90’s Toyota Spare Parts for road trips?

Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
1,192
Location
Atlanta
I’ve got a 90s Toyota Previa, which I would like to take on road trips with my Wife, for vacations. I need to prevent vacation ruining breakdowns that can otherwise be easily avoided. For instance, if an accessory belt breaks for the alternator, the car would be rendered stuck, despite the fix being an easy repair. For an older vehicle like this, I am contemplating what parts I can bring on the road trips to fix break downs. Criteria for the list are:

1. easy to fix on the side of the road.
2. Parts are small and can fit in a plastic bin.
3. Failure of parts would lead to a breakdown.

so obviously a busted differential would not qualify, but an alternator would. If the engine goes bad, I will just junk the car, obviously.
my list so far:

1. spare Alternator
2. Alternator drive belt
3. Distributor cap and rotor
4. Coolant reservoir cap
5. Gallon of coolant.
6. Oil pan drain bolt and washer, and 5 quarts of emergency oil.

What else would you recommend? Thank you.
 
Belt tensioners and associated pullies. I have seen these small assemblies being a car to a screeching halt after freezing.
 
I wouldn’t take such a vehicle that old you question. What’ll you do if the rear main seals blows out, a water pump takes a dump 400 miles from home and your supposed to start back work tomorrow?
 
If you are concerned don't drive down on a road trip with it. You cannot prepare for everything and preventive maintain everything.

The only times I was stranded on the roads are ignition coils blowing out (not cap or rotor which gives you misfire CEL), that typically happened after 180k miles, and head gaskets due to aftermarket cooling stuff (Gates radiator cap, CSF all metal radiator). All other just flashes check engine light on misfires.

Worst came worst just AAA to a local part stores for belt and hoses, don't waste your time packing a junkyard on a road trip.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: JC1
How much would you spend on parts, and how much is a rental? A rental might not be easily found at the moment, I get that, and people used to travel this country armed with not much more than good intentions--it's not quite a third world out there, but still, would you be ok with repairs on a vacation?
 
How much would you spend on parts, and how much is a rental? A rental might not be easily found at the moment, I get that, and people used to travel this country armed with not much more than good intentions--it's not quite a third world out there, but still, would you be ok with repairs on a vacation?
If he already has a spare he got previously on the discount then its cost is moot. However if it is near the end of life why not just replace it before the trip? If it is a junkyard pull spare then I probably would likely only use it as a spare for swapping diagnostic instead of preventive maintenance.
 
I drove a 20+ year-old Duster all over the country with a trunk full of parts and tools. I changed a water pump (bought from a parts store right then) once in a hotel parking lot. The only other thing that caused a "breakdown" during a trip was a bad set of points, for which I didn't have a spare at the time.

My suggestion is to change maintenance items like belts, hoses, and thermostat before the vacation season, and carry the old ones as backups if they're in good condition. Also pack a good used or new cap and rotor set. Maybe take an alternator if you have it and have a particular concern about the existing one, or if they're not readily available at parts stores. Or change it and carry the old one as a spare. Also consider model-specific weaknesses like ignition modules. (I know now that I should have carried a spare ballast resistor in my Duster, though it never went out.)

Take a gallon of coolant and a spare quart of ATF, PS fluid, and oil, or more oil depending on the engine's appetite. I can't imagine your wife would see the value of a full-on oil change mid-vacation.

Something like AAA or towing through your insurance is probably a good idea.
 
1. spare Alternator
2. Alternator drive belt
3. Distributor cap and rotor
4. Coolant reservoir cap
5. Gallon of coolant.
6. Oil pan drain bolt and washer, and 5 quarts of emergency oil.

What else would you recommend? Thank you.
1. check
2. check
3. bring a complete distributor instead plus plug wires
4. naw, they don't fail in a mode that disables the car
5. check + a few empties
6. check

fuel pump
transmission fluid
MAF and MAP sensors
coil
fuses
repair manual
duck tape
 
Replace the belts before the trip if they are old and take the old ones. Maybe the radiator hoses but it depends on the present condition. A gallon or two of distilled water. Some extra oil depending on how much it burns/leaks. Have towing insurance and that’s it. If you want to spend money buy a set of tires. At least they will be used.
 
1. check
2. check
3. bring a complete distributor instead plus plug wires
4. naw, they don't fail in a mode that disables the car
5. check + a few empties
6. check

fuel pump
transmission fluid
MAF and MAP sensors
coil
fuses
repair manual
duck tape
Why not tow a part car in the back? Unless you are going outside of civilization and into Antarctica why would you do that?
 
Why not tow a part car in the back? Unless you are going outside of civilization and into Antarctica why would you do that?
OP posted the question not me. As for THOSE parts, convenience, space and failure rate. You don't always break down from 9-5 on weekdays when parts stores are open, let alone repair shops. If you have them with you, you have to wait maybe days to get the part. They don't take up all that much space and are the most likely things to fail short of something catastrophic.
 
OP posted the question not me. As for THOSE parts, convenience, space and failure rate. You don't always break down from 9-5 on weekdays when parts stores are open, let alone repair shops. If you have them with you, you have to wait maybe days to get the part. They don't take up all that much space and are the most likely things to fail short of something catastrophic.
Those are all good suggestions. Thank you.
I believe all those can fit in a large plastic tub, which is all I am looking for.
 
Back
Top