go or not
12-18-2014, 07:58 PM
#1
go or not
So i got a 1987 ford f150 and been debating if im going to drive cross country to virgina currently living in denver. Starts up great, does at times have a rough idle when its cold. All in all the truck runs great. What should i do? Its about 1500 miles one way.
12-18-2014, 08:06 PM
#2
1994 F150 XLT 5.8L 2wd
So long as it doesn't burn oil you should be good. Take a bottle of coolant, a quart of oil and trans fluid (if auto), along with a LOT of gas money. Trips like that call for something more along the lines of a Yaris or Festiva.
It should be a good workout for the old girl, just hope you have cruise control and some good tunes. Personally I would drive mine anywhere but it just wouldn't be my first choice simply based on the MPG's of my other vehicles.
It should be a good workout for the old girl, just hope you have cruise control and some good tunes. Personally I would drive mine anywhere but it just wouldn't be my first choice simply based on the MPG's of my other vehicles.
12-18-2014, 08:10 PM
#3
Don't guess it'll get a lot of time to get cold on that trip.
Buy an auto club membership, fold about 500 in the back of your wallet just in case, check all the fluids, pack a few basic tools, some coolant and oil and just go for a drive.
If you can drive it around all the time without problems you can probably cruise it down the highway for a couple of days - just don't pound on it.
Good luck.
Buy an auto club membership, fold about 500 in the back of your wallet just in case, check all the fluids, pack a few basic tools, some coolant and oil and just go for a drive.
If you can drive it around all the time without problems you can probably cruise it down the highway for a couple of days - just don't pound on it.
Good luck.
12-18-2014, 09:11 PM
#4
So long as it doesn't burn oil you should be good. Take a bottle of coolant, a quart of oil and trans fluid (if auto), along with a LOT of gas money. Trips like that call for something more along the lines of a Yaris or Festiva.
It should be a good workout for the old girl, just hope you have cruise control and some good tunes. Personally I would drive mine anywhere but it just wouldn't be my first choice simply based on the MPG's of my other vehicles.
It should be a good workout for the old girl, just hope you have cruise control and some good tunes. Personally I would drive mine anywhere but it just wouldn't be my first choice simply based on the MPG's of my other vehicles.
12-18-2014, 10:14 PM
#5
1994 F150 XLT 5.8L 2wd
Between renting a car and driving the truck:
Rental-
*$25-$50=175-350
*35mpg @ 3200 miles @ $2.20gallon =201.15
*depending on where it's rented from they may charge you mileage, plus insurance which is always a good idea
total= $376.15 to $551.15, plus insurance and if applicable mileage
Truck
15mpg @ 3200 miles @ $2.20 =$469.33
Plus any expenses that may arise from putting the truck through a grueling run.
Depending on if you will actually need a vehicle in VA you may be better off flying or taking a train. I talked a family member into swapping me vehicles for a 1000 mile round trip, Yaris for my convertible, you may consider trying to sweet talk someone into switching rides with you for a week, you may have to throw in an oil change and return it with a full tank of gas but if you have family that trusts you that is the best option if you will need a vehicle while you are there.
Rental-
*$25-$50=175-350
*35mpg @ 3200 miles @ $2.20gallon =201.15
*depending on where it's rented from they may charge you mileage, plus insurance which is always a good idea
total= $376.15 to $551.15, plus insurance and if applicable mileage
Truck
15mpg @ 3200 miles @ $2.20 =$469.33
Plus any expenses that may arise from putting the truck through a grueling run.
Depending on if you will actually need a vehicle in VA you may be better off flying or taking a train. I talked a family member into swapping me vehicles for a 1000 mile round trip, Yaris for my convertible, you may consider trying to sweet talk someone into switching rides with you for a week, you may have to throw in an oil change and return it with a full tank of gas but if you have family that trusts you that is the best option if you will need a vehicle while you are there.
12-18-2014, 10:38 PM
#6
Drive the truck. 1500 miles of highway driving is nothing on a vehicle. It's what they like best; even speed, smooth operating. It's what they're meant to do. I've driven all over this country (originally from Va. Beach) for 30+ years. Road trips are much easier on vehicles than around town, stop-and-go driving.
Drove from Va.Beach to Grand Island Nebraska many times, back and forth each way. And all of those trips were in my '87 4x4 F150 with the 300, 6 cylinder, 5-speed manual trans, short bed, w/dual tanks. That old thing would go forever. One of my favorite F150s... ever.
The biggest thing I'd suggest checking, is your cooling system. Make sure the antifeeze is in good shape, and the cooling system is operating good. That was the only real problem I ever had with my '87. And of course, it was on a road trip. I luckily found a radiator shop that was still open at 5:30pm on a Friday, off of I-65 in Lafayette, Indiana. In and out of there in about 45 minutes and $280 later. Can't boil the plastic tanks, had to buy a new one.
Drove from Va.Beach to Grand Island Nebraska many times, back and forth each way. And all of those trips were in my '87 4x4 F150 with the 300, 6 cylinder, 5-speed manual trans, short bed, w/dual tanks. That old thing would go forever. One of my favorite F150s... ever.
The biggest thing I'd suggest checking, is your cooling system. Make sure the antifeeze is in good shape, and the cooling system is operating good. That was the only real problem I ever had with my '87. And of course, it was on a road trip. I luckily found a radiator shop that was still open at 5:30pm on a Friday, off of I-65 in Lafayette, Indiana. In and out of there in about 45 minutes and $280 later. Can't boil the plastic tanks, had to buy a new one.
12-19-2014, 03:13 PM
#7
Drive the truck. 1500 miles of highway driving is nothing on a vehicle. It's what they like best; even speed, smooth operating. It's what they're meant to do. I've driven all over this country (originally from Va. Beach) for 30+ years. Road trips are much easier on vehicles than around town, stop-and-go driving.
Drove from Va.Beach to Grand Island Nebraska many times, back and forth each way. And all of those trips were in my '87 4x4 F150 with the 300, 6 cylinder, 5-speed manual trans, short bed, w/dual tanks. That old thing would go forever. One of my favorite F150s... ever.
The biggest thing I'd suggest checking, is your cooling system. Make sure the antifeeze is in good shape, and the cooling system is operating good. That was the only real problem I ever had with my '87. And of course, it was on a road trip. I luckily found a radiator shop that was still open at 5:30pm on a Friday, off of I-65 in Lafayette, Indiana. In and out of there in about 45 minutes and $280 later. Can't boil the plastic tanks, had to buy a new one.
Drove from Va.Beach to Grand Island Nebraska many times, back and forth each way. And all of those trips were in my '87 4x4 F150 with the 300, 6 cylinder, 5-speed manual trans, short bed, w/dual tanks. That old thing would go forever. One of my favorite F150s... ever.
The biggest thing I'd suggest checking, is your cooling system. Make sure the antifeeze is in good shape, and the cooling system is operating good. That was the only real problem I ever had with my '87. And of course, it was on a road trip. I luckily found a radiator shop that was still open at 5:30pm on a Friday, off of I-65 in Lafayette, Indiana. In and out of there in about 45 minutes and $280 later. Can't boil the plastic tanks, had to buy a new one.
Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. If i do end up taking brownie, ill take some pics along the way
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12-20-2014, 02:09 AM
#8
12-20-2014, 06:22 PM
#10
Cool. Kansas, huh? I just read on a yahoo news story this week, that Kansas has the least desirable scenery of all the US states. Been there, and would have to agree.
Kansas members - please don't take that personal.
Didn't realize you had an x-cab and long bed. What motor/trans, and what are you averaging for mileage?
Kansas members - please don't take that personal.
Didn't realize you had an x-cab and long bed. What motor/trans, and what are you averaging for mileage?
