2 years of research and I'm having more questions than answers. Started with this 2 years ago.
1997 Silverado Ext cab,208K now, 2WD, 5.7, 4L60E, 3.42 open diff, 235/75/15 tires. no tow package.
Camper is 5000Lb/500Lb tongue weight, and WDH. Presently tows well in 3rd, little winded on hills but mostly stays with the TC locked. 10-12 MPG towing 18-20 empty.

Now for the decisions I need help to make... Run it in the ground as is and save for a newer truck or Keep and modify as I go? A "new" truck is out of the question, as is a newer used with a warrenty. Quite familiar with this trucks History, It is even suppose to have a tuned PCM from the PO.



Have already rebuilt the front end,Trans cooler, Extendable power tow mirrors and upgraded the Spider to MPFI

IF we go the KEEP route I want/Need to
LT tires for sure $600+
2500 or helper springs for the back, $150+
Locking diff, and if I'm in there it will get 3.73 gears...$250+
If the gearing don't help then.....
More power/efficiency, nice flat torque curve in lower RPM range, Multiple possibility's here, Cam kit with RR, some headwork and headers figure $1500+
The 0411 conversion and adding tow mode interests me, but the picking a tuner so I can play with it is confusing and $$$ And major motor work will about necessitate this.

So what would you do? TIA

 

Looks like you've ruled out an engine swap to a 454. If that's true, the key question is what is the price difference between the upgrades to your truck, and the cost to sell and buy a truck with better towing specs. If you can get a good price for your truck, and find a truck with a bigger engine and/or a 4.11 rear for a fair price, that might be a better option, especially with the miles you've already got on your rig.

 

Well a 383 build with a 4L80E, 3.73 POSI 411 PCM would make a lovely swap. I did find a 2500 same year but was surprised to find out that the tow rating is lower than what I have now. I am keeping an eye out for a deal if one happens.....

 

Wonder why the 2500 had the lower tow rating? Also wondering if you've had any trouble with your 45L60E, considering the towing?

Sounds like you are open to all options, so something good will happen.

Reminds me of a friend who had a chassis-monted camper on an older 3500 series with a 350 Cu in and 4 speed manual. When pulling a horse trailer, every hill was "shift up, shift down, shift up, shift down...". He needed a bigger engine or a much lower rear gear, but did not have the resources to put into the truck.

 

Resources are part of our issue to. We can rob from Peter to pay Paul and pick up a payment but don't want to.
This trans was replaced by the factory at 57K, and when I got it at 198K dropped the pan and replaced the filter and the pan was CLEAN!!!
The 2500 tow rating got me... I think that with the heavier frame and suspension to haul the 1500 Lbs, it cuts the overall GVWR that takes away from the trailer weight.

 

the 2500 with a lower towing capacity...did it have a standard trans?



imo the ideal tow vehicle is a 00-06 2500hd, 4.11, 4l80E
a 2000- 06 2500hd or 1500hd(which has the same chassis, engine, driveline and trans as a 2500) in my area go for $6000 or less. The thing is built to tow. I towed 6000lbs with my 06 and got better mpg than what your getting. didn't even feel the trailer. I could drive through the mountains and pull out and pass up hills easily. didn't need a wdh...600lbs tongue weight didn't squat it a bit. (if you got one I'd still use it)

your into $3000 to upgrade your truck and that is all band aid stuff. nothing you do to if will increase its legal towing capacity. I be reluctant to put all that money into a 97. A lot of time and effort also.







buy one built. before doing anything, test drive one.

 

Thanks tech,looked at a 2000 2500 not HD 4x4 today with 166k and they want $12000

 

guess they are cheaper where I live. way over priced for a gasser. that"s diesel dollars. 121 trucks under 6000 in my area.



http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/e...ationFlag=true



2500 | Find Great Deals on Used and New Cars & Trucks in Alberta | Kijiji Classifieds

 

WOW!!!!!! the checks in the mail....at $4309 US I can buy 2, drag one with the other and sell it and have a free truck AND make some money!
There are 9, private sale 00-06 HD trucks within 100 miles, $7500 to $21500.

 

lol i'll drop then off for you. win win money exchange and mileage is in kilometers so 100 000 km is only 60 000miles.
nice rust free alberta truck. no salt or rust belt here.

just don't buy a white one...fleet or oil rig truck

don't buy parts here though...we get hammered.