Truck maintenance before hunting trips

SW hunter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 15, 2018
Messages
143
Location
Arizona
Lesson learned. Zip tie a spare key up on frame in case you lock keys in cab far from any town. Cheaper than the used windows out of junkyard for about $80.

Chipped keys can be expensive if programmed. A plain old $4 hardware store cut key will work to open a door. Or be used as a template in case you lose them altogether.
 
OP
nrh6.7

nrh6.7

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2016
Messages
1,149
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Got some new shoes for the truck. Took the advice of the forum and went with Coopers, but decided to get the stt pro over the s/t maxx.

q30CniQ.jpg

KUfYRLJ.jpg
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2013
Messages
2,228
Location
New Orleans, La.
Lesson learned. Zip tie a spare key up on frame in case you lock keys in cab far from any town. Cheaper than the used windows out of junkyard for about $80.

Chipped keys can be expensive if programmed. A plain old $4 hardware store cut key will work to open a door. Or be used as a template in case you lose them altogether.

I have used a plastic "key box" with a magnet attached. I stick it to the inside of the rear bumper. It keeps the key clean, and easy to reach in case it's needed.
 

Capt J

FNG
Joined
May 8, 2018
Messages
2
Location
New Braunfels, TX
I check fluids, belts, hoses, batteries, alternators as a lot have mentioned. I also check all my ball joints, sway bar, tie rod, and steering bushings. On these heavy diesels especially with after market bumpers, larger tires, and winches the front ends tend to wear down faster. These are definitely not fun road repairs.
 
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
1,228
Just regular maintenance stuff. It's time for the oil and brakes to get changed. I might also put a new door handle on so I don't have to keep cranking the window and using the exterior one.

I keep a small tool kit with socket set, tire plugs, foot pump, spare belt, and one bottle of each fluid, and some hose clamps. I figure that if there is a catastrophic failure, that should be enough to limp back to town. I try to park the truck so I can get a rolling bump start if needed.

If the U joint or drive shaft fail, I figure I can put it in four wheel and get down with just FWD.
 

neverquit

WKR
Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Messages
570
I change my belts pulleys and hoses every 3 years. Around $100 for factory parts and a 1/2 days labor. Seems cheap to make it to your destination
 
OP
nrh6.7

nrh6.7

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2016
Messages
1,149
Location
Fort Worth, TX
I change my belts pulleys and hoses every 3 years. Around $100 for factory parts and a 1/2 days labor. Seems cheap to make it to your destination

I just priced all new radiator hoses for my truck to the tune of $328...ouch! Two radiators, 5 hoses along with two water pumps. May have to wait on those, but everything else will be changed.
 
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Messages
741
Location
Northern Colorado
Jb weld and a pop can will patch just about everything that can spring a leak on your vehicle. Will at least get you back to town.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2013
Messages
2,228
Location
New Orleans, La.
I just priced all new radiator hoses for my truck to the tune of $328...ouch! Two radiators, 5 hoses along with two water pumps. May have to wait on those, but everything else will be changed.

Is that just the upper and lower hose? I don't change the heater hoses as often as the upper and lower hose. The heater hoses were a factory set that had fittings and came together (two hoses). They were pricey, but I only changed them once after about 7 years. Upper and lower hoses cost me less than $100 with new clamps.
 
OP
nrh6.7

nrh6.7

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2016
Messages
1,149
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Is that just the upper and lower hose? I don't change the heater hoses as often as the upper and lower hose. The heater hoses were a factory set that had fittings and came together (two hoses). They were pricey, but I only changed them once after about 7 years. Upper and lower hoses cost me less than $100 with new clamps.

Here's the list:

Right overflow: $10
Upper hose: $73
Lower rear right: $59
2nd lower hose: $63
Hose to reservoir: $23
Recovery tank hose: $29
Water by pass: $53

Now, I could probably do with waiting on some of those until later, but I have a tendency to replace things preemptively to avoid a future tear down, especially if I have to be in there anyways.

Ended up doing that with my front end about 15K miles ago. Needed two wheel hubs/bearings and a ball joint. Tore the entire front suspension apart and replaced every single wear part, including front axle u joints and coil springs. Shouldn't have to touch that beast of a front end for a long time.
 

Phaseolus

WKR
Joined
Feb 25, 2018
Messages
1,266
I put gas in it and windshield wiper fluid and check the oil, kind of like on any other 60 to 100 mile trip.

Too bad you have to sit in Denver traffic for most of those road trip miles ;). West Slope=Best Slope.
 

neverquit

WKR
Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Messages
570
Is that just the upper and lower hose? I don't change the heater hoses as often as the upper and lower hose. The heater hoses were a factory set that had fittings and came together (two hoses). They were pricey, but I only changed them once after about 7 years. Upper and lower hoses cost me less than $100 with new clamps.

I’m guessing he has a Ford with a 6.7 ps. It has two cooling systems. Even at 328. If the trucks over 100k in miles I’d still do it. Still a bargain compaired to a tow truck.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2013
Messages
2,228
Location
New Orleans, La.
I’m guessing he has a Ford with a 6.7 ps. It has two cooling systems. Even at 328. If the trucks over 100k in miles I’d still do it. Still a bargain compaired to a tow truck.
Definitely worth it. Especially if the alternative is being stuck on some Mountain pass at 2:30 am trying to get a cellphone signal.
 

67bronco

FNG
Joined
Aug 7, 2018
Messages
96
Location
South Carolina
Furthest west Ive been is AR for ducks and I carry a high lift, spare hubs for trailer, greasegun, 4 way, spare tires, jumper cables, tow strap, enough tools to fix most stuff, and a lot of times I throw the Honda 2000 in the back. My main truck is 2wd but I have 2 old broncos. Thought real hard about driving my 96 bronco out to Wyoming, that would be a long day and a half though. She would handle anything ide need to drive through out there I'm pretty sure. My plan is to get chains for my 2wd f150 and keep the comealong and hi lift and use good sense. If bad happens hopefully I can find one of ya'll

I keep up with my maintenance and usually just change oil and check brakes before a long trip. Took my wifes old suburban to AR once after she had just dropped it at dealer for service. I pulled up in stutgartt and heard a God awful sound coming from rear end. Needless to say they didn't inspect the brakes and it was metal to metal. Changed brakes in the parking lot of auto zone. Only tool I didn't have was a c clamp to mash the calipers in. I usually pack tool heavy wherever I go. Never know what you might need or who else you might have to help.
 
OP
nrh6.7

nrh6.7

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2016
Messages
1,149
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Well, I am happy to say that my truck is ready to roll to Wyoming next week. Not that this makes a hill of beans to anyone else, but I'm glad its done!

Items done:

New cooper stt pro tires + spare
New fluid in front & rear differentials
Change fluid in transfer case
Changed both fuel filters
New serpentine belt
New air filter
Oil and filter
Complete fluid swap and new filter for transmission
Had to replace all body mounts due to play between frame and body
Installed 1.5" leveling kit for additional tire clearance
New wiper blades
Couple trips to the chiropractor + ice + ibupropen + more ice

Now...if I get sidelined over a some obscure truck issue, I'm gonna be pissed.

For next year going to add a winch and larger fuel tank.
 
Joined
Jun 25, 2017
Messages
15
Location
Colorado
I do nothing special prior to hunting season. Everything that has been mentioned is part of what they call basic maintenance. I do that year round. I have enough to do to get ready for hunting season. I do not need to worry about my rig.
 
Top