Prepping truck for LONG trip!

[LilBlueTruck]

Hi everyone! I am a new "registered" member here on the TheRangerStation, but I have been using TRS for years for its valueable information.

I have a 2000 4x2 2.5L with the Fabtech ultimate lift, 32 BFG A/Ts, and a newly installed Detroit TrueTrac "psuedo-locker". The truck has 113,000 miles on the odometer, but really has quite a bit more due to the fact that the larger-than-stock tires make the speedo/odo underestimate the truck's true speed and mileage.

The purpose of this post is too get some opinions on the following matter. I plan on driving the truck from New York to Alaska this summer (and hopefully back!!), and I am starting to do some preventative maintenance now. I am trying to think of things that might go bad, considering the age and mileage of the truck, and would like to get the thing in tip-top shape before I head out onto some of the most desolate roads in North America! Let's face it - a broken ball-joint 200 miles from any form of civilization would be a big problem! The truck is well-maintained, with regular oil-changes and other regular maintenance, but I estimate that this trip will add more than 15,000 miles and all that I would like to do is change the oil a few times while out on the road.

So, what do you guys think I should replace? I have already replaced the front-lower ball-joints, new tires, flushed and refilled the cooling system with new hoses and T-stat, new T-belt and serpentine-belt, and a few other small things. Has anyone ever had a fuel-pump go bad on one of these trucks? I plan on replacing the shocks, fuel-filter, clutch and related parts, U-joints, O2 sensors, and servicing the air-fliter throughout the coming springtime months. What else am I missing? I am most concerned about the fuel-pump because my dad had one go once in his Escort. Keep in mind, I am willing to spend the money now to do the preventitive maintenance, if only for some piece of mind. What do you guys think? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[michowski]

One thing I would definatly do is change out all the oil in your truck. Flush the trans, motor. Change the rear end fluid as well. Start fresh with all that. New brakes if needed. Make sure you dont have any really rusted brake lines. New plugs (dont forget to gap em), wires, cap and rotor, pcv valve, timing chain and reset the timing. Change all the filters throughout the truck. Check now for any bushings thats are bad (shock bushings, sway bar, ect). Double check all the visible bolts, nuts around the entire truck. Also get yourself a tool box to have with and carry all the main size tools you need. Keep a few adjustable wrenches with, a variety of screw drivers in different sizes.

Just keep an eye out for all the little things now. Dont overlook something because your like its so small im not gonna worry about this. The one you look over is the one that fails lol. Take your truck in to have your alignment checked as well and tire pressure.

 

[Dave R]

For the engine, new timing belt and water pump, new wires and plugs. New filters all the way around.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

and as for the desolate roads....dont worry too much about them. a lot of the information available out there makes it sound a lot worse than it really is. there are small rest stops, gas stations, and food places pretty regularly the entire way. and most of the major highways are pretty well traveled these days...so even if you do brake down you can always hitch.

i made the trip from valdez to washington a few years ago with my rig (130k on the clock) towing a 3k lb trailer. all went well.

good luck to you. dont forget the camera!

 

[Mark_88]

Only because you are going a long way, you might consider picking up a spare starter, alternator, and fuel pump...and it wouldn't hurt to have extra fan belts, rad hoses (upper and lower if possible), clamps and a section of 5/8" hose and/or joint connectors in case you need to repair one.

The extra weight and storage used is usually a minor expense/inconvenience compared to being stuck somewhere...

 

[Simple_serf]

Even when you are prepared, expect crap to break. On my trip to seattle, I blew out a seal on my 10K mile rebuilt rear axle, so I had to have that fixed and have the brakes done, as I didn't feel like spending my entire time in seattle laying under my truck out in the road (didn't help that the FORD dealer screwed up the brakes though).

My advice: bring lots of tools, and spare fluids/lubricants. Oh, and bring your creativity...you may need it!

 

[LilBlueTruck]

Thanks for the info. The truck has already been up to Alaska once, but that was way back in 2003 when it was still wet behind the ears, er uh, side-view mirrors! The Alaska highway is not too bad, but I plan on also driving all the way up to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay, along the Arctic Ocean. The Dalton Highway that leads up there is desolate big-time! I figure, with gas prices going the way they are, I might never get another chance to do this again. Has anyone had a fuel-pump or water-pump go bad on one of these engines before, let's say, 150k miles?

 

[Simple_serf]

Well, my truck is at 193K Miles with the original fuel pump and water pump.

Fuel pump is a bitch to swap out on these...it's in the tank, and the easiest method to remove it is to remove be bed instead of dropping the tank (or so I am told). I was concerned about this on my truck, but I decided to chance it. That was 20K miles ago and It still works fine. Water pump...I would bring a spare, who knows yours might outlive the truck or it might die tomorrow. Spare alt is a good idea too, in my opinion. On our trip I didn't carry too much in the way of spare parts (other than a spare hub/beaing assy for the trailer, as it is a weird size that isn't kept in stock usually), because I was mostly on I90 and wasn't too far from a parts store. I DID bring alot of tools though.

I would consider doing this trip again, although if we went again Jess and I agreed on taking her Sable wagon and sleeping in the back of that, so we didn't have to deal with the whole campground thing and so we wouldn't have to take the trailer, although I REALLY hate the axod trannies that the sable has.

 

[Will]

The fuel pump is reliable. It's immersed in fuel so it doesn't get hot at all. I would say it's more susceptable to destruction in vehicles that are allowed to run low/out of gas. If you always fill the tank instead of nickle and dimeing it (that's fives and tens these days) it should be up to another hundred thousand miles or so.

The waterpump should last pretty much forever if something doesn't kill it--like nasty coolant. I would rather have the factory old and working one in there than a crappy rebuilt one. It would be better to get a spare and make sure you have the tools to replace it (a special kit to get the fan clutch off is required on many Ford motors) than replace it for grins.

It's only 15,000 easy miles so i wouldn't get too wound up. People have cars and fix them all over the continent so you don't need a spare Ford Ranger in the bed of your truck. When the axle bearing went out on my 1964 Ford in the middle of Glacier National Park it took some effort, but I found a replacement. A newish Ranger should be a breeze. I would replace anything worn with high quality parts (not just a high quality warranty--lot of good that will do you on the North Slope) and trust them. A new radiator hose or a new serpentine (which can't be installed too tight or loose) isn't going to fail in 15,000. If you have room it's stupid not to carry such cheap things for insurance, but they won't be needed.

My dad and all his geriatric biker buddies are going to Alaska again this year as well. Bunch of old grey bearded fat guys on bikes. Say hi if you see them.

 

[fireguy12117]

something like this is SO hit and miss...

for no particular reason at all my MAF took a crap on me. drove to work fine, had to leave at lunch on an errand, and it was like the fuel pump went 3 minutes after driving. the thing couldnt get above idle without bogging and dying if i could get it started. no check engine light, no other indications for anything. i even had proper voltages for the MAF. threw a spare one for a 4.0 on the 2.5 and it ran with pinging. baught the proper MAF for the 2.5 and its never happened since. weirdest and most random thing i think ive ever seen, but it put me completely dead in the water till it was fixed.

 

[LilBlueTruck]

Thank you for all of the advice!