Baja bound, then Trans Canada via dirt roads, spares?

[Arctic Travelller]

Now that we have the proper tool (2001 GTRV E250 4wd :wings it's time to get serious about some new adventures. First up is a shake down trip to Baja to watch the 1000 in November. Then it's the TCAT (Trans Canada Adventure Trail) It's across Canada from the West Coast of Vancouver Island to Newfoundland via as few paved roads as possible). Ted has a great site detailing the route at http://www.graveltravel.ca/

My biggest concern is what spares to bring. I have a lot of experience traveling in remote locations by motorcycle, and know every nut and bolt on the bike. I carried a lot of spares, but with good pre ride prep I needed few of them. Trouble is, while the bike had few electronic parts (the charging system and ignition systems) the van seems to have a ton of them.

I expect to carry things like a spare U-joint or two, fuel filters, spare tires, fuses, belts, extensive tools, volt meter etc. Still, I have little idea what goes wrong with these vans. I can pretty much build a motor with a blind fold on, so the mechanical issues are easy, it's the other stuff I don't know about. The van has 110,000 miles on it, with I assume the original transmission, water pump, fuel pump, hoses, alternator, etc. I expect to look at these closely and replace anything suspect (hoses and belts at least)

So, I'm wondering what folks have experienced failures with in 2000's Ford vans. What would you recommend I take for a four month long mostly off road trip? I did invest in the factory service manuals and wiring diagrams (the size of several New York phone books and a bit big to bring though) so I'm covered for trouble shooting, but with out the proper spares I'm still in trouble.
Are there known issues that come up with 100,000 mile motors, or other mechanicals? Thanks in advance....................Arctic Traveller

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

You can just as easily get anything you need for your Van in Baja as you can in Canada - remote is remote, so time is the issue. In fact there are more remote areas in the interior of BC (British Columbia) than BC (Baja California) - I've lived in both. I carry a fuses (hate it when the stereo doesn't work), wire, belt, tape (duct and silicon), zip ties, silicon, tools and cash, oh, and a toe strap - haven't needed anything else. Mostly you need a good attitude and a little MacGyver in ya!

In Baja, time is not money. Time is just time.

 

[Arctic Travelller]

Thanks for the reply. I come from a marine background, and frequent places in Alaska where there are no spares available, so the ability to fix stuff on the spot in mandatory. My preference is to have enough of the correct spare parts to be able to fix what needs fixing. Certainly I can't carry one of everything though, so I'm trying to identify those parts which are most likely to fail, it's just that I don't have enough experience to know what has a history of failure. On my vessels, I carry things like starter motors, alternators, fuel injection parts, pumps, rebuild kits for everything etc. I'd like to equip the van so I have at least a 90% chance of having the right parts. How about the plug on coil ignition units? I hear they tend to fail randomly one at a time. I also wonder how I can isolate the bad one with out a code reader. I'd love to hear ideas.................Arctic Traveller

 

[bknudtsen]

You may want one of those kits that repair the threads on a spark plug opening in the head. 5.4's have been known to spit out spark plugs. Some company's sell just a plug that you stick in the spark plug opening , allowing you to drive to a repair shop. Timesert sells an over the fender repair kit, but it is expensive. A ScanGauge II can monitor many engine functions, as well as, read trouble codes.

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

25+ years of racing in Baja has taught me that you can never plan for a failure, too many options. The best thing is to be in top shape when you start out and maintain that condition as best as you can. There are auto parts stores all over Baja with basic parts and Ford dealerships in major cities. The greatest thing Baja has going of it is that there are used parts for these Van in just about every little town and someone that can make a 72 E150 last a lifetime.

You can always drive with a missing cylinder - so bring a coil???
What about broken suspension parts (too heavy and big to carry), cracked radiator tank, in tank fuel pump, broken brake line, brake caliper... couple of things I've had to deal with down there

You never said which engine you have.

 

[Arctic Travelller]

You can always drive with a missing cylinder - so bring a coil???

True I guess, but I'm use to being able to fix what needs fixing. I think it comes from being Chief Engineer aboard passenger ships. Gotta fix most things, or the trips over, with HUGE financial ramifications. I'm happy to say I have never had to cancel a trip due to a mechanical failure I couldn't fix and I want my van to run the same way. Certainly I plan to start out in as good a shape as possible, and I'm not to worried about suspension issues, brake calipers, or the like since I'm not racing, and finding a welder in Baja isn't that hard. It's the electronic parts I worry most about, stuff I have no history with.


You never said which engine you have.[/QUOTE]

5.4L gas.

Thanks for your ideas..................Arctic Traveller

 

[bdog1]

Code readers are cheap. And needed to clear code even after the repair.
How about things that stop progress... Coolant issues #1 roadside breakdown. Bearings, Replace right side (wear first) and pack-up the used ones for spares. Then you know they fit!
Can always pull hubs/axles drive-shaft and limp along on front diff. if need be.
Transmission and computers? Rabbits foot? Cash? Lol

 

[BajaSportsmobile]

Right, you should be able to fix what needs fixing - my point is that parts are available and you can't carry everything or even guess what the next problem will be. I would be worried about the suspension issues - those that I mentioned had nothing to do with racing. Broken shock shaft, broken spring (that will stop you) were in a F150 on a surf trip, brake caliper on a small motor home and the brake line on the Jeep.

I understand where you are coming from, but you can't take it all but you can get it all right there - with a little time.

With the 5.4 I'd be concern about spark plugs blowing out as someone else posted and belt tensioner. Then there are all the electronic components for the ignition and fuel system. Replace them all now and keep the old ones for spares is a good idea.

Tools are more important than parts.

You can always drive with a missing cylinder - so bring a coil???

True I guess, but I'm use to being able to fix what needs fixing. I think it comes from being Chief Engineer aboard passenger ships. Gotta fix most things, or the trips over, with HUGE financial ramifications. I'm happy to say I have never had to cancel a trip due to a mechanical failure I couldn't fix and I want my van to run the same way. Certainly I plan to start out in as good a shape as possible, and I'm not to worried about suspension issues, brake calipers, or the like since I'm not racing, and finding a welder in Baja isn't that hard. It's the electronic parts I worry most about, stuff I have no history with.


You never said which engine you have.

5.4L gas.

Thanks for your ideas..................Arctic Traveller[/QUOTE]

 

[1sweetvan]

At 110 K, those plugs may be original. I'd change them before leaving and then you won't have to touch them again.


Thanks for the gravel road link. (95% of Sask should be in there eh? )
I'm heading up the Cassiar in a commercial truck later this week. Wish it was in my van.....