Preseason prep for vehicles

realunlucky

realunlucky

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
13,707
Location
Eastern Utah
With Nevada seasons kicking off today I'm scrambling to ensure my jeep is in tip top shape to not only make the drive but to endure any condition two track I might encounter.

I'm a huge proponent of enough traction so tires (and chains in the snow) are easy checks (yet expensive to replace).

Today I'm focus on everything getting new fluids. Diffs, transmission, transfer case and of course oil. Time consuming but relatively cheap piece of mind

.

What am I missing? What do you do for your preseason vehicle check up?

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
 
WeiserBucks said:
Those fluids should last years unless they get contaminated.
Click to expand...
True and alot of suv now have sealed systems where you can't change or even check the fluids. Think jeep manual says transmission fluid is good for 90000 or something crazy.

I personally like to visually check the fluids and all my drain plugs have magnets so cleaning them tells me alot about what's going on. I'm less than a hundred dollars for everything but this a vehicle that gets it's limits pushed and over sized add ons.






Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
 
Just finished prepping my truck today. I think one thing a lot of people over look is checking their spare. First, that it's aired up and second, still good. I just replaced mine (full size spare) because it was getting close to 10 years old. Looked fine but why risk it.
 
E-brake tension might be something to double check. Personally I also like to swap out wiper blades each year at the end of summer/before hunt seasons here in NV, as the sun tends to do a number on them after a year or so. If you're not using a high-lift jack, it's not a bad idea to run the bottle jack under weight a time or two to ensure its seals are still good. If you are using a high-lift that's exposed to the elements year-round in a rack or something, it's a good idea to put a little grease on its operating mechanism too. Also might double-check the serpentine belt, they have a mileage limitation that's pretty important to respect, usually says when to swap out. All things I've learned the hard way, at least once.
 
I just did tires, battery and rear diff fluid.

Plan to do shocks, grease hubs, and undercoating here shortly. Load chains up as well, I suppose. 🙁

All the basic stuff rides in a tool box full time. Think I might put a piece of plywood in the bottom, it's getting pretty heavy and I think that would help distribute the weight.

Need to see if carrying a highlift jack makes sense or get a bigger bottle jack.
 
I will add making sure your tool kit is comprehensive and complete. Also, make sure your self recovery kit is inspected and complete. As for fluids, they'll last many years if moisture isn't introduced and the vehicle isn't worked too hard towing or hauling.
 
I have a pretty aggressive maintenance schedule already...

Tools and recovery gear are always in the truck.

It stays clean inside and out.

If I don't have it in some state of disassembly for maintenance, repair, or upgrade... I could hitch up a trailer and drive to the coast, or up any Forest Service road this heavy pig should go on and some it shouldn't.
 
Just went thru this as well. The basics plus new tires. New battery because of age of existing. New wipers. Truck just rolled 60K so had the cooling system flushed. Added de-icer to the windshield washer reservoir as well.
 
realunlucky said:
True and alot of suv now have sealed systems where you can't change or even check the fluids. Think jeep manual says transmission fluid is good for 90000 or something crazy.

I personally like to visually check the fluids and all my drain plugs have magnets so cleaning them tells me alot about what's going on. I'm less than a hundred dollars for everything but this a vehicle that gets it's limits pushed and over sized add ons.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Ford says my F150 transmission can go 150,000 and that's plain bullcrap. I wanted it changed at 30k and the selling dealer wouldn't do it so I took it to another ford dealer and told them I was pulling an 8,000lb trailer for work. When they were done they said it needed changed pretty bad and I must have pulled that trailer a lot of miles; I pulled a little 3k travel trailer one time.
Now I change it every 30k along with the front/rear diffs and transfer case. Oil is cheap and you can change all those boxes in your driveway with an air brake bleeder.

Don't forget belts
 
My tool box in my truck has a 1/2” breaker bar in it. Along with a 3lb hammer.

The mag-chloride really makes the lug nuts and rim hard to get off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BLJ
I've gotten several nails in tires and never changed one. Put a monkey plug in it, use my little portable air pump, keep on hunting.
Always keep a bunch of different random tools, just in case, small breaker bar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Featured Video

Latest Articles

Back
Top