advice/tips for a long road trip

ma99ie

NAXJA Forum User
Location
chicago
so keith and i are headed out moab,ut in august from chicago in our 96 xj, with 112k on it...its roughly 1350miles one way....we usually rent a car when we take long trips but we want to take it out on some of the trails and also not pay for a rental this time... basically that thing where you know you have alot of stuff to do, but when you try to think of it nothing comes to mind? well thats happening to me and i dont want to forget anything taking such a long trip...so what are things you guys would do before taking a roadtrip to prepare etc.?? any thoughts are appreciated :) thanks!--mags:roll:
 
Spare parts, fluids, and extra cash just in case! Bring a lot of them. If you are locked, bring shafts just in case. Make sure its tuned up and everything is in good working order.
 
I've made that trip, I used to live in Bloomingdale.

Probably the biggest thing would be to make sure that your cooling system is in good shape. Travelling in August, as well as the Rockies equates to a lot of engine heat. No leaks, make sure it's full, might not be a bad idea to flush it and fill with fresh coolant. Do that at least a week before to get the bubble out of the top of the head.

Otherwise, just the usual stuff. Tune-up, check the brakes, all fluids.
 
Oil and filter, air filter, check tire ware make sure all the pressures are right look at your tierods and balljoints, u joints, driveways hub and bearings. if everything is good throw a couple bags of beef jerky in there and hit the road
 
crap i didnt think about how hot its going to be last time i was out there in august i flew there..good thinking ChiXJeff...
see what would i do without u guys? i have tobe the organized one since my husband doesnt think of any of this stuff, he just looks at me and says "make it happen" i guess im a typical chick worrying and planning... thanks for all the imput guys
 
...couple bags of beef jerky...

^^ this should be #1 on the list, but you might also want to have a spare CPS handy if you've never replaced it before. Some might say that's being overly cautious, but I'm thinking that a long road trip in the heat and mountains would be a perfect opportunity for a bad or failing CPS to show itself. You can pretty much count on the CPS being the problem if the engine stalls suddenly like someone flipped a switch. You would need an assortment of socket extensions and a flex joint to replace it IIRC.
 
thats a check on the jerky...
im bringing the jeep in soon to get a full check up
luckily my ac blasts me to the northpole so not at all worried about that...
so as far as the CPS is there a way i can prepare or have it checked to see if its bad or failing now so i dont have to have it fail on me in the mountains? haha im total newbie so bare with me if i have stupid questions:wierd:
 
Not a stupid question at all. Since it hasn't given you any problems, it would check out fine with a multimeter, so no point in checking. You pretty much have to catch it in the act. If you wanted to be really proactive, you could go ahead and replace it and just keep the old one for a spare. Or just know that it's a common problem and what the symptoms are and be prepared with the right tools for a roadside repair if necessary. That's what I would do :D
 
i was thinking about not worrying about any of this and just hitting the road and hoping for the best haha... of course i knew better...glad i decided to post on this as i really dont want to be 1000 miles from my house and have no means to get back... thanks for all the replies so far and you can all look forward to many more questions :laugh:
 
Not a stupid question at all. Since it hasn't given you any problems, it would check out fine with a multimeter, so no point in checking. You pretty much have to catch it in the act. If you wanted to be really proactive, you could go ahead and replace it and just keep the old one for a spare. Or just know that it's a common problem and what the symptoms are and be prepared with the right tools for a roadside repair if necessary. That's what I would do :D

CPS's are fairly cheap. Somehwere in the area of 40 or 50 bucks. Cheap insurance to not ruin your adventure.
 
i think we can handle 70... quit playing with my emotions!


Sorry, My body is here and my mind is in Harlan, KY where I am headed tomorrow to wheel! :D
 
there is no way to prepare for everything. I agree that cooling is number one, the 4.0 ltrs run a real dirty cooling system. get it flushed.

I know all about being stranded 700 miles from home, glad I had a spare vehicle with me.

Dan
 
Check the bell housing & torque convertor bolts. Don't ask me how I know.

JIM.
 
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