Tioga Pass

[thomasinnv]

We came over Tioga Pass last Saturday. Won't do it again unless we get a lighter towed. I had to unhook the truck and the wife drove it through the pass. I was down to 10 mph in first gear and couldn't keep it cool so off came the truck. It is a full size ford diesel weighing in around 8500. Just too heavy. Need to find me a little suv to pull around. There some tight curves going through the park and i scrubbed the outside right dual on a few of them. Not a fun pass in a big heavy bus. once i unhooked the pick-um-up it was like driving a sports car. baby just runs good.

[Lin]

This past summer, we went over that pass.  We chose to leave the bus in Lee Vining and drive the Jeep though.  I hope you went to Mono Lake while you were nearby.

[HB of CJ]

Way back in 1970 and 1971 (before recorded history) we occasionally drove the relief route that took a 4104(T) from the valley floor up over that pass on up to Reno.

The Gimmy was not stock.  The pony A/C motor had been worked on and the 671 had been modified with a nice turbo and I believe intercooler if memory serves. 

Anyhow, it would climb up the grade at around 20 mph backed off somewhat in 2nd gear and go down at the same speed riding the gadget called a Jake Brake.  Cool.

HB of CJ (old coot)

[Barn Owl]

I love that pass. When I drove over it in my 4106 I had a lot of company. Quite a few 45' Tour buses. They could tear through it like it was flatland!