How to get a 5.0 to tow better

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bamabound

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x2 on those who said gears. being a 2wd i'd guess either 3.0 or 3.42 gears. go with 3.73. in the glovebox, look for GT4 rpo code for 3.73. not too hard to find in a pull a part
 

Supercharged111

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My 88 2wd came stock with 3.42 gears, I later went with 3.73s. I'd argue that 3.42 was the better gear for a TBI on the highway, but that's at 70+. If you can make more torque, may as well multiply it. Problem I found with the 88 was the lack of legs on the stock TBI motor.
 

kauila

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I have a Chevy truck with the 305 engine and it is no dog as many here say. Most of everything on it is stock and the truck has over 133,000 miles on it. It gets about 18 to 20 mpg depending on how hard I push it. I occasionally haul more than 2300 pound loads from the pier over 80 miles one way. There are some drawn out hills that get steeper as I get near the top of the hill. The truck seems to always have no problem doing it, so I say it is not a dog at all. My guess is that something is not tuned right with the 305 engines that act like dogs.
There is one thing that my truck has which is not stock though. My air cleaner is a combination of two K&N filters. The regular base ring filter and a top (cap) filter. There are no metal sides or metal cap as the original filter has. I cut the sides off of the original base. This set up could be why the engine seems sweet to me. It definitely does not sound or act like a dog when I push it.
I also have a 2000 Silverado with the 6.0 L engine, so I know how a strong engine is supposed to feel.
 

JeezLouiseGMC

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I have a Chevy truck with the 305 engine and it is no dog as many here say. Most of everything on it is stock and the truck has over 133,000 miles on it. It gets about 18 to 20 mpg depending on how hard I push it. I occasionally haul more than 2300 pound loads from the pier over 80 miles one way. There are some drawn out hills that get steeper as I get near the top of the hill. The truck seems to always have no problem doing it, so I say it is not a dog at all. My guess is that something is not tuned right with the 305 engines that act like dogs.
There is one thing that my truck has which is not stock though. My air cleaner is a combination of two K&N filters. The regular base ring filter and a top (cap) filter. There are no metal sides or metal cap as the original filter has. I cut the sides off of the original base. This set up could be why the engine seems sweet to me. It definitely does not sound or act like a dog when I push it.
I also have a 2000 Silverado with the 6.0 L engine, so I know how a strong engine is supposed to feel.
What year? my 98 has the 305 and it has enough power, but not an excess. Also 19-20 mpg? I.m sorry but i gotta see proof on that lol my best is 14mpg highway. I do have 4x4 and a ext cab though.
 

kauila

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I agree with you about not believing everything others claim, but I do occasionally check to see what sort of mileage the truck gets. Gas is pretty expensive in Hawaii.
My 1988 Chevy 3/4 ton truck has just the basic standard cab w/8' bed. It has the torque converter lock up in the trans, so that probably helps with the mileage.
I only use ethanol-free gas which gives better mileage and does not damage the rubber hoses in the gas tank. Ethanol also attracts moisture if the gas tank is not full.
I just checked the air filter and I see that I did not cut up the lower part of the original metal filter holder. I guess I'm getting old and forgetful. The lower ring filter is almost 4" tall.
 

Trenton

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What year? my 98 has the 305 and it has enough power, but not an excess. Also 19-20 mpg? I.m sorry but i gotta see proof on that lol my best is 14mpg highway. I do have 4x4 and a ext cab though.
There's no way you only get 14 mpg highway in a 5.0 lol, I would guess 18 or so. Heck, even my K3500 CCLB 5.7 obtained 16.8 mpg once, given it was onflat roads at 5600 ft elevation burning Supreme fuel, but still.
 

JeezLouiseGMC

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There's no way you only get 14 mpg highway in a 5.0 lol, I would guess 18 or so. Heck, even my K3500 CCLB 5.7 obtained 16.8 mpg once, given it was onflat roads at 5600 ft elevation burning Supreme fuel, but still.
the best I've ever gotten highway is close to 15, and I burn 87. I dunno man maybe its the gearing I got 3.73. I have the logs to prove the mileage though. I recently had a trip whereIi calculated my mileage and I got an incredible 14.8, all highway. everything I've heard about the 5.0s from other people has pretty much confirmed my case. I think they're fine motors just kind of are middle of the road.

edit; I also live in very hilly Kentucky but I wouldn't think it'd make all that much difference
 

Supercharged111

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How many of you who are calculating mileage have calibrated your speedometer? The other question is how accurately does the odometer track with the speedometer?
 

PlayingWithTBI

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How many of you who are calculating mileage have calibrated your speedometer? The other question is how accurately does the odometer track with the speedometer?
Good point, you can use radar signs in school zones for speedometers and mile markers on highways for odometers, or drive 60MPH and time 1 mile (s/b 60 seconds). My Dakota Digital dash has the capability to calibrate by time or distance. When I did the distance, I hit the start button and when I got to the next mile marker I hit it again. That calibrated both. I know this is different than OEM dashes but, as a check you should be able to use the road side tools to know how close you are.
 

Supercharged111

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I just used a GPS app on my phone to calibrate the speedo at 70. Now it's still off at like 30mph, but in the 60-80 range which is where you get your tickets it's good to go. I've still never tried to verify the accuracy of my trip meter or odometer, but wanted to point out that comparing mpgs amongst ourselves using nothing but uncalibrated instruments as far as the truck is concerned should be taken with a grain of salt.
 
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