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07-19-2010, 05:06 AM | #1 |
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Location: eastern part of pa
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67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I am sure someone here has done it?
but would like to get some feedback. I'm thinking about building a 67- 72 burban as a tow vehicle for my 20' enclosed trailer.. obviously big block power would be a must, what else would need done before attempting such a feat? anyone currently use their vintage suburban to tow? for what its worth... from time to time..I'd be hauling this inside the trailer.. http://recycled40fordwoodie.blogspot.com/
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sawzall 1940 ford 1946 ford 1948 ford truck with 67 chevy truck chassis |
07-20-2010, 02:47 PM | #2 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I never used mine to tow, but the previous owners did. Mine was a 3/4 ton 4x4, with 5.13's in the rear (4:10's in the front, but I think this was just left from factory) The power train was a 76 350 motor, the original th350 with a Fairbanks shift kit. The truck also had electric trailer brakes, aux battery, cruise, and Aux gas tank under the 2nd row seat. Looked like it was a pretty beefy tow rig before it succumbed to NY winters and rust.
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1970 Blazer 350/SM465/205 SOLD! | 1998 Z3 |
07-20-2010, 04:31 PM | #3 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
A 3.73 or better rear gear is a good idea for trailer towing. be sure and have a good hitch and wiring/brake controller rated for the job. also, 3/4 ton rear springs are a must for a trailer as heavy as yours. but yes, a classic burb makes a great tow vehicle if properly equipped.
i have already used my 72 burb to tow an s10 on a tow dolly and plan to be pulling a 6000 pound vintage holiday camper in the future. i bought my burb to use as a truck, not just grace car shows. i really believe that is most worthy calling for a classic truck. you don't need a new truck to play hard! |
07-20-2010, 06:27 PM | #4 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
My burb (68 K20) was a tow vehicle most of it's life, pulling a 25' travel trailer and a truck load of people and stuff. Gears were, and still are 4.57's.
It's hitch set up was a torsion bar design, and electric brakes for the trailer. I plan to put a hidden hitch on mine when I get around to it. But - If I were to start towing stuff again, first thing I'd do is upgrade the brakes. Since I have all the confidence in the world that my baby could pull some pretty big weight, but I can't say that about the other very important part in towing. Which is stopping! Currently running 4 wheel 12" drum brakes. Wasn't a problem back in the day. But now a days as we all know driving conditions have changed.
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Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
07-20-2010, 08:31 PM | #5 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
i had 4.57's in my 72 burb until a week ago when i had a 4.10 swap done. now i can actually drive it on the highway (still keep it under 60). with a q-jet swap (was a 2 barrel) it has a lot more get up and go and i don't miss the 4.57's at all. should have no problem towing the family camper. my truck is a 3/4 ton but a 1/2 ton is fine for most jobs provided you swap in the better rear springs (eliminates sag) and other things mentioned above.
i would advise anyone not running a sway bar to get one. and disc front brakes are another must. my 72 burb had them from the factory and it stops great. other than that, makes sure the chassis is serviced and any issues are taken care of for safe, trouble free towing. i put a Curt 15,000 lb rated hitch on my burb because it is a HD model after all, otherwise 10,000 is a good rating for most class III-IV towing. |
07-20-2010, 08:52 PM | #6 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I tow with my 72 2wd. It has a 400 small block and a th400. It has the power to tow, tows really well but I had to install a rear bag kit because I have it lowered to the limits without a notch. But I tow my camper and 20' trailer. It also looks awesome doing it. The burb was a must because I only drive older vehicles (the burb being the newest) and a new truck would ruin the look of my driveway.
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07-20-2010, 08:53 PM | #7 |
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Location: Marietta, Georgia
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
Always did well for me. 350 TBI and 700R4
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2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!! Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere! |
07-21-2010, 04:47 PM | #8 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
72freak.....that was such a jewel.....you should never have given it up!
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07-21-2010, 06:11 PM | #9 | |
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Location: Marietta, Georgia
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
Quote:
Cant keep them all and the new owner appreciates it as much as I did. Anyone wanting to build or own a 72 2x4 3/4 ton Suburban really missed out on this one. For the price it was a great deal! I am slowly working my way out of the 67-72's but will always have a fondness/sickness for them. Ive got a few more for sale!
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2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!! Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere! Last edited by 72freak; 07-23-2010 at 07:51 PM. |
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08-03-2010, 10:27 PM | #10 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I used to use my 72 gmc 4x4 burb to tow my weekend warrior travel trailer. I put a 502 bbc in it and had Hughes transmissions do a bunch of work to the tranny. I had airbags put on it (a must if you're towing heavy loads) but it would tow good. Only bad thing is it gets about 8 mpg and it has a 40 gal tank..so ouch when its time to fill it up! Now I have a duramax desiel and it KILLS that gas motor at towing.
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08-04-2010, 04:55 PM | #11 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
there was a company called PPE featured on a recent episode of Gearz. they will double the hp and tq from a Duramax. you could run the absolute softest gearing and a killer overdrive and still tow big trailers.
as for the air bags, i'd save my money and just put stiffer springs in the back (or more leaves in the case of leaf springs). |
08-05-2010, 01:10 AM | #12 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I tow about 1500-2000 pounds... flat bed trailer with dirtbikes/quads. I don't even know it's back there.... no issues to speak of. I've got a big block, 454 in mine.
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Doug '72 GMC K2500 Suburban 4x4 |
08-05-2010, 09:00 AM | #13 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I'm planning on a 3/4 ton 4x4 burb in the future to be my family hauler / tow rig.....but I'm planning on setting the burb body onto a 3/4ton dodge cummins chasis with a few upgrades
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08-05-2010, 05:18 PM | #14 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
i know the cummins is a nice powerplant, but i'd rather keep the gm chassis and run a duramax. i like most brands (except korean stuff), but i don't like mixing them.
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10-30-2010, 09:43 PM | #15 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
I towed racecars with my '72 Suburban for years. My biggest problem was the center driveshaft support. I finally replaced the stock shaft with a sliding shaft from inland empire driveshaft and that cured the problem.
I think since mine was lowered, it added to the issue. dont tow with the truck anymore, but still drive it. |
10-31-2010, 07:13 AM | #16 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
On a similar note, I think I have 3:73s or 4:11s?? I do use mine for towing my Vette to tracks but I also do drive it a lot without towing.... I want to change the ratio to about 3:25s? I realise this will probably put more stress on the suburban whilst towing but I also want a better milage/less revs whilst cruising. What are some problems that might occur with 3:25 gears? I have a 454, so its got plenty of torque!
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*1972 454ci Burb, C20 3/4T, T700, 2WD *1969 540ci Vette, 540ci Aluminum BB,755 BHP & 734 LbFt torque, No NOS, No Forced induction! Just BIG CUBES |
10-31-2010, 08:05 AM | #17 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
The previous owner of my 72 2 wheel drive burb used it to tow enclosed car trailers from texas to pennsylvania with no problems. It has a factory 402 bb with 2 aux gas tanks, an oil cooler, electric aux fans and air bags in the rear coils with a compressoor wired to a guage and swith on the dash.
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10-31-2010, 07:00 PM | #18 |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
my dad's 84 and 87 burbs (1/2 ton 2wd's with 3.73 gears and 700r4) got 18mpg on the highway and his current 99 burb (same setup except 3.42) gets 22mpg.
the 87 had a 3.08 rear (texas truck) which was just too soft and didn't get any better mpg because the engine worked harder. on a bad boy diesel a 3.08 would be fine. the 700r4 also has a more aggressive 1st gear than a t350 while the 2004r which is a nearly bolt in swap for the t350 has a better overdrive ratio. i picked up a rare 66-69 saginaw 3 speed with the borg warner overdrive so i can keep my factory 3 on the tree but have overdrive to offset that 4.10 rear on the highway when driving solo. |
10-31-2010, 09:08 PM | #19 | |
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Re: 67-72 suburban as a tow vehicle?
Quote:
Your burb has the perfect stance I've been looking for. I'm also planning on dropping mine and not doing a c notch so I had planned on rear bags of some sort. What combo did you use front and rear to get your stance? And did you keep springs in the rear and go with a set of auxillary bags just for towing, or switch over to strictly bags? |
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