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We are planning a Route 66 tour of the states this coming summer. I want to take the XK8 convertible so we can enjoy top-down experiences. We purchased the car late last summer. It has less than 80K on the odometer, tires are near new, brakes are in good condition, no leaks whatsoever, no codes. Since ownership I've replaced the front shock mounts, not fun with the tapered spring, and performed regular maintenance. It is VERY clean inside and out with no evidence of leakage in the engine compartment. My question is, what things should I address before taking on a trip of this length and duration? We live in middle Tennessee and will be traveling on the route as far as Arizona. One thing I still need to address is the passenger side seat tilt issue. I want to remove the seat and repair whatever is broken but I have to wait until I've recovered from recent surgery.
As Captain Ron said, “If anything’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen out there!”
Just check your fluids, grab your credit card, get AAA Premier, and go have fun!
Last edited by MVMonarch; Feb 18, 2025 at 10:06 AM.
Yes, bring coolant.
If not done previously and with 80,000 on the clock, maybe new spark plugs?
I would want to make sure the air filter, MAF and the throttle body are clean before heading out on a +2,000 mile trip.
The best hamburger in the southwest USA is just a mile off of Route 66 in Commerce Oklahoma. A tiny place that used to be a Marathon Gas Station.
actually it’s right on the original Route 66 but the highway was moved a ways (in the 1950’s I think).
if you come within a hundred miles don’t pass up the “Dairy King”. It’s run by a mom and son. She’s almost 90, so who knows how much longer the place will operate.
sweetie and I drive over there about twice a
month in the XKR., it’s about 150 miles round trip on rural roads from where we live.
Greetings,
i don’t usually reply to comments BUT….
if you’re going as far as Arizona you must make the drive to Oatman from Kingman up and over the Sitgreaves Pass on a section of old 66.
You will not regret having done so.
You can retrace your route to Kingman or take one of several roads back to I-40.
while at Oatman you may see wild donkeys roaming the street, it’s a tourist trap to be sure but the drive up and down is worth the time and effort required to get there.
It would be a shame to miss it, the XK8 will leap up and over the pass!
safe travels
Something I do when taking a lengthy tour in one of my Jaguars is to make a list of Jaguar dealers or known imported car mechanics in the major cities that I will be passing through. Put the list in the glove compartment. This seems to be an effective strategy - not only does it give me peace of mind, but I've never had to get that list out while touring.
The Jaguar dealerships could not care less about us these days. Don't expect any assistance there....
That's my experience also, and I wonder if there should be a sticky with indys that have Jaguar-specific expertise that members can vouch for?
Should anybody ever break down near Pittsburgh, I'd recommend: Fowler Automotive Street & Track
1201 William Flinn Hwy, Glenshaw, PA 15116
412-213-3276
Fluid change (including brake fluid and coolant)
Tire rotate and balance (make sure your spare is in good condition and has air and your jack works and you have the correct lug wrench.). Throw an extra lug nut or two in your tool kit as well.
Brake pad check/replace
Belt check
When you do your trip, post your estimated route here and where you plan on being/when. Lots of people with knowledge of the cars can help with diagnostics and always better to identify them prior to leaving than posting on the forum and hoping they see it if something does happen.
Just a quick tip from a Jag owner in Arizona. Make ABSOLUTELY sure your a/c works properly ! Regardless of how fast you drive through Arizona , you will not be able to drive with the top down as it will be like driving thru a blast furnace. Not only the sun beating down on you from our cloudless skies, but the heat off the asphalt will
really heat up the car. Before you take off on your trip from Tn. the ac should be blowing ice cold, not luke warm , otherwise you'll be miserable in the southwest.
Enjoy your trip !
I did the this full road trip from California to Chicago in fall 2022 but with my XFS instead of my XK8. My concerns was that not many tires shop have those tires size. A friend of mine had to wait a full week for European size tire. So I brought a tire repair kit with different thickness plugs and the handle. I didn’t have to used them but I felt more secure.
Amboy, Goffs, Oatman, burger at MR D’s at Kingman, stop at Meteor crater, dont’t miss « Standin’ in the corner » at Winslow, Tucumcari with the Blue Swallow motel,Shamrock for the Conoco gas station, Santa fee (old Route 66 section), stop for a steak at Big Texan at Amarillo, Galena Kansas for Cars in Route 66 and a stop at Bony and Clyde’s hideaway, and don’t miss the Old Sinclair gas station at Ash Grove. Breakfast at Weeze’s at Hamel and finally in Chicago, Chicago style pizza at Pizzeria Uno. amazing road trip for photos.
Stay as much as possible off of the highway.
And for every one, don’t forget that the spare tire has at least 20 to 30 years old, so have your spare tire professionally check or replace. It is not that expensive less then a towing and a night at an hotel.
Route 66 Plans in the XK8
