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bamba · #1 06-20-2009, 10:51 AM

Greetings everyone,

I'm driving from Atlanta to Alaska in about a week, and I want to bounce some ideas off you folks, get some advice, etc. I'm a bit more of a lurker on the forums, but I have found the advice, DIY articles, and general conversations here to be indispensable to any diesel MB owner.

I'll be driving my 1985 300TD all the way up. My cousin lives up in AK, and he’s a huge MB diesel enthusiast. We will be rebuilding or swaping-out my motor (I have poor compression in 2 cylinders), doing an auto-to-manual conversion, and plan to restore my wagon in general. Also, it’s a great opportunity to go on an epic road trip! Anyways, I'll be performing some pre-trip preventative maintenance, and also taking some pretty essential spare parts, and I would love some advice from you all. I'd hate to get stranded in the middle of the Yukon!

First, the PM:
- Change the oil and both fuel filters
- Check and top off tranny fluid, diff fluid, coolant, SLS fluid, etc.
- Repack front inner and outer wheel bearings

Spare parts:
- Extra oil filter and fuel filters
- High pressure hydraulic hose for the SLS
- 4 spare belts (2 alternator, 1 a/c, 1 p/s pump)
- Extra radiator hoses

Other stuff:
- Duct tape
- Zip ties
- Extra washer fluid, tranny fluid, oil
- Brake cleaner (for periordic ALDA/turbo line cleaning)

Would you all recommend any other preventative maintenance before embarking on the trip? Should I take any additional spare parts with me? I am particularly concerned with the SLS. Mine slowly leaks, but holds pressure just fine when the motor is running. I'm hauling a 617 motor in the trunk for an engine swap. Should the SLS be able to handle that weight (+ the weight of camping gear, luggage, etc.)? That is my primary concern.

Finally, has anybody here ever done this trip? Do you have any general advice?

Thanks!

Ted