what do people do for preventative maintanence

[ben]

i thought this could be interesting and of help to people to reduce the break down stats of beddies on our roads..


ok so your just about to embark on a 5000km trip to the other side of australia.. or new zealand

1. what tools do you put in the back before heading off?

2. what things on your van do you check to make sure your gunna make it home?

3. what spare parts do you pack regardless off the condition of the van?

[Jock]

Tools
Personally I would take all of my tools with me.

Things to Check
I would check oil, transmission fluid, water regularly and check under van after parking to make sure that there are no new suprise leaks of any kind. I would also check brake fluid regularly.

Before setting off for a 5000klm journey I would...
Put new brake shoes/pads and wheel bearings all round.
Clean and service my carby, install a new set of spark plugs, change the engine and transmission oil.
Flush and re-fill the radiator with clean fluid.
Replace my worn out tyres.
Check my spare tyre and acquire a second spare for good measure.

Parts
I would take a good supply of water, coolant, oil, transmission and brake fluid, gasket paper, gasket maker, a spare accelerator cable (I hear these are hard to find? My van came with a spare - the guy who sold it to me said that he would never be caught without one again, not after the drama he went through when he snapped one), and a spare clutch cable (if manual). I would probably take a spare carby aswel - one that had already been setup on my motor, just in case the original one packed it in. Throw in some headlight globes, brake light globes, indicator globes and some fuses. I would also pack an extra jack, 2 solid wheel chocks, a snatch strap and some tyre plugs for punctures.

[Bren]

One thing i've done to my van is tried to use common parts as much as possible.
I thought that although i may have got a lamborghini or leyland part that fitted easier, its better to use
common parts that you can get if your stuck somewhere.
-for example i used a commodore v8 accellerator cable even though it meant i had to stuff around making new pedal/brackets etc.

as far as packing any gear goes don't forget the magic silver tape. fixes everything

[hammers_spanners]

Good idea Bren

I try to use standard unmodified parts where possible. It also helps to keep a list of what you have used and the part number. I have a book for each vehicle I modify with what non standard parts I have used, makes it easier when you need to replace them later.

Craig

[Bren]

yeah the same went for my radiator hoses. i remounted the radiator a bit higher so i could use a falcon bottom hose. the best fit at first was a turbo supra or something, but theres no chance of getting another one of those in a hurry.

[pickmeup]

Its a bedford so,duct tape,electrical ties,muffler bandage,bars leak and as many tools as you can cause the one you leave behind is the only one that fits!

[obsession]

and u want me drive one back?....     no problems 1 socket set 1 bar off soap (fuel leaks) 29ltrs oil 


seriously if your stuck in the middle of back of beyond you have a leaky fuel tank ,clean around the hole or crack and rub soap on it a few times the chemical reaction forms a rubber bond.

[Tweaker]

Portable battery jump starter! It has a built in 12v cig lighter for charging mobile or whatever, a light and an electronic air compressor with various adaptor tipes and can be recharged by your van or via 240v. Cost me $100 5 years ago and I never go anywhere without it. 

[ben]

can you charge the unit from your alternator?

[Jeff]

Tow rope ,Jumper leads, maybe even a spare battery, cloth ,tape,  toolbox , mobile phone.
One difference between NZ and Aus. is that we are never too far from help.
If I was crossing  Australia then I would take the advise given by Jock.