LONG drive. Worth it?

[James Perez]

Hey guys, i got a concern.

Me and a buddy were planning to go to Vallejo, California from Kennewick, Washington. (704 to get there, 1400 total trip)

I have a 1996 Base Model 2WD Automatic.
Would it survive this trip?
New oil change a few months ago, no major engine problems.

I really need some answers and/or opinions.

Thanks so much.

 

[ropeman]

I have a 1996 4runner sr5 2wd with the 3.4 v6 and I drive it from San Jose to Los Angeles on a regular basis. It did fine even with a valve cover lead,(fixed). Just make sure the fluids are up to date as well as the maintenace. Other than that your ride should be fine as long as your not racing it. Good Luck on your drive

 

[68dave]

It's a toyota! Enjoy your trip.

 

[Brilliant]

bought mine with 180k, drove it around a week checking fluids. 2nd weekend after I had it it was 500mi trip, same thing next weekend, no issues. Mine doesnt burn oil, and I cant find anything major wrong with it.

 

[Avarice]

No offense, but asking a forum to tell you how reliable your car will be is ridiculous. No mileage listed, never told us how long you've owned it, the maintenance history etc. I've seen 96's that looked and ran like they were 4 years old and I've seen 96's that were complete basket cases and the definition of a lemon.

Know your car, or take it to a mechanic.

The only advice any of us could give you is that it's a Toyota, so it's a lot more likely to survive it than a Chevy Blazer or Ford Explorer.

 

[steezemcqueen]

^^^I agree. This is kinda like you asking us if you can run 10 miles.

 

[theizzardking]

I've made that drive and then some round trip with 200k on the clock in August twice and once in june .
each trip was 3k miles over a week or two period with no flaws other then wondering if i was going to make it to the next gas station, even did vegas to Seattle straight 24 hours of driving only stopping for gas , you're good man , just get an oil change and tune up if you need it before you leave , check fluid levels and condition of your coolant about half way and drive safe .

Its a nice drive , there's a sweet camping spot right on the way up through bend , good place to stay cheap for the night and pushing on to Seattle the next day .there's also free spots to sleep right up the drive from it at the rest stop. Its a very nice state park 30 seconds from i5 .
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_109.php


To the guy above me , i think they are just nervous about driving to what some perceive as a long distance, I'd like to have faith the op isn't as dumb as you seem to think he is , but then again there's all flavors of idiots out there ,you may just be right, haha

 

[vivek]

When I was about 10 (10 years ago) my and my family went to Canada and back to Georgia (2400ish miles) in a Toyota Previa with some 195,000 miles on the van. The van wasn't even maintained that meticulously. Just basic oil changes and tire changes. A few years later, we made the same trip again. I remember playing playstation 2 in the back with my younger brother lol. The van finally was sold to a junk yard at 355,000 miles. So I guess what I'm trying say is you should be fine. Its a toyota. But you never know. Keep safety stuff with you. I like to keep some tools in my runner with me all the time. Also check everything before you go, the smallest problems get amplified on long long drives like yours.

 

[Bretski1]

Drove my '92 Taco back and forth to Alaska (roughly 3000k each way) 6 times in 3 years. My only hiccup was a fuel filter in Butte, I'm just glad it wasn't in the upper Yukon Territory! This thread should be renamed the road trip thread.

 

[mbush903]

There really is no way for us to just assume it will work well. I mean it is a toyota but, the best way to answer this is to have someone/yourself look over the Runner. Do whatever maintenance is needed as well as check fluids, tire pressure, and so on. Then just trust that it will work. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Stockwell45]

I frequently drive mine to LA (about 400 miles a trip) and to Utah (about 650 a trip) with 230k on the clock. My 4runner is pretty hammered from all the offroad years and it does fine. Just keep oil in it and good tires on the ground and you'll be fine.

 

[Stick Figure]

My 4runner has made the drive from so cal to Nebraska 3 times (1500 miles each way). all three times have been with heavy trailers on the return trip... most of them involve at least one way pretty much straight through, and two of them have been in some freezing ass cold and snow.

Basically you would either have to have really bad luck or a really poorly maintained truck to have any issues on your trip.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

I'm doing a 2000 mile roadtrip next week and I have 166k miles on my truck. Runs like a champ. Valve cover gaskets are starting to leak but will be fixed in the next few months. Remember, doing a long drive on the interstate is much easier on a car than 2000 miles in stop and go LA traffic.

 

[jmt2404]

I drove mine from ft bragg nc to tacoma wa pulling a 6x12 trailer and with 213k on the clock and still got 20 ish mpg.. it should make it just fine, barring there aren't any hidden mechanical flaws.

 

[t4r4life]

why in the H E double hocky sticks would you wanna come to the valley of Hoes?

 

[rjaudi]

I do 1,000 mile trips frequently and I have no problems. I am at 194000 miles.

 

[BlackCat]

I just drove my 4runner back from Colorado to Seattle, Washington. It went perfect, though I drove it carefully and babied it the whole way, A clean up at every gas station.

 

[cordrayj1]

i wouldnt hesitate going on a trip from South Carolina to California tomorrow. i'd prob change my oil and check fluids, other than that its a no-brainer if you trust your vehicle. i have 222k (had it since 90k) on mine, did the timing belt, wp, belts, etc @ 185k, and my coolant level hasnt dropped one bit. i just look at it everytime i open up the hood to make sure its still there. be nice to your ride, and it will be nice to you. aint nothin like going on a long roadtrip in your favorite vehicle.