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Finally got a new tow rig! (any other 8.1 owners out there?)

Old 10-07-2014, 07:37 AM
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My 2500 Avalanche is the best riding 3/4 ton truck I have ever driven. My old 07.5 dirty max rode and drove fantastic also but the Avey is still better albeit I know the rear springs are much softer than an HD. It could use some air bags for heavy tongue weights especially with how far the hitch is behind the rear axle. I will put a steering stabilizer on it (none from factory but mount points there). It does wander a bit with a heavy trailer on back. As far as chassis parts, it uses all the same stuff as HD line trucks. It tows anything my old diesel would, just not as fast or as good of mileage, but I don't have a payment on it either, and that buys a lot of gas! Thats why I can't bring myself to sell it for a diesel again. I just got done completely repainting it and fixing all of the Michigan cancer on it. She is purdy once again.

For those of you who want more power, do the 496 HO conversion. Its the same dang thing after all. Cam, marine injectors, retune. I would do better valve springs though and roller rockers.

Last edited by Gimme Fuel; 10-07-2014 at 07:40 AM.
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Old 11-21-2014, 01:21 PM
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I have been looking for a clean loaded, low mileage one for quite some time. What is your honest opinion on using one to tow my PowerQuest 380 Avenger. I know the boat weight slightly exceed the trucks rating, but want to know if I could rely on it for a couple trips per year from Omaha to LOTO?

I found one in Indianapolis that fits my criteria, however, it has 3.73 gears. I am concerned that I would need 4.10's. Do you think the 3.73's would work?
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Old 11-21-2014, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Cory H
I have been looking for a clean loaded, low mileage one for quite some time. What is your honest opinion on using one to tow my PowerQuest 380 Avenger. I know the boat weight slightly exceed the trucks rating, but want to know if I could rely on it for a couple trips per year from Omaha to LOTO?

I found one in Indianapolis that fits my criteria, however, it has 3.73 gears. I am concerned that I would need 4.10's. Do you think the 3.73's would work?
I towed 12K+ lbs. with my 2500 Avalanche for a couple years. I had 4.10 gears, rear spacers, wide tires/wheels, tuner, exhaust, CAI, airbags, totally new hitch setup including Weight Distribution and a true Curt Class-V hitch; THE WORKS.

The running gear was adequately up to the task.

HOWEVER, the frame was not. I could see the rear bumper flexing downward as the rear portion of the frame was deflecting with the weight of the boat attached. The frame was literally flexing away from the body aft of the rear axle. Remove the weight of the boat, and it went back to straight (as best as naked eye could tell). I could see this when stationary parked on flat ground. I can't imagine what the flex would have been like when on the road taking bounces. Once I noticed this, I went to a bigger truck.

IF you wanted a 8.1L gas vehicle; go with the SIlverado/Sierra HD truck platform. The Suburban/Avalanche/Yukon XL platform/frame is the weak link.
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Old 11-21-2014, 02:46 PM
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FWIW, I bought a 'beater' 2004 2500HD 8.1L 4x4, with 3.73 gears. It has 200K miles on it, and I am stunned by how much I like driving it.
Like it so much, I'm looking at buying a 'younger' one with 90K miles and making it a daily driver.
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Old 11-21-2014, 03:35 PM
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The one I found is a 2005 2500HD LT 8.1 Allison 3.73 gears and 116000 miles. Would prefer less miles, but they are hard to find, especially clean and not used a a farm/work/plow truck!

Like I said, I am reluctant of the gearing.
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Old 11-21-2014, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Sydwayz
FWIW, I bought a 'beater' 2004 2500HD 8.1L 4x4, with 3.73 gears. It has 200K miles on it, and I am stunned by how much I like driving it.
Like it so much, I'm looking at buying a 'younger' one with 90K miles and making it a daily driver.
Not to late for dually with 46K on it.
Attached Thumbnails Finally got a new tow rig! (any other 8.1 owners out there?)-img_0741.jpg  
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Old 11-21-2014, 03:48 PM
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Sydwayz is right- watch the rear frame. I had to sell my Avalanche and I loved that thing for 11 years and 138k miles. Brakes were the other issues- rear calipers liked to stick.

I had a Flowmasterr Big Block 2 in and 2 out muffler. A nice deep rumble without much drone. A hypertech tuner helped give me another 500 rpm (factory tune ran out of gas at 4200 rpm) and helped mpg a little (maybe 0.3 mpg).[ATTACH=CONFIG]532967[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails Finally got a new tow rig! (any other 8.1 owners out there?)-cat-avalanche.jpg  
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Old 11-21-2014, 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by brian41
Not to late for dually with 46K on it.
I really prefer a SRW. I love this 1/2 ton Avalanche, but am tired of borrowing a buddy's truck for our vacations to LOTO. If the 2500 Avalanches were available without the gaudy side molding, I would have bought one, however, glad to know about the frame issues.

Back to my question; Will I have any issues towing my 14,000#'s +- with a 3.73 geared 8.1 for 350 miles each way 2x per year?
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Old 11-21-2014, 05:19 PM
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RUN to Indy and buy that truck especially if it's under $17K.

It will be fine for your trips. It may struggle a bit uphill, but the Allison will help you.
If you go anything over stock tire size, you will want the 4.10 gears long term.
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Old 11-21-2014, 06:40 PM
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Just not what I'm looking for Brian, else I'd own it already.
I already have a Dually, but would consider if it was extended cab and convert to SRW.
However I am stuck on a wanting a 2003 or later, with bucket seats, leather and steering wheel radio controls.
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