slalom2492

I already posted a thread about this topic, but need a little more advice. I was aiming towards the GMC 1997 Suburban 2500 with the 454 and 4.10 gears, but the interrior has a few stains and the leather is cracking. There is no cracking of the interrior of the 1999 chevrolet suburban 1500 with the 350. My worry is that the 1500 wont have the power, torque, braking power, or height to handle the snow of the mountians and a trailer every now and then. Would the 1999 Chevrolet 1500LT 350, with 3.75 gears be able to handle 2-3 feet of snow and an ocasional trailer?

73shark

Why would you expect to receive different answers by reposting?

Not sure either one could handle 3' of snow.

jlutty3

I'll chime in.

The average person has no idea what 2500 and 1500 mean. The average person is not reading this thread right now.

If you like the idea of feeding (and feeling) a larger motor 24/7/365 and having a more durable transmission, and brakes that are generally overengineered for average driving, buy a 2500.

I owned a 99 tahoe 1500 (vortec 350/ 3.73 4x2), a 01 Suburban 2500 (6.0/3.73 4x4), and now have an 07 AV 4x2 5.3 3.73.

Sold the Tahoe to buy the 'Burb 2500. The Tahoe got 19 MPG highway on a long, flat road. It had flowtech headers, a Dynomax Super Turbo cat- back, and a fram air hog filter. It got 12 towing my 6x10, high profile, single axle trailer. And the brakes (none on trailer) got overwhelmed on me once going downhill with the trailer full of wine barrels (empty).

The 'burb 2500 was the heaviest. It had the best brakes. It had 260,000 miles on it when I totaled it. It had the Ariraid jr kit, hypertech "regular gas" program, 25% firmer shifts, edelbrock shorty headers, flo- pro muffler, a torque strap on the motor, and loved a cocktail of 89 and 91 in the gas tank with a dash of Marvel Mystery oil- sloshed, not stirred. Tires were 265/75/16 all season- highway tires. The best MPG was 18 in Illinois on a long, flat road at 70 MPH with the AC off. When towing my 6x10 single axle, high profile trailer, it got 14 MPG. But it never looked for 2nd gear with the cruise set on anything less than a 10% grade while towing. That truck was fast (reset top speed limit to 125), quick- used to hammer stock import cars light to light, and rugged. I loved it. It cornered like a tool shed on roller skates, but it was a great truck.

The new to me 20074x2 AV tows fine. No numbers on mileage yet I have only towed about 4 miles with it so far. It feels like a truck when towing.

The 1500 series trucks have a weaker trans. and smallish brakes. Trailers with brakes are best for these. You should keep a trailer brake controller in mind. Keep the tongue weight under max. You should be OK. Any truck will do the job; Within reason.

3' snow? leave the trailer home and buy a Samurai. If it gets stuck, get two friends to move it.

If mileage is no concern, get a pre- 2007 Avalanche with the 8.1 and 4.10's. I like my Av better than the 'burb now. i just miss the 6.0.

But Wifey's Denali has a 6.2. So I'm OK.

73shark

1500 = 1/2 ton

2500 = 3/4 ton

Same as the pickups.

RacerX

Yea AND my Suburban is a Cheyenne 1500 and I have 11" brakes. They dont make anything bigger than than for this truck but they do have a 10" drum set'up.

jlutty3

Yeah, AND the post is about comparing these two trucks:

1997 Suburban 2500 with the 454 and 4.10 gears
-or-
1999 Chevrolet 1500LT 350, with 3.73

OK, pop quiz: Which one has 11" discs front, 10" drums rear?

Which one has 12.5" rotors front, 13" drums rear?

The Cheyenne was a trim package; Not a mechanical upgrade.

RacerX

My Cheyenne c1500 is the base model 2wd, barn doors, manual windows, EZ clean rubber floor, with a 350 and a 4L60. I m unsure where I said it was a mechanical upgrade.

Compare what? what car can tow more? What are you towing? If you re hauling anything less than 10,000lbs., then it doesnt matter which one you get. What behaves better in the snow? A 4WD over a 2WD. Who has the best interior? Who knows?

in2pro

2500 is going to be heavier (frame) and I think more robust for off road use, better choice for 5th wheel towing...(trucks non SUV)
I wouldn't say the 1500's have a weaker tranny but the 2500's have a tranny rated for higher for tow weights