Getting ready for a road trip...

[4RNR4BB]

After Christmas I am driving from San Diego Ca. to Reno NV to visit family. What should I do to get the truck ready to go? I know the oil, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid is good. Tires have plenty of tread. What else should i check before heading out on the trip? How hard is it too change the fluid in the diff? How do I check it and see if it needs to be changed? Is now a good time to upgrade to a syntheic diff fluid or do i have too many miles?

Thanks
Matt

 

[4RNR4BB]

You didn't say how many miles you have on it. I'd also check you tire pressure and air filter

Oops. Currently it has about 80k. Air filter I'll check now, tire pressure can wait until the day off or the day before i leave.

Matt

 

[pat161]

Sounds like you have it well figured out. Make sure all your belts and hoses are good and change any fluids that will come due before you return, no sense doing service on your trip. Changing the diffs to synthetic is always a good idea and should be no problem at 80k, the change is easy to do, easier than oil. If you are 4wd do both front and rear and you may as well change the transfer case as well, Mobil1 75W90 is a good choice. Your owners manual will have all capacities. How about your tranny, if its automatic you can only change part w/o a flush but a manual is easy, like the diffs, I would recomend Redline for that. Many swear by the MT90, I am running the MTL which is a 70W80 and I like it for cold weather shifting. Also you could hit the drive shaft w/ a greae gun, the fittings are at each u-joint, just give them a squeeze, Mobil1 has a grease as well. Bring along some extra oil, pre-mixed coolant and windsheild fluid and you should be fine. Oh
yeah, pull down that spare and inspect it and check the pressure.

 

[mtbtim]

If you change the diff oil to synthetic, you will most likely make your rear axle seals leak in time. Assuming they are factory seals. Not too fun to replace, but possible.

Boy o Boy you went way in time to dig this one up. I wonder if that guy is still on his road trip? How many miles would he have driven on his 12 year, 3 month trip?

 

[fblainen11]

Hey fellas, if you haven't noticed yet, this jleatherman guy has been reviving several threads from 04. Just saying, I'm sure OP has already taken their road trip.

 

[JayRolla]

Hey fellas, if you haven't noticed yet, this jleatherman guy has been reviving several threads from 04. Just saying, I'm sure OP has already taken their road trip.

He is just posting so he can post in the for sale section.