..I will be traveling twice a month 550 miles one way starting in May. I drive all night long to get to the cabin, across interstate that’s sometimes empty. With 205,000 miles on my '94 CTD, what common spare parts anyone suggest to carry along? I do most of the work myself, as I grew up in a new car dealership..I carry lots of tools and I replace parts on my vehicles as "Preventive maintenance” to avoid break downs…I used to drive the shop’s tow truck, and can’t believe how some people travel so unprepaired.. I'll replace bearings, joints, alternator, belts, well before they are prone to give out, just have peace of mind.. How common is it for the ‘fuel shut off solenoid’ go out..I see them on ebay for sale..Should I carry one with me.. I'm fairly new in the diesel area ...as always I'm very greatful for the repleys on this great site.. .so any suggestions??

 

Keep your, belt, hoses, batteries etc in good order.

In an automatic, check your tranny lines.

check your fuel lines.

the solenoid can be wired up to keep you going.

 

I drive 5k amonth sometimes and I keep a full set of rad hoses,a fuel filter,an alternator brush pack,a solenoid relay,a set of rubber fuel lines,a spare starter,2 spare tires,all the obvious fluids,extra fuel,some containers,shovel,chains,towstraps,lots of hose and wire,so much other things I cant remember.Im gonna add a spare lift pump soon.I've learned that if you do any serious driving on the highway,you shoud carry alot of spare stuff.Unless you want to be stranded helpless in the middle of the mountains.

 

Holy Wow!

yea, your prepared!

Do you have room to carry anything else?

 

I would say a fuel filter, some extra fluids, and check your throttle cable before you go.

 

Holy Moly..a traveling service station..lol I like it !! thanks for the great info everyone!!

 

That reminds me..I was going to order a new throttle cable "Set"..for it..thanks for the reminder..!!!

 

my advice would be to replace belts/hoses/starter/lift pump/overflow valve/alternator etc. and keep the old ones in the tool box... that way you minimize your chances of getting stuck on the side of the road, but IF you do, you'll have the parts. I'm a firm believer in preventative maintanence, and if you're really going to be racking up miles, go ahead and do a pre-emptive STRIKE on the most common failure points in the comfort of your own garage/driveway and just hold onto the old stuff for the very slim chance something fails

 

our one truck with over 330k miles gets over 1000 miles put on it every week. It only has serp belt and tools to change it and a tire. spare tire. duct tape, electrical tape, tow strap, jumper cables, flash light and fire extisquisher. I dont think we've ever used anything except the spare tire.

 

***** go ahead and do a pre-emptive STRIKE on the most common failure points in the comfort of your own garage/driveway and just hold onto the old stuff for the very slim chance something fails[/QUOTE]****

..Exactly my kind of thinking !! and it pays off..9 out of 10 times when it comes to selling my vehicle (s") ..because its highly maintained and very clean, the first person to look at it will often be in dis-believe and "Buys it" on the spot... by the sound of it, its just like many of you here on the site...When I do advertize my vehicle..I discribe the unit in detail over the phone...my wife sometimes hears me discussing the vehicle, and shakes her head in disbelieve..as the buyer states he will buy it, and please hold it for him till he gets there.( BTW..when I'am in the shop too long I remind her the inportance of maintance, because it sells better later= longer stays in the shop..lol..) My wife grew ujp on a farm near Iowa/Mn and when I first met her, she was doing her own oil/filter changes..Good 'Ol farm girl..LOL The maintance is enjoyable, doing it on the weekends in my small hobbie shop...