thinking of taking the ol truck on a trip! I have a good friend who lives in NC who will help me do some of the engine work (rear main seal and oil pan gasket), and I'll be going down anyway to attend a wedding.

Is the truck up to an 8 hr highway trip? What preparations should I do before departing?

 

i took mine on an 8 day trip, alaska to illinois. check all your fluids, ball joints, tie rod ends, tire pressure and tread depth, fill up the bug juice, check brakes, and scan your codes to see if anything electronic is fishy. crawl under and look for any trans or coolant leaks, oil leaks can slide if they arent too bad.

 

replace that belt tensioner & belt or you aren't going anywhere... sorry couldn't resist.

 

aw dang... I was hoping to put that off till I get there! :P

 

HA faced

 

And think about buying the radiator hoses to have on you. I never had a problem for three years of daily driving, then took an 11 hour drive from Virginia to Florida and had to replace two hoses. I used electrical tape as a temporary fix til I got there but the hoses are a better option.

 

check out the hoses before you leave i forgot about thems. if they are cracked, or rock hard, or super squidgy replace them

 

I run from the coast of NC to PA all the time, it's 520 miles for me. Don't run your truck like it's a new mustang. Don't be trying to stay with thoes guys that are running 85 mph the whole way. Besides cops in VA and NC are everywhere. Give yourself time and enjoy the country side the ford will be just fine.

 

stock up on snacks and drinks, and an empty gatoraide bottle so you dont have to stop unless you need fuel

 

take a good lug wrench or breaker bar or something in case you get a flat. I was rotating my tires, using the stock lug wrench thats in the engine compartment and it was total crap. It bent between the socket and the bend in the shaft. Its useless now. Also if you decide to pitch the stock wrench for something better, make sure you bring a small prybar or big screw driver to get the hubcaps off...otherwise you'll find yourself stuck with a nice new cross tool and nothing to do with it...