What Maintenance Schedule Should I Follow for a High Mileage Pickup Truck?

A Regular Maintenance Schedule Matters for High Mileage Pickup Trucks

Are you the guy who can’t stand the thought of parting with his father’s 1972 Ford F-100? Who can blame you? It’s vintage, and the last of the fifth generation (1967-1972) of the Ford F-Series trucks. American pickup history in the making.  If only it didn’t have 108,000 miles on it.

Any truck with more than 85,000 miles needs a lot of attention and better than average maintenance. Wear and tear compounds geometrically with age, and components like the suspension, drivetrain, and cooling systems are more prone to failure.

You already spend more time changing oil than hitting the back trails, so you may as well lean in and set up a pickup truck maintenance schedule for high mileage vehicles. Regularly scheduled maintenance prolongs life, keeps you safer, improves fuel efficiency, and reduces repair costs in the long run. Keep your Dads truck in good shape and one day, you’ll be able to restore that F-100 to its original “muscle truck” aesthetic.

Monthly & Bi-Monthly Maintenance Checks

High-mileage trucks will show signs of trouble earlier than newer ones. Simple monthly checkups can prevent major headaches down the line

Monthly Checklist

·         Check Oil Level & Condition
Use a clean dipstick to check oil clarity and level. If it's dark or smells burnt, change it early—even if you’re not at the mileage limit.

·         Inspect Tire Pressure & Tread Wear
Uneven wear may indicate alignment issues or suspension wear—common in older trucks.

·         Inspect the Lights
Ensure headlights, tail lights, turn signals, and brake lights are functional.

·         Listen for Unusual Noises
Squeaks, clunks, or rattles could signal issues with brakes, shocks, or the drivetrain.

Every 2 Months (Bi-monthly maintenance)

·         Top Off Fluids (coolant, power steering, washer fluid)

·         Clean Battery Terminals
High mileage often correlates with older batteries—ensure solid, clean contact to prevent no-starts.

High Mileage Oil Change Schedule & Best Practices

Oil Type Matters

For trucks with more than 100,000 miles, switch to high mileage synthetic oil if you haven’t already. These oils contain seal conditioners and additives to protect aging engine components.

Best oil for high mileage pickup truck(ad).

Frequency

·         Every 3,000–5,000 miles with high mileage oil (especially if towing or driving in extreme conditions)

·         Avoid thin oils like 0W-20, not designed for most vintage engines

·         High-zinc (ad) conventional oil or high-zinc synthetics, or blends.

·         Check for leaks around the valve covers and oil pan

Use a premium oil filter that traps fine debris and prevents early engine wear.

Fluid Flush Schedule for Pickup Trucks Over 85,000 Miles; Don’t forget the other fluids which are just as important. High mileage engines are prone to sludge and breakdowns. Transmission Fluid is crucial for protecting older components and ensuring smooth shifting.

·         Change the transmission fluid every 30,000–50,000 miles

·         Consider a full flush, especially if shifting feels sluggish or jerky.

·         Us the appropriate transmission fluid based on your engine type – automatic or manual.

Most 1972 F-100S with manual transmissions use gear oil like the SAE 80W-90 GL-4, or GL-5(ad)

Coolant

·         Every 30,000 miles or 5 years

·         Goes without saying-- prevents overheating and protects against internal corrosion—critical for high-mileage radiators.

Brake Fluid

·         Every 2 years or every 30,000 miles

·         Contaminated brake fluid can damage your brake cylinders and reduce your brakes effectiveness.  You don’t want that.

Power Steering Fluid

·         Every 50,000–75,000 miles

·         Fresh steering wheel fluid will alleviate steering stiffness

Suspension & Steering Inspection Schedule

Worn bushings, shocks, and ball joints come with the territory of owning a vintage, high mileage truck. Bad bushings can throw off your truck’s alignment and wear out tires prematurely, among other things. Regular inspections are highly recommended.

Every 10,000–15,000 Miles

·         Inspect struts, shocks, tie rods, and ball joints.

·         Replace parts showing excessive play, rust, or oil leakage.

Best Shocks for a 1972 Ford F-100 – For tooling around town without any towing weight, the Monroe OESpectrum(ad) or Monroe Gas-Matic shock systems will get you a smooth ride reminiscent of the original 1970s feel.  They’re affordable and reliable. For more information on ‘How To Replace Your Shocks’, on a 1972 F-100.  

Steering Alignment

You’ll know you need a steering alignment when you see uneven wear on the tires or feel the truck pulling to one side

·         Check yearly or every 12,000 miles

Timing Belt and Chain: When to Replace

Many older pickup trucks use timing chains, which last longer but still require inspection. Rubber timing belts have strict replacement intervals.

Timing Belt

·         Replace every 60,000–100,000 miles depending on manufacturer

·         Failure can lead to catastrophic engine damage

Timing Chain

·         Inspect at 150,000 miles

·         Listen for rattling or slapping sounds at startup

Belts, Hoses, and Seals – Often Overlooked in High Mileage Trucks

Cracked hoses and belts are among the top causes of breakdowns in older vehicles. Seals begin to harden and leak after 100K+ miles.

Inspection Frequency

  • Every oil change: Visually inspect for cracks, soft spots, or fraying
  • Replace belts every 60,000–90,000 miles
  • Replace hoses at first sign of brittleness