pawleyk
Running from Monday..
Hey everybody. My wife and I are currently planning a trip from Oregon to Argentina beginning October 2016. We've sold our house, so things are moving pretty quickly into the no turning back stage (not that we'd want too..)
This thread will probably morph into my build thread eventually, but right now I'm most curious as to what everyone thinks I should take along for parts and what preventative maintenance/ reliability modifications I should make sure and do before leaving.
Let me fill you in a bit on what we're working with..
2005 Silverado, 2500HD. This is a gasoline powered 6.0L V8. I bought the truck brand new when I was 18 years old and have been the only driver for it's entire 160k mile life. I've also done all maintenance and repairs on the truck myself, save a few items.
I've had almost no real issues with the truck, but there have been a few repairs over the years.
1) Transmission rebuild @ 40k miles. Covered by warranty, completed by the dealer I bought it from. Absolutely no problems since, and all scheduled maintenance.
2) U-joints in the rear driveline
3) Replaced the water pump @120k miles
4) Plugs and wires
5) Right front wheel bearing @130k miles
6) New Bilstein 5100's all around and new bumpstops
7) Replaced tie-rod ends and the pitman arm.
8) I rebuilt the transfer case @140k and installed the pump-rub fix from Merchant Automotive. The internals looked great, just had a leaking output seal. Figured while it was pulled I should do the rub-fix and replace everything.
9) Had the driveline rebuilt shortly after the t-case re-build to eliminate the little vibration that probably ruined my seal in the first place.
10) Original battery replaced this year, upgraded the system to dual batteries in the stock positions with identical AC Delco's.
11) About 3 weeks ago I had it re-geared to 4.88's and a Detroit locker installed. All seals and bearings in both differentials were replaced as well.
12) Just this week @160k miles I rebuilt the starter as it was cranking a bit weak and the solenoid was occasionally failing to engage.
Those are seriously all the major repairs I've had to do. If it's not listed, it's still original.
While it doesn't do severe duty every day, I've farmed out of it and generally used it as a truck from day one. Never afraid to put it in 4wd or throw a load on behind or in the bed. I've also had it on trails no full-size Chevy should be on and am not afraid to climb roots and rocks, ford fender deep water, or push it through whoops.
It's got about 2” of lift using an add-a-leaf in the rear and new keys up front. I'm currently running 35x12.5 R17 Toyo AT2 tires, but will likely size down a bit and switch to 16” wheels before the trip.
GVRW for this truck is 9200lbs. With a fwc, custom fabbed bed, gear, and full of fuel/water, I'm estimating I'll actually come in at around 8600 or so. I'd like to be over-prepared and under-loaded for something like this.
We plan to boondock and generally work our way down on as many backroads and trails as possible.
I do plan on adding about 30 gal of fuel when I build the bed, which should put our range at 800 miles.
I'll also do the obvious things before leaving, new shocks, tires, brakes and all the steering joints again. I guess what I'm looking for is maybe advice from those who have pushed these trucks into high mileage on poor roads. What can I expect to fail, which parts/special tools should I bring etc?
I'm sorta working under the assumption that I'll be able to get parts like bearings and other more generic parts along the way, especially since they usually give a lot of warning. It's the more specific sensors or other things I haven't thought of that worry me. The fuel pump seems perfect, but should I replace it before I leave anyway? How about the alternator, should I rebuild/replace it now, or just rely on the rebuild kits for it and the starter I'm planning to bring?
Thanks for any advice in advance!
This thread will probably morph into my build thread eventually, but right now I'm most curious as to what everyone thinks I should take along for parts and what preventative maintenance/ reliability modifications I should make sure and do before leaving.
Let me fill you in a bit on what we're working with..
2005 Silverado, 2500HD. This is a gasoline powered 6.0L V8. I bought the truck brand new when I was 18 years old and have been the only driver for it's entire 160k mile life. I've also done all maintenance and repairs on the truck myself, save a few items.
I've had almost no real issues with the truck, but there have been a few repairs over the years.
1) Transmission rebuild @ 40k miles. Covered by warranty, completed by the dealer I bought it from. Absolutely no problems since, and all scheduled maintenance.
2) U-joints in the rear driveline
3) Replaced the water pump @120k miles
4) Plugs and wires
5) Right front wheel bearing @130k miles
6) New Bilstein 5100's all around and new bumpstops
7) Replaced tie-rod ends and the pitman arm.
8) I rebuilt the transfer case @140k and installed the pump-rub fix from Merchant Automotive. The internals looked great, just had a leaking output seal. Figured while it was pulled I should do the rub-fix and replace everything.
9) Had the driveline rebuilt shortly after the t-case re-build to eliminate the little vibration that probably ruined my seal in the first place.
10) Original battery replaced this year, upgraded the system to dual batteries in the stock positions with identical AC Delco's.
11) About 3 weeks ago I had it re-geared to 4.88's and a Detroit locker installed. All seals and bearings in both differentials were replaced as well.
12) Just this week @160k miles I rebuilt the starter as it was cranking a bit weak and the solenoid was occasionally failing to engage.
Those are seriously all the major repairs I've had to do. If it's not listed, it's still original.
While it doesn't do severe duty every day, I've farmed out of it and generally used it as a truck from day one. Never afraid to put it in 4wd or throw a load on behind or in the bed. I've also had it on trails no full-size Chevy should be on and am not afraid to climb roots and rocks, ford fender deep water, or push it through whoops.
It's got about 2” of lift using an add-a-leaf in the rear and new keys up front. I'm currently running 35x12.5 R17 Toyo AT2 tires, but will likely size down a bit and switch to 16” wheels before the trip.
GVRW for this truck is 9200lbs. With a fwc, custom fabbed bed, gear, and full of fuel/water, I'm estimating I'll actually come in at around 8600 or so. I'd like to be over-prepared and under-loaded for something like this.
We plan to boondock and generally work our way down on as many backroads and trails as possible.
I do plan on adding about 30 gal of fuel when I build the bed, which should put our range at 800 miles.
I'll also do the obvious things before leaving, new shocks, tires, brakes and all the steering joints again. I guess what I'm looking for is maybe advice from those who have pushed these trucks into high mileage on poor roads. What can I expect to fail, which parts/special tools should I bring etc?
I'm sorta working under the assumption that I'll be able to get parts like bearings and other more generic parts along the way, especially since they usually give a lot of warning. It's the more specific sensors or other things I haven't thought of that worry me. The fuel pump seems perfect, but should I replace it before I leave anyway? How about the alternator, should I rebuild/replace it now, or just rely on the rebuild kits for it and the starter I'm planning to bring?
Thanks for any advice in advance!