going on a LONG road trip this summer, some ideas?
 

obviously change all the fluids, but what else can be done to prepare for a long roda trip (2000 miles total)?

i have an 85 GSL mostly stock, with a none rebuilt STRONG 12a. i'm REALLY thinkin about switchin the ratios out of the rear diff, cause thats better for cruisin speeds, right?

Kind of a good idea for a long road trip to change the diff gears to a smaller ratio...2000 miles in an rx-7 i can't imagine, good luck.

id probably go get the tires rotated adn allinged and stuff, check the brakes..

brakes are new, and i need to find a place that will adjust my caster/camber, toe, etc..

oh, and also, can't I just rotate my own tires?

i dunno, can you? :] im lazy so id just get them to do that with the allignment and get them to balance them tires while they are off :] yaa knooowww

Change trans oil, diff oil, spark plugs, dizzy cap, rotor, plug wires, brake fluid, clutch fluid, service AC (if applicable), clean windows, clean interior, flush radiator, change coolant (add water wetter), re-lube driveshaft... basic type stuff

Bring some oil and coolant along with you.

I carry a one gallon jug for coolant with 50/50 in it in my stoage bin along with a couple quarts of oil, a spare set of (used) spark plugs, a spare dizzy cap, rotor, and coil wire. In addition to those parts, I carry some PB Blaster (spray lubricant), misc electrical connectors, wire, duct tape, electrical tape, sunroof bag, etc. Thats all in my passenger side bin, and then in my drivers side bin its all tools. Socket set, open end wrench set, screwdriver set (changable bits), crecent wrenchs, pliers, wire strippers/crimpers, volt meter, etc.

And thats just for everyday driving ;). I hardly ever have to use any of it, but it sure is nice to know that I will have most of what I need whenever I would need it :). Im actually going to invest in a fire extinguisher and a small first aid kit here soon too. That fire under the hood that killed my air filters on my Weber was a reality check after hearing those horror stories of people having to watch their babies burn to death :(. The first aid kit should just come in handy for when I do have to work on my car and I bust a knuckle open or something ;).

~T.J.

i went on a 2000 mile round trip(from NC to the UP of MI) in my 83 gsl last year. The car had 120,000 miles and all stock. It was a great trip and I got about 25mpg on the road with cruise control. I had no probles what soever and only used about a little more than a quart of oil. But all you have to do is check all fluids, change oil, spark plugs, and etc, you will be in good shape! Im going to take the same trip i think next month in my 87 this time i think, anyways good luck.

Is the car running with no problems and no funny quirks? If so, don't replace, screw with, or adjust anything. By all means, take a few spares along, oil, coolant, plugs, wires, cap, etc.. but seriously, don't touch anything if the car is running fine. Don't forget to take along a small toolset with mostly metric stuff, too. The 3.90 rear is fine for long trips as I've cruised at 85-90 for about an hour and a half or so with no problems, just higer revs..

--Danny

If course, as long as they aren't unidirectional tires :)

Left front to right rear and vice-versa, right front to left rear and... you get the idea.

Be sure to use a proper torque wrench and break torque in sequence so you don't warp your rims or have a wheel suddenly depart your car on its own little trip.

Are you rotating radials? :confused: I though radials could only go right front to right rear and left front to left rear.

EDIT- hmmm, guess not.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...ral/rotate.htm

OOOOHH! Forgot!

One of the biggest lifesavers in the world is having a can or two of the Tire Sealeant Stuff. My bro threw the bead on his tire once, all air gone, and we used this stuff to fill it back up and seal it no problems! We made it home! So much easier!

Check the air in your donut spare. Mine was nearly flat when I bought my car.

No one has stated the obvious yet... be sure you've got a spare tire and jack with you.

Nice... two posts about that as i was typing

LOL! your justa double post whore! ;)

Also make sure you have plenty of music... oh they have these small LCD screens now, you could just put one in your steering wheel like I've seen in a bunch of cars, and then just watch movies all the way!

hmmm... maybe not?

and bring lots of cash for gas. ;)

Re: going on a LONG road trip this summer, some ideas?
 

That makes two of us!! :) Anyhow, lube the chassis and change the oil. Maybe it's a good time to run some MMO in the engine oil and in the gas. Check your tires for wear and check the trans, brake, clutch and differential fluids. Happy driving!

i always run MMO in the gas adn oil, and will continue doing so. From my own brain, amd all of yours, i've got a nice list, THANX. BUT the only thing i'm thinknin about is the lower gears. I know it may not be a big deal, but i don't wana cruise at 80-85 at 4k for 10 hours straight, thats leaning towards to much engine stress. i'd like that to be round 3-3.5k. A guy could sell my a ring-pinoin set (like 3.78 or soemthin liek that) for 75bux great condition, THE QUESTION IS how hard is it to put these in???

nobody has change out the gear in the back? someones gota know

Jeeze man... don't worry about it - it's a car not a fucking camel!! It's meant to be able to be driven on the highway for trips! Cruising for a while at 4k isn't going to hurt anything.

I've done several trips in my RX-7 driving 12 hours at a time, I really wouldn't worry about anything more than making sure the car is in good shape to start with.

I agree - the car will probably get treated better on the highway than it does in the city with all that stop and start driving, high temps in gridlock, corning, thrashing, whatever. I'll be taking mine from Winnipeg to Moncton NB this summer (and back) which is about equal to a one way trip across the country, coast to coast - thats going to total over 4k miles and I'll do no more than check the stuff you would usually check when doing a thorough tune up / oil change (and give the rad a flush). I'll change the oil before I leave and change it again when I get where I'm going. Have faith - chances are if you carry a spare car with you, you'll break down just for doing it (and the one part you don't bring will be the one thats goes on you). Bring oil, a few basic tools, and spare belts, cell phone, and get a membership with AAA or CAA - have fun! And one last thing - Radar detector;)

Or....just rent a car if the time is'nt going to be to long. That way you can beat on the car all day long. In other words, Burnouts bouncing off the rev-limiter, practice your drifting, jumping, (if your into that kinda thing), mud bogs, drag racing, rally racing, tractor pulls, lawn jobs, etc. And anything else that you're afraid to do in your own car, but where allways to afraid to try.:D:D

CJ

Try at your own risk. I take no responsability for the above actions. Doing so may put your life in danger, and should only be attempted by a proffesional driver.:D