I'm planning on driving my 99' cherokee from virginia to california and back this coming may. I'll be running 31's on a 3.5 lift. My XJ has 165,000 miles.

I've been doing regular upkeep like changing spark plugs, wires, ignition rotor, cap, new tires, coolant change, oil + filter, air filter and brakes. i've still yet to change the transmission fluid and i'm planning on reservicing the differentials and transfer case when i put on my 3.5'' lift next week. im also going to grease up the joints.
I'd like to hear what other things you guys think i should look over before the trip.

 

I would make sure everything alined make sure you dont get a death wobble just advice i would I live in va too and there are lots of pot holes to let the dw to start

 

I'd take a surpentine belt, a waterpump and coolant and the tools to fix them with me.

 

Don't do any major work on the Jeep the day before you plan on heading out. Give yourself some local road time to make sure nothing that you worked on craps out. The tranny service is a good example, drive it a few days after you service it to make sure the transmission won't leave you stranded in the middle of BFE.

 

Just before you leave make sure the inlet to the a/c condenser and radiator are free of any debris and bugs,that way everything stays nice and cool. When you stop take a little extra time and let your brakes and bearings have a chance to cool off,heat build-up is what causes alot of problems.

 

x2 on the tranny service, ATF is very good detergant, it can clean gunk out of seals that gunk is what was preventing a leak so give yourself some time to spot any leaks or other problems that can rear their heads.

 

I would recommend DRAINING & REFILLING the differential and trans.
AVOID FLUSHING.

You might want to Seafoam your engine the week before.

On your trip, add a bottle of fuel of fuel treatment about every other tank. On long freeway drives, I get noticeably better gas mileage when I do that.

 

from a different angle - make sure you have a "buffer" in your bank account for unforseeable problems. bring a tent and sleeping bag or blanket in case you get stranded, some food and water also matches and a flashlight. double check your insurance policy and know the benefits and limitations there - like towing, not always included but definitely worth having...and the other things that have been mentioned above

 

TAke a spare CPS with you!

 

does your insurance cover towing ? AAA ?
duct tape
spare hoses
spare belt
2 cans fix a flat
2 spare tires
CB radio
flash lights & batteries
spare u joint
rope
2 gal of water
3 quarts oil
tranny and transfercase fluids
spare coil and wires
set of plugs
Ele wire and test light

and what ever eles :}

 

that reminds me i want to replace my drivebelt... can anyone tell me what the 'serpentine' belt is all about? is it the same thing err?

 

times 2...drain a Gallon out of the trans with the drain plug..add a gallon..wait a few days then drain another gallon.......

 

thanks for your input guys. i'm going to look over some of the items this weekend

 

when i go on trips, like from corpus to north carolina, i figure that if it is going to break on the trip then its going to break so i only make sure my spare is filled up ad i have a spare jug of coolant and a few quarts of oil. if its anything other then those, its not something to fix on the side of hte road.

 

Don't touch seafoam! that stuff is a likely suspect in why my head gasket went out! I had a perfectly running engine with no issues to a blown head gasket and a complete mess in a month.