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I do a few 5000 mile trips a year. Center of the clutch ripped apart once. Now has a southbend clutch. Injectors, two of them came loose last trip. Harmonic balancer came apart once 2000 miles from home. I have about 330,000 miles, and haul a lot.
I drove this from Dallas to north of Detroit last week. 467K on it, not the best tires. Fuel gauge not working & blown heater core - so I found out on the way home. Probably not something I'd do again...think I pushed my luck enough.
I drove this from Dallas to north of Detroit last week. 467K on it, not the best tires. Fuel gauge not working & blown heater core - so I found out on the way home. Probably not something I'd do again...think I pushed my luck enough.
Nah, wouldn't have bothered me, well everything but my back.
That thing had to be hurtful without much of a load on the Interstate.
If you've kept it maintained and know your truck, I would even think about it. My 96 has 260k on it and we're headed to Fairbanks AK from WA state this summer.
Just did 3000 miles in the '96 2500 4X4, pulling a 6000 pound 5er, 230k on the odo, without a hitch. OK, my Hazard Lights fuse blew when I put the hazard lights on with the trailer plugged in. Replaced fuse, don't push hazards with trailer plugged in again, bingo. Had a great trip from AZ to MT and back through AZ, UT, ID, MT, WY and CO. Was sad to be home again.
Don't hesitate to run these old trucks on long trips, if you've done your prep right. Filters, belts, spares, good tires, antifreeze check, etc. etc.
Sounds like you've maintained the truck pretty well. I'd go for it. Maybe carry a spare fuel filter, oil, etc..., and whatever else you may need for unforeseen minor issues.
FWIW, when I recently bought my '01 it involved a trip from MT to VA. Truck is far from stock but had the advantage of having it checked over thoroughly when I arrived before purchasing. Perfect drive back, round 2200 miles. Not one issue and lots of fun.
I need to make a 2500mi round trip and my truck has 175,000 miles on it.
Would you do it, without hesitation?
Anything I should do except changing the fluids?
I havent had the truck that long.... maybe six months but during the time I have had it I have replaced....
brake pads - front and rear
front rotors - they were cracked
upper and lower radiator hoses
flushed the coolant
changed the thermo (cause I ruined the seal)
dealer said he had the trans rebuilt it does have new fluid
replaced the serpentine belt
replaced the water pump
replaced the shocks
installed +2" springs
4 new tires
changed the oil and filter
installed a bhaf and heat sheild
04-15-2016, 05:20 PM
