6.2l long trip

[07 grizzly700 BE]

I'm going to take the 85 suburban to go snowskiing in france. The total trip is about 1600 miles. I was wondering if the engine is reliable enough to do this? It has about 60 000 miles on it. Im going to change al fluids, filters, glow plugs and glowplug controller. Is there anything else i need to check or change ? The big problem over here is, if you brake down with an american car, you have to wait a looong time before you can get the parts to repair it.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

 

[4xcrazy]

I'm going to take the 85 suburban to go snowskiing in france. The total trip is about 1600 miles. I was wondering if the engine is reliable enough to do this? It has about 60 000 miles on it. Im going to change al fluids, filters, glow plugs and glowplug controller. Is there anything else i need to check or change ? The big problem over here is, if you brake down with an american car, you have to wait a looong time before you can get the parts to repair it.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

make sure everything is watertight...

 

[longbedder]

You'll probably want a functioning block heater since you'll be in the Alps in winter.

That type of engine is generally reliable, and there's plenty of 250,000-mile examples still out there. I would check your harmonic dampener for rotted/cracked rubber, or better yet just replace it. In the States you can get a stock replacement for about $70, or you could go the even better route and get a Fluidampr for $400 and never worry about it again.

Why the damper? In these diesels, the crank harmonics are particularly harsh. Premature crank and bearing web failure has been tied to worn out dampers. A worn out damper has cracked, dried, or chunked out rubber between the center steel part and the outer mass. Replacing it is no guarantee, and many engines run around for decades with cracked webs, but it is one thing that's generally overlooked in maintenance.

Now for the other bit: an '85 Burb with a non-turbo 6.2L is going to be a real pig in the mountains. You'll probably get where you're going, but it won't be fast.

 

[JBerno]

make sure everything is watertight...

Florida to France

 

[imiceman44]

The big problem over here is, if you brake down with an american car, you have to wait a looong time before you can get the parts to repair it.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

That said I believe he already is in Europe and he is making his way towards the mountains.

I say do regular maintenance and go for it.
1600 miles is nothing I do that in a couple of days and I wouldn't blink an eye.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Just do some general maintenance and look over everything. 60,000 miles is nothing on these trucks. The main thing I would carry would be a fuel filter just in case you got a tank of bad fuel.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Mine has 200k on it. Bought it last year with 184k and immediately drove it from Seattle to Grand Rapids, MI over 3 days. Did great.

 

[diesel4me]

I would balk at taking either of my 6.2 powered trucks on a long trip....maybe its just me,but I fee like I'm driving a backhoe when I'm in my diesel trucks!..just driving either of them 70 miles to my sister or brothers home would feel like a trip to CA in either one I bet--I prefer using my car for those kinds of trips,more economical and comfortable (unless it was going to be during a snowfall,then I'd rather be in a 4x4 truck!).....of course they are both in not so perfect condition and I'd be worried about every rusty thing on them like the oil cooler lines & brake hoses failing halfway there,more so than an engine problem,but with my luck the crank would split in two halfway there......

 

[Doc Feel Good]

If you truck has been maintained well, you should not have an issue. As stated above, check it over and make sure that there are no new leaks.

I drive my M1009 everyday, not an issue. When I first got it, I had issues with the Fuel Filter and some fuel leaks. I replace the filter and assembly put in some new glow plugs, runs great now.

 

[blazinzuk]

The reason I bought my 6.2 was so I could afford trips like this. 20 mpg vs 12 or lower, and that 20 mpg is with improper gears and a slipping trans.

I would not hesitate to take a truck like that several thousand miles if it was in fair shape

 

[07 grizzly700 BE]

thanks a lot for the replies guys, it makes me more confident making this trip. This trip will take place in april so i still have some time to check any glitches.
I live in Belgium , so no oceancrossings. I think its actually a really confortable car to sit in, but i am used to effin harsh springed german cars so ...
thanks again
Matt

 

[K5dreamer]

I agree with those who give the . the 6.2's primary strengths are fuel economy and longevity, which is linked to reliability. They may not be the fastest or most powerful trucks out there, but they friggin last forever. Ill put it this way, my truck has been wrecked, is rusty, and has a slow leak in the radiator, and i wouldnt flinch to drive it 1600 miles.