My 97 3/4 ton 454... anything else i need or should do ?

[Jermaine Smith]

I have a 97 model 454 3/4 ton truck with the 4L80E tranmission. I plan on just using the truck as a tow pig for my camaro and use the truck as a spare vehicle. Here is what i have planned. I want the truck to tow comfably and look good while doing so. Here is what i have planned..

New headlights.. noy sure yet on brand.
New taillights... not sure yet on what brand.
New grill... not sure yet on finish.
Trans temp gauge... any recommendations?
Tru cool trans cooler... not yet.
New cd player... already have
Polk audio speakers.. already have.
New headliner.... work buddy special.
PYO wheels... hope i can find local.
New 10 ply tires... what brand ?
Tint the windows... not sure what percent.
Reese hitch... already have.
Deep trans pan.. do they really work?
All aluminum radiator.... seen on ebay.

Am i missing anything inportant or cool to do ?

Im willing to spend a couple extra dollars for good quality as well.

 

[L29Sub]

If you have the factory tow package, the Camaro on a decent trailer is an easy pull. You already have good transmission cooling with the tow package.
I'd worry more about steering, shocks and brakes.

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[98chevy2500SS]

-Headlights/Parking Lights - clear lens, chrome reflectors. Anzo brand - only brand worth getting.
https://www.amazon.com/USA-111136-C...-----------1&vehicleName=1997+Chevrolet+K2500
https://www.amazon.com/USA-511032-C...------------&vehicleName=1997+Chevrolet+K2500

-Tail lights - red SPPC LED tails
https://www.amazon.com/SPPC-Tail-Li...sr_1_1?keywords=sppc+g2&qid=1572580985&sr=8-1
Or these if you don't want to mess with LEDs: https://www.amazon.com/USA-211140-C...------------&vehicleName=1997+Chevrolet+K2500

-Grille - factory chrome w/ billet grille (if you have Chevy). Stainless steel billet grille (if you have GMC).
https://www.amazon.com/1994-1999-Pi...-----------1&vehicleName=1997+Chevrolet+K2500
https://www.amazon.com/APS-1994-199...8-458------------2&vehicleName=1997+GMC+K2500

-Tires - Falken WildPeaks AT3W (They come in a LT, E rated 10 ply tire). Not sure what your tire size is, but an LT265/75r16 tire is currently $143 on Amazon. I will be getting some for my 97's summer tires soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Falken-Wildpeak-Terrain-Radial-Tire-265/dp/B01C8Z7NJA/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=falken+wildpeak+at3w+lt265/75r16&qid=1572581169&s=automotive&sr=1-1

 

[Jermaine Smith]

If you have the factory tow package, the Camaro on a decent trailer is an easy pull. You already have good transmission cooling with the tow package.
I'd worry more about steering, shocks and brakes.

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So what would you buy brake and shocks wise ?

 

[stutaeng]

Just a trans. temp. gauge and 10 ply tires. Mostly everything else you have listed is cosmetic or is not needed. If the truck is working fine, just run it. Maybe consider new brake and power steering fluid change, as these never get changed in spite of recommended change intervals.

Any name brand tire should work.

There are a few threads on adding the temp. gauge to 4L80e. I have that on my list on my truck in the near future.

 

[Jermaine Smith]

Just a trans. temp. gauge and 10 ply tires. Mostly everything else you have listed is cosmetic or is not needed. If the truck is working fine, just run it. Maybe consider new brake and power steering fluid change, as these never get changed in spite of recommended change intervals.

Any name brand tire should work.

There are a few threads on adding the temp. gauge to 4L80e. I have that on my list on my truck in the near future.

Any brand trans temp gauge you recommend?

 

[Christian Steffen]

I have a 97 model 454 3/4 ton truck with the 4L80E tranmission. I plan on just using the truck as a tow pig for my camaro and use the truck as a spare vehicle. Here is what i have planned. I want the truck to tow comfably and look good while doing so. Here is what i have planned..

New headlights.. noy sure yet on brand.
New taillights... not sure yet on what brand.
New grill... not sure yet on finish.
Trans temp gauge... any recommendations?
Tru cool trans cooler... not yet.
New cd player... already have
Polk audio speakers.. already have.
New headliner.... work buddy special.
PYO wheels... hope i can find local.
New 10 ply tires... what brand ?
Tint the windows... not sure what percent.
Reese hitch... already have.
Deep trans pan.. do they really work?
All aluminum radiator.... seen on ebay.

Am i missing anything inportant or cool to do ?

Im willing to spend a couple extra dollars for good quality as well.

I wouldn't mess with the cooling system.

I would add a tune to the list. Black bear probably.

Also, not sure if the 97 is different for some reason, but my 2000 has a factory trans temp sensor, you could monitor it with torque pro or something, but maybe a standalone gauge is less hassle?

Not sure what you're looking for in tires, but i have Goodyear Duratracs on my newer pickup and i absolutely love them for all around snow/ice/mud performance. That said, you might not need an aggressive AT tire.

 

[Jermaine Smith]

I wouldn't mess with the cooling system.

I would add a tune to the list. Black bear probably.

Also, not sure if the 97 is different for some reason, but my 2000 has a factory trans temp sensor, you could monitor it with torque pro or something, but maybe a standalone gauge is less hassle?

Not sure what you're looking for in tires, but i have Goodyear Duratracs on my newer pickup and i absolutely love them for all around snow/ice/mud performance. That said, you might not need an aggressive AT tire.

How much of a difference will the tune make ?

 

[run96k3500]

I have a 97 model 454 3/4 ton truck with the 4L80E tranmission. I plan on just using the truck as a tow pig for my camaro and use the truck as a spare vehicle. Here is what i have planned. I want the truck to tow comfably and look good while doing so. Here is what i have planned..

New headlights.. noy sure yet on brand.
New taillights... not sure yet on what brand.
New grill... not sure yet on finish.
Trans temp gauge... any recommendations?
Tru cool trans cooler... not yet.
New cd player... already have
Polk audio speakers.. already have.
New headliner.... work buddy special.
PYO wheels... hope i can find local.
New 10 ply tires... what brand ?
Tint the windows... not sure what percent.
Reese hitch... already have.
Deep trans pan.. do they really work?
All aluminum radiator.... seen on ebay.

Am i missing anything inportant or cool to do ?

Im willing to spend a couple extra dollars for good quality as well.

I have a complete 2.3L Whipple kit for sale.


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[run96k3500]

So what would you buy brake and shocks wise ?

Shocks do Bilstien 5100. You won’t regret it. Breaks are hard. The best options is a Nbs 2500 non-HD break upgrade. Otherwise, I’d just got with lifetime pads and rotors from autozone. There’s just not enough surface area on the factory stuff to make a difference with higher end parts.


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