6000 miles road trip: maintenance/prep

I am getting ready for a loop from Vermont up to Labrador, then ferry to St. John's Newfoundland, that's over 2800 miles with a lot of it on gravel.

Then flying back home and then and going back for the rest of the loop early fall from Newfoundland through all the maritime provinces and back into Quebec/Vermont, another 3k miles.

I want to make sure I cover everything for the maintenance. So far I have:
- Grease UCA & Cam bolts
- Oil change
- Engine filter
- Cabin filter
- Alignment

Brakes have just been done

The truck has 92k miles on it.

Any input / suggestions welcome.

 

spark plugs are every 30k, if you did them at 90k you are fine...otherwise maybe look into changing those

 

True, I forgot those are they are due!

 

Differential/ transfer case oil would be a good one. I'd also replace the serpentine belt, and keep the old one as a spare. Make sure you have a functioning spare that's in good health. Grease your drive shaft u joints.

 

If you’re gonna be out in the bush with no help. A new battery couldn’t hurt. Check engine coolant, wiper fluid, brake fluid levels. Make sure they remain constant, so you know there’s no leak. Check brake lines for any excessive wear. Check your spare tire pressure. Definitely bring a spare serpentine belt, and a tensioner tool to swap it if needed. Listen to pulleys for any squeaking. May need to change those. Look for belt wobble, can also indicate bad pulley. Bring ratchet straps, they can be used for a lot.

 

great input, thanks.

drive shaft is A-1, I just got some maintenance on it because it was vibrating (then the same evening when home I got the lette rin the mail about the warranty... should have read TW more often).

 

Should I do a coolant flush?

Battery is also in the works as mine is weak.

 

Coolant flush, couldnt hurt. Also consider doing a automatic trans fluid flush

 

If the coolant looks okay, there is no need to do a flush. Just make sure the level is full, check it first thing in the morning when the engine is nice and cool.

 

when is fuel filter due on these trucks?

 

I'm not even sure if we have a serviceable fuel filter.

 

you are worrying too much. You should look at the show on Amazon called deadliest journeys. People drive halfway across an african country with no paved roads, some of them in extremely poor condition, in a 1980s toyota pickup that is held together with a shoe string and a prayer, and yet they keep on running.

 

Maaan last yr I put 14k on my Taco within 3 months... Oil...lol that's it. Such a good machine.

 

Get under and check all the little exhaust shields ect. If they are not loose, they probably will be by the end. Either carry some large fender washers to reattach them or yank them off as they get loose being pummeled by gravel.

On that note....maybe mud flaps if you dont have any.


You also mention greasing the cam bolts....does that mean you have the Moog ones? If so I'd carry an extra set or pair, knowing their reputation.

 

I am carrying 3 kids 1, 3 and 4 years old, plus my wife.

We are going where there is no cell reception at all.

no we shouldn't have problems, but better safe than sorry.

Also, last time I went where there was no cell reception and quite remote, we got into some issues with the truck (cam bolt tabs failed)... we had only one baby with us, but it was still stressful. You can see the trip report in this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nd-i-broke-a-weak-point-on-our-trucks.344079/

 

Yes I have the geasable cam bolts, along with welded tabs.. because of the aforementioned trip where one failed and almost got me in deep trouble in the very remote forests of Maine.

 

I have spent the past 3 years living off the grid in the mojave desert, sonoran desert and gulf coast. The only thing i was able to do out there was change my oil. I put over 40,000 miles on my taco and didnt have one problem.
If the brakes are good, oil is changed and u joints are greased you shouldn't have any issues. Keeping a spare serpentine belt is smart but I'd also like to suggest a portable jump battery. You can get them for around $70 with enough amperage to turn over your truck and they are a huge lifesaver. I killed my battery over a dozen times while miles from any civilization and no cell reception. Totally dead. Hooked up my jumper battery and she started right up. I wont travel anywhere without it now.

Sounds like you're more than ready. Have a badass trip!

 

Ah I see. The tabs were the main problem there...however the Moog bolts have had quite a lot of stories about them stripping out "internally" since the cam is only keyed into the bolt with a puny little indent, unlike the stout sleeved OEM ones. Worst case if you still have a stocker or two laying around.


Great pics and story BTW!

 

Thanks! I got a portable jumper battery a few weeks ago, in the truck now.

I just wanted to cover maintenance items as I've been normally only putting oil in this thing

 

That is what I did myself, heading up the Alcan... with a HEAVY load in the bed.
Never had an issue... I can't wait to do the journey in my new truck