towing with a k2500

[tachrev]

On top of these other recommendations, I would get a trans temp gauge, It's pretty easy to keep the engine inside a good operating temp range and still smoke the trans. Don't ask me how I know that one....

Yep. I have monitored mine with a scan tool. The trick is to try to keep the converter locked.

A short time unlocked is fine, but if I am going to be pulling a hill for a long time, I will back off the throttle until the convertor locks back up again. The temps always stay stable if the converter is locked up.

I have the factory external trans cooler (which the OP's 2500 should also have), but a bigger one is on my short list of things to add.

There is a good writeup on swapping in a almost bolt in larger cooler in place of the factory one on this site.

 

[tachrev]

Tachrev, nice slip-on tow mirrors.
Nice looking rig. Swapping a GMC grille on my blue Suburban soon.

Thanks. Cheapest money could buy on amazon!

But they work great. Wanted factory style tow mirrors but they were more expensive and lots of reviews complained of vibrating mirrors.

I prefer the GMC grill as well.

We have towed with this setup all over the place east of the Mississippi. It's been a great truck.

 

[JackE]

I have the factory external trans cooler (which the OP's 2500 should also have), but a bigger one is on my short list of things to add.

I had a rock crawler for a few years that was having problems with overheating and eating transmissions when I got it. It was powered by a 350 with a TH350 and a twin stick transfer case. The PO had a nice aluminum radiator in it. He said the radiator shop he got it from said it would cool that engine all day long. It wouldn't even cool it for 30 minutes, especially if I was crawling over rocks. I built a shroud out of an old dog kennel and put an electric fan from a Ford Escort in it and never had another cooling problem with it. The eating trans problem was also stemming from overheating. I replaced the tiny tranny cooler with an A/C condenser from a '72 K5. That kept the trans temps plenty cool for the extra stress of Moab sized boulders and trails.

 

[BNielsen]

Get some good gauges and coolers, keep the cooling system on the truck clean and leak free; I'd get an S10 fan and a severe service clutch. I run that set up on my 454 and once that fan starts spinning the temps go from 197 to 190 in a blink of an eye. Not to mention it helps with the A/C.

Some other stuff that would help would be a deep trans pan, more fluid, and more fluid cooling capacity, and a bigger rear diff cover like a B&M or Moser, keep the rear gear oil temps down.
Are you satisfied with the performance of the truck's pulling ability?

 

[JayMB]

As far as I know, these trucks (8-lug 2500) with 4.10 gears and a 454 are rated for 10K LBs towing. The only differences I'm aware of on a 350 truck vs a 454 truck are that a 454 truck gets a 10.5" 14-bolt full floater rear axle and the 350 has a 9.5 semi float rear axle. Maybe springs are different but that should be it. Worst case senario, diff swap it to a 14ff (I did because I had one) and you should be good to go. These trucks could use better brakes but if your frame and stuff is in good shape it should be fine structurally. Agreed with all the "get a temp gauge and a bigger cooler/fan" comments but other than that these trucks are solid.

 

[seth9199]

Heres my rig. Shes a bute

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[seth9199]

Shes got the 10.5 from factory

 

[Supercharged111]

I have your truck in 6 lug form, build link in sig. I've hauled a 9000# enclosed trailer for years with no issues. The truck is nowhere near stock though. Get a decent exhaust and a tune and it won't downshift so much. The 8 lugs were way underrated in terms of load and trailer capacity. The 1500s were pretty spot on, but with a couple upgrades start hauling a lot more safely too.

 

[alpinecrick]

yeah mines an 8 lug. also just a few trips in the summer on camping trips. most would only be 40 miles but maybe once a year id like to take a longer trip.

It'll do it--especially in a place like Michigan. Even with a 4L80 trans, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put the big B&M trans cooler on it. The 5.7 will be working hard. And yes, fresh fluid in everything.

 

[Supercharged111]

It'll do it--especially in a place like Michigan. Even with a 4L80 trans, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put the big B&M trans cooler on it. The 5.7 will be working hard. And yes, fresh fluid in everything.

If the converter is locked and coolant is GTG there will be zero concerns for trans temps.