[dfjeepster]

Hi I am over from the Jeepster Club board and am looking for a truck to tow my 72 Commando with. The only experience I have with Chevy trucks was my old 66 pickup with a 327 so I'm not really sure what to look for in a newer one. I will have to tow a dual axle trailer with surge brakes and a 3900lb Jeep on it for a trip from NJ to Georgia in a few months so I need something pretty beefy that will also serve as a DD. I also need 4WD for surf fishing, snow, camping etc... The truck I am looking at is an 88 2500 extended cab 4WD with a 350 and a 5spd. It looks in pretty good shape but I don't know what to check out on the IFS or transfer case? What tranny is in this, NV4500? Is it powerful enough with only the 350, anything to watch out for? Whats a good price, $2500? Thanks much for any help

 

[578]

yup in a 3/4ton it should be the NV4500. as far as what to look for its the same with every vehicle. check all the fluids including the diffs and t-case. a 350 will be fine for you. especially with the manual trans. you'll be able to simple downshft in the mountains and what not. ch3ck to make sure the 4WD works properly.

 

[Guest]

NV4500 Didn't start untill 93. Not sure what it would be. Probably Gertag (SP?)

 

[286]

If it's an 88 with a 5-speed, I'm assuming that the truck is a Light Duty 6-lug 2500. The trans would be a Getrag unless it's been swapped. You can tell by looking, the Getrag is a one piece aluminum trans, while the NV4500 is cast iron and has a separate bellhousing. IMO, a stock TBI 350 is not enough motor to tow vehicles with. If towing is what you're after, I'd look for an 8-lug truck with a Big Block, or a newer Vortec truck. On the front end, check the CV boots for cracks, the housing for leaks, and the front end components for excessive wear. If you're willing to modify, the TBI trucks are a great starting point and are easier to work on then the newer trucks.

 

[578]

the beauty of this country is that everyone gets their own opinion. i towed a lot of stuff i never had any business towin with my Z-71 primarily duie to the fact that it was a manual trans. you canuse the power badn as needed.
but even my little 4.3 litre i have now had no problems towing a vehicle behind it for 250miles. this was not in mountainous terrian though, just some hills and flats. in the mtns, it would not be adequate.

 

[2110]

A buddy of mine has a 1 ton with a small block. He towed my old truck doing 85-90 up and down the hills of PA. Never had a problem. Back to the question, if it's an 88 with a 5 speed, it's the Getrag, and pretty much junk inless it's just a driver. They don't hold up too well towing. If it's a 6 lug 2500, it's just a heavy half ton. Inless you can get a killer deal, then I would hold out for a 3/4 or 1 ton for your towing/hauling needs.

 

[286]

I towed a heep on a 18 foot tandem axle car hauler with my 95 K2500 (350/NV4500, 3.73's) and it pulled it, but if I was going to do it regularly I'd want quite a bit more power. I've towed a similar load with a 96 K1500 (Vortec 350/4L60e, 3.73's) and it had more power, but again, if I was purchasing a truck with the intent of towing heavy loads for long distances, I'd want more. That's my opinion, of course, but I think we can all agree that the Getrag is junk.

 

[578]

i totally agree with you there. theres a big difference between doing it and doing it regularly. i thought he was just making the trip once. if it was a regular thing, yeah, you'd want a big block or a diesel

 

[889]

Plus, when towing, you'll get better mileage in the BB, or at least the same a an SBC. Plus the coolness factor of a bb.......defintely worth it....

 

[dfjeepster]

Thanks for the replies, after checking it out it was definitley a light duty model and pretty beat with over 300,000 on it. I would probably be towing short trips once a month in the summer and an occasional long trip, once or twice a year so I am going to hold out for something more substantial to start with.