Decisions decisions decisions

[hoosier]

So I have come to a point that I am trying to make a decision on what to do as far as a tow rig. As of right now I have a 95 Chevy Suburban 1500 with the 350. The reason I am here asking is the suburban is TIRED. It is pushing 300k on the stock engine. The engine is original with NO upgrades or major replacements. The tranny on the other hand has MAYBE 20k on it. I had it rebuilt 1 1/2 years ago. When I had it done I had it built to tow (I have a 9100 lbs bumper pull camp trailer). It has corvette servos, something else, something else, and an upgraded external cooling system. (I know nothing about transmissions) Last year I pulled my trailer to Lava Hot Springs avg 12.8 MPG (GPS used for mileage, hand calculated.) I was very happy with that even though I did not break 65MPH.

So my decisions...

Keep the burban, get a 400 hp 350 crate engine from summit for about 3k, get the entire vortec OBD2 system for around 800, change out the rear end with 3/4 ton springs and airbags and gearing, and rebuild the front end. I figure the entire thing I could have it ready to go for about 10k

Pick up an 03 - 06 Dodge 3500 with the cummins. Between 11k and 20k depending on the truck. Then I would do a level kit and some upgrades.

Now I know the Dodge would be newer but I don't mind running burban even long distance. I know one thing people will say is the benefit of the bed. Well when I Had my past truck the ONLY thing I ever put in the bed was my dog (I am to lazy to lift anything into the bed, I would rather pull a trailer) Now I don't think I could get him to ride in the bed after riding inside for so long. I would love a cummins for sure, but is it worth having a truck payment? Also if I got the dodge I would want to do the 6.7 stroker kit, built 48re, put down about 600 - 800hp (Over time of course) I am just really torn. I don't want to put new tires and a new battery if I am going to go look for a new truck. BUT... I also don't want to dump 10k into my burban and end up buying a truck in a year.

So leaving your personal feelings on make and model what would you do

 

[STAG]

I would:
Put a crate engine in the burb, put in airbags in the rear leafs. Do nothing else.

Or or buy the dodge and leave it stock.

Im a minimalist. Everything else seems like a waste of money/time anymore.

 

[Tonkaman]

If you put $10k into the suburban it still won't be worth more than it is right now. I think it's too risky of a move. Also remember 3/4 the other benefits of a 3/4 ton like bigger breaks, stronger steering components and stronger frame

 

[hoosier]

I am not worried about the end cost just because I have no desire to sell it. If that was the case I would fine a wrecked one with a clean title and rebuild it. As far as the other things with the 3/4 the 10k included frame stiffeners and all new steering components

 

[Tonkaman]

I know a third option that's up for sale...

 

[skippy]

Why in the world would you stroke a 5.9 cummins? The newer trucks late 07+ have the 6.7 liter stock.... In fact I am nearly positive nobody ever strokes a 5.9

 

[STAG]

Everyone I've talked to prefers the 5.9 over the 6.7 anyways.

 

[hoosier]

I have a buddy with a 6.7 stroker, puts down 800, daily driven and it works well till he blew up his kinda built auto

 

[skippy]

Does your buddy live in Tooele? I want to check this thing out sounds awesome... Whats his name?

 

[hoosier]

Grantsville, and he i more of an acquaint but if you would like to check it out i would imagine he would be just fine with it

 

[skippy]

Whats his name?

 

[hoosier]

Randy

 

[Caleb]

No matter what you do to the burban, it still has 300K on it. You might have a fresh drivetrain, but everything else will begin to fall apart around it. I'd get a new truck that will tow what you need it to tow without having to pretend it's a bigger vehicle than it really is.

 

[hoosier]

Sounds smart, i was planning on changing on ware items on the sub, all part of the 10k then if i got crazy redo the body

 

[benjy]

I would:
Put a crate engine in the burb, put in airbags in the rear leafs. Do nothing else.

Assuming you really like the burb, I agree with this ^

 

[hoosier]

I would not say i "like" it but i don't mind it at all

 

[STAG]

works well till he blew up his kinda built auto

Yet another reason not to throw a bunch of cash and power at it. Say what any of you will, I'll never buy a diesel again with an auto. Why do you think I didn't post my duramax for sale on here. It had problems and I didn't want anyone on RME to be getting those problems. (Don't buy a black '07 duramax from PMR auto anytime soon

I would not say i "like" it but i don't mind it at all

I was assuming you had some kind of sentimental value towards the burb. If you don't "like" it then don't put money into it because as others have said it won't make it worth more money (not enough to justify putting the money into it) and someday you'll want to sell it if you don't "like" it.

I say say buy a dodge and leave it stock. Maybe intake and exhaust, but I wouldn't do injectors and pumps and turbos and all that jazz.

 

[LT.]

Apples to oranges here. Gas vs. Diesel. Suv vs pick up truck. Diesel will run circles around burban with built small block. Not having a payment is huge! A built small block will be a down payment on a Cummins. Diesel fuel is more expensive and not available everywhere.

Personally, I would install a stroker in the burban and whatever else you want and avoid the payment.

LT.

 

[TurboMinivan]

Let's look at where you are currently:

As of right now I have a 95 Chevy Suburban 1500 with the 350. It is pushing 300k on the stock engine.

Last year I pulled my trailer to Lava Hot Springs avg 12.8 MPG. I was very happy with that even though I did not break 65MPH.

Your current pre-Vortec 350 small block only made 190 HP and 300 lb-ft when healthy and new. Despite this meager output, you were satisfied with its performance. Noted.

And now one option you are considering:

Keep the burban, get a 400 hp 350 crate engine from summit for about 3k, get the entire vortec OBD2 system for around 800, change out the rear end with 3/4 ton springs and airbags and gearing, and rebuild the front end. I figure the entire thing I could have it ready to go for about 10k

Okay, you could do all that. You also mentioned another consideration:

Pick up an 03 - 06 Dodge 3500 with the cummins.

I would love a cummins for sure, but is it worth having a truck payment? I am just really torn. I don't want to put new tires and a new battery if I am going to go look for a new truck. BUT... I also don't want to dump 10k into my burban and end up buying a truck in a year.

While that is another option, it sounds like you'd be spending lots of money unnecessarily (both up front and down the road). On top of that, switching to a pickup would be providing you with a setup that doesn't appeal to you. So right off the bat, the Cummins doesn't sound like the smartest choice for you.

Let's go back to your first option. You dream of a shiny new 400 HP small block engine, plus an entire OBD2 setup, plus heavy duty rear springs, air bags, new axle gears, and so on.

First off, as I sift through Summit Racing's web site, $3000 buys you a new longblock 350 rated at 330 HP @ 5000 rpm and 380 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm (Chevy part number 19210007). If you want a 350 putting out 385 HP, it is going to set you back at least $5500. This isn't my main point, but more of an FYI sort of thing.

If you want significantly more power, I'm guessing it is because you'd like to have better towing performance. Since you also want heavy-duty suspension components and better axle gearing, my suspicion is pretty much confirmed. If you like the Suburban experience and you want to increase its capability, there is a very obvious solution you haven't considered:

Buy a 2001-2006 Suburban 2500 with the Vortec 8100 and 4.10 gears.

In one fell swoop, this will give you the exact heavy-duty rear suspension and axle ratio you want. You'll also have more power to the tune of 325 HP @ 4200 rpm and 450 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm (with 400+ lb-ft available from 1200 rpm to redline), and this engine will be backed by a stout 4L80E transmission. It'll also be attached to the heavy-duty frame, and it will be reined in by the heavy-duty four-wheel disc brake system.

From the factory, this Suburban will be rated to tow 12,000 pounds... and you won't have to make a single modification to it. It will cost you far less than buying a Cummins, and it will even cost less than a complete makeover of your current Suburban. A quick scan of KSL cars showed a pair of 2001 Suburbans with 8.1L in the ad copy--one with 170k for $7900 and one with 164k for $6000.

I know everybody here will say I am biased--my 2001 Suburban 8.1L/4.10 has 223k miles, and I adore it--but this really sounds like your smartest move.

 

[Caleb]

Let's look at where you are currently:



Your current pre-Vortec 350 small block only made 190 HP and 300 lb-ft when healthy and new. Despite this meager output, you were satisfied with its performance. Noted.

And now one option you are considering:



Okay, you could do all that. You also mentioned another consideration:



While that is another option, it sounds like you'd be spending lots of money unnecessarily (both up front and down the road). On top of that, switching to a pickup would be providing you with a setup that doesn't appeal to you. So right off the bat, the Cummins doesn't sound like the smartest choice for you.

Let's go back to your first option. You dream of a shiny new 400 HP small block engine, plus an entire OBD2 setup, plus heavy duty rear springs, air bags, new axle gears, and so on.

First off, as I sift through Summit Racing's web site, $3000 buys you a new longblock 350 rated at 330 HP @ 5000 rpm and 380 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm (Chevy part number 19210007). If you want a 350 putting out 385 HP, it is going to set you back at least $5500. This isn't my main point, but more of an FYI sort of thing.

If you want significantly more power, I'm guessing it is because you'd like to have better towing performance. Since you also want heavy-duty suspension components and better axle gearing, my suspicion is pretty much confirmed. If you like the Suburban experience and you want to increase its capability, there is a very obvious solution you haven't considered:

Buy a 2001-2006 Suburban 2500 with the Vortec 8100 and 4.10 gears.

In one fell swoop, this will give you the exact heavy-duty rear suspension and axle ratio you want. You'll also have more power to the tune of 325 HP @ 4200 rpm and 450 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm (with 400+ lb-ft available from 1200 rpm to redline), and this engine will be backed by a stout 4L80E transmission. It'll also be attached to the heavy-duty frame, and it will be reined in by the heavy-duty four-wheel disc brake system.

From the factory, this Suburban will be rated to tow 12,000 pounds... and you won't have to make a single modification to it. It will cost you far less than buying a Cummins, and it will even cost less than a complete makeover of your current Suburban. A quick scan of KSL cars showed a pair of 2001 Suburbans with 8.1L in the ad copy--one with 170k for $7900 and one with 164k for $6000.

I know everybody here will say I am biased--my 2001 Suburban 8.1L/4.10 has 223k miles, and I adore it--but this really sounds like your smartest move.

Biased or not, this sounds like the best option. I was going to suggest a different vehicle but sticking to the $10K or less. I find it crazy to dump any money, let alone $10K in to any vehicle that has 300K+ miles on it.