I am going to the outer banks this summer and I am taking my truck so I can do some wheeling on the beach. the trip down is about 600 miles and then 600 miles back up, plus driving around down there. So, I will be putting on some serious mileage. I don't want to break down at any time during this trip lol, so what should I do for preventative maintanence before the trip besides change the oil and air filter? The truck has about 124,000 miles on it, I bought it when it had 120,000. It has a new clutch but other than that I have no idea what the previous owner replaced or maintained.
What do you think for PM?

 

Plugs, wires, fuel filter, alignment, flush your tranny, diffs, radiator. Thats all i can think of right now. I'm sure others will add.

 

I'd check the brake hoses for cracks and brake lines for any signs of rot. Probably check front wheel bearings also. And belt(s)

 

Belts, hoses, plugs wires filters (oil air fuel) brakes are a good call also. Make sure you stock the cooler before you take off

 

Ok, I can't find a how to for the 4.0 on: radiator flush, fuel filter change, plugs/wires... but I am sure the
-radiator flush is easy, probably just a drain plug, I wait until its cool, open the plug, drain the fluid and refill with 50/50?
-The spark plugs I have heard are a ***** on the 4.0 sohc, should I attempt? I have a bl so it might be easier to get to them. Wires? Is that easy to change them out? Is ther a coil or something like that? I remember changing the ignition coil on my jeep when I did the plugs and wires.
-Fuel filter? I don't even know where it is located, how do I go about changing that?
-Differentials? never done that either how does that work, drain bolt on bottom and fill bolt on top? Fill with how much of what fluid?
The clutch was just replaced recently so the tranny fluid should be fresh.
-Wheel bearings, how do I tell if they are good or bad? Same with ball joints how do I inspect those?

 

Yea the radiator flush is easy. Yes the Plugs on the 4.0 are a PITA, but I have heard that with a body lift it makes it easier. I'd advise to take the wheels off when doing it. Wires aren't too bad. Fuel filter is on the driver side frame. Just have to be careful when disconnecting the clips, other then that its a breeze. From what I've heard the rear diff isn't too bad to change, its the front thats a pain.

 

Where at on the outer banks are you going?

For my trip to Texas I did, coolant flush, rear diff change, oil change, checked my brakes, plugs and wires change. Made sure power steering fluid and brake fluid look good. Check your ball joints for any movement and the boots aren't cracked. Etc, etc

 

Im going to Corolla light, sound front. Its one of the last places before the 4x4 beach. We go every other year.

I have changed plugs and wires on my jeep wrangler, I also flushed the radiator and replaced a brakeline, so Im sure Ill figure that out.
Why do you say to take off the wheels when I change the plugs?
And I have never touched a differential, how do I go about changing the fluids? And what type of fluid do I use and how much of it?

 

Corolla is awesome, I was just down there 2 weekends go. Have fun man!

Taking off the wheels makes it easier to get some of the plugs, remove the splash shields too. For the diff fluid its super easy, loosen up all the cover bolts and remove them all except for the top one then let the fluid drain out. I spray mine out with brake cleaner and try to get as much old fluid out as possible. Then make sure both sides where the gasket goes are clean of the old gasket, squirt on some RTV sealant and reinstall. Then on the back of the diff theres a 3/8 in drive bolt that you have to take off to refill it, mine was a pain. Then just refill it until a little bit starts coming out of that hole and your good to go. Thats just for the rear diff, I've never had to do a front.

 

Pretty much everything has been covered,

I'm driving 2100 miles From Toronto to Calgary, and I've had nearly everything replaced on my truck so far. It's been expensive, but I've also got twice the milage you do. Some of the stuff I have had replaced has never been replaced in 7 years and 250 000 miles.

 

The passenger side is a royal PITA. especially the back one. If you cant get in there to change it for whatever reason, 6 new, is best, 5 is good enuff lol

 

Thats not too crazy of mileage. Air up the tires, check the oil and go..

 

Did anyone mention condition of Tires , IE, cracks or buldges in the side walls ?

Wouldn't want a tire to blow out on the highway.

Have a good trip !!!

Glenn

 

For me it's always the middle one on the passenger side.

 

fill tank ,check oil check tranny fluid top off wiper fluid and GO.

ross i put over 400 miles on my truck a weekend. you'll be fine. plus the 250 i do a week.

 

the sand in corolla is alot more packed down so you shouldn't have any problems when driving on the beach. alot of ppl air down their tires but i never had and haven't had any problems. if you hit up oregon inlet be sure to be at the fishing pier right across from the entrance to the beach to see what fish they bring in. i think that happens between 4 and 5.

 

Ya I remember the sand is pretty packed on the beach, but all those trails behind the beach with big water holes and everything are a ton of fun. Your not supposed to be joy riding on them they are access only lol. Where is oregon inlet? never heard of it

 

its further down the main road just keep going past the turn to corolla and go straight and youll get to it. ya there is a nasty hole back there. two years ago i busted my radiator and didn't know it so i was crushing down the beach overheating like a **** and blew two head gaskets. so be careful. let me know when your going and ill meet ya there if im not at work

 

Oregon Inlet is down at the bottom of the island south of Nags Head. Its about a 30-40 minute drive from Corolla. We're actually having a meet there this summer

 

NICE!! Ill be there for the week starting August 15th.

 

Ah you'll just miss it by 2 weeks.

 

Ok, I am doing a complete PM to the truck.
Tomorrow is:
oil change,
air filter,
plugs,
fuel filter
Next weekend:
radiator flush,
transfer case,
front and rear axle fluid
I recently replaced a the belt with a gatorback, and I had a new clutch put in a couple months ago, so Im sure that means they put new fluid right?

I have found how to change the fluid in the transfer case, but I can not find a write up on how to:
change fluid in front and rear diffs.
radiator flush

Can someone explain or point me to a write up on how to do these things?

I thought that a radiator flush consisted of opening the drain plug, drain the fluid, ten fill it back up. But i have read something where people mentioned having the vehicle running and the heater on or something... confused about that.
Also, what kind of fluid and how much do I need for the diffs, and the transfer case?

 

anyone?