Suburban for towing 12000 pounds?

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Matt Douglas

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I am wanting to replace my current truck and am considering instead of buying a new diesel 1-Ton finding a late model Suburban and redoing it.

I know Chevy/GMC made a 4WD 1-Ton Suburban in the 1980's, but I am curious the last actual year they were made and what their towing capacity was. Of course, I'll re-power if needed, but I'm assuming the frame and suspension sets them apart from their 3/4 Ton counterparts?

I routinely tow 8,000 pounds and have on occasion towed 12,000. I like to keep my weights below 2/3 of what is GCWR so 12,000 pounds towing would be my minimum acceptable.

Did Chevy/GMC make a platform to handle that?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
 

east302

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Pretty sure a 3/4 ton Suburban with 454 vortec and 4.10 was rated for 10k lb towing capacity. Not sure about the TBI models.


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Supercharged111

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I meant 8.1 Sub, forgot to specify. Without looking I imagine they were rated higher than the 454.
 

east302

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This is the table from a 2004 Suburban owners manual, looks like 12k with the 4.10

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Supercharged111

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Didn't know 3/4 ton could get 4WS. That'd be a sweet nerdy retrofit project.
 

gordy318

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I just bought a 1996 Suburban with the 6.5TD 2WD. It was purchased new in 1996 by a fire department in Texas. It is the 3/4ton version. 100% fleet meticulously maintained. Only 113K verified miles on the clock. It has not been molested in any way with the exception of the search lights on the side. I have had it a couple of months and am considering selling it. It is just WAY too much rig for the time I am pulling which is once about every two months. I pulled a car hauler trailer with a 5K crown victoria. Trailer was about 1800 lbs. That followed by a mated tow dolly behind the trailer with a 4K Impala with wheels on the ground. I am sure I was at 12k at least. It struggled a bit getting up to speed but when it got there it was happy around 68MPH and never dropped a gear from Dallas to Shreveport. I may be interested in selling if you would like a beast of truck.
 

Matt Douglas

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I just bought a 1996 Suburban with the 6.5TD 2WD. It was purchased new in 1996 by a fire department in Texas. It is the 3/4ton version. 100% fleet meticulously maintained. Only 113K verified miles on the clock. It has not been molested in any way with the exception of the search lights on the side. I have had it a couple of months and am considering selling it. It is just WAY too much rig for the time I am pulling which is once about every two months. I pulled a car hauler trailer with a 5K crown victoria. Trailer was about 1800 lbs. That followed by a mated tow dolly behind the trailer with a 4K Impala with wheels on the ground. I am sure I was at 12k at least. It struggled a bit getting up to speed but when it got there it was happy around 68MPH and never dropped a gear from Dallas to Shreveport. I may be interested in selling if you would like a beast of truck.

Nice ride but I think I want to find out more about the 1 Tons if available.
 

east302

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I know that they didn't make a 3500 Suburban in the GMT400 platform, but would think that the 2500 Suburban's towing capacity exceeded any 1-ton of the previous 73-91 version. Probably more so with the 2000-06 generation.

A properly geared 8.1L 3/4-ton would probably be the best that you could get. I wouldn't mind having one myself.

An Excursion with the 7.3L International diesel may be another option. I would think that the tow ratings were similar.

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