1500 4x4 Z71 Suburban with 3.73 GVWR 7200GCWR 13000GAWR 3450 front / 4000 rearThe car spends %99.99 of it's time as family car, and %00.01 as tow vehicle.With family (6+dog) and trailer loaded on the scales, TV came in at 7300 and total 12500. i.e. TV is overweight by %1.3 and rear axle is over by 50 lbs when loaded how we normally travel.After around 3000 towing miles in the flat East coast this summer, no complaints with how it tows, MPG, etc. but I would like some peace of mind by upgrading some components. I intend to keep this vehicle and TT for at least another couple years and the kids are getting bigger.After spending far too much time googling and not really coming up with anything definitive on various truck forums, I figured I'd ask if anybody on this forum has any practical experience with such upgrades (peace of mind short of changing vehicles).I understand that if it had the 4.10 gear from the factory, the door sticker would say 8200 instead of 7200. But I've been unable to find out what else would have been changed in addition to just the gear ratio in order to achieve that rating.If nothing else, I figure I will upgrade the brakes since they are rated for 7200 and stopping is most important. Beyond that I'm not sure what else to look into. I'm not particularly keen on changing the gear to the 4.10 due to the impact on everyday fuel economy, and like I said I have no complaints with towing power as-is, but I might do it next spring if we have big plans for next summer.So, does anybody have any experience / suggestions to share?

I think the main reason the factory wanted the lower gear ration was to protect the rear end and the transmission. If I was you, I'd change the transmission and rear to synthetic oil. At the same time, I'd change the transmission pan to one by Mag-Hytec. They're deeper and therefore hold more oil to add to the cooling capacity. When was the last time you changed oil in either of them? The oil pan and synthetic aren't cheap, but call a transmission shop and ask them what it costs to replace the transmission.If the tail end of the sub is dipping, look at airbags by Firestone or a set of shocks with extra overload coil springs on the outside of them. Monroe used to make some nice ones - I bought several sets. I don't know if they're making them anymore.Trans pan clickyBill

Can't be done!!GVWR is set by the Manufacture, That and with your axle ratings no room to move!!Find a good 2500 Suburban 4X4 with real payload.You have weak axles, weak tires, and weak springs.Take the money you spend on upgrades and get a Suburban with more real payload.

He didn't ask how to upgrade the GVWR, he asked how to upgrade the payload capacity.I'd find out what else was different besides the axle gears between the 7,200 and 8,200 models. If it's the exact same axle and brakes the difference may just be in higher rated tires. I hope you at least have LT tires on it and not P tires.Air bags will help if the rear is sagging. Bigger better brakes are always a good idea. That's about all there is to upgrade for no more capacity then you need.Otherwise, find a nice 2500 sub.

KD4UPL wrote:He didn't ask how to upgrade the GVWR, he asked how to upgrade the payload capacity.I'd find out what else was different besides the axle gears between the 7,200 and 8,200 models. If it's the exact same axle and brakes the difference may just be in higher rated tires. I hope you at least have LT tires on it and not P tires.Air bags will help if the rear is sagging. Bigger better brakes are always a good idea. That's about all there is to upgrade for no more capacity then you need.Otherwise, find a nice 2500 sub.Payload is directly related to GVWR, so you would need to increase GVWR to increase payload.Gear changing doesn't increase GVWR, it will increase GCVWR, meaning you can tow more weight with lower gears, IF WITHIN GVWR and axle ratings.Best thing for OP is to get a Suburban 2500!

Air bags or Supersprings or Timbrens will give suspension better ability to carry more payload and as one poster suggested a LT C or D tire will help also as long as the wheel can use the higher pressures.A gear change doesn't affect load carrying ability but just better towing performance/higher tow ratings. Your call on upgrading to a 250 truck.

increase payload capacity 2004 Suburban 1/2 ton

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2014
Air bags or Supersprings or Timbrens will give suspension better ability to carry more payload and as one poster suggested a LT C or D tire will help also as long as the wheel can use the higher pressures.

A gear change doesn't affect load carrying ability but just better towing performance/higher tow ratings.

Your call on upgrading to a 250 truck.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
KD4UPL wrote:
He didn't ask how to upgrade the GVWR, he asked how to upgrade the payload capacity.
I'd find out what else was different besides the axle gears between the 7,200 and 8,200 models. If it's the exact same axle and brakes the difference may just be in higher rated tires. I hope you at least have LT tires on it and not P tires.
Air bags will help if the rear is sagging. Bigger better brakes are always a good idea. That's about all there is to upgrade for no more capacity then you need.
Otherwise, find a nice 2500 sub.

Payload is directly related to GVWR, so you would need to increase GVWR to increase payload.
Gear changing doesn't increase GVWR, it will increase GCVWR, meaning you can tow more weight with lower gears, IF WITHIN GVWR and axle ratings.

Best thing for OP is to get a Suburban 2500!
KD4UPL
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
He didn't ask how to upgrade the GVWR, he asked how to upgrade the payload capacity.
I'd find out what else was different besides the axle gears between the 7,200 and 8,200 models. If it's the exact same axle and brakes the difference may just be in higher rated tires. I hope you at least have LT tires on it and not P tires.
Air bags will help if the rear is sagging. Bigger better brakes are always a good idea. That's about all there is to upgrade for no more capacity then you need.
Otherwise, find a nice 2500 sub.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2014
Can't be done!!

GVWR is set by the Manufacture, That and with your axle ratings no room to move!!

Find a good 2500 Suburban 4X4 with real payload.
You have weak axles, weak tires, and weak springs.

Take the money you spend on upgrades and get a Suburban with more real payload.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2014
I think the main reason the factory wanted the lower gear ration was to protect the rear end and the transmission. If I was you, I'd change the transmission and rear to synthetic oil. At the same time, I'd change the transmission pan to one by Mag-Hytec. They're deeper and therefore hold more oil to add to the cooling capacity. When was the last time you changed oil in either of them? The oil pan and synthetic aren't cheap, but call a transmission shop and ask them what it costs to replace the transmission.

If the tail end of the sub is dipping, look at airbags by Firestone or a set of shocks with extra overload coil springs on the outside of them. Monroe used to make some nice ones - I bought several sets. I don't know if they're making them anymore.

Trans pan clicky

Bill

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