'99 Ram 120K miles what else to do?

'99 Ram 5.9L 4X4 automatic.

Currently I have 120K miles with little done to the engine or transmission
expect a recent plenum gasket replacement and of course normal tune ups
(including distributor cap, rotar, plugs and wires), fluid changes, belt and
hoses replacement, trans back flush and have no reason to doubt the engine,
tranny, or axles but am planning a 4X4 trip this summer which will take use
as much as 100 miles from the nearest paved road. I would hate to abandon
it in the field and return with parts.

If it were your truck (specifically Tom Lawrence) what would you do?


--
It is the Soldier, not the reporter who has given use freedom of press
It is the Soldier, not the poet who has given us freedom of speech
It is the Soldeir, not the campus organizer who gives us freedom to
demonstrate
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag, and who allows the protestor to burn
the flag.

--Father Denis Edward O'Brien

> If it were your truck (specifically Tom Lawrence) what would you do?

The first thing that comes to mind is to check the timing chain. This is
relatively easy to do by removing a valve cover, and observing the amount of
slack by turning the crankshaft pulley with a breaker bar/socket, and seeing
how much play there is before a valve moves (roll the engine clockwise until
a valve [doesn't matter which one] moves half-way down, then see how much
you cal roll it back before the valve starts moving back up). A dial
indicator is useful here, to know exactly when the valve moves. Any more
than about 5 degrees of rotation before valve movement would indicate a worn
chain.

Over 100K would make me wary of the water pump, as well. I might change
that as a preventive measure, and would definitely change it if it turned
out the timing chain was worn.

Beyond that, it would be more about what I would bring with me... basic
things like serp. belt, oil, tranny fluid, coolant [water is fine], hose
repair kit, some JB Weld (lots of potential for fixing things here... holes
in radiators, oil pans, tranny pans, diff covers, etc.). I would also pick
up a spare front wheel bearing. It'll run you a couple of hundred dollars,
but it will be money well spent, because eventually you'll need to replace
one, or both, front hub bearings. As long as you have a jack and basic
tools with you (including a hammer, and 12-point sockets), you can change
one of these if the need arises.

Some other things to throw in your emergency box... pick up some master
cylinder plugs. With one of those, and a bottle of brake fluid, you can
survive a broken brake line, by blocking off the broken line, and using just
the remaining brakes (front or rear). A plug kit, some Fix-a-Flat, and a
small 12V compressor will deal with most tire damage.