Proactive Maintenance

[gimlithepirate]

At 182k miles, I'm starting to wonder what maintenance I need to do to keep from getting stranded. I'm talking about what problems will leave you high and dry in the middle of nowhere if they break.

The two big ones I've seen people complain about are the v8 starter motor (and the lovely lovely headache that is putting a new one in) and from my experience the fuel pump. Admittedly though, the fuel pump I haven't seen complaints about, just something that's hit me out of nowhere on other vehicles.

What would you guys do?

 

[randy88fj62]

- all new coolant hoses and thermostat (your water pump should have been done twice now when you did the timing belt)

-oem lower ball joints

-inspect all bushings on front arms and rear control arms. I found that my rear panhard was toast and replacing it firmed up the ride.

- inspect high and low pressure power steering hoses for weeping. Replace as needed, they usually weep at the ends next to the clamps. Keep all oem clamps, never put the cheap hose clamps on your truck.

-front and rear diff fluid. Very cheap and easy to do in an hour.

-cabin air filter and air intake filter


If you dive into the intake to do the starter then replace the two knock sensors and PCV valve while in there. Inspect valve covers for leaking and replace if they are. This includes the spark plug seals, if oil leaks past into your spark plugs you'll get fouling, knocking, and/or hesitation.

 

[Billynath1988]

All of this^^

Battery and alternator condition

Wheel bearings

calipers

your driving, overall and on average, one the most reliable vehicles ever made.. (prove me wrong) if you stay up on maintenance.. you should be fine.

That said, all vehicles, even the most reliable still can have things go wrong.

 

[rdruss]

Don't try and out-guess a potential failure, you'll be throwing money at things that may never fail and miss the one that takes you out, IF that even happens.
Do your periodic basic maintenance and preferred upgrades, which I'm sure you have been doing and don't worry about things that may never happen.

 

[4r-4ever]

i would say the alternator is the most important to have a backup if you know your alternator is old. easy to replace even if you are in a remote location for the v6. just make sure you have the tools. if not, you can always get a mechanic local to where you are and have them replace it, to minimize the delay.

next is the ignition coil, at least bring 1 spare, once again, it's easy to diy.

next is bring an extra fan belt, easy to diy.

bring a manual hack saw just in case you need to cut some broken metals.

all the rest i think can only be fixed at a repair shop which don't happen all the time.

the important thing to remember is, what can you repair remotely via diy. make sure to bring the tool required for it.

At 182k miles, I'm starting to wonder what maintenance I need to do to keep from getting stranded. I'm talking about what problems will leave you high and dry in the middle of nowhere if they break.

The two big ones I've seen people complain about are the v8 starter motor (and the lovely lovely headache that is putting a new one in) and from my experience the fuel pump. Admittedly though, the fuel pump I haven't seen complaints about, just something that's hit me out of nowhere on other vehicles.

What would you guys do?

 

[Warwicke36]

Starter is cheap insurance

 

[gimlithepirate]

- all new coolant hoses and thermostat (your water pump should have been done twice now when you did the timing belt)

-oem lower ball joints

-inspect all bushings on front arms and rear control arms. I found that my rear panhard was toast and replacing it firmed up the ride.

- inspect high and low pressure power steering hoses for weeping. Replace as needed, they usually weep at the ends next to the clamps. Keep all oem clamps, never put the cheap hose clamps on your truck.

-front and rear diff fluid. Very cheap and easy to do in an hour.

-cabin air filter and air intake filter


If you dive into the intake to do the starter then replace the two knock sensors and PCV valve while in there. Inspect valve covers for leaking and replace if they are. This includes the spark plug seals, if oil leaks past into your spark plugs you'll get fouling, knocking, and/or hesitation.

This list makes me feel good, because I've already done all of this xD

Fuel pump is happening next weekend. The fuel sender died (gas gauge is always on empty), and if I'm getting into the tank I'm putting in a new Denso fuel pump.

The starter motor is really the only thing on any lists I haven't touched recently. The part that spooks me on it is the fact it can just fail out of nowhere... I spend enough time a long way from pavement that could be an issue.

 

[AuSeeker]

Starter is cheap insurance

This list makes me feel good, because I've already done all of this xD

Fuel pump is happening next weekend. The fuel sender died (gas gauge is always on empty), and if I'm getting into the tank I'm putting in a new Denso fuel pump.

The starter motor is really the only thing on any lists I haven't touched recently. The part that spooks me on it is the fact it can just fail out of nowhere... I spend enough time a long way from pavement that could be an issue.

Unfortunately [MENTION=451306]gimlithepirate[/MENTION] in the case of the starter you have the V8 and not the V6 as [MENTION=475044]Warwicke36[/MENTION] does and as such replacing the starter which is buried under the intake is not what most would consider a on the roadside or on the trail repair, of course it could be done on the side of the road or trail...IF you had everything you need to replace it, but I would much rather do it in my yard at home where the pressure to get it done wasn't so intense!!

 

[caeavesrsx-s]

Alternator for sure because losing power brakes and power steering while trying to come to a stop at a mountain road intersection is not fun at all.

 

[Ventil8]

I just checked my coolant/power steering hoses and they still look good. I'm also at almost 183,000 miles and just did a quick inspection of the engine and undercarriage/tires/shocks. I would not be hesitant to do a long distance trip. I'm amazed/delighted at how good this 4R has been good to me over the last 16 years.