Here in a few months I will be changing duty stations and will be driving from KS to NC. I just want to get some opinions of what I should do to prepare for this move truck wise. I already plan on changing fluids out, maybe swapping for an electric cooling fan, and considering replacing my mud tires with all terrain tires or should I leave them. I also thought about just buying a newer truck since mine has more than 180000 miles on it. Is there anything else I should consider doing, I would like to hear your thoughts.
Semper Fi

 

Nice looking truck.

I wouldn't be in a hurry to get a new truck. So it has some miles on it. For what a couple of car payments and the insurance increase would be you can handle about any repair.

Definitely change out the fluids. How's the air filter and PCV valve? When's the last time you replaced the serpentine belt? How about the hoses? How are the brakes? Front end? Give it a good look over.

You'd probably get better mileage with some different tires and it might be a bit quieter. I don't know if that's a reason to get change them out though.

Good luck.

 

if you think you can handle the droning on the highway for more than a couple hours with out falling asleep i would just stick with the current tires. lol. even if you wanted to lower your your cost for the move (gas wise) remember to factor in the price of the new tires, installation, etc. not worth it imo.

like 00dakdan said, check things like fluids, brakes, belts, etc. the day you leave on your trip check all tires for damage, nails, proper inflation. there is nothing worse than being stranded hundreds of miles away from anyone and anything you know.

also i see you have a custom exhaust. check for leaks. on a long trip (if there was a leak) gasses could come into the cab and put you to sleep.

wouldnt hurt to put a spare key in your wallet it would suck to get locked out at a rest stop or something.

 

The spare key is a great idea because the one and only time I locked my keys in my car was on a long trip and beat tired as soon as I shut the door I knew I had locked them in it was slam oh S H I T.

When tired and out of your norm you don’t think all too clear as usual.

 

add some, red line engine oil break in additive, to protect the engine at hiway speeds. or some other break in oil, as long as it has ZINC. or get two permatex ultra slick engine assy lube item# 81950. should find it at advance auto. or they may have something like that. the big thing is the zinc.

 

Check the spare tire pressure too man, make sure the winch works and stuff. I'd hate having a flat and having a bad spare or a non working winch. I just keep my spare in the bed lol

 

Thanks for the input I have changed and replaced a lot of stuff already when I was last home. How hard is it to change out the front Diff fluid, brake fluid, and swap out the cooling fans. These are the ones I'm most worried about since they all seem like a pain. I was thinking about changing the tires because I just don't want to end up with scrubbed tires when I get there. Yes, everything is aligned but I just never did hardcore driving on the highway with mud tires and don't know how they will hold up.
It's going to be a 24 hour drive and I already plan on spending the night somewhere. Should I take anything else into consideration, owe and this is my first long drive by myself.
Semper Fi

 

Lots of good sugestions already posted . As a frequent highway traveler myself , I would definitely suggest a more highway friendlier tire for the distance you are traveling as it would be better on you for the gas mileage and highway ride , stay away from any off road or combo off road/highway tire and stick to an all season radial - they are more stable and better suited for highway traction control and sway , plus you can always change back to off road tires when you get to NC . Do a good tune up on the motor with plugs , cap and rotor , and wires if you need them . I personally wouldnt worry about changing the front diff fluid unless you plan on being in 4wd most of the trip and just check the rear diff fluid level to make sure its ok , the brake fluid should be fine as long as it`s not leaking , as far as the cooling fans go - if what you have is working good now dont mess with it , if your still worried about the cooling system - and if you have the time and the means - then change the water pump and thermostat and the bypass hose ( dont cheap out on these parts or youll be sorry ) to be on the safe side and inspect the other hoses and replace as needed . make sure all your fluids are topped off and you carry a spare qt of oil and trans fluid and some antifreeze if you have the room for it , never know when youll need it , when you do it will cost you 2 to 3 times as much to buy from a roadside gas station , better to carry it and not need it and have it if you do need it . Check your battery terminals for corrosion and check the water level in the battery , if it needs more water use distilled water to bring it up to the top ,, make sure all your lights work . Most of your driveing time on the highway should be during the hours you are usually actively awake - this helps keep you from getting fatigued too quickly as the hours of steady driveing at speeds pass by , it also helps to use one of those 5 hr energy drinks when you start feeling tired and have a ways to go before your next stop , and take some advil or motrin along the way to keep from getting stiff from sitting in one position too long . Dont eat anything " heavy on the stomache " while on the road if you can help it , take some simple boloney sandwhiches and chips like pringles and something sweet to munch on while driveing and save the big meals for when you stop for the night , do your best to stay alert to the other drivers - you will not believe what some people do while driveing ,,,,, dont speed , and give the big rig truckers their space . Thats all i can think of for now ,, hope that helps and good luck on your trip !

 

Give truckers space that’s a laugh 50% are road hogs and clog up the road with there give me space attitude.

Now to be fair my experience with them is the freeway between Arizona and California this thing is only two lanes the outside lane also known as the trucking lane or poke along lane sucks as it’s slow.

The trucker’s are always passing each other on this 6 hour drive between CA and AZ like some kind of game of I’m faster/better than you and clogging up the road even getting aggressive and tailgating other cars to get you out of there way and staying in the fast lane that they are not allowed to do by Law.

Ever have two trucks on a two lane freeway driving side by side blocking the road?

I say F the aggressive truckers

Oh and the speed limit is 75 and because of the truckers half the time we can only do 55 or less as these truckers are passing each other all the time and blocking the road.

This is a major trucking rout massive amount of trucks everyday on the 10 between CA and AZ everything comes in through the Los Angeles CA port and is trucked into and out of AZ.