Burb Silverado to tow a 65 Overlander

[kdenault]

Thinking about purchasing a 1990 Chevy Suburban Silverado with a 5.7 350 V8 with OD. Not sure about the gear ratio. this will be a dedicated tow vehicle and not a daily driver. It's in decent shape, it's local, and it's the right price for a grad student! will this be ssufficient to pull my Overlander with a wet weight of 5500-6000 lbs? anthing that I should look out for with this year/model? anything that I should add to it ti improve safety during towing?

Kathy in PA

[uwe]

Originally Posted by kdenault

Thinking about purchasing a 1990 Chevy Suburban Silverado with a 5.7 350 V8 with OD. Not sure about the gear ratio. this will be a dedicated tow vehicle and not a daily driver. It's in decent shape, it's local, and it's the right price for a grad student! will this be ssufficient to pull my Overlander with a wet weight of 5500-6000 lbs? anthing that I should look out for with this year/model? anything that I should add to it ti improve safety during towing?

Kathy in PA

I tow a 1963 Overlander with a 1997 Suburban. It works very well, but takes a little patience on long and steep hills.
Your object is pre-vortech, which means it has a little less horsepower and torque, so a rear axle ratio of at least 3:73 will be a critical feature. Also, make sure that there is a complete factory towpackage, with bigger radiator and transmission cooler.

[kdenault]

Uwe,
I'm going to get it checked out by a mechanic, hopefully, before I purchase--so, I can find out the gear ratio and if it has a towing package. If it does not have factory installed tow package, can I accommodate by adding an after-market tranny cooler and/or heavy duty shocks?
Kathy

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by kdenault

Uwe,
I'm going to get it checked out by a mechanic, hopefully, before I purchase--so, I can find out the gear ratio and if it has a towing package. If it does not have factory installed tow package, can I accommodate by adding an after-market tranny cooler and/or heavy duty shocks?
Kathy

I'm not Uwe, but I can answer your questions.
Yes, you can get a transmission cooler installed by your mechanic. Many aftermarket coolers are better than factory-installed coolers (okay, most of them are).
You can get new shocks, Monroe Gas Magnum or equivalent would be more than enough, just don't let anyone talk you into installing overload, or helper, springs, or air shocks to your tow vehicle. Both are no-no's, and will do more harm than good.

[scottanlily]

Yes that is correct ,over63 is right on as the Weight distribution hitch will
take care of any rear sag or towing issues ,ie sag etc. When installed right
and setup properly you will do fine.The later 96 up vortech suburban has
alot more power ,better cylinder heads and port fuel injection .The important thing with the 90 is the condition of the transmission ,it is a 700r4 model and
must be in very good condition .Have a high end ,large trans cooler installed
as was mentioned ,the plate and fin style cooler is the best .See if you can fit one in that has a cooling fan with it ,if it will fit .the more trans cooling the better.3;73ratio or 4:10 period ,any taller won't cut it say a 3:23 ratio .
The suburban is a good size tow vehical for your airstream.

Scott