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What do you guys think about a mid 2000s 3500 Express Van as a tow vehicle. I need something but I have rare use for a truck in general and a pick up truck is not more useful to me. I see some 6.0 + 4L80E configs that look interesting. Buddy just picked one up and he said it towed great.
What do you guys think about a mid 2000s 3500 Express Van as a tow vehicle. I need something but I have rare use for a truck in general and a pick up truck is not more useful to me. I see some 6.0 + 4L80E configs that look interesting. Buddy just picked one up and he said it towed great.
I have an acquaintance that uses the 4.8/4L80 in a 3500 express van that he uses to tow his open car trailer that works great.
One of my buddies towed with that exact same setup, with the 4.8 and he got really good gas mileage, and that's with 3.73s. That's the van that got me thinking.
Oh and I posted how my lower coolant fan was pushing my shroud last time out, and the shroud and fan blades were boxing... here is the simple 5 minute fix. If weather is good I'll drive the nana around this weekend and put 2 hours on it. Then will put the car up and swap the ladder bars.
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A friend had a 2500 Express with the 6.0/4l80. It towed fine on flat areas, but struggled in hilly areas. He had a 24’ enclosed and it weighed About 7,500 loaded.
A friend had a 2500 Express with the 6.0/4l80. It towed fine on flat areas, but struggled in hilly areas. He had a 24’ enclosed and it weighed About 7,500 loaded.
What's the difference between a 2500 and 3500, wheelbase and 8 lug wheels?
Pretty sure both 2500 and 3500 both have 8 lug wheels, I think stiffer suspension is the only real difference.
If you're talking open trailer and the car then I'd be hard pressed to believe you'd be at let alone over 5,000 lbs.
2500 and a 4.8/5.3 would do the job for sure, you could always add 3.73 gears if it doesn't have them to increase the capacity.
Pretty sure both 2500 and 3500 both have 8 lug wheels, I think stiffer suspension is the only real difference.
If you're talking open trailer and the car then I'd be hard pressed to believe you'd be at let alone over 5,000 lbs.
2500 and a 4.8/5.3 would do the job for sure, you could always add 3.73 gears if it doesn't have them to increase the capacity.
It is just heavier springs on 3500 from what I hear, w overdrive maybe a 4:11 might work. Definitely w the later 6speeds.
Went to a little car show today, and I'm very happy to report i had ZERO BUGS today.
Tomorrow the car goes up in the air for me to swap the ladder bars. I welcome any ladder bar advice, right now I plan to run heims in front and solids in back.
In my 68 camaro drag car, years ago, I broke the solids, switch to heims and never had anymore trouble. It was a 9.50 car in the quarter. If it was mine, I would use heims and a good panhard bar. No binding that way.
I've had every combo suggested to me:
-heims all around
-solids all around
-heims front, solids rear
-solids front, heims rear
I've decided to try solids front and heims rear, Gary D on here with the purple 68 ran that until he went 4 link. I want some give to the bars.
Dont know if it’s the same but I switched to solid arms all around on my G Body and wow is it a ruff, loud ride! Oh yeah don’t let 3Window know but Vito & Nicks Very over rated!
Dont know if it’s the same but I switched to solid arms all around on my G Body and wow is it a ruff, loud ride! Oh yeah don’t let 3Window know but Vito & Nicks Very over rated!
I've changed course again, I'm doing all sphericals. Got a buddy in WI who has a lot of ladder bar experience in big tire and super gas and he's gonna be my #1 ladder bar guru.
Dont know if it’s the same but I switched to solid arms all around on my G Body and wow is it a ruff, loud ride! Oh yeah don’t let 3Window know but Vito & Nicks Very over rated!
Let’s be clear….! I never said it was the best, just a decent place to get a pizza and an Old Style.
09-15-2021, 12:45 PM
