Things to service/inspect before a trip to a remote area

[danos]

Myself and a few mates are heading up to Cobourg Peninsula NT in mid June.

I have a 98 Hilux and was wondering what other people serivce/inspect before heading out on long trips?

I'm thinking of replacing all the belts and hose's as well as an oil change.

Anything else?

[RockyF75]

Not tyring to be a smart arse, but, EVERYTHING!

Oils, check hoses, check everything on the power/drive train, shocks, springs, grease everything up, change filters. I'd probly take a spare air filter if there's going to be alot of dirt driving, prolly spare Uni joints too, spare fluids and top/bottom radiator hose... but this might be a bit much for a 98 model

[guzzla]

RENEW ALL WHEEL BEARING. Im yelling so hopefully you'll take notice. If theres one thing these trips do is hammer a vehicle with overloading, crappy roads, travelling faster than the conditions permit and if you havent done it in the last 6 months they will go to pieces when you least expect it and your 300ks from civalisation - murphys law says so.

Also do whats been said above. The more you change/fix/replace before you need to the more you increase the prospect of having a hassle free trip. Its cheaper to do it now at your own pace now rather than be forced to have some yobbo wanna be mechanic patching things up.

Get your radiator professionally flushed also (about $50)

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Do it right now and it will be the best trip ever.

[75 cruser]

the fridge is working at below zero to keep those cans cold

[danos]

the fridge is working at below zero to keep those cans cold

Haha yeh no fridge only ice, and lots of it. It's ok i can handle warm rum and coke.

The reason I posted this question is I had a look at the new 4wd Monthly DVD and there is a section on servicing the radiator. It was recommended to change the hoses, give it a flush with radiator cleaner stuff and change out the thermostat. These are things that I didnt think of but are obviously things to watch out for!

[GBC]

Take spare shock rubbers - highly disposable items up there.

Does your steering have an idler bush? Get it drilled and tapped with a grease nipple and fill it every day.

Loctite all nuts/bolts etc even in weird spots like seat mounts - 1500km without a seat ain't fun.

I'd also consider running 33's if you haven't got them - they'll handle lower pressures on the corrugations ( I run about 25 lb fully loaded).

Last but most important - SLOW DOWN - your mates may go faster with better suspension - let them.

My opinion only- used to work out of Maningrida/Nhullunbuy - Have fun and don't forget your permits - book ahead.

C.J.

[RockyF75]

the fridge is working at below zero to keep those cans cold

Haha yeh no fridge only ice, and lots of it. It's ok i can handle warm rum and coke.

The reason I posted this question is I had a look at the new 4wd Monthly DVD and there is a section on servicing the radiator. It was recommended to change the hoses, give it a flush with radiator cleaner stuff and change out the thermostat. These are things that I didnt think of but are obviously things to watch out for!

If you replace the hoses, keep the old ones as spares tucked away somewhere. Or if you want to be fully prepared and spend the coin, buy 2 sets and keep one new set spare.

[Zute]

Take at spare U bolt or four with Nuts. The nuts can be hard to get at some places for Luxs.

[daveo]

the fridge is working at below zero to keep those cans cold

Haha yeh no fridge only ice, and lots of it. It's ok i can handle warm rum and coke.

you had better bring lots of ice cause i like my rum and coke cold!

i second the shock rubbers as well, thats what screwed that shock i showed you.

[stool]

Spare King pin studs. If your lux has the solid front Axle.

[rezpkt]

all of the above plus grease up driveline and mechanical parts etc.
I would definately do wheel bearings.
i would keep the belts and hoses you replace as spares, also carry spare airlines if you have compressor/lockers. Replace thermostat!
Make sure radiator is clean but dont do what i did and hit it with a high pressure hose and put a crack in the core

Bleed brakes and clutch, replace ALL OILS! Replace fuel filter and possibly air filter?

Make sure car jacks and lowering mechanisms are fully functional for spare wheels (if no wheel carrier)

Go over your whole car and inspect, i would also get torque specs on every single nut and locknut and make sure they are to spec

Have fun!

[zagan]

Something else you might want to sus out as well, is the distances you can go on a tank of fuel and work out the distances you need to go to between fill ups.

The reason why I say this... is due to some sheep stations etc might not keep fuel all the time or only keep fuel that they need and you might need to ring up the sheep stations before you head off and see if they keep spare fuel or need to get your fuel shipped out to them or if you need it dropped off at a certain place.

This is something that I've come across quite a bit while reading up about preparing for long trips into no where.

[danos]

Thanks peoples

My list is getting bigger with every post. I'll carry spare fuel so that won't be an issue and the permits I already have. Wont be towing a boat due to some advice from the local fishing forum. Just have to wear the cost of hiring one up there.

I saw down the shops the other day some radiator "stop Leak". Just looked like some broken up cork to be honest. I think i saw someone once use pepper to block holes in a radiator??? Has anyone used this type of product?

[KiwiBacon]

Also

Anything you interfere with, test it properly a long time before the trip.
New hoses and clamps can settle and need retightened, bad clamps can strip apart when the load comes on etc.

[ratboy]

DONT FORGET A CAN OF START U BASTARD

[BJ]

Also

Anything you interfere with, test it properly a long time before the trip.
New hoses and clamps can settle and need retightened, bad clamps can strip apart when the load comes on etc.

x 2

[pongo]

i would lean towards double checking fluids, nuts, bolts, etc. and just carry spares. Imagine forgetting to tighten up the belt tensioner or like was mentioned a hose clamp come loose.

If i plan a trip away i always do my adjustments/servicing about a month b4 i go away. I had a camira shake a sump plug loose, tightened it before i went away and no probs, imagine loosing a sump plug. also nearly lost a filler plug off a gbox that had been serviced " profesionally" .

have fun

[rezpkt]

I saw down the shops the other day some radiator "stop Leak"

Yep thats what I have used for the time being, highly effective, has stopped my whole front end and diff being covered in radiator fluid.
A rather bad crack i would say, a bottle and abit later and no more leaks.
Only thing is 1) it is green gunk 2) i dont like that thick shite running through cooling system and/or causing blockages.

As mentioned above ^ I always carry in my toolbox spare drain/filler plugs and variety of hose clamps, includeing fuel filter drain 'plug'.


psst hello BJ. It is damos mate chongah here

[KiwiBacon]

I saw down the shops the other day some radiator "stop Leak"

Yep thats what I have used for the time being, highly effective, has stopped my whole front end and diff being covered in radiator fluid.
A rather bad crack i would say, a bottle and abit later and no more leaks.
Only thing is 1) it is green gunk 2) i dont like that thick shite running through cooling system and/or causing blockages.

As mentioned above ^ I always carry in my toolbox spare drain/filler plugs and variety of hose clamps, includeing fuel filter drain 'plug'.


psst hello BJ. It is damos mate chongah here

One mechanic I know swears of using ground pepper to stop radiator leaks.
I've never tried it, but have heard the same story from other sources.