07-15-2008, 08:36 PM
There is alot more pm to be done on a truck that is used hard off road.
Just at a glance if you look into a manufactors owners manual it will show how often you need to change the fluids in dirty conditions. When you take into acount of what we put our trucks threw on a wheeling adventure there is a lot more to be checked.
If the vehicle is modifide than those parts may reqire extra attension.
Header bolts are prone to backing out. Mostly due to the thick gasket they use. A while back I switched to using the stock exhast manifold gasket in place of the header gasket. That one swap has stopped most of my header ploblems. I also use good lock tight on the threads. You can get aftermarket bolts (arp, ect) that wont back out.
Things I would check on a rig after a hard weekend,
Inspect the body, dents, cracks, rust can all cause structural problems.
Check your lights, the harsh vibration can case bulbs to go out.
Raise the hood and check all the fluids, looking for water in the engin, tranny, air filter and Ps system. Check the belts and hoses for rubbing, soft spots, or damage. The brake system should be sealed, but check the level and color of the fluid. Water will kill brake fluid.
Crawl under and check the undercarage, if your lift kit was recently installed it is a good time to perform the retorqe of the bolts. Pull the diff and t-case plugs and check the fluid. Milky gear oil is cause by water. Time to change them. Keep an eye for rock or other debre caught up on the frame. Damage to brake and fuel lines can occure.
Jack up the front axle, check the tightness of the wheel bearing and supesion. It is very common to need to tighten wheel bearings after a hard trip. If any watercrossings the grease should be repacked.
I would also jack up the rear axle and check the bearings there.
Take this time to grease any thing that has a fitting(drive shafts, u-joints, ball joints tie rods).
Visualy inspect the tires for cuts and side wall damage that could be unsafe on the street.
Check your supplys and spare parts. Be sure to replace anything you used on the last trip(you probably will need it again). Check your spare tire and Jack!
These are basic checks and maitnece work I perform on my bronco before every big trip and every time I get back from offroading.
Broncomatt
Just at a glance if you look into a manufactors owners manual it will show how often you need to change the fluids in dirty conditions. When you take into acount of what we put our trucks threw on a wheeling adventure there is a lot more to be checked.
If the vehicle is modifide than those parts may reqire extra attension.
Header bolts are prone to backing out. Mostly due to the thick gasket they use. A while back I switched to using the stock exhast manifold gasket in place of the header gasket. That one swap has stopped most of my header ploblems. I also use good lock tight on the threads. You can get aftermarket bolts (arp, ect) that wont back out.
Things I would check on a rig after a hard weekend,
Inspect the body, dents, cracks, rust can all cause structural problems.
Check your lights, the harsh vibration can case bulbs to go out.
Raise the hood and check all the fluids, looking for water in the engin, tranny, air filter and Ps system. Check the belts and hoses for rubbing, soft spots, or damage. The brake system should be sealed, but check the level and color of the fluid. Water will kill brake fluid.
Crawl under and check the undercarage, if your lift kit was recently installed it is a good time to perform the retorqe of the bolts. Pull the diff and t-case plugs and check the fluid. Milky gear oil is cause by water. Time to change them. Keep an eye for rock or other debre caught up on the frame. Damage to brake and fuel lines can occure.
Jack up the front axle, check the tightness of the wheel bearing and supesion. It is very common to need to tighten wheel bearings after a hard trip. If any watercrossings the grease should be repacked.
I would also jack up the rear axle and check the bearings there.
Take this time to grease any thing that has a fitting(drive shafts, u-joints, ball joints tie rods).
Visualy inspect the tires for cuts and side wall damage that could be unsafe on the street.
Check your supplys and spare parts. Be sure to replace anything you used on the last trip(you probably will need it again). Check your spare tire and Jack!
These are basic checks and maitnece work I perform on my bronco before every big trip and every time I get back from offroading.
Broncomatt