driving to vegas from south carolina in late july, should I change the coolant mixture to mostly water and some coolant due to the heat there, what about oil? I use 10W30 in the 22re now, should i go thicker? the truck has 125k miles and runs like a top. anything else i should do? thanks..

 

Wouldn't it be better to run slightly more coolant in hotter temps?

I'd make sure all your cooling system components are in top shape e.g. your water pump and your thermostat - no holes in your rad, and just keep your oil changed regularly. *maybe * during the really hot monthes consider adding a quart of 10w40 to your 10w30 oil change, but otherwise I would imagine you'd be fine on a hot day as long as everything is in tip top shape.

 

make sure a/c works!!!!
heat in vegas will kill you! but 10w30 should def be fine

 

I think a 50/50 mix will do you better in heat as well as cold. Definitely check out your entire cooling system, and make certain your A/C is working well.

That's a trip (SC to Las Vegas) I'd like to make.

 

I'm doing a cross-country trip as well (Maine to SE Alaska) and I have done the following:
-50n recall (finally-need steering relay rod, new tie rods, new idler arm, new pitman arm)
-new 2.25" pipe + muffler from cat back
-New shocks (front & rear)
-Repaired broken rear leaf spring
-New 3 core radiator (new coolant too)
-New T-stat
-New PS Belt, new alt belt (kept old as spares)
-new upper & lower radiator hoses
-oil filter & oil change
-Trueflow Air filter

That is it so far, if I have time I might replace my valve-cover gasket and possibly the fuel filter

 

When was the last time you had the coolant system flushed? If it's not been for a while, then you might do that. And, yes, 50/50. Put in a good thermostat. As mentioned, make sure there are no leaks...hoses, radiator. And you don't have to, but I would....pull the water temp sensor (aka...engine coolant temperature sensor) and clean it up. Also, your cold start injector time switch. Clean them up with fine sandpaper. They won't keep you from overheating, but your EFI will be happy about it. A good synthetic motor oil 10w-40 would be well enough (I say that because the extended driving times). New filters, of course....air and oil. Fresh, clean brake fluid....the heat is murder on it. And one more thing...good tires, if you need them. Hot, wet roads make for slippery surfaces. Make sure you take your spare and change out kit. Extra fluids, too....oil, coolant, brake. (That was more than one more thing, wasn't it?..lol)

Have a safe trip...and fun, above all.

 

And one more last thing..lol

If it's a been a while, a new fuel filter. There's crappy gas all over the country you might wind up having to use. On that note, a seafoam treatment all around plus a spare can for the trip.