What to inspect / replace before a long trip?

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I relatively recently purchased my first Jeep. 2005 Wrangler TJ model X with 4.0 and 6 speed manual. I am planning on a trip with the wife out west in late spring/early summer. We are planning for about 3000 miles. Mostly on road but some off road too. I've been working on it and replacing everything that might be an issue. I want to make sure we have no issues on the trip.

Replacements so far (not all inclusive):
Has a new battery.
New front end (tie rod ends, track bar, ball joints, stabilizer)
New shocks
New OPDA (Crown)
New ignition switch
New ignition actuator
New belt and tensioner (replaced by previous owner)
Cleaned the throttle body and IAC
Replaced the spark plugs with Autolite iridium plugs
Completely new rear brakes (drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, and all hardware)



Planned replacements before we leave:
New radiator
New water pump
New thermostat
New water hoses
New radiator cap
New front brakes (pads, rotors, and calipers)

I also have new wheels and will be putting new tires on them before we go.


Anything else? What am I missing?
 
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Just bring a credit card and a laid back attitude, and have fun.

Seriously, just hit the road and have fun. If something fails, fix it and carry on.
 
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Start with driving it enough before you go anything rears its’ head.

Be sure you have all you need for flats, extra fuses and replace the fan belt if suspect and carry a spare belt.

I love the American west- Go.
 
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Nuts and bolts check. Top off or change the fluids and go. Most of the new parts you buy today are probably more prone to failure than the ones already on the Jeep.

My wife and I drove from Oregon to Montana last summer on dirt roads. Let me know if you need any help route planning.

My TJ was prepped pretty much like you've planned. Shocks blew up and the new rear end grenaded. We ended up swapping to my wife's JK which we had purchased two weeks earlier. Bald 35" tires on 18s with 3.07s. But it made the whole trip without a hitch.

 
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Sounds like a great adventure.

Mechanical (there are great threads here on most of these procedures):
  • After the cooling system overhaul, pressure test to make sure that it holds pressure.
  • Flush brake fluid before compressing front brake pistons.
  • (Optional) flush power steering fluid & clutch if never done before.
  • Inspect AC (you could run into some very hot days near the end).
  • If >= 100K, O2 sensors. Reset PCM so it can re-learn adaptive memory.
  • After new wheels & tires, cycle suspension and do alignment.
Other:
  • GPS app with the ability to save offline maps (I use Gaia GPS).
  • Roadside assistance (I use USAA).
 
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Go on some short to moderate trips with your wife in the interim... not only will the Jeep show you what it needs, fairly close to home, but you'll find out what you and the wife need for comfort on long journeys. 12 hour drives in a TJ can be fun alone... but when accompanied, could be a good marriage test...
 
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Some good advice here. When I overhauled my front end I also replaced the wheel bearing & hub assemblies. If your Jeep is relatively low miles and has 31" tires then you're probably fine. I would also add to pack tools that fit your Jeep. Not sure if you're doing the work yourself but if you are just keep a log of the key tools you're using to serve as a baseline for what you may want to bring.
 
Artsifrtsi said:
Go on some short to moderate trips with your wife in the interim... not only will the Jeep show you what it needs, fairly close to home, but you'll find out what you and the wife need for comfort on long journeys. 12 hour drives in a TJ can be fun alone... but when accompanied, could be a good marriage test...
Click to expand...

I love my TJ, but it would not be my first choice for a 3K trip! An LJ maybe...
 
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I am a couple of months into my 05‘ 90k on it when I bought it- Another bump on the entire fluid change- full synthetic gave me a slight uptick in mileage- but to add to the list New Wiper blades for the bugs.:)

76EC2EB5-937A-4921-BE31-DD56871BEC27.jpeg
 
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JustDandee said:
I am a couple of months into my 05‘ 90k on it when I bought it- Another bump on the entire fluid change- full synthetic gave me a slight uptick in mileage- but to add to the list New Wiper blades for the bugs.:)
Click to expand...

Good call on the wipers, believe it or not I had meant to include that but forgot! The TJ's windshield is so vertical that I also carry a non-scratch sponge/rag and squeegee. It's definitely a safety issue.
 
All good reminders and keep them coming!

Thanks for the recovery offer! I won’t make it as far west as Oregon but still very nice offer!

I kind of forgot everything done so far. I have replaced the O2 sensors. New entire exhaust system (minus manifold) too.

I know it’s a lot of miles in a TJ but we are going to spread it out over 2 weeks so don’t have to do that many miles on any given day. Friend of mine and I drove the Jeep on an exploring trip a couple weeks ago and did about 400+ miles in a day, quite a few miles were backroad and twisty state highways and it was fine. I’ve spend many many hours in far less comfortable vehicles so the TJ seems plush by comparison. Wife and I have driven it quite a bit so far together. We like long road trips so that part is good!

I did put wipers on when I bought it (and repainted the wiper arms) so that’s also taken care of.

I inspected the wheel hub assemblies when I replaced the ball joints and they were in good shape. No play and smooth rolling.

I flushed the brake fluid when I replaced the rear brakes and will again when I redo the front. The front brakes have plenty of pad left but there is rust on the rotor and a little on the caliper. I’ll just replace them all along with another full fluid flush.
 
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Just remember swapping out a quality used Mopar part for a new aftermarket may not be the best choice in all circumstances.
Swapping parts just to say they are new doesn’t mean they are better.
 
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I’ve driven Dodge vehicles at work for years. I’m not sure I would say Mopar parts are automatically quality……..
 
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