Need advice on upgrades.

[Ssingleton]

I have an 02 Chevy Tahoe LT 2wd with a 5.3L. The tow capacity is 7700 pounds. Is there any mods that anyone one has used that have improved towing or eased towing on an older suv. Also the trans has just been rebuilt and the motor has been well taken care of. Any info or help is appreciated.

[TurnThePage]

camperdave wrote:
Tires and gearing (both depending on what you have now of course) are the most cost effective upgrades I think. And at that age, a general refresher of the suspension like shocks and steering wear items would help.

Yup!

[LVJJJ]

Check over at and maybe become a member of GMT Nation for a lot of specific help from other GM owners. I got a lot of help with problems with my 94 GMC Suburban.

I'm not familiar enough with the newer computer driven engines to be able to help much with a 5.3 For my old weak compression (from the factory) 350, I added an adjustable timing control from MSD so I can run 15 degrees advanced, installed dual exhausts, a Fastchip upgraded computer chip, tune up with ONLY AC Delco parts (GM's don't like aftermarket parts), got rid of original restrictive air intake and added a second cold air intake with K & N air filter. All this made a BIG difference. The K1500 SLE came with trailer towing package so has oil cooler, tranny cooler, sway bars etc.

[seaeagle2]

The newer vehicles with 6 or more speed automatics are light years above the older transmissions. I know this is sacrilege for the TH400, C6 and A727 crowd. Honestly, the engine and transmission improvements in the last few years beat hands down any mods you can make to an older vehicle. The new computer controlled variable valve timing motors put out more torque and hp...Our work trucks are E350 cutway vans, the 2009's had the 2 valve 4.6L and 4 speed transmission, the 2010's with 3 Valve 4.6L and 6 speed transmissions were a whole different animal.

[jimh406]

Power adders will help going up hill. I agree that good shocks, sway bars, and a good WD hitch properly adjusted are good as well.

[APT]

Axle ratio is the most effective and relatively inexpensive for a 2WD with 4-spd transmission. Something like 4.10 or 4.56 will really improve acceleration and ability to hold speeds up hills.

If the springs are original, they are probably not providing the OEM specific rates. THere are various suspension aides to help such as air bags, add a leaf,an Timbren SES.

Shocks - quality heavy duty shocks really improved my ride towing and unloaded on all my tow vehicles.

[Old-Biscuit]

SoundGuy wrote:

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.

You can exceed payload WITHOUT exceeding axle ratings and/or tire load ratings

Payload is a 'number' based on MFGs GVWR and is NOT a legal issue here in the USA

SO stay under the DOT legal limits....axle/tire ratings.....and good to go

[camperdave]

Tires and gearing (both depending on what you have now of course) are the most cost effective upgrades I think. And at that age, a general refresher of the suspension like shocks and steering wear items would help.

[handye9]

There are a few mods that may improve your handling, however, none will increase the vehicles ratings / capacities.

Here is a link to a calculator that may help in your search.

Forget about that 7700 lb tow rating. It was calculated without aftermarket accessories, passengers, pets, or cargo. That's NOT how people go camping. We load up the whole family with associated coolers and luggage. Soon as you add weight in, or on, the tow vehicle, it no longer has that advertised tow capacity.

[Ssingleton]

All good advice so far. The camper my wife and I were looking at is a little under 5000 pounds. So from what I see I should be ok as long as I don’t get any bigger. We won’t be doing any mountain drivin or cross country hauls anytime soon.

[downtheroad]

All good advice from experienced folks above: Answer - not much.

Not mentioned is to upgrade your tires from "P" (passenger) rated tires to "LT" (light truck) tires. This won't increase your towing capacity but will help with handling.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

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.

[SoundGuy]

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.

[SoundGuy]

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.

[donn0128]

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.