Hi all,

The end of the month I am moving from Dallas, TX to Jacksonville, FL for a new job. I'm gonna make the trip in my '72 F100. Any advice for the road trip?
I am all up to date on normal things, have gone through the tires, spare, all fluids, etc. I'll have my tools with me. Won't be too weighted down with stuff. Not towing anything. She always seems to run coolest when cruising down the highway but the farthest I have ever gone is a couple of hours up to now.
I am interested in knowing the fuel mileage since I have 3.0 rear end. Kinda hoping I can get 15mpg if I keep around 60mph. Although I will have a 6 gallon fuel can with me in case me or the gauge is wrong.
Anyway, if you all got any advice, please pass it on.

Thanks

 

Copied long ago from various posts:

Extra parts: Ignition control module, a starter solenoid, fuel filter, fuses.

Tools: Basic tool set like sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, dikes, long nose pliers, etc. LED flashlight or wearable light. Tire repair kit (for a 4x4).

I have a $30 tool kit from HF in each vehicle.. just in case.

Stuff: Fire extinguisher, jumper cables, automotive wire, bailing wire, duct tape. Two quarts of oil and one gallon of coolant mix. Extra drive belts.. I keep my old ones for spares.

Stuff: add a pile of zip ties (they have saved my *** more than once), a flashlight, and a tow strap. If you have the room a small electrical repair kit butt connectors male and female terminals etc. Also a well stocked box of spare fuses and a spare fuse able link.

Multimeter or at least a test light.

spare tire with correct socket or star wrench and adequate jack with handle to change a tire (not all these old trucks still have the original or correct tools for changing a flat)
Small adjustable crescent wrench
screw drivers
wd40-can use to get moisture out of distributor cap
rags
bailing wire or zip ties or duct tape
coil
jumper cables
fire extinguisher
pen and paper-might need to write down part numbers
cell phone

a real bottle jack
hammer
1-2 driveline u-joints and extra straps/clips/u-bolts
couple feet of 3/8" fuel hose, 3/8" oil hose, vacuum hose and corresponding hose clamps

Do a nut/bolt integrity check, front to back and retorque the lug nuts.
Paper towels and glass cleaner.
jumper wires

 

Thanks HIO.

Good list. I'll need to add a few things that I know I am missing. I'll admit I bought AAA coverage because I can expense it as a moving expense.

 

A couple of credit cards and a cell phone with charger are handy too.

 

I like to carry my handgun. World we live in today, it goes everywhere with me...just sayin...

 

Paint a realistic looking gun rack and an AK 47
in the back window. And yes pack a hand gun
only if your used to using one. And don't pull it
out and just wave it around and point it trying
to scare the bad guy. If ya have to pull it than
be damn ready to use it.

 

There's already a good shopping list in this thread, so I don't have much to add. As for fuel mileage, you definitely want to set your sites low. I've driven from Alaska to Oregon and back every year for the past 4, either in my 1990 F-150 (4X4, 351, E4OD) or my 1994 F-150 (2WD, 302, E4OD) and fuel mileage can really vary depending on terrain, driving style, etc. For example, I had monitored my fuel economy for the '94 and got a steady 18MPG highway under normal driving conditions. On the trip, I averaged much lower at 14-15. I blame frequent mountain passes and tough road conditions, in addition to a light load.

Either way, in your estimates, definitely aim low.

 

AAA is nice for the $40 bucks or so. I drove my F100 from TN to NC after no one had driven it that far for 20 years and it ran perfectly. These are awesome trucks and I think they deserve a little confidence! :-)

 

For your best gas mileage in stall a vacuum gauge and learn to drive by it. Try to keep the vacuum meter reading as high as possible your top gas mpg..

Check all your radiator & heater hoses also the water pump by pass hose and replace them all a long with all the those belts. Clean cooling system if needed. Put in new air filter.

I always keep in my toolbox a 4ft. length of a 14-16 ga jump wire with alligator clips on each end in case something needs to bypass something when needed.

You don't need to take more crap then what may be needed with you if you do a good preventive maintenance first.

One thing you may never thought of but, make sure all your axle & tranny vents are not filled with dust, mud or dirt. As your oil fluids get hotter they give off vapor gases and if you venting holes are plugged. Say the rear axle vent those venting gases will push out pass the axle seals that will sometimes push gear oil out with it..
Then you'll end up with possibly getting it on the brake shoes

Also check front wheel bearing, clean an repack them install new hub seals.
Lube tie rods king pins u-joints, Brake fluid, check all running lights H & L beam & tail. Also check windshield wipers blades fill washer fluid. Air up all 5 tires.

Well that should get you there.
And a few gals of drinking water that can also be used in the rad if needed.
Orich

 

The above beat me to the hand gun and drinking water. If you joined AAA check their info and see how many miles between all gas stations in between your start and end. Maybe another gas can or two? Texas goes on forever.

 

I recall TX is like 987 miles across on I-10. Back in '87 it kinda freaked me out when I noticed a mile marker out of El Paso. There's a whole lotta nothing east of Ford Stockton so I wound up my lil VW GTI and cruised at about 110 MPH for about half an hour... then I settled back down to 75 MPH and it was doggedly sloooooow. ... I made it all the way to Lake Charles, LA that day.

 

X2 on fort Stockton. Seems like it took all night to get there from junction city and then to El Paso.

 

When, I had my c/o camper on an traveling across the states at 50-55 mph getting the best gas mileage possible was any where between 8-10.5 mpg depending on road and driving conditions. I knew basely I was for for 150 miles. I would look at an map out first and see how far cities were apart for gassing up.
I used a yellow high lighting pen marking my way from Point A to B the root I'd be taking.

I would fill up the tank about every 100 miles to always to be on the save side of not running out in my f250 4wd with 410 rear 11.5 x32 tires.

I only took a extra 5gal. of gas two times and never needed it in the 25 yrs of having the camper on. But by filling up when my gas gauge was down to haft tank. Plus it having all the family members & dog to take care of business.

Ah yes it slow going when your traveling with your family but it made the trip more enjoyable with the wife is in a good mood.

So now to my point when you see a road side sign stating next gas 100 miles+ you better gas up even when the price is marked up pretty high. I beats running out of gas a long the road side. Or buy a few gallons to be on the save side.

Orich

 

Agree with all the above. I didn't read, extra heater hose and clamps. Plug kit and 12v air comp.
Easy for me to say because I have a stock pile of farmed parts, an extra distributor?
I keep one behind my seat.
2X on the drinking water.
3X on the gas stations. I'm not sure the route, take the advice of highlight your route and in another color highlight your estimated refuel

 

Only about 200 miles of Texas on that trip. The really long dull part is down I-49 through Louisiana and across I-10 , if you go that way. I suggest staying on I-20 to near Jackson, MS and down through Hattiesburgh to Mobile. Then pick up I-10 East.
I would just take a few basic hand tools, some jumper wire, a tire plug kit and compressor, maybe a spare belt, and as mentioned, plenty water. It's not like you're going through the desert, but it is summer! Maybte take a quart of oil, transmission fluid, etc. Most likely problems are a busted hose, clogged fuel filter, dead battery, or bad alternator. Those can leave you on the roadside in the heat if you're not prepared. Maybe take a few spares for parts you can't get easily at the parts store. Duct tape can temporarily patch a hose. And don't forget your cell phone and charger! Enjoy your road trip!