Thanks people!

Anyone has an answer to the question above?

As of yet, the truck has been outfitted so I can sleep-overnight in it. (Actually, i've been doing that 3nights/wk since september due to working at a different town than home... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> Yesterday night was -10?C <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />)

There is air in the spare tire, the up/lowering system has been replace by a threaded rod/tire/plate/nuts, but since tire's bald, should I consider getting another one?

Never own a winch/hi-lift/come-along or had a chance to use it, I'm wondering, how does a hi-lift help me getting out of those stuck position? Or is it more helpful for lifting in case for repair? or CAA (Canadian AAA version) is more useful?

Have all the winter stuff not-mentioned, balljoints had to be replaced cause they were bad, Rad hoses a 1 year old, battery less than 2yrs, new head/timing chain 1 year old, don't need tire chains where i go, have off-road lights as extra headlights...

Anoter question, since I'm arranging on sharing the trip with another person, is it good that we take turns & let the truck work non-stop for many days (around 50hrs)? Does the engine need rest at all?

Dont forget your Bail Money! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

....Anoter question, since I'm arranging on sharing the trip with another person, is it good that we take turns & let the truck work non-stop for many days (around 50hrs)? Does the engine need rest at all? .....

Naw, just run it until you're out of oil, or one of you falls asleep at the wheel. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Really, should find a REAL bed to sleep in about every third day.

WATER--a gallon for each of you. Stay hydrated and prevent 'the runs' from going through different types of water as you travel, esp with winter driving.

You're winter driving; what kind of shape do you think your tires SHOULD be in???? You can probably pick up a better spare at a junkyard for next to nothing.

With the high-lift, you can sorta jack the truck up and push it over to get it to move (not safe).
It can also be used as a winch (a crude one at that) with a rope on each end.
They sometimes like to drop, dont get in the way of the bar, stand BESIDE the jack, not directly behind it. (just a tip)

How about a Factory Service Manual? Without this forum to help you in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn't leave home without it.

Ideally you should have been tracking mpg to be able to figure this out on your own, but........

On my 94 V6 AT, I found the sweet spot was around 2700-2800 rpm for best mpg. Lower rpms (2100 or so) for some reason resulted in poorer mpg. Check it out before you go, if you can.

Don't forget the JBWeld. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Do you mean checking by driving at various constant rpms to check what gas mileage would turn out by numerous tries & errors?

I have been taking #'s down since I bought the truck but I didn't drive it by going at a set rpm on the hwy. I know when I want to go @ constant 60mph, it turns somewhere around 2900-3050 rpm, 75mph: 3300rpm, & I think if I go at 2700-2800rpm, i'm probably going around 50mph, not very fast at all indeed.

So assuming travelling at a constant pace(hwy), gas mileage is dependant on rpm right?
Thanks!

I would take some 12ga wire 'bout 5 feet just in case I need to do some minor electrical work

did you say cell phone. that can be really handy lol.

and a tube of "Seal-All" glue...it's like JB Weld for rubber hoses/plastic/etc. the great thing is that it is impervious to gas and oil...you can even use it to repair fuel line leaks.

also, take a long a tire repair kit (with a T-handle and the little self-vulcanizing rubber "plug" thingies).