T-1000

I am of the opinion that it would be safe to drive my 1990 4Runner V6 (189,000 miles) on a 1,000 mile road trip for spring break.

Today I changed the air filter, fuel filter, transmission filter (pretty clean, only about 3,000 miles on this trans), transmission fluid, differential fluid, topped off coolant, changed windshield wiper blades, and greased every zerk under the truck. Oil/filter was changed less than 300 miles ago.

The drivetrain makes a little noise, but today I discovered while under the truck that I am missing 3 out of the 8 bolts on the t-case crossmember. So I think replacing those before I go will make everything good to go.

Anything think I shouldn't do this trip?

abecedarian

Any particular reason why you think it won't make it?

StangBanger

If you always maintain your truck i dont see why it wouldnt make it but if you can afford a 1,000 mile trip with that 3.0 then im sure you can afford to fix whatever breaks along the way.. Woo..that alotta gas man..

xzyragon

air up your tires, and bring a pump. I did a 4000 mile roadtrip, and pumped up tires really makes a difference. Bring lots of snacks, friends, and good music. You don't really need maps anyway

abecedarian

1000 miles at 18 mpg is about 55 gallons of fuel, give or take... and at about 2.25 per gallon that's about 125 dollars for fuel. You'd spend about that much on a one-way airplane ticket, per person. Even if it got half that mpg, if more than 2 people are going, it's cheaper to drive... unless the truck breaks down.

T-1000

Not really. She's never left me stranded before. Power steering leaks from both the pump and gearbox slightly, brake master cylinder needs replacement I think (the brakes hiss, but work fine, kind of weird), and the rear main has a slight leak, but nothing other than that. Plan to fix the leaks while I'm home though.

Really, I'm driving home and my old man disagrees with me so I wanted to hear some other opinions.

Even if I get 10 MPG, and gas is $2 a gallon, that comes out to $200. Cheaper than a ~$400 plane ticket, even there and back. EDIT: What Abe said

Going solo, but I'll do all the rest haha...

iamsuperbleeder

sheess, I worried about a 400 mile trip last week in my 91, and I had but one issue; my brand new starter refused to start the truck after stopping for gas

a quick solid tap on the side of it, and I was back on my merry way



If there's nothing that jumps out at you that makes you think that it'll create a problem, then I'd say you have nothing to worry about, but like any trail ride or anything else, go prepared; bring extra oil, water, antifreese, a few tools, maybe even a spare U-joint, and I even keep a spare set of plugs in the tool box; my point is you never know, and it never hurts to be prepared, even if you don't use it

abecedarian

Did you know my father?
I always save the last set of plugs I pull out of an engine for spares because I know they work.
My brother asks me why I save them and I ask him "didn't dad teach you anything?"

874runnersr5

^ true that.
nothing like being prepared.

iamsuperbleeder

hahaha, great minds think alike

T-1000

I actually have some in mine too. But they're new, I didn't have time to do them today. I'll make sure to keep the old ones.

CoedNaked

In November of 2005 I took my truck up north to go steelhead fishing with a buddy, which included a 1500 KM (about 900 miles) highway drive to Terrace BC from Vancouver, BC, then about 1000 km's (600 miles) worth of offroad driving, much of it in 4 HI in the snow, some in 4-LO to various river fishing locations and destinations off the beaten path in some logging roads, and then another 1500 km's (900 miles) back for a total road trip of about 4000 km's (2400 miles or so) in one week. Didn't miss a beat. And this was through snow, rain, mud, and some fairly cold days at times.

SteveyCapri

I'm going on a 500 mile trip in a couple months. I'm driving my $200 1994 Buick Century with 205,000 miles. It has been driven thru, over, and into so many things. I've never changed the oil because I lose about a quart a week through a valve cover gasket and rear main seal. I might have a blown head gasket too. I lose a reasonable amount of coolant, but it doesn't leak out anywhere and my exhaust smells like antifreeze. It has the 3100 so I could be running on no oil or nothing but coolant and it still wouldn't die. I've run it for a few weeks straight with less than a quart of oil. In two years I've never changed any filters, spark plugs, or anything, and I trust the car more than any other I car I have ever owned. I ended up getting rid of my last one, a 1990 Century, because it needed a windshield (smashed in), 4 new tires, new tail lights and marker lights (lenses were smashed), a headlight (also smashed) and both drivers side windows (also smashed). It had 300,000 miles on it and was begging for more. I also trusted it with bringing me ANYWHERE.

It all depends on how much YOU trust the vehicle. If you're iffy don't take it or bring extra funds. If it feels right, you're probably right

Oh, and if you need to get a car for a younger sibling or a son or daughter, get them a Buick Century. Old people own them and get rid of them when they can no longer drive. They normally sell dirt cheap and have no miles. They take a beating, are very safe in accidents, and are cheap to fix, although they never need fixing!

iamsuperbleeder

and this is why:

1989toy4wd

Id say go for it!! I wouldnt do it in mine though! Even though the only thing that hasnt been rebuilt or is new, is the transfercase!! Boggers are expensive!! LOL (So glad I bought that trailer!)

Jay351

You should see his truck though. I swear to god it looks like it just came off the damn showroom. I get mad inside everytime I see it (Take it as a compliment Scott!! )

claudebadly

GO FOR IT!!! i went on a waaayyyy longer road trip and my 2000 tacoma did great. all i did befor i left was oil change, coolant, and zerk grease. sure i brought some extra money if anything broke or if battery died or anything like that.

malteserunner

iTrader: (1)

Heck in January I made a 4600 mile trip to Iowa then Chicago and back (to California) pulling 10000 pounds without a hiccup, in my Ford no less. I'd trust your Yota for 1000 any day! Seriously though, go prepared. It sounds like you've got the preventative maintenance handled. Have a great trip.

T-1000

Just in case anyone was wondering, the 'Yota made it just fine. I changed the worn out trans mount while I was home, but there's still a lot of vibration and the trans shifts hard when it's cold. I think that has to do with the TPS maybe...and some loose linkages.

Also found out I need a new alternator. And there's now a gas leak somewhere. Gives me a headache after ten minutes in the cab.

space-junk

iTrader: (1)

congrats on not blowing up!

whats it like being stuck in the cab for so many hours??