Hi all,

I'll be taking my 1993 B250 5.2 on a road trip in the summer (UK through France and on to Spain and back) and I want to prepare as much as possible for any disasters by taking some spare parts with me. It's done 100k.

What would be your advice on things for me to take, in terms of direct spares or stuff that might just be useful (tape, clips, etc). I'll be taking a fairly good tool set for sure.

I've not really had any issues with the van, getting a new PCM fitter soon though.

any advice greatly received!

Wilbo.

 

I can't say for sure, but I imagine any major Dodge specific parts would be just as difficult to obtain in Spain or France, as in England.

If you are going to be using it as a camper van, and using battery power at night for lights or DVD players, ect, consider bringing one of those portable jump starter packs. Sometimes using jumper cables and another vehicle can lead to electronic problems, for both vehicles.

Keep in mind, if a vehicle's starting battery needs to be jumped, it has had it's life shortened and capacity reduced. To fully charge a battery that had needed to be jumped requires many hours (4 to 6) of driving or more, not idling, to approach 90% charged. A battery which is left under 80% charged begins sulphating and loses capacity. The longer it is left discharged and the deeper the discharge, the faster the damage occurs.

Asking the alternator to continuously recharge a depleted and sulfated battery can overheat it causing it to fail prematurely as well as reduce fuel economy slightly.

Before such a Journey, I would want to take the diff cover off, inspect the ring and pinion and spider gears for wear or pitting, clean the magnet, and replace the fluid with synthetic. I imagine differentials must work a little harder in Europe with the narrower roads, tighter cornering.

Other than that I would just do all the preventative maintenance like the tranny fluid and filter(ATF+4 only), Oil, spark plugs, wires, cap(brass contacts, not aluminum) and rotor. Maybe flush the radiator, new hoses and thermostat.

Check the U joints as well.

If you are planning on camping from it, I could give you a long list of things you might want to bring.

 

If it's allowed by law I would have a 5 gallon gas can with me. Check your jack, lug wrench, spare tire, and also have a couple cans of fix-a-flat with you. A couple quarts of engine oil, tranny fluid, anti-freeze. Have a battery powered portable radio for road/disaster reports just in case your built-in one dies.

 

Thanks for this info ly,

Yes we will be camping. I'll be fitting a leisure battery to take care of some of the power requirements. It's got a campsite electrical hook-up fitted too so we'll have mains power from time to time. I'll take a battery charger but good point about a jump pack, might look into one of those 4-in-1 jobs.

When taking the diff cover off, is it ok to replace the gasket with silicone sealant rather than a replacement gasket? (due to likely lack of availability here)
Any advice?

Yeah, I'll try to do as much as I can myself and then take to a local garage for a service and give them a list of items

How easy are these to replace if they need it? Need any special equipment?

yes we will be so list away please


thanks

 

I did not use a gasket when I last changed my diff fluid and I could get one right down the street. I did clean the mating surfaces very well and wiped with acetone, then 99% rubbing alcohol. I like running a bead of quality RTV silicone around the cover and holes, and let it skin over a bit before installing, and torquing evenly. No leaks.

I've never heard the term "Leisure Battery" before, but can guess it is a deep cycle battery designed to power the house loads. Do you have a method of isolating this battery and the house loads from the engine battery?

You will need a vice to change the U joints.

Bring pieces of mosquito netting that you can close the front doors over, and open the windows. Having a piece big enough to overlap on the side doors, and magnets or clips or clamps to hold them in place is nice as well.

A piece of plywood or 2 which fit nicely inbetween the wheels to block wind, or put under the tires if you get bogged on soft surfaces.

Camp shovel, bumper jack.

Tarps, spring clamps, C clamps tent stakes, thin ropes, hammer, extendable poles.

Digital volt meter

Funnel

Wasp spray
headlamps
Machete
Fire extinguisher
Sun shower
S hooks
Sponges and rags
gas station type window squeegee with long handle
A large welcome matt, and broom.
Portable dirty dish/pan bin
Fold up Table and chairs
Hammock.
Laundry bag.
Trash bags.
Extra pillow cases/ sheets.
Clothes pins/scrub brush/ stain remover
12 volt fans
AA/AAA battery charger with car cord adapter with USB 5.0 volt DC output similar to this:
http://www.onlybatteries.com/showite...t1=11&uid=1644

Windscreen sunshade for front and side windows for heat/ privacy.
Back up pair of sunglasses.
electrical tape, superglue, 5 minute epoxy
Lighters/ matches/ q tips cotton swabs

Puncture repair kit such as:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
A quality air compressor which will not overheat and self destruct, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Industries-MV5...8173827&sr=1-1

Various sized Cardboard boxes with the lids cut off for separating/organizing storage or fire starting, spill absorbing.

Dental floss and sewing needles of various sizes.

Extension cord

Cutting board(s) chef's knife, sharpening stone, rubbing alcohol.
Tongs, skewers.

And clean a spot of on the frame, and duct tape a key under the van. Spray paint black.

 

Hi Wilbo,

Where abouts in the UK are you, and have you got any pics of your van? I am in Telford in the West Midlands, my van is a 1995 B2500 Starcraft conversion.
I also have a trip planned to France in the summer camping for a few days, and I've just finished fitting a leisure battery to it to power the tv, dvd player etc etc.
Some good advice in the thread, I think a tool kit is probably the most important thing, which I now keep in my van ever since I got a stuck caliper a few weeks ago which meant I had to call out the recovery service! I will be ensuring that I have european breakdown cover for the trip as well, just in case the worst happens.

Ben

 

Hey you weren't joking about the list were you

Cool, that's what I'll do then.

yes, exactly. I'm going to buy either a split replay or something more sophisticated to charge while engine is running.

Thank for all the other tips and links. I like the idea of a solar shower!

Nice!

 

Thanks Alloro, yes I'll check how much is allowed, planned to buy a 'jerry can' and store on roof rack.

Wilbo

 

In direct sunlight?

 

under the roof box I was thinking