Thinking GMT400 3500 Dually for Track Day Towing, Thoughts?

[the_elegant_fox]

Hey all,

I've been looking into a car hauler for track day duties and I've been finding GMT400 454 3500 trucks with 120-160k miles in generally clean shape all over facebook marketplace at the $6500-$8500 range. I'm a little wary since the 3500s usually are cheaper than 1500s and 2500s are pretty rare. A lot of these are old farm trucks from what I can tell. I don't mind the ride quality or old truck issues, my daily driver is an '88 Land Cruiser.

To start, I'm looking at towing a street weight 2008 M3 coupe, about 3800lb + the uhaul car hauler that brings the load up to around mid 6k lbs. This is half ton territory for sure, but if I can get a lower mileage, cleaner 3500 for cheaper than a 1500, I don't see why it could hurt to have too much truck to start. I'd like to jump up to an enclosed trailer eventually as well, with potential for a slide in camper.

Is there any gotchas for these 3500s as to why they might be less expensive and seemingly in better shape than the 1500-2500 SRW trucks?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/280073804890277/

These move somewhat quick on the market, but this red one is the one that got me looking into it.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/791186672887057/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/938692160997985/

 

[Keeper]

engine... lower intake gaskets, injectors, exhaust and a tune

brakes... keep up with rear drum adjustments

 

[Erik the Awful]

I have a C1500 that I use for light-duty towing. When I got the opportunity to pick up a C3500 for free, I jumped on it. Having towed an E36 BMW and tool chest on an open deck trailer with a GMT900 Suburban loaded down with tools, I want the larger truck.

The peanut-port 454 TBI in the GMT400s is generally considered to have the worst heads ever put on a big block. Upgrading to good heads is expensive. My '88 C3500 came with a 454, but I'll be putting a 350 in it when it goes back together. Supposedly the later 8.1L is far better, but it has a lot of bespoke parts that keep it from interchanging well.

The other thing to consider is that the heavier duty trucks have significantly better brakes.

 

[CarolinaOBS]

I have a C1500 that I use for light-duty towing. When I got the opportunity to pick up a C3500 for free, I jumped on it. Having towed an E36 BMW and tool chest on an open deck trailer with a GMT900 Suburban loaded down with tools, I want the larger truck.

The peanut-port 454 TBI in the GMT400s is generally considered to have the worst heads ever put on a big block. Upgrading to good heads is expensive. My '88 C3500 came with a 454, but I'll be putting a 350 in it when it goes back together. Supposedly the later 8.1L is far better, but it has a lot of bespoke parts that keep it from interchanging well.

The other thing to consider is that the heavier duty trucks have significantly better brakes.

If you get a 96-2000 with the “vortec” 7.4 it is light years better than the tbi. Tons of low end grunt. I think the late model ones have oval port heads.

 

[tpass]

I think they are cheaper because most people generally don't regard them the same as a "regular" pickups, and most businesses don't want older work trucks in their fleet. They are great for towing.

After looking at your links, that behemoth 4 door dually, towing a trailer will probably be as long as a tractor-trailer, lol.

my 3500 HD (159" WB) requires "planning" when parking.

 

[the_elegant_fox]

I think they are cheaper because most people generally don't regard them the same as a "regular" pickups, and most businesses don't want older work trucks in their fleet. They are great for towing.

After looking at your links, that behemoth 4 door dually, towing a trailer will probably be as long as a tractor-trailer, lol.

my 3500 HD (159" WB) requires "planning" when parking.

That makes a lot of sense, I could see your average home owner skipping out due to that. Thankfully the paddocks I'm headed towards are designed with full size race car haulers in mind haha.

 

[phantom 309]

A half ton will tow a bimmer easy enough,

 

[Sean Buick 76]

I would personally go to a 2008-2012 gmc 2500 HD with the 6.0 and 6 speed auto. They aren’t hard to find for a good price and they have a better frame, disk brakes all around, and they tow great. I just did long tube headers and true dual 3” exhaust, a mild cam and a good tune. It pulls anything I want without an issue. No leaks from the 6.0 L-96 and it sounds great.

 

[the_elegant_fox]

I would personally go to a 2008-2012 gmc 2500 HD with the 6.0 and 6 speed auto. They aren’t hard to find for a good price and they have a better frame, disk brakes all around, and they tow great. I just did long tube headers and true dual 3” exhaust, a mild cam and a good tune. It pulls anything I want without an issue. No leaks from the 6.0 L-96 and it sounds great.

I'll add those to my search list, I had browsed this bracket before and found a lot that were listed for too much with 300k+ miles. Likely due to the fact that these are highly favored by contractors. A SRW 2500 would be easier to live with for sure and it has the upgraded brakes I'd want too.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I think they are cheaper because most people generally don't regard them the same as a "regular" pickups, and most businesses don't want older work trucks in their fleet. They are great for towing.

After looking at your links, that behemoth 4 door dually, towing a trailer will probably be as long as a tractor-trailer, lol.

my 3500 HD (159" WB) requires "planning" when parking.

My C3500 CCLB requires "planning" and prefers pull through spaces...168.5" WB. Even though it's"only " a 5.7 it hauls pretty well when we need it to. Going to be doing that later this week.... I'm figuring 10K# with truck, trailer and us.