfectly fine. 

Then, I exited at our exit and headed over to the Flying J to check my mailbox. On the approach road to the Flying J, the Jeep conked out. I tried starting it, but it didn't even give a hint of trying to ignite even though it cranked. I called friend Nandoh for a jump start as the batter was getting drained. 

After more attempts, no no avail, Nandoh attached a rope to the Jeep and his truck and towed it, with me inside, to home. He thinks it might be the points, condenser or the distributor as a whole. 

At least the Jeep is at home. We'll have to check the condenser to see if that's the problem.  

At least the Mustang is in the shop. Roger thinks the problem is the bottom radiator hose. If so, it is a quick, and cheap, fix.

Vehicle Swap Day

Above, during a drive near Six Mile Canyon in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I will be swapping vehicles at the mechanic's.

The Jeep has been repaired (grounding issue, as it turned out) and is ready to come home. I will be swapping it with the Mustang as it appears to have a major radiator leak. 

So, when I pick up the Jeep, I'll be leaving the Mustang there. As I have used up my Auto Club service calls for the year (until renewal time in August), the Mustang will be brought in on Greg Lucier's flatbed trailer. 

I'll be glad when all this is over. I've been getting around in the motorhome and mini bike. 

When It Rains, It Pours

Above, the Jeep, mini bike, mower and Mustang a few years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sometimes, when it rains, it pours.

That is what happened this past week when I was driving home from Thoreau, New Mexico in the Mustang. It started running hot. I managed to get it to the Flying J and got some coolant as the coolant level inside the radiator dropped.

Once I got the coolant into the radiator, everything seemed fine, and that was the case for the next few days. Then it started running hotter again. I put more coolant in and most, if not all, ended up dripping on the garage floor. There appears to be a leak (from what I can tell) at the bottom of the radiator. It have to get it to the mechanic's.

The Jeep has been in the mechanic's since a week ago Monday. They've been too busy to get to it. I got a call from them yesterday and it turned out the problem was that there was corrosion to where the grounding wires (or whatever) were connected, which fried the battery and the battery cables. In other words, inadequate grounding. They replaced those and set up new grounding. It seems to be working fine now and will be ready Tuesday (as Monday is a holiday) for me to bring the Mustang in and pick up the Jeep. A vehicle swap! (Yes, I told them about the problem with the Mustang.)

In the meantime, I have been using the mini bike or the motorhome for transportation in the interim. I joked to a friend, if those get disabled, I can always use the zero-turn riding mower to get around until Tuesday. It is good to have backups, eh?  

I was going to go to the grand re-opening of Meteor City Trading Post on Monday. But given the expenses of the vehicle repairs and it usually costs around $130 to fill the motorhome's gas tank (55 gallons), I decided to forego the trip. The trading post is about 160 miles from home. 

Rear-View Mirror Problem

Yesterday, I went into Gallup to meet with my banker and go for lunch at Jerry's Cafe.

Afterwards, I stopped at the Flying J to check my mailbox for any mail. When I got back into the car and went to back out of the parking space, I found that my rear-view mirror in the Mustang was not on the windshield, but sitting on the center console. The glue that held it onto the windshield glass wore out and it fell off.

After getting home, I went to try to re-stick it onto the windshield. With some acetone, I cleaned off the remnants of the glue off the windshield and mirror post. First, I tried some Gorilla Glue that I had. That didn't work. Then I tied some Gorilla Glue glue tape I also had. That didn't work either.

I then called my mechanic and he said that a special adhesive glue is needed for rear-view mirrors for mounting on glass and he recommended an auto glass shop in town. I called them and they said they could take care of it today.

So, it looks like I'll have to go back into Gallup today.

UPDATE (09/28/24):

The mirror was re-attached onto the windshield at Auto Glass & Construction in Gallup. They were recommended by my mechanic. They re-attached it at no charge, just a handshake is all they asked for.

Ford Celebrates The Mustang's 60th Anniversary

Above, the 1989 Mustang LX in the garage with my other "toys". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Ford Mustang is celebrating its 60th anniversary. 

The Mustang is one of those rare cars that one can still immediately identify it. Cars nowadays all look like each other as if they came from the same cookie cutter. I can look at a vintage photo of 1950s cars and can tell which is a Ford, a Buick, an Oldsmobile, a Chevrolet and so on. Those were the days when cars had style.

I still drive my late dad's 1989 Mustang LX on a Fox chassis. It was his last car and I really don't see the need to spend $24k and up for a new car. It is a 4-cylinder with a manual 5-speed transmission. It loves the open highway.

KABC-AM's "Motorman" Leon Kaplan has advocated that if one has an older car that runs and looks good, why spend money on cars that cost hundreds of dollars just to diagnose a problem with all their computers and other gizmos. 

I have been approached twice in the last month by people asking me if I want to sell the Mustang,

Fox Business has an article on the 60th anniversary of the Mustang. They go through the evolution of body styles of Mustangs over the years.

They begin it with:

Ford Motor Co. celebrated the Mustang's 60th anniversary on Wednesday with the pony car now in its seventh generation, having become an icon of the American auto industry.

The Ford Mustang debuted April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair and has carved out a unique legacy in the decades since its launch, even as its features have changed over time.

"Mustang has stylistically and performance-wise been a vehicle that appealed to the masses — anybody who wants a cool-looking car that goes fast, Mustang is there for you," Ford Heritage Brand Manager Ted Ryan told FOX Business.

They refer to the Fox body (or platform) Mustangs (1979-1993) as the third generation. 

To read the article, go here.

More Snow Yesterday

Above, a view of the snowfall from the den. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I was able to get the Mustang from the mechanic's yesterday morning and do some grocery shopping. (Thanks, Nandoh!) We received some more snow yesterday afternoon.

The snowfall, at times, got pretty heavy. But most of it melted away by evening. We are expected to receive some more snow today. The storms are to be coming in through Monday.

We are under a Winter Storm Warning until 6:00 tomorrow morning.

Mustang Ready, But...

This is going to be interesting.

The mechanic called a few minutes ago and said the Mustang is ready for pick up. It is now snowing here in Jamestown and it is also snowing in Gallup. 

The forecast for precipitation around 12:30 to 1:30 will be around 60-70%, That will be the time I will be heading into Gallup.

It will be mix of rain and snow at that time. I am not concerned about my driving, but I am leery about the other drivers (especially truckers) driving in those conditions. Maybe I'll drive on Route 66 from Gallup to Iyanbito and then get on Interstate 40 at Iyanbito. 

Tow Day

Above, the Jeep and Mustang last Saturday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning will be somewhat busy for me.

I have to get the Mustang towed to my mechanic from the Flying J as the clutch cable apparently snapped, leaving the clutch pedal "flapping" limp. This happened on Saturday after our coffee/breakfast gathering at Denny's.

Quite often, Auto Club takes a long time here in New Mexico to respond to tow calls. At least I can arrange for them to give me a call when they are about 20 minutes away and I can meet them down there with the Jeep. 

Repairs should be relatively easy since I know what the problem is.  

THUNG!

Above, the Jeep and Mustang at the Flying J when I went to
 get a few things out of the Mustang. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For dinner tonight, I was planning to go into Gallup to Jerry's Cafe. However, those plans were thwarted by the Mustang. 

After our coffee/breakfast gathering at Denny's at the Flying J this morning, I pushed the clutch pedal to start the Mustang and it went "Thung!" The clutch cable broke. 

This is the second time in five years this has happened. So, I will have to have it towed into Gallup to my mechanic's shop Monday morning. At least this time it didn't happen while I was driving (like the last time).

I just got back from going down to the Flying J to get a couple of things out of the car and to make sure it was locked and secured. I told the manager that the car will be there until Monday morning.

More Shoveling Done

For the first time since last week, I was able to head into Gallup today to do some grocery shopping.

Getting the Mustang out of the garage was not difficult, even though there's about eight inches of snow on the ramp to the garage.

After I was done and back home, I tried to drive the Mustang into the garage, but it just couldn't get enough traction and the wheel spun and the rear end fishtailed. So I parked it in the driveway that was plowed a few days ago by my next-door neighbor. 

This is quite a difference from the Jeep, which has 4WD. I need to shovel the ramp.

After unloading the groceries and sat down with a cup of coffee. I decided to shovel the snow on the ramp the best I could. 

After doing so, I managed to get the Mustang into the garage. It got some more traction and was able to eventually go up the ramp and inside. 

It is about 40° outside, so the snow and ice are starting to melt. This coming week will be a dry one. 

Before and after:

Above, before shoveling.

Above, after shoveling and getting the car into the garage.

A Bit Warmer

Above, after getting back from Denny's. The tire ruts in front of the other garage door was made
 by the Jeep so I can get the Mustang out of the garage. It is a foot deep. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting back home from Denny's at the Flying J, I looked at my thermometer and it indicated that the outside temperature was 40°.

I then checked The Weather Channel app on my phone and it indicated that the Jamestown, New Mexico temperature was 39°. 

That's much better than the 20s or 30s. Maybe some of the snow and road ice can melt. 

Today's Coffee

Above, the roads are too icy for the Mustang and it's too cold out for the Jeep. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's coffee/breakfast with the gang down at Denny's will be going on as scheduled.

I took a look outside and the roads in the community are still icy. The Mustang would not be a good choice to be driving on them at it is rear-wheel drive.

Also, it is about 19° outside. That is too cold to be driving the Jeep, even though it could handle the roads in 4WD.

So, I will be hitching a ride with Greg Lucier this morning. His Subaru is all-wheel-drive, a much better choice.

What A Day!

Above, the El Rancho's lobby had more Christmas decorations yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was rather interesting.

I had to go into Gallup to do some grocery shopping. Before doing so, I stopped at the Silver Screen cafe at the El Rancho Hotel for a breakfast of their Monument Valley Enchiladas. They were good (as usual).

In case I didn't see my waitress again before Christmas, I gave her a monetary Christmas bonus with her tip. I made her day, especially since business had been slow yesterday.

Above, the Silver Screen cafe's Christmas tree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before leaving home, I was somewhat concerned over the starting problems with my 1989 Mustang. But it had been starting good for this past week, so I decided to chance it. In back of my mind, if it should act up in Gallup, it would be near enough to my mechanic's so that if probrems should arise, they could finally find out what's causing the problem. They can't diagnose it if it starts.

Above, another view of the El Rancho's lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the El Rancho, I headed to the market and got my groceries, including dairy and frozen foods.

Well, after loading the car with the groceries, the car tried to start but something choked it off and it wouldn't start. Luckily, it was only a few blocks from the mechanic, but I had to wait for Auto Club's tow truck to arrive, which ended up being a hour and a half later. Thankfully, the market put my perishables in their cooler. Greg Lucier came to give me a ride home. 

Finally, the tow truck arrived and it was towed to the mechanic's. 

The way the car was acting, I suspect the problem lies with the fuel system. In any case, I am having the fuel filter changed. Hopefully, the starting problem will finally be fixed.

When I got home, waiting for me on the porch was the 6" Godzilla Minus One vinyl figure by Bandai that I ordered on December 5. It arrived from Japan. Nice, fast service!

Above, the Bandai 6" Godzilla Minus One figure. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now for the wait to find out what ails the Mustang. Thank God I have the Jeep to drive around here.

New Battery For The Jeep

Above, the ol' girl got a new battery today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Jeep got a new battery today.

The old one outlived its 2-year rating by nearly a year (it was manufactured in February 2021). I got my money's worth out of it.

The price of batteries today are incredible. The replacement cost $179 at Tractor Supply. At least it wasn't into the thousands that repacement batteries for electric vehicles will cost owners.

Once the new battery was installed, I turned the ignition on and the Jeep started right up, just as it should.

Now to deal with the Mustang's starting problems. It started today okay. 

Time To Get A Battery

Above, the Jeep's battery compartment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I have to be in Gallup to take Larry Lucier to his physical therapist and, while in town, pick up a new battery for the Jeep.

The battery I have is a two-year battery and it has been almost three years since I bought it. It has been losing power (probably partly due to the cold temperatures) and I have had to hook it up to a battery charger to get the Jeep started over the last couple of days. 

The Jeep, a military 1952 Willys Jeep M38A1, formerly had a 24 volt system. But, before I bought it, it was converted to 12 volt. The recommended batteries for such a conversion are 51R batteries. 

I think I got my money's worth from the battery.

After that's done, I'll have to deal with the Mustang's starting problem. For the first time in two weeks, I got it started yesterday. 

Made It To Grants Yesterday

Above, Happy Thanksgiving.

It looks like Thanksgiving Day tomorrow will have some cool temperatures, around 53° and partly cloudy in Jamestown, New Mexico. We may get more rain and snow showers Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Today

Sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thanksgiving Day

Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Light south wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 15 to 20 mph.

Friday Night

A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday

Rain and snow showers likely, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Yesterday was not too bad. It was around the 50s. 

I almost didn't go to Grants to drop off my Winchester 1894 rifle at a gunsmith. The Mustang wouldn't start. It might have been due to the freezing temperatures (in the 20s) causing any moisture in the fuel system to freeze. After coffee at Denny's, I got home and it fired up. The temperature was in the upper 40s by then.

Just in case it was due to the cold, I put in a bottle of Heet that dissipates moisture in fuel systems and cleans fuel injectors. I filled up the gas tank and headed to Grants. The Mustang ran fine during the 90-mile round-trip. I had to hold it back on Interstate 40 as it loves the open highway and the speed crept up into the 80s at times. This happens frequently since I got new tires and a wheel alignment. 

After the gunsmith, I went to the Grants Walmart and picked up a few things, including wine for Thanksgiving dinner at the Lucier's. 

Back At Grandpa's Grill, Etc.

Above, Grandpa's Grill large breakfast burrito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since two of our group were already in Gallup yesterday morning, we decided to meet them at Grandpa's Grill for coffee and breakfast. Well, they have better food at more reasonable prices than Denny's.

Normally, I get their chorizo & eggs dish, but this time I decided to try our their large breakfast burrito. They have three sizes of breakfast burritos: small, large and mega. I got the one with sausage. They also have a handheld burrito.

I have to say it was quite good. However, I practically sweated up a storm from the red chili sauce. 

Here's what the menu says about the burritos:

After breakfast, Larry Lucier, Russell Azbill and I headed over to Home Depot. I didn't buy anything (I couldn't think of anything I needed). The guys bought a lot of stuff, so that made up for it. Larry bought a table and later, we returned to Home Depot where he bought two more of them. 

Above, the gang at Grandpa's Grill on November 15.

The day was marred when I couldn't get the Mustang started after we got back to Larry's. This time, I think it's the battery as the check engine and battery warning lights came on. It is about time I got a new battery anyway as this one is four years old. At least I hope it's the battery. To get home, I used Larry's bus.

So today I'll be dealing with that.

Mustang Fixed

Above, some long icicles hanging from the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer

This morning, I picked up the Mustang from the mechanic's in Gallup. All fixed and running great.

The main culprit with the starting issue turned out to be the wire from the coil to the center plug-in on the distributor. It was badly corroded. The mechanic showed me the wire and it was practically nothing but white powder. It was a wonder the car started at all. The rest of the distributor wires were fine.

Along with getting that fixed, he did a full tune-up. It hadn't been tuned since before I moved to New Mexico, nearly five years ago.

Above, the Mustang after getting it back home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the drive home from Gallup, the Mustang took to Interstate 40 like a champ. It reached 75 mph with no effort. It always did love the open highway even when my dad had it.

After getting home, I had to move the Jeep from the Mustang's space in the garage. I had to reconnect the air filter (which may have been a source of its problems) and add some anti-freeze to the Jeep. The level in the radiator was way down. I'll take it out for a test drive when it gets warmer out.

Although it is about 43° outside, it is still a bit cold and some icicles were hanging from the garage eaves.

Indoor Day

Above, Sierra next to me today in the den. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it is now 30° outside, I decided to stay inside today.

Also, the Mustang is in Gallup at the mechanic's to fix a starting issue. It hadn't started for three weeks. But, as strange things often do happen, it started yesterday. Last week, I set an appointment for it at the mechanic's. I tried starting it then, but it wouldn't. Since it is starting again (for how long?), I decided to have them do a tune-up and check any component that could cause the problem. 

For the past two days, the Jeep has been running ratty, another reason to have the Mustang taken care of. I don't know what the problem is. Could it be the below-freezing (32°) temperatures?

So I've been relaxing in the den reading Peter Guralnick's book, Last Train To Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley. Of course, Sierra has been with me the whole time.

Above, my dad in a 1980s portrait.

Today also marks the 23rd anniversary of my dad's passing from lymphoma. It sometimes doesn't seem possible that he's been gone that long.