Time to go for a 2200 mile drive

[SnS C10]

well im leaving on january 4th. im taking 1-40 pretty much the whole way into louisville, ky. im leaving on a thursday and hope to get there by friday driving about 10 hours a day and staying in motels at night. i posted awhile back telling you guys about my trip but thought i would one last time. truck is a 72 gmc with 350/350. gets about 8 mpg i have replaced every belt and hose, and have spares for the trip. i have a new fuel pump incase the one in the truck goes out. optima battery. i replaced the points, cap, plugs, wires, fuel filter and fuel line. replaced master cylinder, bled, adjusted brakes. has good tires and im bringing 2 spares just in case. heater system is working very well, im gonna need it too. truck is running very well, and i expect it to make it without too many problems, if any. i have two 2.5 gallon gas cans. extra oil, antifreeze, ptf, atf, and i will be getting some chains also. but anyways, i was just posting to show you guys some pictures and to tell you whats going on. also i was wondering, if something happens on the way, can i get some of your guys cell number or some way to contact you just incase. i can email and ask if u want, just let me know. thanks for all the help and great information you guys have put on this website, wish me luck. - Shaun

[70 shorty]

Shaun, it sounds like you've covered all the bases twice over. I'd bet you have no problems if your truck is a sound running truck in the first place. I took a 12 hour trip to Spring break in my 71 Cutlass and was the only one in a 3 car caravan with absolutely no problems. I replaced all the belts and hoses before leaving and carried my tool box and a wash bucket. One of the other cars was a 69 Corvette convertible. The water pump went out, but we caught it before it totally died and then on the way back the voltage regulator went out. The other car was a Toyota. We drove through driving rain and the back floor of that car had an inch of standing water from the sunroof leaking. BTW, I found out that you can fit 2 kegs in the trunk of a 71 Cutlass with a full size spare and the trunk lid shut!

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Where are you from and where are you going?

[68gmcdually]

Wherever he is it sure isn't Ontario Canada, it was -37 degrees celsius today, turned all of our vehicles into ice cubes. I think that I should be making a 2,200 mile trip south.

[SnS C10]

oops i forgot to mention, im from los angeles, ca. moving to louisville, ky on jan. 4th. will be me and my girl living together. oh yea, im twenty years old, attending college with my girl.

[Longhorn Man]

Have you looked at the wheel bearings?
I'd pull the drums and inspect the brake cylinders and shoes, and repack the bearings.

[SnS C10]

when i bled the brakes and all that good stuff i also checked the pads/shoes and repacked the bearings so the braking system is good

[c-1072]

just a note you probably checked the rear brakes and saw no leaks but just to be safe check the rear axle fluid .

[TugOwar]

I envy you in a way, road trips are fun. As long as you're taking spare parts you might think about a water pump and spare thermostat. Both went out on me two road trips ago. I know you said the heater works good but also make sure you're getting good air flow to the defrost vents. Mountain passes in January can get cooooooold, moisture on the windsheild tends to get solid real quick.

You seem like a smart, mature kid. Just use your head and get there safely. Keep most of your cash in your sock, you know, just in case. Watch whats going on around you.

I'd gladly offer my phone # but I'm quite a ways off your path. Be sure to check in when you can. Best of luck to you.

[oldsub86]

You might want to just take it easy. A story to follow --

I once knew a mechanic who had a beater truck. He needed / wanted to go on a trip of a couple of hundred miles (each way). He said he left home taking it easy and travelled the first 50 miles or so at about 50 to 55 mph - no problem. He stepped it up to 60 to 65 mph for a while and all was going well. Then he bumped it up to 70 to 75 mph and within 20 miles it started to knock. By now he was more than 150 miles from home. He pulled into a service station and called a wrecking company and told them if they wanted it to come and get it. He thumbed a ride the rest of the way into the city and took the bus back home the next day. He remains convinced that if he had the sense to keep his speed down the truck would have lasted until he got it back home.

So, if you are not really sure how good your truck is, take it easy. Don't abuse it.

[68LSS1]

Originally Posted by oldsub86

You might want to just take it easy. A story to follow --

I once knew a mechanic who had a beater truck. He needed / wanted to go on a trip of a couple of hundred miles (each way). He said he left home taking it easy and travelled the first 50 miles or so at about 50 to 55 mph - no problem. He stepped it up to 60 to 65 mph for a while and all was going well. Then he bumped it up to 70 to 75 mph and within 20 miles it started to knock. By now he was more than 150 miles from home. He pulled into a service station and called a wrecking company and told them if they wanted it to come and get it. He thumbed a ride the rest of the way into the city and took the bus back home the next day. He remains convinced that if he had the sense to keep his speed down the truck would have lasted until he got it back home.

So, if you are not really sure how good your truck is, take it easy. Don't abuse it.

I see your point but I wouldn't call 70-75mph abuse. Shaun23a11en, I'm too far south to help you out but good luck.

[4x4Poet]

Sounds like you have made good preparations. Every time I change out a radiator hose or fan belt, I also keep the old one in the truck for a spare. Also, consider one clamp for each size rad/heater hose. If you bring a spare thermostat, also bring a gasket and sealant. You didn't mention specifically, but carry the replaced rotor, points, condensor, and cap as spares, too.

c-1072's recommendation to check the rear axle fluid was sound. Preferably use synthetic for a tiny bit better mileage in cold weather. How's the tranny fluid?

Sorry if you've already thought of the following: Since you'll be traveling over mountain passes, let me suggest you pack very warm clothes, hat, boots, and maybe a sleeping bag. In other words, pack what you'd need to spend the night in the cab if snow stranded on the road. And stay with the truck. It's difficult to freeze to death dressed in warm clothes out of the wind. It only takes an hour or so if exposed to the elements.

Check the oil the first two gas stops till you have confidence in the engine. Godspeed.

[toddtheodd]

Originally Posted by 4x4Poet

Since you'll be traveling over mountain passes, let me suggest you pack very warm clothes, hat, boots, and maybe a sleeping bag. In other words, pack what you'd need to spend the night in the cab if snow stranded on the road. And stay with the truck. It's difficult to freeze to death dressed in warm clothes out of the wind. It only takes an hour or so if exposed to the elements.

Also take water.

Originally Posted by 4x4Poet

Check the oil the first two gas stops till you have confidence in the engine.

I see you have a guage cluster. I have a bad oil leak in my truck. You can tell when you're low on oil by watching that gauge. If your pressure dips when you hit the gas (moderate to hard) or when you hit a turn (again moderate to hard), you're about 2 quarts low. By dip I mean the pressure drops 1/4, as in from the halfway mark to the 1/4 mark, or 3/4 to 1/2... you get the point.
Todd

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Sorry to far past Kintuck to help with a phone number. I love adventures. Hopefully you have everything that won't be needed. Good luck.

[1972]

LA to Louisville is 2096 miles if you take I-40 to I-44 to St. Louis and then I-64 to Louisville. I am in Illinois about 40 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. If you decide to go that route I can give you my number.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Shaun23a11en

well im leaving on january 4th. im taking 1-40 pretty much the whole way into louisville, ky. wish me luck. - Shaun

I AM LESS THAN 15 MINUTES OFF I-40 NEAR JACKSON, TN.

IF YOU GET INTO MY AREA BETWEEN 2 PM AND 8 PM ( M-F )
GIVE ME A RING IF IT IS SAT. CALL ANYTIME, I PM'D MY CELL

WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE OBVIOUS, 67-72 STUFF

I WOULD LUV TO ADD ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER TO MY LIST

[gmtruck71]

That rubber fuel line attached to the plastic fuel filter, running over the top of a hot exhaust manifold needs to be moved.
Dude it was 8 degrees at my house monday morning, and the single digits are predicted for this weekend as well. Let me know when you get here. Good luck.

[bagged74]

im not far from I-40. If you are between Sallisaw, OK and Alma, AR you can give me a call. I will PM you my phone number.

Tracey

[67ChevyRedneck]

The biggest question is, have you been driving this truck regularly to begin with? If so, hit the road and don't look back. If you just got it, or just put it on the road....ummm..... turn the radio up when it starts making funny noises??? j/k. Sounds like you did a lot of good work, be careful and drive safe.

[STEVE A WILBURN]

Shaun Just Drive Slow And Safe. And Injoy Your Trip The Good Lord Will Watch Over You. Steve

[SnS C10]

i have had the truck since july of 2004. i have driven it a little over 3000 miles since i have had it, and yes i do drive it everyday to school and work. i have never had anything go wrong with it since ive had it. but that is due to me replacing pretty much everything. when i bought it, all the owner used it for was to haul dirt and rocks. he said engine was rebuilt 40,ooo miles ago. i went and bought it, and drove it on the freeway doing about 75 for 165 miles and it ran perfect. the hottest it has ever gotten is 200, but that was sitting in a traffic jam on a 90 degree day. usually runs about 180-185 when fully warmed up, on the freeway it is the same temp too.

[72CSTC5]

Don't forget to take toilet paper with you. You know, emergency roadside assistance kit. Me persoanlly, I would get rid of the clear tail lamp lenses and put the stock red ones on for the ride just in case so you won't get harassed by the police once they see your out of state plates. That's just me thinking. Good luck! Sorry to far south to help.

[roger0080]

Man that could have been me writing your question. Your description sounds like what I do on my 4500+ mile vacation trips (MN-UT-MN) with the 1971 K20! I have a box full of parts: altenator, starter, hoses, belts, dist cap, rotor, points, fluids, tire plugs, 12v air compressor, tire sealer. spare tire, fuses (even fuseable links), water, gear oil, wire, extra battery (actually had one die on me on the road too).

Whew.

It IS a nice security blanket knowing that if anything comes up you should be able to fix it and not be stranded. I head out into the backcountry of Utah, so I like to go prepared.

Good luck.

[neonlarry]

I also would recomend doing something different with the fuel line, and I would replace the front wheel bearings also. wheel bearings arent hard to replace, but doing it on the side of the road somewhere can be annoying.

[jay6891]

I'm about 20 miles south of I-40 in Little Rock Ar. I'm about half way between LUV2CLR8 and Bagged74 so I believe we can get across Arkansas. I'll pm you my home phone so you can holler if something happens. I work nights and not allowed to carry a cell phone at work but I give you it to and I can check my locker from time to time. Good luck Jay