Hey everyone. I got a 1991 4.9 automatic with 223k miles on it. I'm wanting to fix it up and make her in tip top shape even though she runs fine atm. I'm wandering some things that don't cost an arm and a leg I could replace fairly easily myself kinda as preventative maintenance and as a project and a fixer-upper. Below is a list of things I've replaced and how long ago it's been.


PCV Valve about a week ago
Oil and oil filter about a month ago
Air filter about 3 months ago
Starter about 6 months ago
Plugs and wires about 10 months ago
Starter coil about 2 years ago
Oil sending unit about 6 months ago
Fuel filter about 2 years ago
Top radiator hose about 4 years ago or longer
Radiator about 2 years ago
Muffler about a year ago
Serpentine belt a year and a half ago
Clutch fan about a year and a half ago


That's about all I know of for sure as of right now. It was my dad's truck before it was mine and my grandpas before it was his but grandpa never replaced nothing but the oil and wires and plugs in it, me an dad did the rest. Dad may have changed something before I had the truck that I didn't know about. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks everyone!

 

looks like it is time for a new fuel filter.

 

Over 200 grand on the clock....I would be checking out the front end pretty good. I put ball joints, rear shocks, drag link on mine at around 110. They were in pretty rough shape. I also replaced one rusty, busted leaf spring hanger and shackle. Need to do the other side some time soon. Also, is your steering ok? Mine needs a new gear box as well.

If you're just looking for something to tinker on, I would check battery cables and replace if bad. Change differential fluid. Grease bearings. It would also be a good time to go around and spray some good penetrating oil on the rusty bolts...especially ones where you think you may be working on in the near future. Save money if you can. You're due for some bigger repair jobs.

 

Well I already replaced the ball joints more than once I forgot to mention that lol. What are some of the expensive jobs that will be coming up?

 

How's the rust in NC? You may run into some fuel pump/tank issues. Steering box, front axel u-joints, busted leaf springs, shocks/shock towers, etc. Even simple jobs can turn into bigger ones, if you've got rust issues.

I also wouldn't be surprised if you had some major drive train issues soon. I love these trucks, but they're still going to break from time to time. Timing parts, valves, cylinder wear, transmission problems will always be an issue at some point. Luckily, you can still find some good used parts. Lots of these trucks around. All I'm saying is do your best to take care of her and keep a few hundred dollars set aside.

 

There isn't a rust spot on my truck. It's been well kept. I love this truck and I want to keep it in my family forever since it is a third generation truck. My grandpa had it, dad had it then I got it when I turned 16 4 years ago. Paint chipping off but not any rust at all luckily haha. I'm gonna get some new tires soon and I'm gonna have the guy that will put them on for me look under the truck at everything he's also a mechanic. Truck still rides and drives great. Has quite a bit of play in the steering though but it's had it since my grandpa had it. The power steering fluid is being used some so I'm probably gonna invest in a new pump. I'm trying my best to save $100 a week for it but you know how things are lol.

 

Oh an I only have one tank now. I had my front tank deleted because it was leaking and didn't register so I just had it deleted and the gas out in the back tank for a total of $60 lol. So I only got one tank and it's a lot easier to keep up with since the back tank registers lol.

 

I had my front tank deleted about 5 weeks ago. Gas from the back tank was leaking into the front tank and the front tank didn't register. So I just had the guy cut the lines going to and from the front tank so now I only have a back tank which is great because it actually registers lol.

 

change all the fluids. coolant, trans, tcase, diffs, brake, power steering.

 

Also, your ps pump might be ok. Your leak is more likely coming from the steering box. The seal is bad about leaking.