1993 K2500 Suburban - tow pig!

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

letitsnow

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 5, 2018
Messages
1,684
Reaction score
2,460
Location
MN
Hopefully you are adding boost. I have a 2006 2wd silverado with a 4.8. It is an awesome car that can haul a dirt bike. I wouldn't tow anything more than a lawn trailer with that motor, stock.
 

93crewcab

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 10, 2018
Messages
375
Reaction score
903
Location
Florida
With the right gear the 4.8 should be fine but it has to be revved up all the time. My old dually had a 4.8 and i towed my mustang many times with it 120 miles each way to the track. It would stay in 3rd the whole way at about 3k at 60mph.
 

letitsnow

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 5, 2018
Messages
1,684
Reaction score
2,460
Location
MN
A guy can make anything work if he has to. One time when I was in a tough spot, I had to wash my face with water out of the toilet bowl - I don't chose to do that if there are other options though.
 

PolarBear

BORKBORKBORKBORK
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,405
Location
Kansas
A guy can make anything work if he has to. One time when I was in a tough spot, I had to wash my face with water out of the toilet bowl - I don't chose to do that if there are other options though.

I appreciate your concern, especially after taking the extreme of using toilet water cologne.

This truck will be just fine to tow with after a good tune. Especially considering these things towed like dumpster fires from the factory.

The 4.8 will surpass the 7.4 TBI in horsepower and torque with a little tweaking.

If I wanted a real truck to tow with, that was built for towing, I'd use my brand new Ram.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
With the right gear the 4.8 should be fine but it has to be revved up all the time. My old dually had a 4.8 and i towed my mustang many times with it 120 miles each way to the track. It would stay in 3rd the whole way at about 3k at 60mph.

And if you live anywhere but FL you'll get your ass handed to you on a hill.
I appreciate your concern, especially after taking the extreme of using toilet water cologne.

This truck will be just fine to tow with after a good tune. Especially considering these things towed like dumpster fires from the factory.

The 4.8 will surpass the 7.4 TBI in horsepower and torque with a little tweaking.

HP yes, torque hell no.
 

93crewcab

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 10, 2018
Messages
375
Reaction score
903
Location
Florida
And if you live anywhere but FL you'll get your ass handed to you on a hill.


HP yes, torque hell no.
Living in florida has its perks lol. The 4.8 makes no power down low. I even put a towing cam in my rcsb 4.8 swap and its still a dog till about 3k.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
Living in florida has its perks lol. The 4.8 makes no power down low. I even put a towing cam in my rcsb 4.8 swap and its still a dog till about 3k.

Such is the nature of most all LS motors, it's just more pronounced in the little 4.8. On the other hand, the 4.8 tolerates more boost and power than the 5.3/6.0.
 

letitsnow

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 5, 2018
Messages
1,684
Reaction score
2,460
Location
MN
I make my living by doing 40-100 stops per day, usually driving all different variations of the GM 2500 Express vans. Most have the 4.8. I have spent many, many hours driving those 4.8's. I actually really like that motor - That is why I bought my 2wd Silverado with the 4.8. BUT... one of the first things that I did after buying that truck was remove the oem hitch. If there is a trailer that is too heavy to pull with a ball attached to the oem bumper, then IMO, the trailer is too heavy for that truck.

When you spend so many hours using a certain motor, you become very familiar with where and how the power works. They work excellent for certain things, but I can't really think of a truck motor that would be worse for pulling a trailer. My K2500 with a slightly modded vortec 5.7 is many times better than the 4.8 in that application, which should tell you something...
 

PolarBear

BORKBORKBORKBORK
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,405
Location
Kansas
Small updates:

Pulled the seat covers off, shes minty underneath!

You must be registered for see images attach


Also pulled the bigblock and installed a spare 5.3 that I have. Just need to pressure wash the engine bay, do the wiring and fuel system.

You must be registered for see images attach
 
Top