Truck has 153K safe for long trip?

[p-Bar]

As title says my 04.5 has 153K on it planning on going from So Cal to Texas . The one bummer is I have no exhaust brake, my 5er is 14k . My wife asked me me if she thought it is road worthy for this trip.

 

[RikDavis]

I thought about that at 165,000 on my 99 when we were looking at going to Alaska. Everything went fine and the truck is now well past 500k.
No exhaust brake either but I was towing a lighter trailer.
I did deliver a lot of fifth wheels all over the country with out any problems although I do like the EB on my 2013

 

[NIsaacs]

Thats hard for us to determine, we don't know any history on the rig/rigs. I just returned from a 3400 mile round trip towing my sled pulling truck with my '01 and 241,000 miles on it. All I did was change the oil and hit the road. No issues at all and averaged 11.92 mpg for the trip. I do all my own repair and keep a close eye on everything. So when I want to travel, I just do

Nick

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Go fer it!!! As long as it has been maintained in good order it should give you many more miles of troublefree service. This year's vacation from western Washington to Iowa (and lots in between) for us started at 150,777 and ended at 155,715. Now reading 156,207. We travel 4,500 to 8,000 each year on our annual migration away from work, seeing the sights and places that make up this great country. I'd take it across the country, up and down the big passes without hesitation. No e-brake, just sane driving practices and know your limits. Towing a loaded 2010 Arctic Fox 25S - about half the weight you have.

 

[Okie-Go]

I sold an 06 dually with 278k on it and it was still running like a new one. It pulled some sort of a trailer prolly 90% of it's life or more. I would go on the trip if it was me. A friend wanted the truck and I popped off and he bought it. Ordered a 2012 model and he let me drive it till the new one got to the dealer.

 

[jgillott]

Yep, no worries. My brother-in-law just took our '04.5 (~340K) to NC and back with no issues. And it is a beat plow/work truck.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Turn on TH and start down slow and use lower gears.

 

[p-Bar]

OK you guys are making me feel good about this trip.

 

[Ram4Sam]

As title says my 04.5 has 153K on it planning on going from So Cal to Texas . The one bummer is I have no exhaust brake, my 5er is 14k . My wife asked me me if she thought it is road worthy for this trip.

Tell her it is absolutely not road worthy and how you love her too much to jeopardize her well being...........and how a new truck will restore order to your universe.:-laf

Sam

 

[GAmes]

153k? That's funny. Two weeks ago I jumped in mine and pulled a 12,000 pound trailer to Calgary without giving it a second thought. About 1,070,000 on it at the time.

 

[Wayne M.]

I can understand some worries if there are some OE parts still. Things like injectors, belt and pullies and water pump come to mind. I also understand the ex brake concern.
Honestly, I'd do a full major PM including fluid change and a check of the pullies including the WP. Unfortunately, you can't do much for the injectors except by defensive with a final filter.
Mine has 111,111 just the other day. I'd saddle up for X country in a moments notice.

 

[p-Bar]

I can understand some worries if there are some OE parts still. Things like injectors, belt and pullies and water pump come to mind. I also understand the ex brake concern.
Honestly, I'd do a full major PM including fluid change and a check of the pullies including the WP. Unfortunately, you can't do much for the injectors except by defensive with a final filter.
Mine has 111,111 just the other day. I'd saddle up for X country in a moments notice.

Wayne, I agree new waterpump at 120k , Dual fuel filters 120k way to late , rebuilt trans with goerend parts, original hoses and belt..

 

[p-Bar]

153k? That's funny. Two weeks ago I jumped in mine and pulled a 12,000 pound trailer to Calgary without giving it a second thought. About 1,070,000 on it at the time.

Will tell the wife

 

[p-Bar]

Tell her it is absolutely not road worthy and how you love her too much to jeopardize her well being...........and how a new truck will restore order to your universe.:-laf

Sam

Ya would like a new one . working on retirement right now .

 

[Wayne M.]

I hate to use the word failure, but these are pattern failures. Sometimes sure as the tide. What I'd like to know is, what's the record for an OE alternator?

 

[jgillott]

I hate to use the word failure, but these are pattern failures. Sometimes sure as the tide. What I'd like to know is, what's the record for an OE alternator?

Water pump on my '07 went at ~40K or so. The '04.5 is still original.

I know that there are many with a lot more miles than ours, but the alternator, batteries, water pump, lift pump, injectors, etc. are original on the 04.5 at well over 300K. The only things replaced under the hood were the AC compressor and the belt. Of course, now that I said that, something will go tomorrow.

 

[Rodburner1973]

I have 504k on my 97 dually and wouldn't think twice about driving to either coast from Oklahoma. Hoping to get 1,000,000 on her.

 

[GAmes]

Also I wouldn't sweat the lack of an EB. Thousands of D-max/Ally owners were duped for years that the "grade braking" of the combo is just as good as an exhaust brake. Very few of them wrecked their trucks, although there were a lot of brake pads for GM pickups sold.:-laf

 

[Wayne M.]

Wow guys- staggering numbers.

 

[Bug Out]

Just go...Quit worrying about bridges you have not gone over....The mighty Cummins, in my experience runs better when you work it hard. At least my 5.9 was that way.(6.7 has yet to prove herself).Take it slow coming down the hills.

Best of all worlds, yes Ebrake. Pack up and git out of town !!!