Bags or leafs?

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stutaeng

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Suburban was an 06 1500 with 5.3.

Current leaf pack is 6 leafs.

Thinking air assisting bags would be the best choice.

It was not bottomed out but the rear bumper did drop 6-7".

Is a gmt 800 6.0l an easy swap? Does it bolt the the 4l80E in my truck?

Yes, the 6.0 would bolt to your transmission, but you need to do further research. I think '95 is a weird year for electronics. Even then, there's plenty of wiring to do.

Easiest to do a BBC for torque, I think. Unless you are attached to your truck, it may be better/easier to sell and use $2k to something more suited to your towing needs, no? Maybe be a similar, slightly newer truck with a 7.4 Vortec? But if you could upgrade the engine on the you have, then everything else is already up to the task (transmission, axle, brakes, etc.)

Just curious what the GVWR of your truck is? It can be found on door sticker.

Your 14 bolt the full float version, right?
 
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BNielsen

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Vortex top swap? Does that require changing the wire harness?

What about crate motors that are 350hp>? Do they exist.?

He means using Vortec heads on your TBI block; good budget minded upgrade. GMPP offers an array of high-horse small blocks, or even BluePrint engines, I think a member on here had a BP 383 in his truck.
 

PlayingWithTBI

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What can I do to the 5.7l with 185k milesto get some more get up and go?
Make it breathe better from intake to tail pipe. Stuff like 46mm bored out throttle body, Summit Racing 162108 Aluminum heads to get rid of the swirl port design, a mild cam to replace that OE "peanut" one, shorty headers, better flowing Y pipe to high flow cat, to 3" straight through muffler and a tune.
 

stutaeng

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Not sure if the towing ratings were changed on these trucks, but on my Owner's manual (2000 )it lists as6,500 lbs for Crew Cab 4x4 with 4.10 with the 5.7 engine.

Moving to the 4.56 gives 8,000 lbs capacity.

From the literature I've read, the earlier models seem to rated higher, not sure why? I don't know if it matters, but seems like OP would still be right at the limit? Maybe not if trailer is not loaded?

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Supercharged111

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Make it breathe better from intake to tail pipe. Stuff like 46mm bored out throttle body, Summit Racing 162108 Aluminum heads to get rid of the swirl port design, a mild cam to replace that OE "peanut" one, shorty headers, better flowing Y pipe to high flow cat, to 3" straight through muffler and a tune.

Also an excellent choice
 

LVJJJ

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If your 95 350 is anything like my 94 350 was, lots of bolt on help did very little. My GMT400 is a 94 GMC k1500 Suburban bought it in 2016. The darn thing weighs 6,000 lbs all by its lonesome. Tried to pull 5,000 lb travel trailers up and over mountain passes here in the western USA. Went to dual exhaust without cats, MSD adjustable timing control, dual 4" direct air intakes to the TBI, new plugs, wires, cap etc. On the mtn passes put it in second ran it up to 4,000-4200 rpm at about 45 mph and proceeded to crack 3 sets of exhaust manifolds. Was told not to run it so hard and not over 3500 rpm, but that was crawling. I was also told to get some vortec heads and a better cam but that was fairly expensive for an old 25 year old engine (only 160,000 miles though). So, bought a remanufactured 383 stroker with roller cam from S&J Engines in Spokane WA ($2300) had a well qualified friend install it, then had Old EFi on this forum tweak the chip and now it really pulls. There is absolutely no comparison between the two engines, the 383 will pull all day in 4th gear on level highway, and doesn't need pulling down to second except for the plus 6% mountain passes. Now it'll pull those passes at 52-55 mph in 2nd at about 3700 rpm and its not working that hard. Engine does not get hot at all. I know you're not supposed to tow in 4th or overdrive but the 383 is happier at lower rpm's, so I have a trans temp guage with the sending unit in the pan to be sure I don't overheat the tranny. at any kind of hill I pull it down to third.
 

Supercharged111

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You can pull in 4th with confidence with a 4L80. The TBI motor can't move enough air especially out west where there is none but the hills are everywhere.
 
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