So I'm not sure if this question belongs here. But I have an 81 d150 with a slant and I'm not sure the tranny, it's a three speed with a b&m shifter. But my question is I am needing to drive it to texas from washington state and am just curious if it will do it or not. It is all original except for a battery and a starter relay and oil pressure gauge. Maybe a couple of other odds and ends. I do t drive it much. But always try to fire it up every few day maybe once a week and it never has trouble starting. I think my only problem would be the fuel link heat soak problem which I have been having trouble getting the fittings out I order to do the fuel line mod. I was thinking of wrapping it in some header tube heat wrap or something. And it's oil pressure always stays around 35 to 40 no matter what. I just don't want to wind up in the middle of nowhere as this trip is on a tight budget. Is there anything anyone could recommend that I should replace before getting one the road? And help would be appreciated. Thanks

If it is in good shape it should make the trip no problem. Before a long drive I always check the belts and hoses, check the air filter, and mostly check the brakes, steering linkage, and suspension. It is usually a good idea to carry spares of critical parts like belts and hoses than can leave you stranded if they fail.

And stop every once in awhile and keep us updated on your trip!

There are plenty of Slant 6 folks between WA and TX that could lend a hand in case of trouble.

Are you PCSing from JBLM to Fort Bliss?

If so,... You're in for some "culture shock"!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Reed thank I will add some hoses and I have a few belts already. It runs pretty solid and I don't think I should have worries. I'm just stressing the 2,000 miles on the truck I bought for 680 dollars. But all I can do is go for it since the old lady wants me out for awhile.


And rob I at times wish I was In the military or maybe have joined when I was 18 like I had planned. But I went the live life route and that got me nowhere. I have been think of joining but I don't think they will let me in. But I will gladly keep all of my fellow friends on sl6 up to date on how I make. Who knows maybe I'll find a new state

A little over a year ago my friends drove my mostly original 63 valiant 2500 miles from Nevada to Pa. When a friend was working for Hot Rod Magazine every summer he would buy a old Valiant/Dart do nothing to them but filters and oil and drive from LA to Boston.I met up with him at Chryslers at Carlisle in PA. He was driving a 62 Valiant with 4 miss matched tires and the thing looked like it wouldn't make it around the block.
Take some precautionary measures and you should be ok. Just remember you will never need the spare parts you carry with you. Only the one you don't have Good luck.

yep you always need what you dont bring with you.


Just get a trailer and bring another d150 in tow.. that way you'll have a spare everything!


Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

I take my 65 Barracuda from Carrollton, GA to Pigeon Forge every year its about 5 hours or so. I know it is not 2k miles but I have not had any trouble except the first year. Radiator was blocked.

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2006 Jeep Commander
2013 Chrysler 200

1964 Valiant 4 Door
1965 Plymouth Barracuda
1967 Chevy Camaro

Well my dear internet friends I shall change a oil filter maybe a fuel filter. Throw a couple of cans of fix-a-flat in the tool box and hope for the best. It should be fine. I drove a straight six ford over the same distance before. So I am going to hope my mopar will do better. The ford I drove needed a u-joint and I couldn't go over 60 which I can't do in my dodge anyways. Thank you all for your support. If not keep your eyes out for a half burgundy half silver dodge for sale really cheap between wa, and Tx. Thank you all!

Just because a car is old doesn't mean it is not reliable. Back in the summer of '95 I drove from Tacoma, Washington to Anchorage, Alaska with three of the five members of my family. We all piled into my brother's 78 Ford Fairmont wagon (powered by a 250 six cylinder) along with enough clothes for spending the summer up in Anchorage. We drove from Tacoma to Anchorage in three days. That is 2300 miles. We drove almost all day and all night doing 70-90 MPH average through some of the most remote country in North America. It was a beautiful trip, but I dont recommend doing it in three days crammed in a car like we were.

My brother's wagon made the trip with no problems. When we got to Anchorage, we discovered that the carb was flopping around loose on the intake. We fixed it and our fuel economy was much better on the drive back home. In addition to spare belts and hoses, on that trip we packed a full tool set and four gas cans strapped to the roof of the wagon. We used them all, too, and numerous times made it to the next gas station with a nearly empty gas tank and empty gas cans on the roof. Stopping to take a whizz or fill the tank in the middle of the tundra in the sumer was an almost sure way to be atacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. The frost heaves on the highway just over the border in the US from Canada are really fun. It is truly like a roller coaster for your car.

My point is that a well maintained older car is just as reliable as a new car, and, in some ways, more reliable.

At very least easier to fix on the side of the road versus todays cars.

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2006 Jeep Commander
2013 Chrysler 200

1964 Valiant 4 Door
1965 Plymouth Barracuda
1967 Chevy Camaro

If you're not pressed for time and the truck hasn't been out on the open road in awhile, I'd suggest running down to Portland for the weekend or something of the like. If it doesn't overheat or have any issues in a 2-3 hour drive, it should be fine for a 2-3 day drive.

I've used $750 trucks as daily drivers when I lived 45min from the nearest town, so it was hours of driving anytime I went anywhere. I did a 5,500 mile road trip in my Dart several years ago. Went through a couple voltage regulators (faulty parts) and a battery, but no real problems. I've done a few roadside repairs, and limped to a parts store once or twice, but my old Mopars have yet to leave me stranded completely.

So I'd suggest putting a few miles on it to make sure everything is up to snuff, and hit the open road. Have a fun trip!

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+1. A shakedown trip of a few hours n the highway is a great way to see if any problems will crop up on a longer haul.

Erm1029,

The biggest thing I would worry about is the fuel line from the tank and any rubber fuel line splices. With the ethanol based fuel it will eat the hoses so I would replace them with the newer (30R9 ??? I believe) is the proper rubber hose that will hold up. The engine will make it no problem, just lash it loose before you leave, .012 and .022 to give you more torque and eliminate any potential of burning a valve if it over heats from loosing water.

On the heat soak issue don't worry about the fancy fittings. Just cut the metal outlet line near the pump and leave about 6" or so rotate it up and re-tighten the fitting and clamp the new rubber line on it with dual clamps. Then run it up and over the valve cover to the carb.....that will eliminate the fuel boiling problem at the front of the block when you shut it off for pit stops.

Take some extra wire in case you need to rewire a circuit or two and some extra oil and water. You should be fine. Hopefully you have a 180 or 160 stat.....and some fresh antifreeze.

Have a good trip!

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Which route are you taking?

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

1981 Truck will not need any lash as it's a hydro motor and will run as is.