Need advice on upgrades.

You can mod all you want and it will improve, but not enough.
BTDT with my 99 with 3.73 gears and tons of mods including 20" wheels (way better handling).

Bottom line is truck is too short, too light and too weak to safely handle over 5000 lbs especially if there is any mountain driving. A 7000 lb TT will man handle your Tahoe and you will hate it.

donn0128 wrote:
From experience, owned a 2002 Tahoe, you will not like towing anything over about 7000 pounds no matter what you do its just not a great towing platform.

The OP hasn't mentioned axle ratio at all but if it's GM's ubiquitous 3.42 he ought to be thinking more along the lines of 5000 lbs loaded & ready to camp, certainly no more than 6000 lbs ... just as I have for the last dozen years with 3 different GM trucks, all with 3.42 axles.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Don't tow over vehicles ratings...mainly axle/tire weight ratings

Disagree - mainly payload capacity, or more correctly lack thereof. Exceed that and the OP is sure to also exceed axle ratings as well, especially rear axle.

From experience, owned a 2002 Tahoe, you will not like towing anything over about 7000 pounds no matter what you do its just not a great towing platform.

Don't tow over vehicles ratings...mainly axle/tire weight ratings

Trans cooler

New shocks

Suspension upgraded to help keep rear end from sagging

Good Weight Distribution Hitch


BUT NOTHING is going to INCREASE tow capacity.
It is what it is