1600 Miles (Colorado to NY) in my 98 Discovery....Scary

M

Mountain Man

Member
May 8, 2014
11
0
Colorado (for the moment)
This is just a little venting of my fear lol.
As you know life takes it's turns and I am having to relocate. Unfortunately due to circumstances all I have left is my Disco to make the trip.
It scares me to death. Normally I would never take any trip in a vehicle I hadn't gone through and new wasn't 100% ready (not counting Iraq or Afghanistan, some of you know what I'm saying).

Took it to the dealer and so far the only codes they are pulling is for both down-stream O2 sensors and a burned out light in the dash, these can wait for a while.
They also helped located a few issues I fixed.

In the last month and a half have replaced the Air Intake Gasket (OEM), both Valve Gaskets (OEM), Steering stabilizer (Old Man Emu), and a new set of tires (BFG's).

I still have to replace the coolant over-flow (its cracked underneath and leaks intermittently) but doesn't over heat,
New set of plugs and wires, install new cooler-opening thermostat, and change oil one more time (possibly go to 15-40 weight).

What I think is needed but may have to wait.
New shocks (OME) and possibly springs (OME).
A snorkel (for cold air induction).

And.....a tow truck lol.

Did I mention I'll be towing a trailer?

So any way guys and gals....wish me luck and please add anything you think might help.
i.e. Suggestions, jokes, and prayers. If something catastrophic happens.....I'm screwed.

Thanks for letting me get this out there.....sometimes it's just needed.
 
D

DiscoPhoto

Well-known member
Jul 23, 2012
2,581
76
Vermont
Forget the snorkel for cold air induction, not worth the money.

Replace the expansion tank, join the birmabright brotherhood, get AAA, drive.
 
Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,766
565
Seattle
DiscoPhoto said:
Replace the expansion tank, join the birmabright brotherhood, get AAA, drive.
Click to expand...

This advice is solid gold. I'd also spring for a real-time data reader like Scan Gauge, Ultra Gauge, Turbo Gauge, etc. Plug it into your OBD2 port, stick the display on the dash, and you can keep an eye on your coolant temp, engine load, and so on. Plus it can read and clear fault codes. Handy gizmo. There are also smart phone applications that can accomplish the same thing, do a search in this forum for that option. Also grease your drive shafts before hitting the road.
 
M

Mountain Man

Member
May 8, 2014
11
0
Colorado (for the moment)
Tugela said:
This advice is solid gold. I'd also spring for a real-time data reader like Scan Gauge, Ultra Gauge, Turbo Gauge, etc. Plug it into your OBD2 port, stick the display on the dash, and you can keep an eye on your coolant temp, engine load, and so on. Plus it can read and clear fault codes. Handy gizmo. There are also smart phone applications that can accomplish the same thing, do a search in this forum for that option. Also grease your drive shafts before hitting the road.
Click to expand...


I have actualy been looking at Edge Products Insight CTS. Which ones have you used and can say worked?
 
Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,766
565
Seattle
Mountain Man said:
I have actualy been looking at Edge Products Insight CTS. Which ones have you used and can say worked?
Click to expand...

The Scan Gauge 2 is a widely popular choice among D-webbers. Being a cheap fuck, I went with a Turbo Gauge IV on the ebays. When I bought mine it was a fair sight cheaper than the listing I've linked to, so for the price difference you might find the Scan Gauge 2 is a good value. That being said, I have found my Turbo Gauge IV to be perfectly serviceable and it does exactly what I need it to.
 
rwhitmo04

rwhitmo04

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2011
130
1
North Alabama
DiscoPhoto said:
Replace the expansion tank, join the birmabright brotherhood, get AAA, drive.
Click to expand...

Agreed. At some point you just have to drive the damn thing. You can spend forever preparing the truck, or you can drive it, break it, fix it, and keep driving it. While this won't work for all applications, it doesn't sound like you'll be stranded anywhere off the grid.

I just finally "finished" my RRC. I drove it out to Utah after only having driven it a hundred miles or so, and it held up better than I expected. I have gone through almost the entire truck, so the few fixes I had to make while on the road were manageable. Heading out with a full set of tools and another truck helped things as well.

Good luck with the trip.
 
S

sedat

Well-known member
Mar 4, 2014
80
1
Vegas!
I took a early p38 cross country just over a year ago.

Don't sweat it.

Fresh hoses. fresh expansion tank/cap. make sure your wheel bearings have been serviced, toss in a fresh fuel filter and GO.
 
K

kk88rrc

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2007
1,187
3
Portland Maine
www.kevinkeithphoto.com
Did it last January in my '88 RRC I purchased in FL & drove back to Maine.
Like others have said Birmabright & AAA…. but make sure you get AAA+…. good for a 100 mile tow.

Only other things would be a way to get online & an external battery for your phone. I haver a Mophie which will charge the iPhone approximately 2.5 more times.
 
D

DiscoPhoto

Well-known member
Jul 23, 2012
2,581
76
Vermont
I just find that if you fuss around too much before a trip, you're bound to screw something up. You're better off replacing what is absolutely wrong and driving.
 
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