Prepping for a semi-long trip

[jeepXcore]

Taking a trip for the GF's birthday to Centralia, PA(also heard it can be a pretty rad place to drive a Jeep). I live about 88 miles out. So far, my Jeep has been fine getting me places, but I want to ensure it stays that way.

Any prep work I should do before I head out?(already planning on changing the oil and filter beforehand).

 

[JP98]

Check or change Dif oil, trans fluids and coolant.

 

[Chris]

I would make sure your cooling system is up to the task (meaning it's been serviced recently).

 

[jeepXcore]

I would make sure your cooling system is up to the task (meaning it's been serviced recently).

Any chain shop I could bring it to to get that done on the fly?

 

[StG58]

Interesting. I try to keep my TJ (and all the other rigs) maintained in a manner that allows me to just go when the mood strikes. Normal maintenance in other words. Keep up on that, and it's just a matter of checking fluids and tire pressure before heading out. Nothing special required. I might bump up a maintenance check or fluid change if it's going to occur during a road trip, but that's it. The only time that's bitten me in the butt is when a part failure occurs. That's been really rare in the last 45 years or so.

 

[Bird]

Any chain shop I could bring it to to get that done on the fly?

You'd be surprised how really easy that is to do yourself, maybe 20 minutes and no tools required. A bucket , funnel , Antifreeze and mix 50/50 with soft water.

 

[Josh Davis]

That trip honesty isn't very long for a Jeep that gets regular maintenance. I would be curious to hear about what extra parts people stock, back up fluids, first aid, tools, etc. for a trip like this or even longer.

 

[jeepXcore]

You'd be surprised how really easy that is to do yourself, maybe 20 minutes and no tools required. A bucket , funnel , Antifreeze and mix 50/50 with soft water.

Yeeeeah I looked it up, and realized how easy it was after posting this haha.

 

[JP98]

Taking a trip for the GF's birthday to Centralia, PA(also heard it can be a pretty rad place to drive a Jeep). I live about 88 miles out. So far, my Jeep has been fine getting me places, but I want to ensure it stays that way.

Any prep work I should do before I head out?(already planning on changing the oil and filter beforehand).

I guess the big question would be, where are you with your routine maintenance? Vehicles of this age need to have had all the fluids changed (Transfer, transmission, Dif, brake, coolant and so on) to keep them in top running shape. How long have you had the jeep?

 

[StG58]

That trip honesty isn't very long for a Jeep that gets regular maintenance. I would be curious to hear about what extra parts people stock, back up fluids, first aid, tools, etc. for a trip like this or even longer.

Here's a pretty good thread on gear: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-cant-you-live-without.1274/ A lot depends on what you're doing and where you're going. Jerry carries a lot of stuff when he goes Rock Crawling, I think, and Blain has his magic box o' parts and supplies. Other people carry other things depending on what and where.

As far a maintenance goes, the TJ gets a once over in the spring and all the fluids in the trans, differentials, transfer case etc. get checked and changed out with fresh. The brakes get a looking over a couple times a year and maintained as required. All the suspension nuts and bolts get a wrench applied to them once or twice a year, mostly to see if anything has gotten bent or broken. Engine oil and filter gets changed three or four times a year, and everything gets a shot of grease when the oil gets changed. The air filter gets changed out whenever the mood strikes and conditions warrant. Usually two or three times a year. Sometimes much sooner if I've been eating a lot of dust.

Hope that helps...

 

[RedTJ]

That trip honesty isn't very long for a Jeep that gets regular maintenance. I would be curious to hear about what extra parts people stock, back up fluids, first aid, tools, etc. for a trip like this or even longer.

That's not much longer than a daily commute for me, but the wheeling part of it could be pretty tough on it. On the driver's side under the hood there's a spot near the firewall that's got plenty of room to hold a gallon jug of whatever fluid you're leaking. Before I had my engine swapped, I kept a jug of coolant there. I also keep some basic tools on hand. You can't plan on everything.

 

[egclassic]

88 miles? I have only had my jeep since early October when the weather was still nice but the first two weekends we drove it a couple hundred miles just "getting out and about". In the summer, I will put over 200 miles on my Harley every weekend.
I don't know the condition of your jeep, ie; mileage, tire condition etc, but I would think you should be fine. If you are near the next oil and filter change interval, I'd go ahead and do that before you go, but other than that...
Only you know your jeep, so if it tends to burn oil, or leak tranny fluid I'd check those before you leave.
Anyway, have a good, safe trip!!

 

[teejay]

ok GFs bday.

prep work..

weed.
whiskey.
condoms.
campsite.

some good tunes to help make the most of all of the above. also a full tank of gas incase it all goes sideways and you and your TJ need to get the F outta dodge.

ohh and never choose a woman over your TJ, never. haha

good luck matey

 

[Rob5589]

As long as you are up to date on routine maintenance, 88 miles is nothing. Hell, I drive 75 one way to work, not that my TJ is my DD but have taken it a few times.

 

[jeepXcore]

Lmao, thanks guys. So I checked the oil, trans fluid, break fluid(all looked good), the coolant fluid looked clean and green and was at the proper level. Think we should be good!

 

[JP98]

Lmao, thanks guys. So I checked the oil, trans fluid, break fluid(all looked good), the coolant fluid looked clean and green and was at the proper level. Think we should be good!

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Stinger]

At 88 miles you barely have time to evaporate the condensation out of your oil. Drive it like you stole it then fix what breaks.