Looking To Buy 2500 Suburban-need Thoughts

[Mike G]

Well the old truck spun a rod bearing last week and I am getting that fixed soon, but, I may want to add to the inventory. I am looking at 96-99 2500 Burb with the 7.4L. I want to go with a Vortec and I need to be able to tow more than the lightweight 5.3L in the Avy. The air is a little thin up here and the 20ft boat I have gives the Avy a workout just in the low areas. Could I get away with the Vtec5.7L in the Burb? Thoughts-concerns-ideas are all welcome.

Thanks gang, --Mike

[97SierraGMC]

yea it would tow it like it wasnt even there.

 

but dont expect to get any better than 8MPG

 

my dad used to tow a 45 Ft goose neck with his 4 Dr Longbox dually with the 7.4 and got 4-5MPG so he bought a diesel... we also have a 24 Ft boat we towed with it all the time when we had the truck and it towed it like it wasnt even there never a problem at all and we got about 10 mpg with it as well. especially the boat ramp when the baot was loaded didnt ever hesitate the power was always there..

[grampadirt]

I have two Burbs and love them both.You see mine in my sig,my wife's is a 99 and is in almost showroom condition and gets very good mpg with the 5.7.We use mine to tow a toy hauler full of bikes(7,000lbs) add some grandkids and there's alot of weight to pull.Granted the mpg isn't too good(7-9 loaded) but I bought it to pull the trailer and don't care about the mpg.There is alot of room in these things,I've even hauled 2 small dirtbikes in the back with the rear seat removed :-)

 

Gary

 

here's a pic

[Mike G]

Thanks guys. I was really planning on using it as a spare/hauler/snowmobile anyway. The rear lift window/tailgate combo seem like a pretty good way to go so that it could double as a truck without dropping any load to the street. It seems my eldest will take over the duty of driving my 92 k1500, so if I really need an open bed, that will still be available, and the import gets 20mpg when the roads are nice.

--"why replace when you can add" Mike

[95Sierra2500]

yea it would tow it like it wasnt even there.

 

but dont expect to get any better than 8MPG

 

my dad used to tow a 45 Ft goose neck with his 4 Dr Longbox dually with the 7.4 and got 4-5MPG so he bought a diesel... we also have a 24 Ft boat we towed with it all the time when we had the truck and it towed it like it wasnt even there never a problem at all and we got about 10 mpg with it as well. especially the boat ramp when the baot was loaded didnt ever hesitate the power was always there..

 

Wow...was that with an automatic in that truck? Because my dad hauled a 42' fifth wheel camper with his '94 454, 5-spd, crew cab dually 4x4 and pulled off 10 mpg - that's a NON Vortec motor, too. In fact, the only thing that ever dropped his mileage was hauling his 11.5' truck camper into a headwind greater than 20 mph.

[grampadirt]

I like the idea of removing the rear seat and getting another 3ft. or so of room.My wife thought I was crazy when I put 2 small dirtbikes in the back.Those tiedown rings work great too.I hope your son doesn't have a lead foot like mine does(28)...about a month after he started driving it he drove into a tree...bye,bye77 GMC. Now he has to drive his dog of a 85 5.0L c-10

 

g'dirt

[uh6tdrvr]

a 2500 will definetly handle any towing better but a better option would be a lower gear, like 4.10 or tire size dependent 4.56. If you plan on it having a 33 in tire, go with a 4.56 and you will be alot happier. Another plus with a 2500, you get alot stouter drive train ie. 4L80, 14 bolt rear, 9.25 front (assuming your going with a 4wd)

If you drive alittle slower, it wont hurt your mileage too bad. but this is 3 months old so not sure where you are in your purchase.

[Mike G]

Thanks for the additional thoughts. Since this would be vehicle 7 (for now) in the inventory, I am not in a rush and still have not purchased anything. I will not be getting the boat out again until May and the snows have been light this year, urgency is not driving me.

--Mike