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

If you are doing the thermostat and the radiator hoses, you might as well start fresh with the heater hoses also. Nothing ruins a towing trip like springing a leak in a hose. When I had my hoses off and thermostat out, I back flushed the block, radiator and heater core with the garden hose.

DonF said:

If you are doing the thermostat and the radiator hoses, you might as well start fresh with the heater hoses also. Nothing ruins a towing trip like springing a leak in a hose. When I had my hoses off and thermostat out, I back flushed the block, radiator and heater core with the garden hose.

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That makes sense.

Jermaine Smith said:

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.

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I would consider a lower temperature thermostat, perhaps @190*or so.

For window tint I got one of the best 3M extra heat reflective yada yada, I did 35 on windshield 20 on sides and 10 on back. Perfect!. My last truck I did 45 windshield 35 sides and 20 back, wasn't dark enough.

I have been pulled over many times and was ever noticed or mentioned about tint. 3 years on current truck and 4 years on last.

Jermaine Smith said:

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.

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Dhash, what state are you in ?

If money is permitting get some rollor rockers and torque cam exhaust cold air and a good tune !!!!!! Get gas mileage and tear the road up!!!!! The factory rockers are all over the map on size it makes a difference !!!! Oh and tires don’t buy Goodyear’s they are all junk they lost sight of quality along time ago I have had a problem with every Goodyear tire I’ve had they love to hydro plain and throw belts !!!!!!! Tire place told me they replace more Goodyear’s than all their others combined and then some

Jerry Dickerson said:

If money is permitting get some rollor rockers and torque cam exhaust cold air and a good tune !!!!!! Get gas mileage and tear the road up!!!!! The factory rockers are all over the map on size it makes a difference !!!! Oh and tires don’t buy Goodyear’s they are all junk they lost sight of quality along time ago I have had a problem with every Goodyear tire I’ve had they love to hydro plain and throw belts !!!!!!! Tire place told me they replace more Goodyear’s than all their others combined and then some

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Haven't heard that about Goodyear tires... so thats a shocker

Still plenty of great reviews about goodyear truck tires on tirerack and other places. Average reviews around 4 stars out of 5. If they were that awful there would be a lot more unhappy customers spouting off, instead you can go read for yourself. Rocker arms... I do not think I will ever replace the originals on my l29 454, way more important things to spend money on, or not like some said the factory truck in good shape and maintained is a solid platform as is.

Jerry Dickerson said:

If money is permitting get some rollor rockers and torque cam exhaust cold air and a good tune !!!!!! Get gas mileage and tear the road up!!!!! The factory rockers are all over the map on size it makes a difference !!!! Oh and tires don’t buy Goodyear’s they are all junk they lost sight of quality along time ago I have had a problem with every Goodyear tire I’ve had they love to hydro plain and throw belts !!!!!!! Tire place told me they replace more Goodyear’s than all their others combined and then some

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You cannot install roller rockers on a stock 7.4 Vortec. Need tall rocker covers and they interfere with the throttle body. Be careful with cams that require adjustable rockers. Pandora's box. Your money is better spent on other suspension items...poly bushings, rear brake service, steering, etc.
The rear brakes are typically ignored because they can be z PITA to service. Fronts are not bad unless rotors need replacing.
Another tow related thing I've seen is the factory hitches can rust out and become unsafe. Check the area inside and out for deep rust. Clean and POR is good.
I'll assume you have 4:10 axles? If not, there's an expensive goal for best towing.
4L80e has a temp sensor built in. You can read it in "live" OBD scan mode.
The thermostat should be left factory if you live in a cold area. With front and rear heat, you'll want the 195 in winter. It wont cause problems in summer if cooling system is clean. If the cooling system is junked up, thermostat is least of your worries.
HID/projectors are pretty cool. MORIMOTO rules!
For S&Gs, nice torque cam kit below. But, it won't work with factory Vortec FI.
Solution...note the "Q'jet" FI..this engine has roller rockers. Still just something shiny...at truck RPMs they are bling. SB screamer, they are functional. The cam below is an excellent tow cam for 7.4 L29. These things require thought as they are "systems" that have other requirements to install.
A healthy, stock 7.4/4L80e will easily pull your Camaro and an open trailer. WD hitch and away you go.
Grill suggestion? I have a new grill identical to the one pictured...?

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CC1411's roller-tip rockers under stock valve covers, no double gaskets or other shenanigans. ARP 135-7102 conversion studs (3/8" bottom, 7/16" top), ARP Perma-loc adjuster nuts which are 1.200" tall. Reason for the 1.2" tall poly-locks is the top of the rocker pivot ball is lower than your normal roller rocker trunion flat.