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**fatfires** · 2 July 2006, 09:02

Originally posted by Surfin' Canada

Hey everyone,
in about 1 month I will be going on a long road trip (almost 4000km) in my 1990 2.4 surf. After hearing so many horror stories about heads cracking I wanted to know if there is anything that can be done to help prevent this!??! I have just recently replaced the coolant and will obviousy keep an eye on the level as well as tempurature during the trip but is there anything else that can be done to help? I am worried since the truck is so new to me and I still owe quite a bit of money on it, I can't afford a costly problem like a head replacement!

I will be travelling about 1000km per day for 2 days, stay for a week and then back 2000km over 2 days. What other kind of servicing should be done before or during the trip? I just replaced the oil and filter so other than topping up that should be ok.

Any and all suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated!!

Make sure your coolant is getting everywhere by running your heaters
clear the bugs out from your rad
overhaul your fan - top up the oil
check the condition of your ATF oil - if it isn't red + nice change it
take it steady
dont get paranoid
enjoy your trip

**legendgamesmaster** · 2 July 2006, 13:07

just keep an eye on that guage.

Hi M8,

hope the trip is cool. where to / from???

EVERY morning, check your coolant level - I've read ALL the threads on cracked heads, and the point is that overheating is the cause, so DONT let your coolant levels drop, and keep an eye on the guage.

I did hear the guages are NOT accurate, so any movement above normal should be investigated.

but dont get a complex about it, enjoy the trip, and tell us ALL about it.

cheers M8

**BUSHWHACKER** · 2 July 2006, 13:25

Fit some vents or rearward facing hood scoops. Best thing I've ever done to mine. Air rushes in through the front grille and hot air out through the vents.
You can see the heat haze coming from the vents when stuck in traffic too!

**Wild Thing** · 2 July 2006, 13:37

Don't take the 2.4 get a 3.0 trust me I know from experience lol

**Surfin' Canada** · 2 July 2006, 18:07

Thanks for the pointers guys. Keep 'em coming!
Unfortunately I don't have the option to get a 3.0td because I live in Canada and imported vehicles have to be atleast 15 years old. If any of you are familiar with North America, I am travelling from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast in the USA to go surfing. Should be a fun trip!!!!

Do I have anything to worry about with the continuous hi revs? My truck runs about 2800-3000rpm to do about 110-120kph. (my speedo is slightly off due to 31" instead of 30" tires) but I believe that is the correct speed compared to what the speedo reads.

Thanks for the help everyone,
this site is awsome and been sooooo helpful for me!

**legendgamesmaster** · 2 July 2006, 18:41

hell of a trip!

SURFIN' in a SURF - DUDE!

take some photos on route. You dropping down through BC? one of my all time favourite places. Not been to Alberta though.

**spans** · 2 July 2006, 18:58

Originally posted by BUSHWHACKER

Fit some vents or rearward facing hood scoops. Best thing I've ever done to mine. Air rushes in through the front grille and hot air out through the vents.
You can see the heat haze coming from the vents when stuck in traffic too!

Hey Vince do you have any pics of yer vents dude, as when I have sorted this thing out thats what I would like to do...

**MattF** · 2 July 2006, 19:05

Originally posted by spans

Hey Vince do you have any pics of yer vents dude, as when I have sorted this thing out thats what I would like to do...

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...t=24232&page=5
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...t=24232&page=6

**BUSHWHACKER** · 2 July 2006, 19:07

Originally posted by spans

Hey Vince do you have any pics of yer vents dude, as when I have sorted this thing out thats what I would like to do...

Only this one. The reason they are in that position, is I didn't want to cut through the stiffening ribs on the under side of the bonnet.

Attached Files

**Sancho** · 2 July 2006, 22:15

And these are mine. I like them.

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=23987

**Surfin' Canada** · 21 July 2006, 05:37

Well, I don't think I'm going to be able to put in hood vents before I leave. I wanted to but I've been too busy with other things during my very limited days off. I leave in a week and still need to remove the speed bell and now have to replace the belts since a shot of belt dressing developed one heck of a squeel! I'll be sure to clean out as much of the exterior $$$$ in the rad as I can, but are the old thermostat and rad cap a big issue? I've already replaced the coolant but didn't think to replace these parts during the process.
Thanks for all the help and advice, you guys/gals and this site are awsome!

**fatfires** · 21 July 2006, 08:44

Originally posted by Surfin' Canada

are the old thermostat and rad cap a big issue?

For my money, two of the most important...and possibly the cheapest, quickest to do and a whole lot better than a shot head.

I would not take the risk not changing them - and what the hell, if your present ones are OK you will have spares!
have a good trip........and keep us posted!

**Surfin' Canada** · 24 July 2006, 21:07

Ok, I'm about to go replace the thermostat and pull the dash apart to remove the dumb speed bell. Now I picked up an aftermarket mechanical temp gauge thismorning to install while I had everything apart, but I wanted to clarify something before I begin. I know from reading on here and discussing with other people that the tempature gauge is, well, less than accurate and can sometimes show no indication of overheating while your engine is doing just that. Now is this inaccuracy due to the guage itself or the sensor/sender? I basically want to know if the installation of a new gauge will do me any good or if I have to make some modifications and change the sensor location.
Thanks for the help
Only 5 days left!!!

**MattF** · 24 July 2006, 21:45

Naff gauge design.

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Preventing a cracked head

Preventing a cracked head

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