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Long 8 hour drive ahead need some advice

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Domsanti05

Registered Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2026
Posts
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Location
Redding ca
Hey guy I got an 86 gmc sierra classic crewcab 3500 dually with the ol 454 on it i got an 8 hour drive to la coming up in 2 days all the fluids are topped rear tires are a bit old both tanks are filled (and my wallet is taking a beating with today's gas prices) im just wondering what I should expect/ prep for and how many stops it'll take to get down there I've been on 2 to 3 hour drives through the mountains out here in redding without problems the only thing im not to happy to encounter is the grape vine hills but other than that im feeling pretty confident in the ol girl shes also got only 159237 on the dash
 
Domsanti05 said:
Hey guy I got an 86 gmc sierra classic crewcab 3500 dually with the ol 454 on it i got an 8 hour drive to la coming up in 2 days all the fluids are topped rear tires are a bit old both tanks are filled (and my wallet is taking a beating with today's gas prices) im just wondering what I should expect/ prep for and how many stops it'll take to get down there I've been on 2 to 3 hour drives through the mountains out here in redding without problems the only thing im not to happy to encounter is the grape vine hills but other than that im feeling pretty confident in the ol girl shes also got only 159237 on the dash
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The only advice is to just take your time on the grape vine, it steep and long, watch your temperature gauge.
I have taken many kinds of cars and trucks over that hill and only an 89 dodge truck with a 318 pulling a trailer had trouble there.
 
The Grapevine is a cruel mistress, especially with the heat wave hitting CA temps will be a little warmer than usual at this time of year, would not hurt to carry spare water and a hose for the radiator , some water wetter in the cooling system will help some.
 
You're driving south to Los Angeles? South bound Grape Vine is less stress full than north.
Don't let the engine lug down, or the trans hunt for grears. Shift to second keep it in the torque band, if thats where it likes it.
Turn off the ac for hill climbs.
Traveling Cali myself, gas is definitely bad here up .10 at the Indian casino's since Thursday. Costco and the Indian casinos are best prices
 
imiceman44 said:
The only advice is to just take your time on the grape vine, it steep and long, watch your temperature gauge.
I have taken many kinds of cars and trucks over that hill and only an 89 dodge truck with a 318 pulling a trailer had trouble there.
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Thanks for the advice im not much of a hot rodder I wanna keep her at 55 the whole way thats her sweet spot
 
Wes Harden said:
You're driving south to Los Angeles? South bound Grape Vine is less stress full than north.
Don't let the engine lug down, or the trans hunt for grears. Shift to second keep it in the torque band, if thats where it likes it.
Turn off the ac for hill climbs.
Traveling Cali myself, gas is definitely bad here up .10 at the Indian casino's since Thursday. Costco and the Indian casinos are best prices
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Will do and I would but im an automatic
 
Cucv_M1008 said:
The Grapevine is a cruel mistress, especially with the heat wave hitting CA temps will be a little warmer than usual at this time of year, would not hurt to carry spare water and a hose for the radiator , some water wetter in the cooling system will help some.
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Thanks ill pick one up today
 
Domsanti05 said:
Set to 60 right now haven't moved her in a bit so the cold ate at the pressure
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I'm just saying that the pressure should be proportional to the actual load. Approximate pressure should be about (sidewall pressure)x(actual weight)/(sidewall weight). It's easy to get too much pressure in load E tires without payload, which only makes a rough truck ride rougher.
 
Blue85 said:
I'm just saying that the pressure should be proportional to the actual load. Approximate pressure should be about (sidewall pressure)x(actual weight)/(sidewall weight). It's easy to get too much pressure in load E tires without payload, which only makes a rough truck ride rougher.
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I feel you im not loading her down she's empty what do you think I should set it to
 
you can select 2nd gear in an auto, even first. Some trans if manually select 2nd will down shift to 1st if you slow down enough or stop th350 th400 700r4. Other C4 C6 E4OD will only use 2nd if it is manually selected and not shift into first at a stop.

Good luck on your trip and enjoy.
 
Domsanti05 said:
Thought about that and adding some mistters lol
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I don't think you need to worry about overheating the 454, just don't lug it too low on RPM and don't wind it up to the moon, you should be fine.
If you're worried drive at night when it's cool
 
imiceman44 said:
I don't think you need to worry about overheating the 454, just don't lug it too low on RPM and don't wind it up to the moon, you should be fine.
If you're worried drive at night when it's cool
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Yea she's been good so far im 9 hours in now cause I had it locked in at 55 and the traffic kept me back
 
How did it turn out? Any issues? I’m in NorCal myself. We like taking our 82 K5 on long trips to see what happens. Boiled fuel once, but otherwise pretty smooth.
 
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