any mods for a 30k mile road trip?

herm0016 · May 28, 2012

My fiancé and I are slowly planning on a drive of the pan-am highway, from Alaska to south America. I am meeting with a slide in manufacture in 2 weeks to discus a custom build focused on light weight and usability for 2 people.

I am planning on using my current truck, 09 all terrain 5.3l 4sp. I have Firestone air bags on it now and they have worked great for our current slide in camper.

It will be a workout for the trucks suspension and I am wondering if any one has any suggestions on upgrades to make the truck stronger/more reliable/ handle the camper better.

Thanks.

Carder09 · May 28, 2012

Hows the tire's? All fluids kept up to date and changed? Everything sounding normal i.e. no odd noises from anywhere on the truck? Keep maintenance up first then check out getting your truck tuned. That should help you plenty for the journey ahead. If you want more power then start adding headers, exhaust, and a tune. That will give you a chunk of power for the road and a nice sounding truck. Deeper in mods and you could get a cam with a new stall, then you can shred the tires all around the pan am lol. Have fun and good luck!

herm0016 · May 28, 2012

heh... truck is currently stock with miticulus maintnence for everything. a few months before we leave I will have all fluids changed and will have 5 new tires when i do leave. also, a kit to repair tires on the road.

what would the advantage of a tune be? I would like somethiing to keep track of more parameters than the stock dic at least.

00Silverado4x4 · May 28, 2012

Since you're planning to drive the Alaska Highway, do you have a copy of the Milepost? Awesome book that will help plan your journey through Canada no matter the time of year you drive.

Silverado4x4 · May 28, 2012

Hows the tire's? All fluids kept up to date and changed? Everything sounding normal i.e. no odd noises from anywhere on the truck? Keep maintenance up first then check out getting your truck tuned. That should help you plenty for the journey ahead. If you want more power then start adding headers, exhaust, and a tune. That will give you a chunk of power for the road and a nice sounding truck. Deeper in mods and you could get a cam with a new stall, then you can shred the tires all around the pan am lol. Have fun and good luck!

Man you DONT want to be doing engine or computer mods on a 30k trip like that. Nothing worse then having warrenty problems on the road in a differant state or country and have it voided at the dealer. All mods like that do is strees the motor and drivetrain which you dont want on a long trip.

To herm0016 how many miles on the truck now? You may think about all wheel bearings repacked and checked.

doverarjim · May 28, 2012

I would look long and hard about going up to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck even if just hauling a slide in camper. You will be very heavy on the frame with that set up and also will not have much extra power for some of the things you will encounter along the way. Just my $0.02 worth.

herm0016 · May 28, 2012

35k right now. the camper will weigh around 1k loaded. i have been thinking about upgrading. but dont really want to pay more. must have it free and clear to take it out of the country.

TimmyG · May 29, 2012

2ed battry, full size spare, trans cooler window tint to keep the sun off ya a bit maybe larger gas tank

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00Silverado4x4 · May 29, 2012

must have it free and clear to take it out of the country.

That depends on your bank. Ive driven out of this country with several vehicles, including this one, while still being paid for.

As far as any "mods" I just take your rig to a quality, trusted shop to give it a "once over" to ensure you have happy travels.

KMGZ400 · May 29, 2012

if you haven't changed your brake pads yet, id check them out.

brainpause · May 29, 2012

I've ridden on the Pan Am highway in Honduras, for 2-3 hours. I'd carry 2 spares and an extra set of shocks. Extra spare might not be absolutely necessary, but peace of mind. Extra shocks won't take up much room. Can't see your Sig on my phone, but hope you don't still have OEM shocks. If you do, change them now, regardless of trip.

Larry

Carder09 · May 29, 2012

Hows the tire's? All fluids kept up to date and changed? Everything sounding normal i.e. no odd noises from anywhere on the truck? Keep maintenance up first then check out getting your truck tuned. That should help you plenty for the journey ahead. If you want more power then start adding headers, exhaust, and a tune. That will give you a chunk of power for the road and a nice sounding truck. Deeper in mods and you could get a cam with a new stall, then you can shred the tires all around the pan am lol. Have fun and good luck!

Man you DONT want to be doing engine or computer mods on a 30k trip like that. Nothing worse then having warrenty problems on the road in a differant state or country and have it voided at the dealer. All mods like that do is strees the motor and drivetrain which you dont want on a long trip.

To herm0016 how many miles on the truck now? You may think about all wheel bearings repacked and checked.

You sir, are correct! I didn't think about his truck being warrantied or anything.