I'm going to do it: Cross country trip to from Northeast PA to Los Angeles!
 

I've been talking a lot to my parents and trying to figure out the best way to transport myself when I live in Los Angeles this Spring. I've decided that the most effective way would be for me to drive from Pennsylvania all the way to California.

I've made a list of things that I feel need to be replaced prior to my journey in order of importance. Tell me if you guys agree:

1. Flex Discs
2. Center carrier support
3. *4 brake hoses
4. New brake pads
5. Transmission filter
6. Power steering filter
7 . Oil filter
8. Various fluids
9. Timing chain

Things that have already been done by me include:

Coolant/acid flush (done a week ago)
New axles
Replaced oil cooler hoses
Replaced transmission hoses
New trans,motor, and differential mounts
New master cylinder
Valve adjustments done on schedule
Belts replaced summer of 2009.
Fuel filters replaced 2009
and various smaller bits of work like rust/etc.

I'm trying to repair things that I feel would basically explode and leave me stranded somewhere between the Texas desert and Satan's front doorstep.

The mileage as of today is around 351,000. I drive quite regularly from Ithaca all around central New York and finally back to northwestern PA which is roughly a 200 mile drive. Obviously I know that doesn't mean much in terms of driving cross country, but I do feel comfortable about the mechanical well being of my car.

What do you guys think?

... at 351K, I hope you have changed out the timing chain... if not, it could fail on you on a long trip.
that high a mileage, the gears could need replacing.
how soon are you planning the trip:? I'd like to verify the cooling system is fully up to par before attempting a continental divide climb...
I totally agree with the trans service. but in addition to the filter, be sure and drain the Torque converter! and put in some redline atf!
also, be sure and totally inspect your rotors, as thin rotors warp when hot!

Over the last two weeks, I drove from CO to PA to NY to CO:

I checked the oil.

Adam,
The most important thing is getting yourself ready for the trip.
The car will be fine.
Dont rush it, set yourself a max of say 65 mph & dont go over it no matter how boring the road is.
You must have a good out of car stop with the motor off, every couple of hrs, it then becomes a series of 130 mile trips.
Be prepared to have a 20 minute power nap if you feel sleepy while driving.
Give yourself an extra couple of days to do the trip so that you can go & visit friends along the way.
Avoid night driving.
Take a couple of gallons of spare oil, some atf & spare filters with you. A few gallons of water & some soap is good so you always have clean hands.
If you are going to need to do an oil change, arrange to do it at some ones place, not on the side of the road.
Dont let yourself run low on fuel.
Tires & wheel alignment a few weeks before you leave.
Avoid major work on the car the day before you leave, you dont need to discover a leaking trans pan 200 miles from the start.
No going out to celebrate the trip the night before you leave. You dont need to be driving hung over.
Make sure you plan on having a good time !!
We will all expect a running commentary as the trip progresses.

Good luck.

Longest single driving day in a 300D:

Costa Mesa, California to Amarillo, Texas. 1077 miles.

I should have stopped in Albuquerque. Being an '85 the 288 diff can handle the higher speeds without high revving the engine too much.

if you are regularly making a 200 mile drive in that car, theres not that much more in a 2000 mile drive that would be different as far as taxing the car.

Highway drive is pretty easy on the car, definitely more so than stop and go.

If you going to LA, drop down to highway 40 and circumnavigate the really heavy grades. There will still be some decent grades, but nothing like crossing further north.

Id check the timing chain stretch, and do the other things you are thinking of, but I would not be concerned about the car making it out there. Good luck!

Road trips are a blast, especially in a car thats older than you are.

OK . . . I'm a trucker and know all the routes you'll be taking and where you can stop to get showers at truck stops. If you PM me, I'll be more than happy to impart my wisdom of that trip . . . I used to make it ever 18 months to go on Active Duty in Wash, DC. I lived in Los Angeles at the time. My little 190D had almost 400k and made the trip without any trauma each time. I can help you plan your route, and look up all the truck stops along the way, as well as mechanics who can help you, should you need it. I will also be willing to be your "safety call." Check in with me and lemme know what you'll need.

Also, I don't know how tall you are, but when I drove my 300D from Los Angeles to Florida, I put suitcases behind the seats, level with the seats . . . laid out mexican blankets on the back seat and a sleeping bag. I knew where to pull over, surrounded by truckers who looked out for me.

Also . . . it would be a good idea to put a CB in the car, . . . just in case.

Private Message me for more info.

Torie

I just completed a drive from Lawrence, KS to southern Cali and back (approx 3500 miles) with my modified 83 240D, and my 4 yr old son. What a blast; we took 70 out and 40 back with many stops to explore and for him to earn his junior ranger badge in Nat'l Parks. My car started spewing oil from the oil filter housing about 1000 miles out, but nothing bad enough to worry about. Today I started pulling the engine to put it in my 79 and I found all sorts of loose nuts and bolts.

I always carry a spare voltage regulator. My 300TD seemed to go through them regularly, and it's an easy fix if you have a spare.

Enjoy your trip. The 300TD is a great car for it.

How many miles on the flex disks and carrier support? (Required? or piece of mind) Also the brake hoses and Timing Chain? Fluids/Filters I would do in course of normal maintenance. If they will be do during the trip I'd do them ahead of time. That way I wouldn't have to find a place on the road.

It's about 3K miles or so and your list looks good.


I bought an 85 300, sight unseen in LA and drove it back to Jacksonville FL. I changed the oil/filter, transmission fluid/filter, air and fuel filters. Checked the brake pads and rotors. Checked the condition of the tires (even wear and no cupping or anything else out of the normal wear pattern). Got in and drove it back. Get AAA if you don't have it Plus or Premium if you can swing it. (Maps and Trip interruption protection.)

Remember the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. (paraphased)
http://wonderingminstrels.blogspot.com/2001/05/to-mouse-on-turning-her-up-in-her-nest.html

It will be an adventure. Looks like you've got the bases covered.

A lot of the repairs listed are piece of mind repairs. The flex discs, center carrier bearing, and the brake hoses are really just peace of mind repairs.

I'm pretty sure the timing chain was replaced some time ago, but I haven't gone through my records to get an exact date.

Cooling system wise, the car is cooling well enough. The guy I brought my car to back in 2009 used ugly green coolant. I changed that out and so far there haven't been any oddities other then my temperature gauge reporting a higher reading then normal (90*C vs 80*C) nothing has been out of the ordinary. I confirmed this with a temp gun.

I'm probably going to go along the southern portion of the country because my Australian room mate has some odd interest in visiting Texas :P

When i'm out in LA, I will be visiting junk yards like a fiend. So excited :D

Oh and since i'll be out there from January to May do you guys think I should get the AC working?

If you're interested in early American human history the Alibates Flint Quarries just north of Amarillo are very cool.

Travelin'
 

And don't forget the painted desert when you're further down the I-40 after leaving the flint quarries. Then there will be Joshua Tree . . . way cool.

I've driven several cars I've owned over the road with 300K+ miles on the engines. Just shove it off the road and get to a Greyhound stop to continue your journey. That's been my mantra for years when driving old cars not worth fixing when 1,500+ miles from home. It's usually not worth the money and time to pay to fix them at that point. Not when it takes days or weeks to get done DIYing.... There comes a time when a car becomes a disposable item on a trip like this guy's doing.....

Won't be that simple since I will have a couple boxes of clothes and cooking stuff (for my apartment). I could ship it though :P

Edit: Looks like i have broken a thousand posts with all of my questions and inane posts :P

It's not worth DIYing for two weeks and no shop - unless you have the time and money. Leave the stuff. You'll get along without it. BTDT.