Long Road Trip Advice

[mhockey9090]

Looking for some advice before my truck makes a long trip. Going to be moving back to the states and most likely driving the truck to where were going. Right now i have this stuff on a list to do for the truck already. I also need to know if anyone has recommendations on where i can have my truck taken too while im still deployed or in germany till i am able to get my truck back so i dont have to waste my leave dealing with the truck. One they need to be a reliable place with good work and not break my damm wallet. Also need to be around the League City area. But heres what i have so far. Anything else i should or need to do please feel free to add. Thanks

Truck has almost 60k on it.

*Tires- In need of some 37x13.5 or 12.5 on Rim 18inches just for the drive then im buying brand new 40s when i get there. I dont want the gas mileage from 40s for a long drive nor put that mileage on them. So if anyone knows of anyone with 37s that are used and want to get rid of that have some thread left on it please let me know.
*Fuel Filter Change ( Did it once but dont really want to do it again )
*Spark Plug/COP ( Depending on how much it cost then ill learn myself )
*Oil Change ( Ill do myself )
*Clean Air Filter/ Throttle Body ( Ill do myself )
*Overlook suspension

 

[Mixedbreed]

Josh how long has it set? Or was it driven?

 

[mhockey9090]

Josh how long has it set? Or was it driven?

I have family members drive it everyone 1-2 weeks to the grocery store or for a quick ride and then park it again.

 

[Primer88]

Check your wheel bearings and brakes. Checking your trans and brake fluid would be a good idea as well. Are you going to have the alignment done with the new tires? Were those quick trips to the store long enough to allow all the fluids to warm up to full operating temp?

When I moved cross country in my last Ranger I had a right front wheel bearing blow out in the middle of nowhere Arkansas. Ended up getting royally screwed over on that one. The random shop I had to take it too charged $230 to replace it. They also stole the drilled/slotted rotor that the bearing failed in. I took my eyes off them while I was on the phone with my mom and when I walked back in they were hurriedly putting the left front wheel back on. I figured they were just checking that bearing but a couple weeks after I made it to my destination in East TN I found out they had replaced my drilled/slotted rotor with a solid one. The invoice only showed a bearing replacement and they never mentioned needing to replace the drilled/slotted rotor so I'm convinced they stole it and tried to get their hands on the other one but I walked back in and they aborted the theft.

 

[mhockey9090]

Check your wheel bearings and brakes. Checking your trans and brake fluid would be a good idea as well. Are you going to have the alignment done with the new tires? Were those quick trips to the store long enough to allow all the fluids to warm up to full operating temp?

When I moved cross country in my last Ranger I had a right front wheel bearing blow out in the middle of nowhere Arkansas. Ended up getting royally screwed over on that one. The random shop I had to take it too charged $230 to replace it. They also stole the drilled/slotted rotor that the bearing failed in. I took my eyes off them while I was on the phone with my mom and when I walked back in they were hurriedly putting the left front wheel back on. I figured they were just checking that bearing but a couple weeks after I made it to my destination in East TN I found out they had replaced my drilled/slotted rotor with a solid one. The invoice only showed a bearing replacement and they never mentioned needing to replace the drilled/slotted rotor so I'm convinced they stole it and tried to get their hands on the other one but I walked back in and they aborted the theft.

Alignment yes because i will need the tires to last a little bit after arriving there just to get around till i get a deal on some 40s. But I replaced my front right wheel bearing prob 5-6 k ago on the truck but ill double check the brakes and all that good stuff too. I just need to find a good deal on a set of used 37s to fit my truck for the trip

 

[Texas Jim]

You say "LONG TRIP".... how many miles is a "LONG TRIP"....

 

[Nick The Great]

You say "LONG TRIP".... how many miles is a "LONG TRIP"....

Yeah, is it s a "long trip" or a "Texas Jim-sized trip"

 

[PenguinLTZ]

How far are you going?

 

[NMRam]

I would recommend finding some 35's instead of 37's for the trip. They won't look nearly as "cool" but they are a lot more common size to find used, and you may eek another mpg or two out of them. Otherwise, routine maintenance (oil change, lube, etc) should be enough to get you there.

 

[gmctrucks]

I agree with Wayne get smaller tires your going to use tons of gas and wear the hell out of them maybe find a set of old wheels with small tires just for the trip.