High mileage Sport Trac - tips to make it last?

[DaveInPA]

I have a 2001 Sport Trac with 147,500 miles on the odometer. This truck has a lot of sentimental value to me, and I really don't plan on ever getting rid of it. It was my mother's, and when she passed away last month, I bought it from my father.

A few weeks ago I had the spark plugs replaced, the timing chain tensioners replaced, and the serpentine belt replaced. I also had the oil and filter changed, and all the air filters replaced. The truck runs great and isn't giving me any issues, but I'm looking for tips to keep it that way.

Soooo . . . . . keeping in mind the current mileage on the vehicle and the fact that I essentially want to keep driving it forever basically, I have some questions.

1. Is there any other preventive maintenance I should have performed right now?
2. How often should I have oil/filter changes done, and what type of oil should I use?
3. At what mileage should I start considering either having my engine and trans rebuilt or replacing the engine and trans with rebuilt units?

Thanks!

 

[DaveInPA]

Anyone?

 

[OffTrac]

Very good to replace the tensioners. You eliminated your biggest threat. The rest of your maintenance was also a great step in the right direction.

Start using high mileage oil if you aren't already. Change every 5k. Everybody is going to give you a different answer for intervals but a quality oil every 5k will do you well. I like Valvoline Max Life myself.

You may or may not want to change the transmission fluid and filter. Search for the differing opinions on that and decide for yourself. I won't touch that topic today.

Change the fluid in your differential(s). Also transfer case if you're 4wd.

You could start setting aside money for engine or transmission replacement but I see little benefit in replacing them before failure.

You could also clean your MAF, IAC and throttle body.

 

[wenailem1]

every single vehicle ive owned i do the oil every 3 months, ive never had ANY engine troubles, my dad was a travelling salesman he did his EVERY weekend (mechanic did it)
his vehicles were all over the million mile mark when he got rid of them

 

[OffTrac]

Also, my condolences.

 

[sport97]

Sorry to hear that. You hit the major stuff. Just keep up on maintenance. Change out the transfer case and diff fluids. I would drop the pan and do the tranny filter and skip the tranny flush. Grease any suspension parts that have fittings. Change the fuel filter every so often, aka now if you didn't do it.

Also I see you are in PA. Look into maybe oiling door sills and jams, some sort of undercoating protection or anything like that to avoid body issues down the road.

 

[Markaprice73]

Also, change the brake fluid and coolant.+1 on fuel filter and maf/iac/tb cleaning. Most of these items mentioned you can do yourself with searching this forum and lots of folks on here to help. At least learn to change the oil and oil filter yourself. You will form an even stronger bond with the ST that way. BTW, I wouldn't consider a '01 150K a high mileage ST. No worries there. Great time to do all these maintenance items though. There is only 1 air filter to change on your ST(no cabin air filter) Definitely a DIY . Also, my condolences.

 

[DaveInPA]

Thanks for all the input fellas. I am not mechanically inclined AT ALL, nor do I really have the free time to learn how to do things like this myself. But, I will definitely make a list of things suggested here and take it to my mechanic. He's a stand up guy and has always treated me and my family right, so I trust him.

 

[JohnnyO]

The main thing is to just keep it tuned up and change the fluids as mentioned. The engines will last well north of 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. Trannys are on borrowed time after 100,000 but that's the case with most vehicles. If it is a 4x4 the ONLY way to change the front diff lube is to go to the Qwicky Lube where they do it with a suction machine. I do the front every 50k (which means once so far) and rear every 30k.

I would get new shocks if it appears to have the originals, Monroe Sensa Tracs from Sears are fine, and get an alignment.

 

[DaveInPA]

The main thing is to just keep it tuned up and change the fluids as mentioned. The engines will last well north of 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. Trannys are on borrowed time after 100,000 but that's the case with most vehicles. If it is a 4x4 the ONLY way to change the front diff lube is to go to the Qwicky Lube where they do it with a suction machine. I do the front every 50k (which means once so far) and rear every 30k.

I would get new shocks if it appears to have the originals, Monroe Sensa Tracs from Sears are fine, and get an alignment.

I don't know if we have a Qwicky lube around here, but I can look into it. The shocks definitely aren't original. A few years back, the shocks, struts, and ball joints were all replaced.

 

[sport97]

I don't know if we have a Qwicky lube around here, but I can look into it. The shocks definitely aren't original. A few years back, the shocks, struts, and ball joints were all replaced.

Your mechanic can probably do the diff fluid, if not any "10 minute oil change" place is what he is getting at. Like Pennzoil or Jiffy Lube. They do fluid changes at a reasonable cost.