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Navigator · 01-26-2004, 08:02 AM

After the 60K miles, you still have the incremental value of a diesel over a gas, + the baubel factor.
Dick

markjoandall · 01-26-2004, 08:14 AM

Rick,

I have a GMC yukon xl 1500 5.3 and I tow a 2001 30ft. Originally I purchased the the yukon with a 3:73 and towed about 15,000 miles with it. I had to tow in 3td and the performace was marginal. Our trip through NM and AZ was tough on the vehicle and slow on the high passes.

When we returned, I transferred the ring and pinion to a 4:10. The vehicle is only 2wd. I can now tow in drive. The vehicle like performs much better and the engine just doesn't seem to work as hard. I'll never get a gasser again to tow without the 4:10.

Towing mileage is about the same as everyone else gets. We get between 12 and 13 highway depending on the terrain and the speed. I have always towed and about 62mph. Either the 5.3 or the 6.0 will do fine for you. Get the 4:10 in either and you'll never regret it.

Mark Wegman

Silvertwinkie · 01-26-2004, 08:28 AM

Like 53FlyingCloud, I would love to see the Duramax/Allision combo installed in an old Burb.....as if it were yesterday!

BTW, what is "baubel factor"?

CanoeStream · 01-26-2004, 08:49 AM

Oh Eric! Don't tell me you haven't had to make up to a close friend? Baubles might get one past lots of stammering and y'knows. Tom & Ray had a person call in the last week or so -- it turns out there is a regional difference in the country on where they are called jewels or jewelry.

I don't think shiny Airstreams count, except just at the start...

(BTW -- newbie? 2000+ posts? Back to work now!)

wahoonc · 01-26-2004, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Navigator
After the 60K miles, you still have the incremental value of a diesel over a gas, + the baubel factor.
Dick

Dick,
FWIW I am somewhat unusual that I have a tendancy to keep my vehicles plus I am a high mileage driver, a typical year is usually over 65k miles. Typically this is 50k or so on a company truck, then another 15k on the personal. My last personal truck was a 94 Ford Ranger 4cyl, 5 sp. I drove that truck over 150k before I sold it. Before that was a 82 Honda Civic wagon, I paid $150 for it, swapped a low mileage salvage yard engine into it and drove it for over 150k, sold it to a guy in 98 and he is still driving it, and it has over 350k on it at this point. I would love to have a lighter duty pickup with a turbo diesel in it. I have even considered the possibility of trying a VW to ? swap, but it is a little more complicated than I want to try at this point. But you never know

Aaron

Navigator · 01-26-2004, 09:37 AM

AAron,
Seems as if we have a similar bent. I buy a 2 year old car, and if I cant get 200K out of it, I feel cheated.
Had a rabbit diesel once (320K before giving it to my son who immediately wrecked it) The engine was fine but EVERYTHING else went bad constantly. Just bought a 90 Suburban w/ a big block 456 & 4:11 rear w/ 160K and I absolutely love it!! Only use it for towing, and once a week warm up.
If you can find a good used diesel; go for it!
Dick

Jabba · 01-26-2004, 09:49 AM

We used a Tahoe with the 5.3 and 3.73 last year. Got over 15 mpg on flat land and it pulled our rig fine. Went to southeastern Ohio last summer and got into some hills where it was lower speeds and the truck really had to work. I'd recommend the 4.10 or opting for the 6.0. We got a new 'Burb with the 5.3/3.73 combo (good lease deal at the time). Depending on how it does, we'll probably opt for a bigger drivetrain on the next go-round.

Good Luck,

Jabba

uwe · 01-26-2004, 05:49 PM

I use a 97 1/2 ton Suburban with 5.7 Vortec, and 3:73 gears to to w my Tradewind. It does very well, in my opinion. But as we all know, Los Angels has thick air, so towing in Denver would be a whole different story.
I had a 2003 5.3 Suburban as a loaner for a week, and to me it felt nervous and anxious, would shift a lot and revv more before shifting. I much prefer the 5.7l in the older Suburban.
Given the choice, I would opt for the 6.0 with 4:10 gears, and teh factory tow package.

My mileage with the '97:
14-15 mpg in town
17-19mpg open road
12.5 towing

Windspill · 01-26-2004, 06:15 PM

You had your ring and pinion changed to 4:10. Would you be willing to share what the cost involved was? Thanks.
Tom

markjoandall · 01-28-2004, 07:10 AM

Tom,

I bought the ring and pinion kit from Gary's Ring and Pinion off the internet. It included the two gears and all the bearings. I paid about $350 for the kit. I paid about $350 for my local mechanic to install the gears. (After reading the instructions to install the gears, I opted for a professional installation and I'm glad I did) I also paid about $120 for a box that plugged into my unit that changed the shift ponts in the tranny, the speed and the mileage on the speedometer to a 4:10 rear end.

Of course the gear and pinion were only changed in the rear end. I only have a 2wd Yukon. The cost would be double for a 4wd tow vehicle.

Mark

Windspill · 01-28-2004, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the info, Mark. It sounds like it would be worth the expense to have the same done to my Suburban in order to improve performance. Maybe the haul up the hill to Lake Tahoe will be a little easier.

53flyingcloud · 01-28-2004, 03:32 PM

Try this link for info Randy's Ring-Pinion

ciao

aluminauts · 01-28-2004, 06:16 PM

We ordered our 2001 suburban with the intent of it being a tow vehicle for an Airstream. We selected the 2500, 6 liter, 4.10 differential, 4 wheel drive, with tow package. By having the suburban about 2 years before we got the trailer, we expected to fully flush out any bugs or add any enhancements. We couldn’t be happier with this choice and have made only extension to the car’s basic capabilities. Comfort and agility were better than expected and we averaged 12 to 14 miles per gallon.

In April of 2003, we took delivery of the 34’ Classic that we had ordered in Feb. Even though we had never towed anything larger than a Uhaul, our first tow from the dealer to our shakedown site was also very pleasing. Through out 2003 we have made 4 tows and have averaged 10 miles per gallon while towing.

This last September my wife and I took a “couple driving course” offered by Dick Reed’s RV driving school. The course was in our car and with our trailer and during one session I was coaxed into tackling an 8% grade, switch-back laden road . The car and trailer performed admirably up as well as down this “instructive” road. We look forward to may happy adventures with the suburban and airstream.

Good luck in your deliberations.