1000 mile road trip in my 86, what should i replace

[bucannon]

Im driving from Georgia to Texas in my old truck and i am wondering what yall suggest i replace before the trip.

i have already rebuilt the entire front suspension and steering
the transmission has a fresh rebuild(700R4)
a new set of tires are in the process of being bought
and i have a new aluminum radiator

the engine has about 85,000 miles


What else should i replace or make sure is in good shape?

[1LowToy]

Carry and extra cap and rotor. Who knows maybe an ignition module tools and flashlight.

Don't bother putting the gas cap on to tight. You will have it off again before long

Enjoy your holiday weekend and drive safely

[63chevyll]

If your in good shape and you feel comfortable driving it now, then just drive It. Chances are you will be fine.
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[riz]

Just make sure all your fluids levels are good, check your belts for wear, brake check, fuel systems in order, ....... basically check anythingg that can fail on you. Good luck on your trip and enjoy driving your truck.

RIZ

[Walts_restoration]

Id bring an alternator too. Only thing other than above that id worry about. That, and a bottle jack and a spare or two. And a spare gas can.

[bucannon]

thanks guys, i forgot to mention i replaced the brakes, but ignition problems have driven me crazy on a buddies camaro, should i worry about it going out?

[sethv]

I'd bring a spare cap and rotor and all the ignition stuff just to be safe! That's a long haul and in case something happened, it would be terrible to be stranded!

Good luck and drive safe
btw, you have a nice truck.

[Goldfinger]

Drove mine 1200 miles the only problem i had was blowing up my rear brakes repeatedly stopping from 85-25 for the interstates. If its running it will keep running. carry a spare tire. some basic tools some wire and connections. other than that it should run like a dream.
also stop for fuel at about half a tank. because heavy traffic will run you dry in no time.

[bucannon]

i do plan on bringing my usual 2 gallon gas can (full). as well as a few more just in case haha. but i am worried about my plug wires melting from the headers, so i plan on getting new wires, new to me cap, as well as sleeves for the plug wires to prevent melting them

[bucannon]

i was looking at these from summit:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DEI-010409/?rtype=10


it looks like i could make some of these for less than 5 bucks any ideas?

[tucsonjwt]

If you don't have road service - get it. AAA and others sell it separately from insurance if your insurance company is too expensive.

[Axle]

Just drive it. Sounds like you are on top of regular maintanence. Just carry some common tools to do the basics (ie: swap out a starter or alternator) and toss your old alternator/fan belt in the bed.

Alex.

[irishman999]

I took my 85 from Reno Nv to Roswell Nm, Daily drove it around for a month down there. Took a couple 6 hour round trips to Albuquerque, drove it To my folks place to stay a while. From my parents place I took it to Tuscon and back, and finally drove it back up to Reno. That adds up to around 3,700 miles in under a couple months and thats not even counting my trip to work and back every day that was at least 20 miles a day.

The only actual breakdown where I had to be rescued was my alternator going out in Albuquerque right after i got a tooth pulled. If anyone ever offers to sell you a hose or a belt buy it, just like in the movie Duel. I changed my alternator belt last summer, it was tight but for some reason 2 hours into the trip back to Roswell it was gone.

Next problem was my heater core mysteriously exploding in a Blizzard and fogging the windows so bad I could not see. Luckily I had tools so I just let it cool off and bypassed the heater core and made the rest of the 9 hours freezing my ass off.

At one point in Nevada I stopped at a gas station to notice my transfer case was leaking atf everywhere so I spent the next hour in a parking lot drenching myself with atf trying to get it into the transfer case with a hose in a town with no auto parts stores.

Basically anything extra you take has you ahead of the game, unless your trip involves towns with parts stores you can buy stuff in along the way.

As far as parts I would take extra belts, extra hose including fuel line and heater hose, maybe some caps and always carry an extra coil because they apparently fail, even new ones I am finding out. Good luck!

[Walts_restoration]

A blanket and a spare coat.

[Smoke_Dog]

The good thing is U R getting the hell out of Georgia! Run Joe Run!!!

[77chevyinline6]

yeah i would by the plug wire sleeves headers will get really hot cruising down the interstate

[East End K5]

kick the tires and light the fire....

[78 Chevyrado]

Only thing I ever worry about is belts and hoses, I don't really have problems with anything else.

Belts breaking arent so bad, but hoses suck and then you lose your coolant on the highway.

[JMS-1]

Ok, I'm new here but i can defiantly relate to this. during the 80's and 90's growing up my parents had a 80 dually ( it's mine now). we put over 300 k miles on this truck, usually towing from coast to coast. anything can happen. we had to replace head gaskets in a parking lot 900 miles from home before. the most common things that happened to us were melting plug wires, ignition module, and alternators like everyone has mentioned .along with the usual, i would also suggest inspecting u joints, wheel bearings and differential fluid just to be safe. ( don't ask how i know) . hope this helps.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

have sombody follow you with a trailer lol

[78 Chevyrado]

I forgot to add, I generally always have some basic tools with me all the time, if not for the truck for other things when I'm out.

I keep a little 3/8 socket set with metric and SAE in it, a 10-way klein screwdriver, small channel locks and pliers, needle nose, 4-Cell Mag Lite, Quart of oil, and Rags, spare fuses. That stuff just lives in whatever car I own, not just the truck.

Oh and make sure your spare tire has Air in it.

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

have sombody follow you with a trailer lol

Made me think of when my 87's rear end blew up. I was towing the empty car hauler, then the truck broke, so I had to unhook from my truck, hook it up to dads truck then get my truck on the trailer. That always just seemed kinda funny to me, the truck that brought the trailer ended up leaving on the same trailer...

[grs]

Take some extra fuses, and bulbs. I would take an extra headlight also. Oh and take a tool to get the headlight bezel off.

[lilpoindexter]

I agree with who ever said to inspect the rubber belts and hoses, change any fluids if they are gnarly, then just make sure you have your favorite tunes to listen to.

[andrewmp6]

Just add road side on your insurance mines like 5 bucks a month and just let them tow it if it breaks down.I do carry a hand held cb radio when i travel some places i have been to don't have a cell signal.

[Walts_restoration]

id also plan your trip, find members along the way. That way if you do have problems maybe you can have contacts in the area, a bed to sleep in, shop to borrow, ride to the parts store, etc.