VIKING_MECHANIC
GMT 400 obsessed Swede.
So with the most recent addition to my fleet, my 1997 K1500, I am planning on using this as my main tow rig.
The truck came from the factory with a 4.3 Vortec, NV3500, 3.42 gears and it's just the standard 4x4 package. Is it possible to tow 10K, especially with a V6?
Now, the engine I'm rebuilding(with help from local machine shop) and the transmission I'm having rebuilt at a local shop. The guy who owns the trans shop told me that GM underrated the 3500 and 4500 from the factory and he regularly towing 10-12K with his and mine should easily handle 9-10K.
I understand that may not be possible without some upgrades. I plan on replacing the leaf packs with ones from a 2500, some heavy duty shocks, tires and some 4.10s in the rear(and front) and anything else that might help with achieve this. I'm not planning on doing this in the near future, so I have time to plan and source parts.
Before I pulled the engine and trans, I did tow my uncles trailer with some scrap metal. His trailer is 16' and 2K and there was ~200Lbs of scrap on the trailer. With all that, my truck didn't squat at all, even with me and my two brothers in the cab(~400Lbs). And at this point I have yet to do anything to the suspension.
The real question is, even with all those up grades, is the 4.3 up to the task?
The truck came from the factory with a 4.3 Vortec, NV3500, 3.42 gears and it's just the standard 4x4 package. Is it possible to tow 10K, especially with a V6?
Now, the engine I'm rebuilding(with help from local machine shop) and the transmission I'm having rebuilt at a local shop. The guy who owns the trans shop told me that GM underrated the 3500 and 4500 from the factory and he regularly towing 10-12K with his and mine should easily handle 9-10K.
I understand that may not be possible without some upgrades. I plan on replacing the leaf packs with ones from a 2500, some heavy duty shocks, tires and some 4.10s in the rear(and front) and anything else that might help with achieve this. I'm not planning on doing this in the near future, so I have time to plan and source parts.
Before I pulled the engine and trans, I did tow my uncles trailer with some scrap metal. His trailer is 16' and 2K and there was ~200Lbs of scrap on the trailer. With all that, my truck didn't squat at all, even with me and my two brothers in the cab(~400Lbs). And at this point I have yet to do anything to the suspension.
The real question is, even with all those up grades, is the 4.3 up to the task?