Just got back from my annual trip to Kentucky. Lot'* of fishing and boating.

What do you guys do before you head out for a long trip?

I took the Truck (2000 GMC Sierra) so I could pull a boat. Before the trip I did a full front end greasing (hit all the zerks) and noticed the rubber boot on the right ball joint was pretty cracked (grease was leaking out of a big crack in the top) so I should probably replace that soon. Also changed the Trans filter and refilled with DexVI.

#Doin' work #GMForum


Hanging up the shirt after some quick after trip maintenance. The only casualty on my 1000 mile round trip was an O2 sensor which has been finicky for the last year so I finally decided to replace it. Also changed the oil since it was due and getting ready to head back out for a tire rotation after a quick break.

i normally just replace all the hoses, belt, and thermostat when i get a truck because i dont like messing with it. and clean the rad&condenser. theres not a whole lot of tune up stuff on newer trucks to worry about though. like you said inspect fluids, suspension, drive line etc.

the lower ball joints are a pain, upper not so much. i did everything from the steering box out when i got yukon. the lower took every tool in my arsenal to get out. the only thing that worked was a acetylene torch and 8lb bfh.

Thermostat is something I didn't think to do when I first got the truck, I think I will add that to my to-do list.

Also had someone tell me flushing the trans section of the radiator and the lines is important on the 2000ish Chevy/GMC trucks. They recommended pulling the lines off at the trans and blowing air through one and out the other into a bucket.

i dont think it would hurt, but the 4l60 common complaints are with hard parts failure and dirt accumulation or solenoid failure. mostly taken care of with normal filter/pan drop fluid change

Good to know. I'm pretty habitual about trans fluid maintenance so I've got that going for me.

I think its 2001+ 4L60'* that have the issue with the sun shell.

When we went to Knobels theme park in PA, we opted to rent a car instead of using one of our own. More of a stress free trip. I reserved a Dodge Charger, but was told it was not available and they upgraded me to a Chrysler Town n Country for free. Kids loved it with the built in DVD.

a mommyvan doesnt seem like a upgrade to me.

all the 4l60s had issues with the solenoids p1860 is a common code. some tcc lock up ones. seems like the early ones had a bunch of problems too i cant remember right now though

Enterprise was going to charge me $68 a day for the Charger, the "mommy van" cost'* $105 per day. I wasn't complaining for the free upgrade.

i would rather drive my 200k mile bonnie