REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL
VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS => General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects => Topic started by: Bigdave_185 on September 20, 2016, 12:37:45 AM
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From you fellows that are a bit more experienced then me in this area. What are some vehicle things I should look at before I put 1400 miles on my truck Round trip. After the transmission line this weekend I am getting a bit worried
One two three go !
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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For road trips I always had the usual- belts, hoses (radiator, heater core etc), oil, brake fluid, atf, gear oil, water, fuses and all the tools to fix almost anything too (within reason).
Pre-trip was always oil change, filters, grease, etc. And many times it was the pretrip checks that caught the things that would have gone on the trip had I not double checked....check brake pads, all fluid levels, air pressure in the tires look for any bulges or screws/nails etc. (bring a good patch kit ).
I found that catching the stuff that likely would have caused a problem before I left was the best option. If you have a scan tool I would bring that. I can't remember what you drive but bearings and grease if you don't have sealed units.
I'm not sure if you're going off road or not but if so all the recovery equipment. Shovel, heavy plank, winch/come along and snatch blocks, snatch strap (s), an extra spare.
I'm sure others will chime in but that is my list. Sorry it was kind of rambling....
Oh and make sure you have fun! Don't try to overdrive each day. Have fun with the family! :)
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2007 lbz duramax with just a little over 100k on the dial.
It is a highway trip only from Utah to California, no family involved just a good buddy as a co driver.
How much of the expendable fluids oil, atf, antifreeze...... enough to change all if required?
I can go pick up the upper hose and a belt pretty easy. I had the tires rotated and balanced, the suspension components look good other then the lower ball joints need replaced
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Idler pulley in good condition?
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I haven't had a problem with it yet but I will go check the spring retention on the belt and idler
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Check your u-joints too
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If the trip involved off road I would have enough oil to replace it all if a rock smashed the pan and you lost it all. For all highway I don't know that I would bring that much (especially as the diesEl needs oil measured in barrels instead of quarts ha)...but if you have the room and you have the oil for the next change I would prob end up bringing it. Just far less likely to lose it all on an all highway trip so a few quarts would prob be fine.
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At some point even on cross country trips enough "stuff" is enough. You can buy the fluids/oils, parts from the same supply house you use at home for the most part. Bring along a few tools and some extra cash or a card to replace items. If you have to use a couple quarts of oil to top off some morning, use the spares you carry and replace them for next time.
I would be looking at the things that might need to be changed/replaced before you head out and call it a day. Batteries and connections in good shape, engine coolant level correct, tires, belt and hoses, leaks, and any known "I need to take care of that one of these days" things. Throw in an extra fuel filter, enjoy the trip.
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Physical road map for when GPS and other electronics are out of svc range, or just flat out fail. I remember navigating for my Dad on our road trip from Everett, WA to Lake Powell, Bryce and Arches and it was folding maps only back in '97. Although Utah is pretty tough to get lost in the cities there's a lot of ground between you and Cali.
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Thanks fellas. I haven't had that many miles under my belt in a long long time. Not usually one to drive more then four or five straight but work has requirements and I have needs to fill in the space.
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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AAA card and a cell phone. GO!
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AAA card and a cell phone. GO!
Short sweet and to the point, I like it.
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lol Tex is on the recovery team if the truck dies on me in between the two destinations. Bring the red sled will ya
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Roger that.
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Kinda took this for granted, I guess my 'normal' trip to the real world is more than some do regularly.
My list of what's always with me.
A gallon of antifreeze
Spare air and fuel filters
Two quarts ATF, and motor oil (I run amsoil so this is why I carry)
Tools socket set and some wrenches
Bug juice if needed
Tow rope and chains
Air compressor and plugs for tires
And then a lot of other crap one needs to cover 200 miles of nothing
Much of what I carry could likely be left behind since you'll have service stations fairly regularly.
I'll check fluids every 10-15k or so unless I have reason to believe there is an issue.
I guess I take it for granted more than most would.
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I was hoping Sam would fill in the gap. If anyone could (has?) been stranded, it would be him.
The one most overlooked item on a truck is the transfer case. I would definately make sure that it's full. it doesn't take long to lose one if the fluid is low, or out, since they don't hold much to start with, and Chebbys are known to leak anyways. ...assuming you have a 4wd...I thought it was.
Check what you can check, take what you can take, and the rest is in God's hands. If you really knew what all was capable of failing without notice, on a modern truck , you would never leave the house.
Like I tell my daughters, tires and fluids, tires and fluids.
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Reading this I had a thought....I grew up when a "road trip" could be anywhere that was two hours away. And in the summer during heavy traffic that always meant seeing a dozen cars or more on the side of the road overheated. So my Dad treated every trip that was over an hour like he was preparing for a trip on the Alcan. No we didn't bring all sorts of stuff with us as my Dad was not so mechanically inclined but we had water, oil, belts and hoses. So that became the norm for me (just as filling the bathtub before every storm did in case the power went out).
But today vehicles are so much better and you don't see cars broke down left right and center kids often don't do that prep work. I see kids a lot of time that don't even check the oil before they go anywhere. And I know my son some times falls into that. I press him and he does it to some degree (and better than his friends) but I do get push back a bit at times ("Dad do I really need all that stuff?"). In some ways he's fortunate as he's never had a bad breakdown where he got stranded (again, a testament to the quality of today's vehicles) but I worry it makes him apathetic to the prep necessary. Not saying I want him to have a bad breakdown/stranding but.....he wouldn't treat it lightly again either....
Sorry for the DOT ::).....just some thoughts I had reading this...
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Buy him a 1980 gm product and cut him loose, he'll learn quickly
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I have never had a vehicle fail on me far from home. But on the flip side I don't stray to far to often. Being towed home is definitely a humbling experience
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Not bad for 200 miles
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160922/e647d47d7124219502027e55f0b48016.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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That's a good start! Have a safe trip! And take some pics. ;)
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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/e06b23a7d89b6670d1d70ed0cd0f289e.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/acc75f187de800395e10fb535f3b208b.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Still truckin @ 20.2 mpg (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/3ac26f9012cd4e604f894d8162ae8ea5.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Where's all the bugs on the windshield? You'll never get there if you drive slow enough for them to fly around the truck! ;D. Safe travels Dave
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No more limp mode!
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No limp yet Tex, jelling the r's low and steady. I am shocked about the lack of bugs too.
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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No limp yet Tex, jelling the r's low and steady. I am shocked about the lack of bugs too.
Raising boys into RealMen!!
Apocalyptic??
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Maybe there was some type of nuclear explosion and the cloud killed the bugs. But I am thankful for it. Drives me nutz when I can't see
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/8cb184d66293d5546ad385a15d20da6f.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Mike L's shop? I'll try not to be Jealous.
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Clutches are burned up pretty good. Not totally wasted. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/85d709fed5ea08b6ca4e6a4e9d9e59c1.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/cae1f726e3c39f83b398a731985ae394.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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That bearing was in parts. He said it's a good thing I am doing the build or I would be looking for a housing also
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Mike L's shop? I'll try not to be Jealous.
MikeL himself. Dude is seriously a good guy who has stories for days.
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Parts washed and organized
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/60be3a4f48767b8b892d288371d9f7a2.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/02834d97893ee2402ead61843264c47e.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/6ce948b14b39e9e2a3ad880d909a672f.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160923/02834d97893ee2402ead61843264c47e.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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MikeL himself. Dude is seriously a good guy who has stories for days.
Have to agree with you on that one. We've talked a few times on the phone....he definately knows his Allys!
Would ya please tell him kensauto says hi.
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Sure
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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I would totally freak if I were faced with that pile of parts and told to reassemble. If I were to commission another build I'd request all new solenoids and a new internal harness and switch manifold just to be on the safe side. I had a C solenoid go bad a year after I had mine built which could have been disastrous had I not been 1/2 mile from home
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I got all those Tex. Plus some custom touches.
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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I was sworn to secrecy but as I asked a million questions he sat and happily explained reasons and whys. It was really a good experience and now my trans is solid for 700hp and I know a mountain more knowledge then 800 miles, $5000 bucks ago
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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What did you get for a converter?
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The Gmax kit, a goerend torq converter
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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It's giving me a bit of a trouble on the way home. Speed from 80 to 90 6th gear locked up. The whole truck shudders. If I gradually roll into throttle at 80 and stay consistent the thing feel like it's gonna jump out of its skin
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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May be a learning issue with the tcm. Take it easy for a few days while it learns
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This was just on the hills out of Death Valley, mikeL. did all the Tcm learning and gave me the go green light
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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This is the best I could do as far as video and driving. Steady hand and then the pretty valiant shake. https://vimeo.com/184087888 (https://vimeo.com/184087888)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Continued home this morning (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160924/031380242357c4480d44cb61bcd6de01.jpg)
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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To bad I just saw this. Did you have em check the Tcase for the rub. Would have been a great time for it laying on the bench.
Was that PSI pulling a hill? I cruise at around 4-5 and only see that when really on it.
Ouch, 5k for the rebuild, glad I haven't hurt the tranny yet. However having issues with EFI but got a 100/235 tune in there now.
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The tcase was done awhile ago.
Psi? Boosts? 3 or 4 psi
Small tune about a 90 horse tune
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Open to phone calls
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Start with a couple simple checks.
Double check trans fluid level,
Crawl under and make sure both drivelines are tight/look good. Check with truck in neutral with e-brake on.
Turn some tight corners to see if it feels like it's in 4wd.
Pretty much anything else will have to wait for Mike to sort out.
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Mike looked at it. Not trans issue. It was doing it before the trans. Joints n axles all check out. I'll check when I get home. I kind off think tires
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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They sure can make a difference. Just had that problem with my son's truck. Had to get another place balance them. GTG now.
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Well I talked to the tuner tonight, going to get him in the driver seat to see what he thinks. After that I will get some tires looked at and or replaced and then go from there. I am home and the trip was all safe. I managed to avg 20.2 mpg the whole trip Total cost for a little over 1600 miles was $230 bucks
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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.... It was doing it before the trans. .....
Oh, I assumed it wasn't doing it before.
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u-joint?
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Total cost for a little over 1600 miles was $230 bucks
20 mpg is great, but didn't you forget one little expense?
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U joints seem good when I had the driveline out at the shop.
Oh jr you mean $5000 for the transmission
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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Dave do you have a one or two piece drive shaft?
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Single piece shaft. I think it could stand to be balanced and that is on the task list
Raising boys into RealMen!!
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I'm thinking you have a belt separation on a tire or two. you get enough heat for that to be a possibility. they'll get a death hop at very specific speeds.
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yeah easiest to trouble shoot. Borrow a set of wheels and tires from a known good truck.
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I am in short supply of tires that will bolt up. I am due for new rubber, the Bfg have some drastic weather cracking too (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161002/2b9082e5b5e85a1d9d35b587eb74e2f2.jpg)
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I am in short supply of tires that will bolt up. I am due for new rubber, the Bfg have some drastic weather cracking too (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161002/2b9082e5b5e85a1d9d35b587eb74e2f2.jpg)
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Everyone raves about those BFG AT's
But check it out, they come new with less than 1/2" of tread.
That is kind of short if you expect to get through sticky mud, and it makes me wonder if they just want you to come back and visit a bit sooner?
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This is the first set to do me wrong, these have have 50,000 miles on them Don. No toyo MT is going to do that ever. And this is probably my shortest tread tire. Transmission has been helping the tire spin a little better
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This is the first set to do me wrong, these have have 50,000 miles on them Don. No toyo MT is going to do that ever. And this is probably my shortest tread tire. Transmission has been helping the tire spin a little better
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Copy that!
I get about half that mileage on the MT's
But in my case, I think I really need to stay with an aggressive MT
You should have seen my truck Friday, crawling out of my hide. Tires rolled up mud, sticks, weeds, grass into some adobe mixture that changed them from 35's to something around a 37" I think. When I finally got to the road and started to accelerate, the clods of mud I sent flying went everywhere.
Yea, I need to stay mud tire...
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I would love to have the chance for dirt every weekend but life isn't working out that way.
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This is the first set to do me wrong, these have have 50,000 miles on them Don. No toyo MT is going to do that ever. And this is probably my shortest tread tire. Transmission has been helping the tire spin a little better
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Copy that!
I get about half that mileage on the MT's
But in my case, I think I really need to stay with an aggressive MT
You should have seen my truck Friday, crawling out of my hide. Tires rolled up mud, sticks, weeds, grass into some adobe mixture that changed them from 35's to something around a 37" I think. When I finally got to the road and started to accelerate, the clods of mud I sent flying went everywhere.
Yea, I need to stay mud tire...
But no pics or updates as SD rots away,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Whats the first rule of real-man?
1. We don't talk about SD!
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Whats the first rule of real-man?
1. We don't talk about SD!
Thats not being a true DOT.
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Whats the first rule of real-man?
1. We don't talk about SD!
What's the second rule of RMTWS?
2. We don't talk about SD!
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We had rules?
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Are you guys talking about the rolling parts bin again?
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Are you guys talking about the rolling parts bin again?
Well, I didn't say it, but I like it!!