This weekend I'm planning to take my 95 Ranger (2.3L, manual tranny, 4x2) on a long trip from Portland Oregon to Mammoth Lakes in California, which is 700 miles one way. I'm worried if my truck can make it there... i checked the road and it's highway all the way (mostly CA-395), but the overall elevation is 9000 ft! I am thinking to break it into 2 legs to ease the load on both vehicle and driver (I'm not young anymore).
So far i've only taken my Ranger to the coast several times but that's just 100 miles each way on pretty flat roads, and I'm driving it 3-4 times a week around town. No itches whatsoever...

Anyways is this too crazy for a truck this old? I've done regular maintenance on it and i'm having it checked out again before i leave. No real mods except previous owner increased the max load and mounted 235/75 R15 tires. The spare though is P225/70 R14 which also doesn't seem safe. Any recommendations on things to look out for or do before i leave?

 

Swap that SpareTire to same size as what's rolling, otherwise it can't be used in event of a flat! Make sure Jack+LugWrench fit & work.
Abbreviated\basic set of tools + gallon of Water\Coolant + quart of Oil + quart of ATF + spare Fuses + emergency HoseRepairKit + ...
Spare items like a WaterPump, Hoses, Belts, can also be carried per your best judgement.

 

thank you -- I followed your suggestion and just got a new spare of the same size.

I'm getting it checked out tomorrow so I'll make sure to ask for all of that.

I'm not that mechanic savvy though.... even if I had those I wouldn't know how to replace all that. I'm guessing that replacing a fuse is probably the easiest of the things you mentioned?