Road Trip Prep Help

[Fuge]

CSC'ers,

My family and I are setting off on an epic road trip on the 20th for three weeks and about 5000 miles. I am working on getting the LX ready as much as possible to keep Murphy's Law at bay. I am replacing heater hose Ts on Friday. Are there any other unique things like that to look out for?

The LX has 195k on it and all the regular maintenance like timing belt and fluids are up to date. I just did an oil change, air filter and fuel system/injector cleaning on Thursday. It is getting new radiator hoses and flush with the heater Ts. I am also putting new springs and new tires on Friday as well. I am putting a lot of precious little people in the car so I want to get this right. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[murf]

the T's , hoses, and coolant all are great items. How about checking the spare tire condition and pressure. Also make sure you have all your tire changing equipment you need in your truck. Test the battery before you go and change it if it even shows weak but good imo.

I also suggest getting some substantial around town driving after doing all this engine and suspension work before you take off on your trip just to make sure all the changes are good to go.

Have a great time, sounds fun!

 

[Fuge]

Good call on driving it around to make sure it is good to go. I am getting a new spare with the tires. I will double check the tire equipment. I have an xjack but haven't checked the rest. I forgot I just got a new battery too. I also have a micro start and jumper cables. Thanks for the inputs Murf!

 

[verruckt1]

That's a big trip. Sounds fun! Maybe overkill, how about a power steering flush and fill and brake fluid exchange. I would also make sure the 6 zerks on the driveline are lubed. Best of luck to you.

 

[Fuge]

I had the rear brakes done not too long ago but I will double check the fluid. Not sure on the zerks or the power steering though so good call. Thanks.

 

[GOLDY]

Seems like all the good mechanical advice has been given. I thought I would mention, although you've probably taken care of this already, AAA or other towing and road service. I know it's a lexus and arguably one of the most if not the most reliable vehicles ever made but, you never know. Murphy's Law can occur at anytime. Peace of mind, Jut like your insurance. You never want to use it but, nice to know it's there if you need it.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Seems like all the good mechanical advice has been given. I thought I would mention, although you've probably taken care of this already, AAA or other towing and road service. I know it's a lexus and arguably one of the most if not the most reliable vehicles ever made but, you never know. Murphy's Law can occur at anytime. Peace of mind, Jut like your insurance. You never want to use it but, nice to know it's there if you need it.

I second AAA - takes a ton of worry out of any family trip

Minimum when any of our vehicles leave the city-
Water bag ~4 gal
Jump box
12v air pump with plug kit
Basic tool kit HF $30 version

 

[blatant]

All these suggestions are awesome. We do a lot of road trips and space is our big thing. I like the idea of an Attic. I also like the idea of a hitch rack. Really free's up a lot of room and still allows full use below it. This is on the middle and back handles. Got one for both the 100 and 200. This model fits both really well. Also Second LCP's air source and a plug kit, really good idea, +++ on the jump box, they're so dinky these days, why not!

X3 on AAA

and these if you don't have them. Also really great, specially in bug season. Maybe a new pair or two will make their way to the meet...
Window Socks Bug Screens - Land Cruiser Products - LCP


Landcruiser Attic

 

[Azca]

Brakes are a big one as previously mentioned. Check all your lights as well. I also keep a moving blanket in back to lay on if you need to work on it. When did you last change the filters, specifically the fuel filter. How is the PHH? Also I bring the following:

• Duct tape
• Electrical tape
• Silicone self sealing tape
• Head gasket in a bottle (your choice)
• About 20 feet of #12 solid copper wire. Has a TON of uses besides electrical work.
• Spare fuses.
• As Phil stated, WATER!
• A couple rags
• Work gloves
• couple pairs of latex gloves
• Flashlights. I like at least one handheld and one head band light.
• I also like to take two of the combination ratcheting box wrenches like these, I love them and constantly reach for them when working on the rig. One wrench, 4 sizes of nuts. Awesome...
• 

 

[DSRTRDR]

I presume you ditched your tire locks already - but if not, make sure you have the key with you

 

[Fuge]

Great stuff. I really like the attic idea. I didn't know that was a thing. Ordered

Duct tape and electrical tape seem obvious but weren't on my list so thanks.

I have not shed the tire locks yet but I do have the key. I read that as if that is common knowledge to get rid of those. What is the reason other than misplacing the key.

I have road side assistance with USAA which I have used before and it was really good.

I have a tool kit, first aid kit, recovery bag, jumper cables, microstart, emergency ponchos, 2x gps, flash lights, head lamps, knifes and multi-tool and LED road triangles on order. I only ordered 2 so I hope that is enough.

Phil, what is a water bag? I typically just buy gallon jugs but those aren't overyly space efficient.

I have heard air source multiple times now. Why is that? We are going to be on interstates 95% of the trip and will have a brand new full size spare. I want to get an air source down the road for airing down but a good one is pushing the budget considering all the other stuff and vehicle prep for the the trip. I was hoping to use this as a good excuse to get the onboard air but I feel it is low priority for this trip. What am I missing?

We have a bunch of stuff to keep the kids entertained. They are 6, 3 and 3. I love the cheating we can do with the kindles. I remember riding in the backseat fighting with my sister over the word search book and using the seat belt only to divide her side from mine. We also just discovered dry erase crayons. We have a RTIC 20 softpack cooler inbound to sit behind the center console for snacks. Some seatback organizers inbound along with kid lap work stations. Any other suggestions are welcome. We have planned the trip to hopefully go no longer than 6 hours a day with max 3 hour legs so we'll see how that pans out but hoping that should keep them from getting too stir crazy.

I really appreciate all the expierenced road trippers advice.

 

[blatant]

This thread should hopefully become a living thing, where we all add awesome idea over time.

Do you have a flashlight? Assuming you have 2 at arms reach?

As the months / yrs go on, I feel this could become a nice resource to review. You can plan and then prepare but ultimately you need to deal with...the smallest things count. Enjoy your trip, you'll be fine and do great.

One thing that was yet to be mentioned is check out the other local mudd chapters thru which you'll be traveling. Never hurts to post there or simply understand what's what should you need something. They are most likely as cool as everyone else on this great resource!

 

[medtro]

CSC'ers,

My family and I are setting off on an epic road trip on the 20th for three weeks and about 5000 miles. I am working on getting the LX ready as much as possible to keep Murphy's Law at bay. I am replacing heater hose Ts on Friday. Are there any other unique things like that to look out for?

The LX has 195k on it and all the regular maintenance like timing belt and fluids are up to date. I just did an oil change, air filter and fuel system/injector cleaning on Thursday. It is getting new radiator hoses and flush with the heater Ts. I am also putting new springs and new tires on Friday as well. I am putting a lot of precious little people in the car so I want to get this right. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

At 195k miles, have the fuel pump, alternator and starter been replaced?

Other random problems that come to mind:

• busted ignition
• fix for immobilizer issue?
• Tensioner pulley
• Idler pulley
• Serpentine belt

Other than what have been said, I also carry hoses in different sizes and hardware for hose repair.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Water bag - Nothing more than another way to carry water

Air source - MV-50 is a great value @ $50 and owned by several memebers
MV50 Compressor Portable Hi Volume Off Road

Are you still running AHC? If so will you stay within AHC additional weight limits with all your stuff?

 

[Fuge]

$50 is a price to bridge the gap until I can get on board air. I am still running AHC. The TBs are cranked a few turns and the front pressures are in specs. The rears have 30mm spacers right now and are high. I am putting King Spring on Friday. That should fix it I think.

 

[DSRTRDR]

X2 on the MV50 suggestion

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Just got home from a 3500 mile/three week trip in our 2003 LC (170,00-ish miles). One issue I had was in the first 500 miles, after a couple fill ups/top-offs, the check engine/VSC Trac/VSC Off lights came on. Scangauge showed codes PO0420/PO0430. After a moments panic (and barely any signal to check 'Mud) my brother in law remembered the codes were possibly O2 sensor. I cleared them them and confirmed here once we had signal that is what it was. In the remaining few thousand miles I only added Premium fuel and the light only came on one more time. Bad batch of fuel maybe? The other was my coolant reservoir dipped a couple times so I got a new one from Napa and had no issue with coolant on the hundreds of miles home. Safe travels!

 

[blatant]

Just got home from a 3500 mile/three week trip in our 2003 LC (170,00-ish miles). One issue I had was in the first 500 miles, after a couple fill ups/top-offs, the check engine/VSC Trac/VSC Off lights came on. Scangauge showed codes PO0420/PO0430. After a moments panic (and barely any signal to check 'Mud) my brother in law remembered the codes were possibly O2 sensor. I cleared them them and confirmed here once we had signal that is what it was. In the remaining few thousand miles I only added Premium fuel and the light only came on one more time. Bad batch of fuel maybe? The other was my coolant reservoir dipped a couple times so I got a new one from Napa and had no issue with coolant on the hundreds of miles home. Safe travels!

^^^
x 2 and this gents call of a scangauge, and they're cheap as can be on Amazon. Perfect to ease the mind if something pops up and excellent for clearing codes. For 20bucks, for a rudimentary one (that actually shows a fair amount) it's really hard to go wrong! Definitely add it to the kit if you don't have it.

 

[Fuge]

MV50 is on its way. Got my attic today and an ARB tire repair kit yesterday. Any suggestions on a specific scan gauge?

 

[Fuge]

Made it back. Great trip. 5000 miles. TX, FL, KY, CO, UT and back. LX ran flawlessly. Made it off road for about ten minutes at Arches, the LX passed 200k miles, and even a stop by the alma mater. Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated.

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Hwy 261 switch back just north of Monument Valley

US Air Force Academy, CO