T-
No, just regular maintenance. Oil and filter changes at about 4K. This
number would have been lower, but as you '89 4x4 owners know, a simple oil
change is a pain in the ass in this truck. I switched to synthetic oil
(Syntec) kind of late in it's life (at about 100K). The switch seemed to
let the motor brake in. It runs as smooth at 200K as it did new. Plus, the
synthetic oil reduced the typical valve lifter clatter the pre-magnum motors
had. I changed the auto tranny fluid at about 80K and 160K. Both times the
fluid looked perfect. I added an external cooler a long time ago, so that
may have something to do with it. The gear oil I change every 2-3 years
along with the transfer case. The antifreeze I changed about every 3 years.
The original radiator let go 2 years ago because the plastic side cracked.
The best mileage I got out of the tires was 70K on the BFG ATs. The
original Goodyear Wranglers could only pull out 55K (and they were worn all
the way out). The trick is to rotate the tires every second oil change or
8K miles. I always cross the front tires over to the back when I rotate.
This method always yielded perfect wearing tires. It smoothes out any
scalloping on the edges of the tires that you may have created from hard
turns.
I got 90K out of the original set of front brakes while the backs only
lasted 40K. Since then, I cant get more then 25K out of aftermarket brakes
before the rotor warps or they squeal like hell. Yes, the calipers are OK.
The truck spent 70% of its life on the highway. Keep in mind that this is
mainly on NJ highways, where you go 0-70-0-70mph all the way to work and
home. Not to mention the massive amount of potholes and other crap on them.
Side Note: I was rear ended in one of those 70-0 stops by an Izusu Impulse.
The Impulse was totaled and all I had was a small dent in my bumper.
This truck has also towed its share of stuff, including my '69 Dart on an
open trailer back and forth to the Mopar Nats at Indy. It struggled through
some of the hills in PA, but never broke stride.
The funniest thing is that I paid for 1 set of Monroe Senatracs and changed
the set 3 (or 4, I lost count) other times under warrantee. I just pull
them out at every ~40K and say that they are worn out and get a new set.
That was one of the best investments I ever made. Plus, you don't even have
to jack up the truck to change the shocks!
Man! I just realized! 200,000/4,000 = 50 oil changes and 25 tire rotations
(all completed by myself)
No wonder why I can do it in my sleep!
-Rob
<<Congratulations Rob! Any sage advice for keeping a truck running true
that long?
T.
>>
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