I pull a boat that weighs over 11K with a 92 F250 4x4 460/E4OD with 4.10's I swapped in from 3.55's. Truck is rated for 12K with that combo, does OK for nearly 300K on an untouched 460. On it's 3rd E4OD tho, and that's a MUCH heavier duty trans than a 700R4/4L60E. Have a 95 GMC and 96 Chevy both K1500's with 5.7/4L60E. No way would I use them regularly (if at all) for that kind of weight.
Can a Th700r4 be used for towing?
- Thread starter scornedlotus
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I couldnt imagine trying to tow that much and even a camper with that much weight with a old 350 that when new only had 200hp.
On the farm we had a 87 1500 350/700r4 4x4 and it was miserable towing a empty hay trailer, had to use 4low to pull the hay trailer loaded.
For what your wanting to haul long term i would look at a newer 2500HD or even a 3500 for more stable towing.
On the farm we had a 87 1500 350/700r4 4x4 and it was miserable towing a empty hay trailer, had to use 4low to pull the hay trailer loaded.
For what your wanting to haul long term i would look at a newer 2500HD or even a 3500 for more stable towing.
HotWheelsBurban
Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
Or what the poor truck will be happy with either....I wouldn't tow that much with Rawhide, and he's a 3500 CCLB (which has the stoutest frames) and also has a 4L80E and a FF rear axle with 4.10s in it.
99xcss4
frank'n (truburban) K-2500
I agree with @HotWheelsBurban just because gm did this in the 70s
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dose not mean you should do it as well
99xcss4
frank'n (truburban) K-2500
I would also recommend that you do not try this either
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Some of us can remember 1988. That was before the diesel wars of the 90s and truck owners knew how to tow with weaker trucks. Yes, you can tow with a 700R4, a 350 TBI, and a six lug axle, but it's not going to be bulletproof. Drive like there's a Faberge egg under your gas pedal, and don't tow in overdrive. Invest in good rearview mirrors.
If you want to tow with impunity, beef up that engine or swap in a newer diesel or a big-block. Get a 4L80 and an aftermarket controller. Put a 14 bolt full floater or a Dana 70 (stock for '88) under the rear.
I'm rebuilding an '88 C3500 with a 350, a junkyard 4L80, and the factory Dana 70. It should be all I need for around 7000lbs.
If you want to tow with impunity, beef up that engine or swap in a newer diesel or a big-block. Get a 4L80 and an aftermarket controller. Put a 14 bolt full floater or a Dana 70 (stock for '88) under the rear.
I'm rebuilding an '88 C3500 with a 350, a junkyard 4L80, and the factory Dana 70. It should be all I need for around 7000lbs.
someotherguy
Truly Awesome
With all the "no 700R4 in a 3/4 ton" comments y'all are forgetting there's the 6 lug 2500's. Those came with whatever light duty transmission was the flavor of the year.. including the 700R4.
OP if your 3/4 ton has 6 lug wheels you have what we commonly refer to as the light duty 2500, or 2500LD. It's essentially a slightly beefed-up 1500. Much better rear axle, a bit more spring, couple extra support gussets in the frame, and by virtue of the better rear axle, better brakes, too.
What they're telling you on the transmission is spot-on. You'll smoke that 700R4 towing heavy with it. You can baby it along in (D) not (OD) and get by for a while, but on the whole it's not up to the job.
Richard
OP if your 3/4 ton has 6 lug wheels you have what we commonly refer to as the light duty 2500, or 2500LD. It's essentially a slightly beefed-up 1500. Much better rear axle, a bit more spring, couple extra support gussets in the frame, and by virtue of the better rear axle, better brakes, too.
What they're telling you on the transmission is spot-on. You'll smoke that 700R4 towing heavy with it. You can baby it along in (D) not (OD) and get by for a while, but on the whole it's not up to the job.
Richard
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LoDaddo
Newbie
Too much weight, too much wind resistance. You'll end up stranded.
Towed this or others like it from San Diego to Arizona for decades using my 92 C1500 that now has 476K original miles on everything save a new torque converter @ 330K. Less than half the weight and minimal wind resistance. Never drove it like I stole it (63 MPH on cruise) and followed Chevy recommendation regarding towing in OD. Also have a BA tranny cooler. The 700R can only handle light towing and only survive if you play by Chevy's rules.
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Towed this or others like it from San Diego to Arizona for decades using my 92 C1500 that now has 476K original miles on everything save a new torque converter @ 330K. Less than half the weight and minimal wind resistance. Never drove it like I stole it (63 MPH on cruise) and followed Chevy recommendation regarding towing in OD. Also have a BA tranny cooler. The 700R can only handle light towing and only survive if you play by Chevy's rules.
Looks like you've spent some time on the lake at Firebird and / or Lake Havasu
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