getting ready for a trip

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Jan 16, 2013 | 06:52 AM

kegomatix

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getting ready for a trip

Pretty soon I'll be driving my 93 f250 5.8 4x4 about 3000 miles straight through. This month it's getting new tires, an alignment, wheel bearings front and back, new front rotors and brake pads, changing the transmission filter and fluid, oil change, differential fluid, and transfer case fluid. In the last couple months its gotten new spark plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor, starter, and power steering pump.

Any tips or heads up on things to look for or do before a trip this far? This will be the first time I've driven anything this old so far. The truck has 232,000 miles on it but is in good shape overall.

Jan 16, 2013 | 07:45 AM

Puddy

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From: Edmonton, Alberta

Well, I can tell ya I made the move out west and blew the tranny on the Sarnia, port Huron bridge. It sat for 5-6 year previous. Did oil changes etc. and the pump failed.
Really just make sure you have a credit card and enough to buy new parts.
Ensure all fluids are good, and everything is greased.

Jan 16, 2013 | 09:02 AM

kegomatix

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That's what I'm worried about. I should have enough backup cash for any emergency save for a blown engine or transmission (knock on wood).

Jan 16, 2013 | 10:44 AM

DPDISXR4Ti

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From: New York

Off the top of my head, here's the spares I carry...

TFI (make sure you have the proper tool to replace it)
Distributor
PCM
Ignition coil
Ignition relay/solenoid
EEC Relay
Fuel pump relay
TPS
Alternator (or perhaps just the voltage regulator)

A failure of any of the above can leave you stranded and all are easily swapped road-side. Known-good used parts are fine as backups - that's what mine are for all of the above.

Jan 16, 2013 | 08:27 PM

ChefJeff1

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I would also check the belt and all hoses. Easier to replace at home then on the road.

Jan 17, 2013 | 03:17 AM

kegomatix

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DPDISXR4Ti, thanks. For whatever reason it hadn't occurred to me that I should stock up on spare parts... I will be carrying almost all my tools on me so I will be well equipped for whatever happens.

ChefJeff1, I forgot in my list that I had replaced the serpentine belt. I Need to go around and have a look at all the hoses, though.

Jan 17, 2013 | 08:03 AM

jroehl

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From: Lafayette, IN

When was the last time your transmission fluid was changed? If it's been quite a while, I wouldn't bother if it looks and smells fine. The reason is that if it's been a long time (several years, and more than 50,000 miles or so), there are deposit build-ups in the tranny on the seals and valves. New fluid will re-dissolve some of those deposits, and cause the transmission to either function poorly or not at all because the deposits on moving parts like valves were acting in part as seals.

Jason