Man, I got really stoked for you when I came across the post. I did a similar trip in 2001 with my 1992 Pathfinder and for the most part lived out it for 9 months unless I was visiting friends along the way. I spent weeks getting my ride ready and had never been on an adventure like that, especially solo. I drove out west, kicked around CO and UT for a few weeks then headed up north and hit as many national parks on the way to Banff that I could get too. I remember going into Canada through that sliver of Idaho via a border station in the middle of nowhere. I was the only one crossing and there were only two boarder guards and barely a gate across the road. I did Banff and Jasper, headed west, then took the ferry up to AK. Stayed several weeks and then made my way south doing the whole west coast down to San Fran and then back east again.
It was the best time of my life and I have tons of pictures from that trip.
My rig consisted of a 92 Nissan Pathfinder with 2 inch lift. I ripped out all the seats except for the drivers side, put in a platform to sleep... ARB fridge, ARB compressor, dual battery, solar panel, locking storage ARB Bull bar, custom rear bumper w/ air tank, roof rack with locking storage, hot water shower system plumbed into the heater core.
I continued to drive my Pathfinder for several more years after my trip until the frame finally rusted out and buckled in the rear. I sold it to a local kid in town for $500 who used the hard parts for a 4x4 build he was doing in shop class. It had over 220K miles on it and if it wasn't for the chasis failure, I would still be driving it today. Man I miss that truck.
It was because of that trip I got into off roading and eventually bought a 4x4 Sportsmobile which I've enjoyed many road trips and off road camping in.
Have an awesome time, you'll remember this trip for the rest of your life and have plenty of stories to share with family and friends.
Oogs