JSpotMD
Newbie
Hi all, I have a 1995 K2500 Suburban with a 7.4L (TBI) and 4L80e. Currently on 315/75/r16 and 3.73 ratio 3 inch body lift, stock suspension.
Empty, it's a great highway cruiser. I've got minimal experience towing and I'm not sure if I've got problems with my setup.
Motor threw a piston through the oil pan before I bought it. Has a new GM Goodwrench L19 rotating assemby and I put in a "new" GM Goodwrench 4L80e in when the original tranny was malfunctioning (truck had 260k miles on drivetrain). I put in an Autometer transmission gauge in the pressure test port. Still on the 36k mile warranty on both.
We've acquired a travel trailer and I'm looking for advice. Trailer is a Jayco 29MEC, empty weight is 6100lbs and it's rated for total weight 7200lbs. It's hitched with a Husky 4-way weight distribution/sway control. I've taken it out twice now, once with a 1/2 load of water (300lbs). Truck is rated for 8000lbs with the stock axle ratio (10 000lbs with 4.10s).
I've been reading that people with 3/4 ton trucks don't "feel" the trailers behind them which I don't find to be the case. Trailer is stable, no sway but I can definitely feel it back there moving around. Is that normal? Getting up to speed at full throttle takes forever... Am I hurting my truck going WOT for so long? Cruises OK at 60mph towing but the transmission is not consistently locking the TC. Have not had it go to 1st gear or below 50mph on long grades (7% max) but I'm at WOT in 2nd gear all the way up. Again, I read people towing at 70+mph no problems in OD with the 4L80e... Bullshit?
Transmission has the HD cooler and stays at 150F-180F with the TC locked, 230 max unlocked with a headwind in 3rd, foot 3/4 of the way down. Do I have an issue there?
I'm thinking a re-gear to 4.10 would be the next step (need a new carrier for 4.56+) vs adding more power to the 454. I'm planning headers and full exhaust (stock stuff is getting really rusty). Should I stick to shorties or try to find long tubes that fit the K2500 chassis? I don't want to get into the motor until the warranty is up but then I was thinking an Edelbrock top end kit and maybe a Weiand 177 blower with a holley FI kit. I'm a surgeon so money isn't really an issue but I don't want to waste it and I love this truck so buying a different tow vehicle isn't my first choice. I've wanted one of these since I was 16 and my wife bought it for me.
Thoughts/Advice/Tips appreciated.
Empty, it's a great highway cruiser. I've got minimal experience towing and I'm not sure if I've got problems with my setup.
Motor threw a piston through the oil pan before I bought it. Has a new GM Goodwrench L19 rotating assemby and I put in a "new" GM Goodwrench 4L80e in when the original tranny was malfunctioning (truck had 260k miles on drivetrain). I put in an Autometer transmission gauge in the pressure test port. Still on the 36k mile warranty on both.
We've acquired a travel trailer and I'm looking for advice. Trailer is a Jayco 29MEC, empty weight is 6100lbs and it's rated for total weight 7200lbs. It's hitched with a Husky 4-way weight distribution/sway control. I've taken it out twice now, once with a 1/2 load of water (300lbs). Truck is rated for 8000lbs with the stock axle ratio (10 000lbs with 4.10s).
I've been reading that people with 3/4 ton trucks don't "feel" the trailers behind them which I don't find to be the case. Trailer is stable, no sway but I can definitely feel it back there moving around. Is that normal? Getting up to speed at full throttle takes forever... Am I hurting my truck going WOT for so long? Cruises OK at 60mph towing but the transmission is not consistently locking the TC. Have not had it go to 1st gear or below 50mph on long grades (7% max) but I'm at WOT in 2nd gear all the way up. Again, I read people towing at 70+mph no problems in OD with the 4L80e... Bullshit?
Transmission has the HD cooler and stays at 150F-180F with the TC locked, 230 max unlocked with a headwind in 3rd, foot 3/4 of the way down. Do I have an issue there?
I'm thinking a re-gear to 4.10 would be the next step (need a new carrier for 4.56+) vs adding more power to the 454. I'm planning headers and full exhaust (stock stuff is getting really rusty). Should I stick to shorties or try to find long tubes that fit the K2500 chassis? I don't want to get into the motor until the warranty is up but then I was thinking an Edelbrock top end kit and maybe a Weiand 177 blower with a holley FI kit. I'm a surgeon so money isn't really an issue but I don't want to waste it and I love this truck so buying a different tow vehicle isn't my first choice. I've wanted one of these since I was 16 and my wife bought it for me.
Thoughts/Advice/Tips appreciated.
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