Am I crazy? Or just stupid?
 

I want/need a new tow rig. The dogs won't fit in the Ford at all, and they're really getting too big for the XJ. Plus, I'd like a big SUV to camp in.

So I've been shopping big-block Suburbans. The 96-99 7.4 Vortec, and the 01-02 8.1. Both are cheap, but harder to find than you might think.

Found this one in Columbus: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3693990511.html

Price is right, and a rebuilt 7.4. But the rest of it's got right at 200k miles.


Am I crazy (or dumb!) to think about towing with a 200k rig?

Robert

My truck has 315,000. Tranny was rebuilt at 250,000

It's all about maintanince , if worn parts are replaced its fine. I would find out what "engine overhaul means" if it was a total rebuild with every thing machined to spec then good, if it was just a tear down and reassemble then ..not so good.
But it looks nice. If the tranny has never been replaced expect that to go soon.thats a grand.. But no your not crazy. And Burbans are solid tow rigs from what I read.

Personally, for a little more, I would get 2002 or newer and get the LS based 6.0 or 8.1. They have more power and torque than the old style engines, and they should last longer. The 2002 8.1 has 340/455 and the 6.0 has 320/365.

if i was tow with gas, which i wouldnt, id would atleast go ls series also

There's an 02 in LaGrange with 140k:
http://www.championcbg.com/VehicleDe...-KY/1939513133

I'd LOVE the extra power of the 496, but it's all loaded up, dvd and all, and asking $9200. I'm having a hard time justifying almost twice as much cash, for a camping and dog rig...

The six liters are easier to find, and would probably be plenty. I just got it in my head that I wanted a bigblock...

I dunno, decisions decisions...

Thanks guys!
:beers:

I tow with a 2000 Chevy Express van with the 7.4 liter. Pulls pretty good and gets 10 mpg with a loaded open trailer (14 on the highway without the trailer). My Expedition only got 9 mpg towing. I was surprised how well it tows. I don't think you necessarily need the LS engine.

the 8.1 is not LS based, it is still based on the good ol' BBC.

what about a powerstroke excursion? keep the diesel and get the SUV all in one?

i ended up with a powerstroke after looking for basically what you are. i wanted a 7.4 or 8.1 GM truck and had a very difficult time finding one that was not ragged out or over priced. but i did find more Suburbans than i did trucks when i was looking.

but to the actual question, if it was well maintained, i would have no issues with a 200k tow rig. my silverado i just got rid of had 220k on it, and every bit of the drive train was original on it. i would not hesitate on a well cared for high mileage rig.

How much weight do you tow, and how often? My 1-ton K5 on the car hauler weighs close to 9k and I use a 6.0L 2500HD. There are times when more power would be nice but it gets the job done and I've always been able to at least maintain the speed limit on the freeway if you really want to (i.e. let it downshift). Granted, haven't been in any big mountains but been down to Slade many times and out I-70 in Eastern Ohio many times (not unusual to have 18-wheelers doing 40 mph in spots).

132k so far with the majority of the miles daily driving on the freeway. The engine did lose the oil pump and was run for a short period with no oil pressure 30k ago but no apparent issues so far. The only other thing ever replaced was the water pump at the same time the oil pump was replaced. Guess I did change the plugs at 100k per the service manual.

I have an 01 2500 Chevrolet with 6.0.. Bout it 4 1/2 years ago with 196k on it and it now has 262k I have put one set of brakes and just replaced steering parts last month.. It's been a damn good truck I would pull my camper to Florida today and not be scared... Pulls our 28' 5th wheel all the time and hauls the rig just fine.. 8-9 mile a gallon.. I had the old style motors and I will say I love the 6.0 ls.. Diesel is obivuously best but if goin gas pony up and somethin with 6.0

my 04 6.0l 2500 gas has 131k now and still running stong but I have pulled 30 foot trailer with 2 sami on it.. and also have 18 steel deck with 2 sami on it..pull both nice been to Harlin a bunch of times with no issues.. I have had the water pump go out under warrenty and changed out front wheel bearings.. other wise a good truck... :thumbup:
bad is the trans is only 4 speed and kicks into over drive at 4500 on some hills...


would be great if it had allison!!!

You CRAZY! Turn the truck bed into dog quarters.

I looked for about a minute and a half. Decent ones are pushing 18-20 grand. There's no WAY I'm spending that on a tow rig / puppy transport, especially if a gas Burban will do it for 5-8...

3500# XJ on a 1500# trailer. Once a month or so to BigRock. I am looking at Harlan next month, but that's unusual for me. At any rate, not nearly enough miles to worry too much about the mileage...

Crossed my mind too. But they're pretty neurotic, they get all agitated if they're boxed in without us. 320# of velcro-dogs. Plus, we gotta be able to roll the windows down!


You guys do have me reconsidering a GMT800. I'm already scheduled to look at this '99 tomorrow, but if I don't love it, I'll look again at 01-ups.

Thanks again!
Robert

<Edit> The 01+ will also give me four-wheel-discs, vs rear drums on the 99, right?

Drove it, liked it.
Didn't love it, didn't buy it.

The search continues, thinkin 8.1...

Robert

There's no comparison between pulling with a big block suburban and a 10 excursion. The excursion is soooooooooooo much better in everything it does. I've had 2 excursion v10's a 6.0l Denali, and a 99 suburban. Excursions win hands down ieverything except driving like a car.

I was going through the same thing as you when I bought my current one. I got a good deal when I bought it. Now I need a truck again, and have been thinking hard about selling it (drove a crew cab 7.3 dually superduty today i really liked). I honestly would have rather towed with my 05 hemi Durango than the suburban. The Denali just had too many toys to not enjoy driving I always.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps5b138d46.jpg

Good looking rig!

Here was my thought process on that.

The 6.8 Ex's are rated at 310hp and 425ft-lbs, and book around $11-12f.
The 7.4 Vortec Burbs produce 290hp and 410lbs, for about $5-6k.
The newer 8.1s, 340hp and 455lbs, for $8-9k.

So compared to a V10 Excursion, I figured I could get an older Burb that had 95% of the power and 98% of the torque, for about half the price.

Or, a newer one, with 10% MORE power and torque, still for less than 75 cents on the dollar.



Now I know that money isn't everything, sometimes you do get what you pay for. And that not everything that works on paper also works on the road.

But, that was how I decided on a Burban over an Excursion.


And this input is exactly what I asked for, to challenge those numbers.

So thanks!
:beers:

Excursions can be had cheap, you just have to look around. Just be sure to try and find one that has had the exhaust manifolds done, and had the spark plugs professionally done. Check the bottom of the doors on the inside for rust too, that's the first thing to go.

I'm not a fan of the ford v10... Drove a motorhome with one in it with an f450 chassis... Goin up o my dad pulled off and left the v10 sittin in his 1986 big block chevy class a... V10 was a class c... I know I favor gm products but Its pretty bad when a heavier vehicle with 14 year older technology than what the v10 is walked off and left it and got 4 mpg better!...the dodge v10 seems to run better than the ford... Just my opinion

I have a 2002 F-350 V-10 that i bought new and its been fine. The V-10 was only a $600 option when I bought the truck so I went with it. I would do it again for only $600 but no more. I get 12 mpg on the highway but I drive fast ~80 and have gotten as bad as 6.8 mpg when towing 10,000 lbs.

I don't think you are towing enough to really worry about needing a diesel or any larger motor than any 1 ton truck has as their base option. Big Rock is a really easy tow and if your only hitting Harlan once a year, thats not reason enough to spend so much extra cash.

That was my thought. I never mentioned that I'm using a 7.3 Powerstroke now, and while it's great and really can't feel the jeep at all, it's just way more than I need...

I thought about a diesel too, but for the 6 times a year I tow my rig, the cost didn't seem worth it. That's why I opted for a 6.0 1 ton express box truck. I can tow and sleep in it. I'll find out how good it tows my junk next week to Harlan.
Attachment 6555

You could always get a 1 ton express van so you and your doggies would have plenty of room. Unless you're looking for a daily driver with more than 2 seats...

One day I will have a school bus tow rig. flat bed outback and a camper up front

In that case you are defiantly going to need a diesel. You can never take a step down in power, only up.

Went from a v10 to the gm's to a 7.3 then back to the v10. I'm searching hot and heavy for a 7.3 again, but only bc I need a pickup, and I can't imagine having a truck without a diesel.

Here's a pretty sweet looking 96 bib block burb for $5000

Warning, this site is addictive, and you will start cycling through cars quickly if you are anything like me.

http://www.mautofied.com/1996-Chevro...ing/100569776/