Gramps
I'm Awesome
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2012
- Messages
- 228
- Reaction score
- 237
About 5-6 years ago my brother, several friends and I were on a camping/ river floating trip 300 miles from home. One of our buddies had his 4.0L Cherokee overheat 100 miles from camp and had to limp it there. Block gas test said it had exhaust in the coolant. Rented a trailer, loaded the Cherokee up, moved most of the camping gear and luggage in the van to the Jeep. All 7 of us jumped in the van and hit the highway. I was uncomfortably sun burned and had the pedal down on I35 running with traffic at 70-75 even 80 at times. The old 350 loafed along in overdrive. 4L85E and 3.73 9.5 14-bolt. Still managed 14 mpg and the 350 never screamed at me, it just grunted along. A couple of long grades put it into 3rd, but I was easily rolling along over 14,000 lbs combined maybe closer to 15K. My tuning style also does not really lug an engine, I set tunes up to unlock the converter and downshift about the time the TPS opening makes the MAP go to atmospheric pressure. It could have used little more rise on the ball mount but towed well the way it was. The van was firmly into the 1-ton overloads I had in the 1500 leaf spring packs on it at that time.
You must be registered for see images attach
I have to ask.. how the heck does a 4500-5000lb van plus an aluminum car hauler 1500lbs max plus a 3000lb Jeep add up to 14,000 lbs?
My truck (05 1500 4500-5000lbs)((plus wife kids dog, extra 55 gal drum of water, 20gal of fuel and genny)) and 6000lb 28’ camper plus gear and a full water tank comes in well under 14k. Either that Jeep is loaded with lead bricks or my math is off.
I’m not disagreeing about the LS making less tq at lower or comparable rpm than a 350, it was a real learning curve for me when I got my first 05 chevy. LS motors scream. They are made for it. I was so nervous I’d blow it up but they just love the rpm’s. My second one is now just shy of 300,000mi. When I tow I’ve learned to just let ‘er eat. 10-15mpg at 2000 r’s is no different than 10-15mpg at 3500-4000 r’s. The wear and tear factor is negligible between the 2 and they are both great engines. While a little more tq in the bottom end would be nice I’ve yet to try and drag race anybody at a light with my trailer on. And higher rpm when the 350 is wheezing and out of air the ls is just getting started. It took me a while to adjust but they are both great engines.
Last edited: