If you do not have Lean Burn or do not have a computer hanging off the air cleaner, I would always carry a minor tool bog, a spare Ignition Module, ballast resistor and voltage regulator (get a soft bag and put it by your spare tire full time).
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Ignition Module
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Voltage Regulator
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Older Ballast Resistor
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Newer Ballast Resistor
If you have Lean Burn (or have a computer hanging off the air cleaner), I would always carry a minor tool bag, a spare ballast resistor and voltage regulator. Keep the tool bag someplace like by spare tire or the pockets by quarter panels.
Note: many Lean Burns do not use a ballast resistor so look at the fire wall. If you don’t see a part like above, then you don’t need one).
The (soft) tool bag needs to contain a few common end wrenches, sockets and screwdrivers, to replace any of the above-mentioned parts - or drive belts, hoses or other repairs of that nature on side of road.
Also, in your tool bag, get a CHEAP volt gauge (like this one or one similar,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANENE-A830L-Digital-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Ohmmeter-Multimeter-Volt-AC-DC-Tester-Mete/173287487566?hash=item2858bd384e:m:mLXIgQNpy9zkPzDUhFANJ6w . This one is only 1 dollar (plus tax)).
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Harbor Freight also has cheap meters as well as others. This tool is one you hope you never need – but when you do, its there. I have a few quality multimeters in my garage, but in car, I use the cheap ones.
Note: make sure battery is kept outside of meter until needed, then removed afterwards).
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Tool bag example. They come in many sizes and shapes.
I have one in each - car plus when I go on long trips I also take my big tool box, but that is just me.
For long trips, I would also take along your service manual.
Some people recommend taking spare radiator hoses and drive belts.
I recommend inspecting existing belts and hoses first (check hoses for leakage, for soft or hard spots and for cracks, etc. and check belts for missing pieces, for cracks, splits, etc.) and if fine, you “should be fine”.
If a belt or hose looks questionable – replace it. Belts and hoses can go at any time, but my experience is if looked at before a long trip – you should be fine.
Other people have different opinions – which is also fine.
Sense our cars are 30-40 years old, having parts with you is a lot better than waiting for parts (on side of road somewhere) – sense most parts for our cars are ones that generally do not sit on store shelves that often. At one time they were very common to have on shelves, but not now.
As far as other maintaince items to do, I would at least check your differential fluid level (changing it would be better). Sense your 7¼” differential (I assume you to have a 7¼”) only holds 2.5 pints (1.18 L) – a little fluid loss makes a big difference. The 8¼” differential holds 4.4 pints (2.08L) which is almost twice as much fluid.
Also, when has the last time the front wheel bearings been repacked with grease? Not sure – then it has been too long. The maintaince books say to clean and repack the front wheel bearings every 30k miles (48 km) – which is generally about when a front brake job is due. The last thing you want is to have a front wheel bearing fail at highway speeds. You could be thinking everything is great (or really into the song on radio) when you see your tire pass you on the road . . .
BudW