Driving Cross Country-Got Some ?s

[Clendenin]

I'll will be moving back to my home town of Paris, TN from Yakima, WA here in about 2mo. I believe it is roughly 2200-2500mi. I have a few questions as to what I should to ensure a breakdown free trip. I've owned the truck since June of last year w/ 207k miles on it and have put on 18k and the only thang I've had to replace is the battery. Thangs I know I should replace are the serpinteen belt, the lift pump, and most definately the tires (fronts are bald ). I would also like to get the Borgeson steering shaft, 4" exhaust, and 16cm2 housing while I'm close to Piers and Stan's. Now, my fuel gauge hasn't worked since day one and I was wondering if I could just replace the whole unit inside the tank to solve the problem. I figure the gauge is still good because some times it will read just not accurate. If yall can thank of anythang else that I should do before I go I'd appreciate I. One more thang which isn't somethang I'm worried about for the trip but sometimes when I start my truck the blinkers, lights, windows, and radio won't work. I can shut I off and crank it back up and everythang works fine. My dad has the same occasional problem on his '96 except its just his drivers side window. Thanks for the help.

 

[dan brooks]

Before I take my truck on vacation (~3000 miles round trip), I always change the oil, transmision fluid/filter, and rear diff fluid: while the rear diff cover is off make sure everything looks good in there (no shims stuck to the magnet or pieces laying in the bottom of the housing). While the pan is off, it might be worth adjusting the bands if you haven't done it in a while. I also pull all the wheels and inspect the brakes, pack the wheel bearings, and look the suspension and steering over well.



If it hasn't been done in a while, I'd replace the upper and lower radiator hoses, and all the heater hoses... including all those little short sections and 90* bends (there are a ton of 'em). I keep a couple of spare 90* bends behind the seat... might be hard to find those in the middle of nowhere. The belt is a good idea, I normally do that before vacation, and keep a spare behind the seat as well.



You can get a new sending unit for the fuel gauge. Mine reads funky when I fill it up, but after the fuel level drops a bit it starts to work okay. Seems to be a common problem with Chrysler vehicles in general... .



I'm not very good at diagnosing electrical problems, but I wonder if your ignition switch is faulty and some of the circuits aren't getting juice unless the switch is in just the right spot. Have you tried jiggling the key a little to see if power comes back to the windows and other accessories? Not sure what else would cause the intermittent problem you're having... .

 

[Grizzly]

I'd do everything mentioned above. In addition, I would take along tools, jumper cables, tow strap, coveralls, extra hoses, extra belts, extra fluids, set your trip odometer and fill up every 200 miles. If you don't have AAA Plus, with 100 mile towing, I'd get it. Good luck, especially going over the Rocky's.

 

[JLEONARD]

fill up every 200 miles

OK. You have me stumped. Why so often?

 

[Nate]

When I drove from Alaska to Idaho, I brought a few spare parts (belt, light bulbs, etc)



Only problem I had is I blew off the lower boot to the intercooler going up one of the passes. Was a 5 minute fiix once I unpacked my tools.

Also picked up a nail or something and got a flat tire. I just put a plug in it and filled the tire back up. Still is like that now.



I filled up each night when I stopped to sleep, though I was carrying 10 gallons extra fuel just in case. I can't see finding diesel to be an issue driving in the lower 48 though. I was driving the ALCAN in late October, so alot of the tourist stops were shut down.

 

[btoscano]

Have you made the drive before? Are you taking I-90 to Billings, MT and then across South Dakota? Or taking I-84 thru Boise and on to I-15 and heading across I-80? Or taking the 15 south to I-70? Last summer I bought my '93 W250 in Spokane, Wash. and drove it home to Nashville via San Diego taking 101 almost all the way. . I drive out west about once or twice a year. I do NOT change anything within 2 weeks of leaving town. New parts can fail too. I would make sure to keep an extra spare tire and fan belt, and a cell phone with your friend's phone numbers and a list of Cummins dealers in case you get stuck. I-80 is probably the easiest on the truck if you are pulling a load and question the capacity of your cooling system or anything else.



Regards,

Brian

 

[JApol]

One suggestion I have is to get on US 212 while in Montanna off I-90. It does go through some very unpopulated areas but the scenery and the drive itself is worth it. The last time I did that drive was back in 2002 and I only remember seeing a hand full of of service stations in the area.



MS streets and trips shows that the hiway route is 50 miles shorter and the speed limit is what ever you feel is safe

I found the governor setting on my old truck on this hiway



I grew up 30 minutes south of Yakima

 

[Clendenin]

I'll probably be going I-90 through Montana and all that. I just got back 2 weeks ago from TN. My stepmom and I made the drive along with my two little brothers (NOT fun). I really enjoyed the scenery in Montana and SD and I'll probably stop and do some sight seeing along the way. Also planning on flying my cousin out so he can drive back w/ me. I probably will pack a few extra parts and I've got all my tools out here with my that I'll be branging back. Probably just rent one of those 5x8 Uhauls to put stuff in. Thanks for the suggestions yall.

 

[Grizzly]

fill up every 200 miles

OK. You have me stumped. Why so often?

Clendenin said his fuel gauge wasn't working. He can go 300, 400 or 500 miles, however comfortable he is so that he doesn't run out of diesel. One can run out gas, but you don't want to run out of diesel.