towing with a 4wd?
 

I want to get a 67-72 Chevy or GMC pickup truck to build into a tow rig... I plan on towing a flatbed car trailer with a built FJ40 rockcrawler on it. Here is my dilemma...

I started this plan with the intention of swapping in a cummins diesel motor, but the total cost would have been VERY high, so I put a stop on that one.

My other option is this: Vortech 6.0L with a 4L80E behind it running to a 205? and then off to a dana 60 in the rear and a 44 up front. I will rebuild all the suspension, and throw some 4" lift springs on there (probably custom made for its purposes). I plan on running a set of 35's on 17" wheels.

Here is my question to you. Do you think this would be able to tow a flatbed with no problems? Does anyone here tow with one of these types of trucks? What issues do you run across?

Thanks
Dima

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

I towed a bumper pull with my Cummins truck..........Don't have a gooseneck hitch in that one. Pulled alot of farm equipment with it though. Works great for that.

My '71 K-20 will probably see some trailer time, although I built it for more the same thing as the Cummins truck, pulling farm equipment, but I do have a reciever and gooseneck hitch on it too. So it will be only a matter of time before I back into the gooseneck deck over or cattle trailer with it. Won't get there in a hurry with the little 250 Inliner, but it will get there :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

I've towed this tractor before with my 69 with no problems.

http://yukon.b0xen.us/69chevy/69chevy080001.jpg

I've also towed a horse trailer and a roughly 18 - 20' trailer loaded with hay with no problems.

If I were going to regularly tow, I would make sure to do upgrades to my truck's brake system (I'm all drums right now) and make sure my trailer had brakes.

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

With brakes on the trailer, even discs or drums in the front wouldn't matter IMO. Set the brake controler up so the trailer "Grabs" a bit harder and go on your marry way. Personally, I wouldn't own a trailer without brakes of some sort.

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

Sounds like you have a good engine/tranny/axle combo picked out. It would pull a flatbed trailer no problem. As long as it's not longer than 18ft it should do OK. Any bigger/heavier and you'll want a brake controller and probably disc brakes up front. I never had problems towing with my 2wd, hauled anything from pipe to hay on a flatbed bumper pull trailer. Only thing I need to do now is get the gooseneck plate welded in and wire up the trailer brake controller.

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

I believe board memeber "Bram" built himself a very nice "beefed up" 72 Cheyenne Super K20 hauler. I believe he uses a gooseneck/fifth wheel setup...Can't seem to find any pics tho.

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

Well, here is the deal... I am looking to buy a house, and move in the next few months. Then I will get a truck and swap in a 6.0L with a 4L80E behind it. I just have to have it done by August for my trip out to Moab. The cummins swap is going to be too time consuming right now, but the other route is going to be just fine.

DIma

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

A Cummins would pull the trailer a lot easier than the 6.0 V8. The 6.0's are wimps when it comes to towing, IMO. But, when light, your 67-72 should be a rocket ship. :metal:

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

I didn't want to bring it up...........But IMO, for towing I'd go with an old school 383 over a new 6.0

My grandfather has a 6.0 in his 2500 Chevy and its a weakling towing, but he tows far more weight with his than just a rock crawler on a trailer, so I really can't honestly say.

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

with the new 6.0, isnt there gona be alot of wires and crap involved? wouldnt a built sbc or bbc of that era be much better, of course with all todays addons. i built a 400 sbc with a sm465 behind it... has alot of balls and torque, but ihave not towed with it yet. also the cost of the 6.0 and 4l80e is up there isnt it?

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

The question really is why pull an FJ when you can pull a Blazer? Ha ha.

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

Got some picks of the FJ?

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

Iv'e pulled on a trailer other 3/4 ton trucks and my 77 FJ40 (which are lighter than a 3/4 ton) all over the place with my 70 K20 350-4 speed. I do have disk brakes up front. If all your pulling is your cruiser---no worries. M

Re: towing with a 4wd?
 

WOW, yep. LOL at 2wd. Blazers post!