2400 mile drive - and preventative maintenance

[lowthreeohz]

Getting ready to make a loooong drive cross country - and looking to do a little PM on the truck before the haul. 06 f150 5.4 with 105k. Had plugs / Coil-on-plug wires done at 98k.

I'm thinking diff fluid checks, fuel filter, trans service(good idea?) brakes, hoses, and at least 1 idler pully i think is squeeking on cold mornings..

Is there anything else I should be particularly mindful of?

[Tyrone Biggums]

Pack some coolant, water, a roll of duct tape, Hall @ Oates Best Of, flashlight, flares, and a spare serpentine belt. Don't ignore the idler/tensioner squeal. You don't want a bearing coming apart on you on a trip like that.

[Strychnine]

Damn, now I feel like an unprepared jackass.

I got home last night from a 1130 mile trip. The only thing I had with me was coffee, beef jerky, ipod and sunglasses.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Damn, now I feel like an unprepared jackass.

I got home last night from a 1130 mile trip. The only thing I had with me was coffee, beef jerky, ipod and sunglasses.

Don't lie. You know you had the Hall & Oates.

[2165 Turbo Rail]

change the oil now so you don't have to do it some random place later

[Lason]

-Change the oil, check the spare tire, make sure you have everything you need to change a tire on the road like key for wheel locks etc. Check air pressure in all the tires.

-Check your belt and if you replace it then keep the old one as a spare. Replace the squeaky pulley, its cheap but if your luck is like mine then the new one will squeak too! Uggg

-Pack a small bag full of tools along with duct tape and zip ties. Also some wire and connectors in case you need to do some emergency re-wiring.

-Check bulbs

-Water

We make a 2500 mile trip once and sometimes twice a summer and that is what I do. I had the squeaky belt too and replaced the pulley and new one squeaked and has gotten worse. I think Im going to replace the belt today and try that. But I pack a small cooler full of water and a tool box with basic tools just in case of emergency.

[Darren M]

Check air pressure in all the tires.

This includes the spare!

[FastFox]

Go to Harbor freight and buy one of the "Better" 12 volt air compressors. Then go to Lowe's and buy 25 feet of heavier wire and to good alligator clamps that will fit on a battery post. Change out the light weight wire that is usually too short, and ditch the cigarette lighter plug in. Now you can hook right on the battery and get all around the vehicle. Also, the heavier wire and clips will not melt under use. Buy some GOOD tire plugs and the rubber cement. I like the nasty black sting type. Camel is the best kind, but you won't find them at Auto Zone. Go to a real parts store. I know plugging is not the way most people fix a flat, but boy is it good by the side of the road in Little Rabbit Australia. I never travel without one. I think about $ 35 for compressor, wire and clips.
Oh, almost forgot .....get a good plugging needle and reamer.

[lowthreeohz]

Thanks guys, getting together all my stuff this week. The oil is always changed regularly, and will be done so right before the move. Also i'll be taking the top half of my toolbox (where most of the useful stuff is anyways) as well as 2 jackstands and a jack. We'll have extra oil and coolant, brake fluid, ps fluid, etc stored away as well.

I'm more concerned with taking care of any major component that may fail on the drive, hence wanting to have hoses and stuff checked. The squeeking pulley will be replaced as well.

Nobody said anything about trans service.. good or bad idea? front differential too?

again thanks for all the suggestions. this is going to be a cool trip!

[hot_rod]

everything above check suspension especially upper and lower ball joints

[redrocket5.0]

Where are you located? I miss cold morning start ups.

['90Vert]

Highway miles are easy miles on the truck. I wouldn't worry to much about it.

Keep up with maintenance, keep basic tools on board, and remember that if you do break down the two most powerful tools in the toolbox are a cellphone and cash.