On DI's there are 3 key holes just like a real car.
Drivers door, pass door, cargo door.
Lock it at the drivers door and unlock it at the drivers door.
If you unlock it with anyother door the alarm will go off.
Dont worry about bringing tools with you, once you get it go to AutoZone, they have a tool kit for $10, metric and SAE sizes, 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 in drive rachets too.
It is even in a carry case.
Then just leave it in the truck after you get home.

The rear axle seal I am willing to bet is a clogged axle breather.
Leaks always look bigger than they actually are.

 

I have done the fly and buy about 10 times now for my boys, wife, and myself. I have taken supplies on the plane and tools under the plan, but that was a couple years back. My last trip, I took different tapes, and belts and hoses, flash light and a few other items in my carry-on and just bought a cheap set of tools at advance auto for the ride home. Drives from 7 hours to 13 hours. I think I like the idea of a good Craftsman set if you can get one near your pick-up point that was mentioned.

One thing I usually do is change the wiper blades, no sense in scratching up the windshield or not being able to see on unfamiliar roads in rain. I have actually done an oil change or two at the parts store on a couple trips before the drive home. Do keep track of those keys, and if you get a spare key tuck it in your pocket somewhere, I had a scary moment one time many miles away on a fly and buy.

Depending on how your insurance works and how flexible they are, I always get full coverage using my online insurance access for the ride home, it only cost a couple bucks, and then go back to whatever coverage you usually have when you get back home. If you do not have AAA coverage consider towing coverage option on your insurance for the ride home as well.

Small list you may want to consider, some you can take & most you pickup before you head back at your nearby auto parts store or Wal-mart/K-mart/ etc.

- blade fuses
- flashlight
- heavy grade work paper towels
- tarp or something to lay on the ground under you
- check the jack, jack handle, lug wrench (Does it fit the lugs on your D1?) WD-40 may be useful, how about wheel chucks?
- check/clean battery post and water level of battery if applicable
- check oil & coolant(Peak is a good brand), take extra for the trip
- since you have a transmission dipstick on a D1, check it.
- replace wiper blades
- basic tool kit, as noted previously
- knife
- main fan belt
- univ. bendable radiator hose, or go ahead and get the hoses in advance
- variety of hose clamps
- couple feet of heater hose about $3
- couple feet of gas line hose about $3 (good for lots of repairs)
- air filter
- hose patch kit with multiple plastic sleeve sizes to repair hoses
- self-sealing repair tape
- black electrical tape
- duct tape
- good fuel injector cleaner, I run it for the drive home
- clean the windshield inside and mirrors, especially for night ride back
- check air pressure on all 5 tires
- WD40 or PB Buster
- permatex or other sealant
- super glue
- JB Weld
- fire extinguisher, it may save your purchase on the ride home and you should have one anyway.

You will be surprised how fast the trip goes, or at least mine have as I am checking out the options on the interior and listen to the engine and trying to feel how the vehicle rides, planning upgrades, as well as looking at new scenery and cities I may not know. Plan your gas and food together, makes it a little faster.

In enjoyed by drives home, all the time in the back of my head knowing that I could be walking, as most of my purchases have been older $2-$4K vehicles with a few miles on them, but made it home every time.

Hope things work out for you.

 

fitch - go for it man! I love the fly and drive! You may have read my horror story of getting my Disco home. I love a challenge! I never got upset - this is what memories are made of!

Don't let any setbacks, well, set you back. Smile as you make that repair or add coolant or oil. you got yourself a Disco! If the trip goes smooth - good for you. If it doesn't, enjoy the challenges.

Happy Disco Dancing!

 

I couldn't agree with this statement more. Expect a few challenges, that's part of the adventure. Be prepared as much as possible with tools and whatever to deal with them as best as you can.

I've got a tool kit along these lines I used when I bought our Disco in San Fran and drove it back to Chicago area.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Home-Tool-Kit-Wa...item2a0681ef2c

I threw out the cheapo ratchet and substituted it with a quality one, then added some other essentials like deep wells and some larger sockets and longer extensions. A kit like this doesn't weigh that much and is good to have on hand for weekend excursions as well. Yeah, I supposed you could go to Kmart or Autozone and buy it when you get there to avoid airline luggage fees. I took my ECM scanner with me as well which I used several times on the way home. I had a lot of little things crop up on my return trip, but nothing that left me (and my family) stranded.

Perhaps one of the most important tools I had with me on my way back was my PC. I ran into a few critical questions that I couldn't figure out and I pulled into some areas (hotels/restraunts) and jumped onto their unsecured networks and posted some quick questions on this forum. Got some answers that were a big help. I was also able to locate the nearest Harbor Freight Stores and Autozones where I was so I could get some parts/tools when I needed something I didn't have. It was truely a great convenience. If you have a smart phone like an iPhone/Droid, that would work great as well. If you have a laptop, download the RAVE manual ...and know how to use it. It's a good manual and could be critical. Maybe you can even put the manual on a smart phone, I don't know. I use my Droid for lots of cool things. You may not need to use any of these tools, but if you do and you have them with you they will save you potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars and keep you from having to waste time seeking out a specialized mechanic and wait on their schedule. I guess a lot of that depends on your mechanical abilities too.

Lay out a list of places to see on the way back rather than just drive straight. Something to spice it up will leave you with a lifetime of special memories of the 'time you drove the new Disco Back".

 

Ohh man i almost forgot the most important part of any sort of road trip. The FIRST thing that you must do after you purchase the rover is go directly to the nearest gas station and get a rack of Budweiser. You NEVER want to start any sort of road trip without cheap beer. I chose Budweiser because it is like America in a can. Make sure that you have enough that if you break down you can get good and sloppy. Chips might be a good idea as well, I like the Tostito plain corn but use your best intuition. Jerky is another good bet to go with the beer, but it must be beef not turkey. I cannot emphasize how much of a necessity the beer is. O.o and a koozie might not be a bad idea either.

 

Well I don't drink,

nore do I sleep at this point, plane leaves in 6 hrs

 

hmm.... that could be a problem then. well gl on your trip.

 

Got a good 2 hours of sleep, plane departs in 45 mins

 

Have fun...

 

back seat snoozin