GM 5.3 engine

[LVJJJ]

After towing for 26 years with a 1965 Chevy Van (w/292-TH350), DW and I are getting too old to put up with 100 degree temps in it cause it has no air.

So we bought a pristine '04 Envoy 4.2 to tow our '04 Tahoe Lite (22'). Since this "lite" TT weighs over 4300 lbs and the Envoy 4900 lobs, the Envoy is at max capacity and does struggle on steep mountain passes, but it does it. We've also found it's a little too small to carry the camping gear we want to take.

So we're looking for bigger tow vehicle with a V-8.

We actually prefer an older Class B motorhome (the new ones are over $100,000), but they are very few around here (Pacific NW). So we're also looking at '95 to 2005 Chevy or Dodge vans with Chevy 350 or 6.0 or 360 Dodge engines. Also looking for same year Suburbans.

We've found that most of the Suburbans have the 5.3 engines. Since I haven't paid attention to the newer engines available in the post-2000 GM trucks, I'm not sure the 5.3 is big enough to move itself and the TT. I know the 6.0 would be perfect, but there aren't many of those, even in vans. Supposedly the 5.3 replaced the 350, but that's 322 ci compared to 350 ci.

So, anyone tow with a 1500 Suburban or Chevy van with the 5.3? Wondering if it would tow better than the Envoy which has the 4.2 6 cyl? (Since the TT is not that heavy, I'm not afraid of towing with a 1/2 ton since the '65 and Envoy are both 1/2 ton or less).

[jerem0621]

That is a nice looking Suburban!

Congrats! And good job posting the pictures!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[LVJJJ]

this thing had to be garaged as the original paint shines like new.

The Envoy behind the Burb is mine, it's now for sale.

[LVJJJ]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee111/LVJJJ/IMG_1861_zpspd6avo4v.jpg

No aftermarket junk, just as it came from the factory, no aftermarket radio cut into the dash. Has a cassette player which I prefer even a separate equalizer not the pre-set **** they all have now.
(Sorry for the rant)

Except for worn driver's seat, could have been in the showroom.

[LVJJJ]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee111/LVJJJ/IMG_1862_zpsbohsaytn.jpg

[jerem0621]

owenssailor wrote:
the 5.3 is pushrod. Standard rods are 7.4 in

Your right...Made a mistake. 5.3 has pushrods and always has. I believe the EcoTech even has them.

[owenssailor]

the 5.3 is pushrod. Standard rods are 7.4 in

[jerem0621]

LVJJJ wrote:
don't know how to post pics, sorry

Its not too hard. You will need an account with an external photo hosting site. The tutorial posted below assumes Photobucket... which is what I use too.

How to post pictures

Congrats on the rig... I love that model Suburban and prefer the 350 over the 5.3... just something about push rod motors.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[LVJJJ]

don't know how to post pics, sorry

[blofgren]

Sounds really nice. Some pics would be great!

[dodge_guy]

Congrats! Sounds like a great find. Yes those era burbs ride nice and had plenty of power for what your towing.

Good luck!

How about some pics!

[LVJJJ]

PROBLEM SOLVED! FOUND A '94 GMC BURB CREAMPUFF.

Thursday nite a little car lot in Everett posted on craigslist a 1994 GMC 1500 Suburban saying it was unbelievably pristine. We called Friday morning, made an appointment and drove the 90 miles down there fully expecting to be disappointed. When we got there we found it was better than described. Paid $4800, probably a little high but we feel it was worth it (after all the **** we'd been looking at for over $6000).

It is bright shiny white, no dents or scratches, tan leather interior is perfect except for a little wear on the driver's seat. Turns out it was one owner, driven less than 6,000 miles a year (126,000 now), oil changed every 10 or so months, several maintenance items performed over the years according to the Carfax (I don't always believe everything on them but its obvious most of it was done). New antifreeze and other fluid flushes just this past April.

It's a 350, 3.73, 4wd (which I didn't want, but can't be choosy when buying used). Has a tow package, Class V hitch never used, trailer wiring tucked up under hitch area as it was from the factory, trans cooler and oil cooler. Engine still has lots of power, trans shifts great, no oil spots under it. I crawled around underneath and couldn't find any damage or obvious problems. Was able to determine it was a 3.73 from the GT4 code someone mentioned.

We prefer the older Burbs, especieally these 92-99's, square clean big boats, so are very happy we found it. Had an '88 454 that we really liked, but not hardly any of those around anymore.

All we have to do is put some good tires on it and go RV'ing.

Thanks for all the advice and comments.

[Tystevens]

How 'used' are you looking to go? IMO, the 5.3 w/ the 6 spd transmission will probably tow as well as the 6.0 with the 4 spd. I know they put the 6.0/4 spd combo in the 1500 'Burb for a couple years (07-08, maybe?), but I'm not sure there was ever a 6.0/6 spd combo from '09 or later, in the 1500 series, at least.

Anyway, our '10 Suburban with the 5.3/6 spd/3.42 gears tows a lot better than our '05 did with the 4 spd and 4.10 gears. Drives better in every respect, really -- performance, mpg, etc all better in the '10. The 6 spd was a big improvement.

But the little 165 cid engine parked next to the Sub in my driveway out-tows the 5.3 in every way ... imagine that!

[shepstone]

APT wrote:
What's the budget? Used 1-ton GM vans with 6.0L or Ford vans with V10 are relative bargains compared to pickups and SUVs.

From experiencing mine the GM 6.0 in a full size van is a good reliable power plant and trans combo.

[APT]

What's the budget? Used 1-ton GM vans with 6.0L or Ford vans with V10 are relative bargains compared to pickups and SUVs.