I Want To Drive To The Lonestar Roundup, BUT...

....it's 2600 miles round trip, and I know with any old car you have the chance (sic) of a breakdown. I will be starting way down in South Florida.

Being that this will be my first LONG trip not towing the rod and actually DRIVING, what items (besides my AAA card) should I bring as far as tools, supplies, etc. so I hopefully don't get stranded?

I know you older guys with the experience will have all the answers I need....(you always do )

BTW, I'll be driving a 1964 Ford Galaxie with a rebuilt 390 auto and AC.

 

A good jack, a good spare tire, a gallon of coolant, & an extra set of keys would be first on my list.

A couple extra fuel filters, and a tool box with all the basics. A 12 volt tester & some electrical supplies (tape, wire, connectors, etc).

 

A 64 Galaxie is a new car....get in it and go, and it has AC!

 

Make sure your belts, hoses and tires are in good condition as these seem to me the most likely things to let you down. Also battery cables and connections. Be sure to carry jumper cables. Check your spare. I always carry some basic tools because I would hate to be siting on the side of the hi way in the middle of nowhere saying...man, I sure wish I had a screwdriver. Sometimes you don't use stuff for yourself but maybe you could help someone else out.

 

Thanks. I guess that's why I'm asking.
Because it's never what you expect that gets you...it's what you don't expect.
What about tire slime? Worthwhile?

 

Bring a cell phone and a credit card ...

 

Doing a fresh everything prior to leaving: Tune up, oil change, trans and rear end lube. Wheel bearing status. Brake system checked. Jumper cables. Something to lay on in case of roadside repair. Roll of blue paper towels. Small piece of plywood for soft ground. RainX the glass. Spare headlight, taillamp bulbs. 2 flashlights.

 

Dude, a '64 is a new car! Just drive it. I do keep a small tackle box of tools with me at all times and some paper towels to wipe my hands if I have to work. The inflater/tire sealer stuff is always handy to have too, especially is your wheel tire combo makes it hard to remove and replace.

 

hand cleaner

 

2 gas cards incase you max the first one with that 390.

 

booster pack ,tire plug kit, 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive shallow and deep socket set , set of combination wrenches, channellocks, diaganol cutting pliers, duct tape, tye wire, 4 in 1 screwdriver, teflon tape, pair of jackstands, spare fuses,waterless hand cleaner, paper towels

 

I'm with John
It's a new car. Drive it

 

Nothin like cruisin down the road in a Galaxie!

 

lol, I was about to start a similar thread, im also planning a trip to the lsr from Jersey, thought it would of been cool to get a thread going and do a hamb meet n greet and tag along thing and get a cruise or something. It tough the farthest I been its like a 9hr round trip with my old cars for the most part we been pretty lucky, but I would love to take one of my new additions thought it be a badass to break in the new car and both of them are pretty much un drivin by me since I bought it right when it got cold



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You didn't mention what rear gears you have in your car, but if you have access to a 2.79 or deeper rear center section, that would make your life and wallet a bit happier.

 

If you bring that yellow Chevy you might just be buying a plane ticket back (or making a LONG detour back via South Florida)

 

I'd have to check. I forgot what rear end gears are in it. Can't remember.

 

I did over 3,000 miles last June in my 51' without any issues.
Go for it!

 

Nothin' like it

 

haha screw the plane ill find something to drive back

 

Well, this is the first year that my wife spent the extra couple bucks and got the better grade of AAA package, so I'm more comfortable.
I had a breakdown last year 5 miles north of the Bowling Green Kentucky exit by the Corvette museum and THOUGHT that with my basic AAA I'd be fine....what a joke that was. I think the first 30 feet of the tow was free.

 

what im surprised in is that in the responces no one says anything about taking extra belts one for each on the car and a roll of heater hose (if its hooked up) and one of each radiator hoses and antifreeze and (water incase your stranded between exits or towns) id bring a set of points (if your running them ) and an extra plug wire or two

but if it were me id just get up that morning jump in it and go after all IT IS A FORD not General Maintence required daily just a joke son,... dontcha get it a joke

 

That's a good list.
See, that's what I mean: get enough ideas from everyone and with any luck nothing gets forgotten.

However, my wife says there's pretty much nothing that a credit card wont fix. (but I try not to roll that way if at all possible...extra money is way too hard to come by nowadays)

 

Don't forget a fire extinguisher and a full gas can. I need the second and was glad I had the first to keep my mind at ease when I did 1600 miles in my T!

 

Maybe I'll just stay home

 

It is always the thing you didn't think of that will bite you. I think it was about a year ago one of our members was stranded in Texas somewhere with a split radiator tank. No auto parts stores carried that one and he had to sit there a few days until one could be sent in.

What is a good idea is to go to your local NAPA, or Advance Auto and start asking about the availability of things like radiators, water pumps, fuel pumps, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, etc. If they carry them in the store or their local warehouse, it will be a good bet most other similar stores across the country will too. It might be a good idea to write down the part numbers for all of those parts and keep them in the car to save you a lot of trouble if you break down.

Finally, are you running tubeless tires or tube type ? We just picked up a nail with a tube type and there was no saving that tube. The local Tire Kingdom didn't even know how to change a tube type tire. So a spare tire is a definite necessity whether it is tubeless or not.

Don

 

Thanks Don.
Good thoughts for sure.

 

Hell No! Bring it...it's worth every penny.

 

Have a HAMB-O-DEX for your route. You might come across a fellow traveler who may need that information.

 

So by everyones list he need to bring, all hoses, belts, radiator, tires, plug wires, plugs, tools, full can of gas, water pump, fuel pump, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, water and oil, he is driving to Texas not the Moon.....let be reasonable....I have driven to the lone star from Los Angeles twice and across country in my 51...."IF" its not a big pile of shit you will be fine.....