Ok, I'm planning to leave sometime after Christmas to BC ski-bumming for a few months until next May <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />, I'll be driving from EastCoast to Westcost & back, so I'll probably won't be visit this site for a bit.

I'm trying to make a list of all the things that I need for this long long trip.

Vehicle operation wise:

What more stuff would u recommend me to do?

Here is what I've have done since september:
-All balljoints, right outer tie-rod, pitman/idler arms
-4 blizzard 235/75r15 tires with a barely useable roundout spare tire
-new exhaust from manifold
-front/rear brake pads, new rotors/calipers
-engine oil/filter, tranny, front/rear axle, transfer case, coolant, clutch, brake fluid change


Gear/fluid wise:
What do u recommend for me to carry?

What I have already:
-cheap $10 air compressor that claims 250psi but who knows how long i have to wait to pump a tire up
-wrench from 10mm to 24mm
-socket set
-jackstands
-10L gas container (need more?)
-plier, cutter, DMM, cell, duck tape, electrical tape, 1st aid kit, shovel, tire repair kit, jumper cable, flashlight, saw, tarp, compass, maps, food, sleeping bag, matches,
-a bottle of brake fluid
-windsheild liquid
-wd-40

I probably am missing some more stuff, so let me know!

I'm using the cheapest gas(87) right now, & am planning to do so for the next 10000km (gas's not cheap!), is there anything wrong with that? As I constantly hear the valves noise whenever I'm pressing on the gas when it's underload?

Also, for my engine with 4.10 & 235/75r15 tires , how do I find out what's the best speed to travel at where i get the most efficient gas mileage?

Last, should I ditch my rock sliders at home or bring it?

One last last thing: I'm planning to do oil change just b4 I go, so 10w40 is what I need? (I'm asking cause I put Castrol GTX 5w30 with Fram Filter last time.)


Thanks, this will be really interesting.

Air Filter? Ignition system running well?.....HEATER? You got a lot covered so far...

Heater has been covered, as my resistors for blower motor burn out last week, 2 times. & They are working now. But will get another one just in case.

What about filter? I know it's clean now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

If the balljoints dont need to be replaced then dont do them. Toyota originals last a long time. My 86 still has 3 of 4 originals. How about extra antifreeze? You'll need an 8mm socket/wrench somewhere down the line. Grease everything with Zerks. Bring a hammer. It's good for those emergency alternator fixes. Fix-a-flat. It's easiest to use. Come along winch too. Thats all I can think of for now. Enjoy your trip, I'm jealous, I'd love to ski that much. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-John

Coming from Toronto, windshield scraper and a broom for cleaning snow off your vehicle may be standard equipment, but I didn't see that on the list. Do they ever require tire chains where you're headed even with 4wd? Can't remember if I saw fan belts. I carry them to make sure I never have one break!

For Canada in the winter I would run 5-30 oil.

I would also take an emergency pack of food and water in case you get stranded somewhere. I would also take along a bunch of phone numbers you can call if you get in trouble.

I might ditch the jumper cable and buy a booster pac battery.

Some pillows for when you have to sleep in the truck.

By the way, your trip sounds awesome! Too old and tied down with wife,2 kids but maybe someday I will get to do one of these trips. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I didn't see extra radiator hoses or pvc pipe the correct diameter and pipe clamps to fix a bad radiator hose. What is the age of your battery, if it is beyond 2-3 yrs(about all they last anymore), you might want to get another. An extra headlight and tailight/blinker bulbs might be nice to have with it being winter. Some flares and kindling for a road side fire if you are having to make repairs in the middle of BFE, providing you have extra room. I would also through in a qt. or two of oil, and power steering fluid.

I would leave the sliders on, unless they are really heavy.
As to the noisy valves, if you dont't here them running a higher octane, you might reconsider using 87. I know gas is getting expensive, but I still wont run anything under 89.

The last long road trip I went on, after I did all of the prep work on my rig, I went by the dealer and let them do a once over, to catch anything that I might have missed. It cost me a service visit($75), but it was good for my peace of mind.

Have fun. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Snotoy's stuff; extra hoses, belts. You DID NOT MENTION the status of your spare; can you run it up/down or no; does it have air?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

Make sure you can camp for the night with the rig. I always tell ppl to stay with their rig if they get stranded. Also make sure you have a decent tool assortment and a tow strap or two.
Don't overdrive your headlights in case the game steps out in front of you. Elk like moving at night. Best to just get off the road at night.

Unless I missed it, I don't see a Hi-lift jack mentioned anywhere. If you won't have a winch, it will probably work a lot better than most come alongs, they're cheap and they have a million uses. Just toss it in the bed. That and a long strap will go a long way to pull you out of a ditch if you're by yourself.

ditto <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Based on personal experience of having a good battery starting to fail suddenly (most likely an internal cell strap failure) while out in the boonies west of the Grand Tetons. I now have a second battery system in my vehicle.

Get one of the booster pacs that has a 17AH gel cell battery such as shown below.



These provide more than enough current to start Toyotas (whose starters are very efficient PM motors with a double reduction gear design).

I measured the starting current on my 3.4L V6 and it was only 70amps. Similar starters are used on the Ford 460 V8s used in some of the emergency generators that we service, takes only 80amps of current to start an engine this large.

These work so well I decided to use 4 in parallel as my second battery system shown below which gives me 68AH of capacity, This is slightly greater than the 56AH capacity of the Optima red top batteries.



We also carry an electric cooler, so we always have food and cold water with us. At the higher, cold altitudes, dehydration is a problem so keep plenty of water on conveniently on hand. And as mentioned pillows, blankets, etc. to be prepared to stay warm and sleep in the vehicle if circumstances require it..

Most of these items have already been mentioned, but here's a pic of my cross country essentials..



All the above stuff fits as shown below.. leaving lots of room for clothes for a variety to temperature extremes..


Might want to take a look at my website as I have outfitted my 4Runner for long distance cross country travel (and off roading of course! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )