Looking for a Suburban / 2500

[Elbert]

Hello,

I'm looking at a suburban to tow around my land cruiser for trails and "stuff"...
what should I look for....when looking at the truck in person. Anything to stay clear of?

I would like to buy a 2500 with a big block, something around 1997-2001, 4*4, with tow package.

Will try to stay away from any vehicles in the "rust belt"...

I guess I should also say my preference is for manual transfer case control...... are there issues with the electornic controlled transfer case?

Thanks, Elbert

[Elbert]

more questions as a follow up.

Do the 2000 and 2001 suburbans have better brakes than the 1998-99 models?

Also is there a difference in the transmissions between these year models too.
I assumed the 2500 versions all had the 4L80E?

[Elbert]

Plan to tow a 86 FJ60 on a dual axle trailer. I'm guessing combined weight of both would be somewhere around 8K pounds. I don't have the trailer yet so pure assumption on my part.

Ok...here are my options:

98 or 99 with either the 350 Vortec or 454 Vortec / 2500 series

00 or 01 with either the 6.0 or 8.1 / 2500 series.

I realize the bigblocks will have no trouble pulling this.... is it reasonable to think the 5.7 vortec would be ok with this type of load. I'm willing to change the rear gearing to something like 4.11 if required. I think the 6.0 engines perform ok (I've not driven one).

Basically I will be trialiering the land cruiser to differeent areas to "ride"... I want a "bullet-proof" tow rig. I want it to be 4 wheel drive too. I don't want to be concerned about going through the mountains or not having appropriate power. Also want it to be dependable and for the most part stock.

Apprecaite any input. I'm not overly concerned about gas milage. I do want something that will last and be dependable and low maintence. I want good brakes and reasonable performance... hook up the trailer and go, without having concerns.

[jdmccright]

I will refer you to a great site for finding out what you would need. www.trailerlife.com releases an annual towing guide for all the vehicles that can tow at least 2000 lbs. The downloadable guides go back to 1999 with earlier issues available by mail, though they are much less detailed before then (I've bought some of them).

If the rig your towing is 8,000lbs, I'd say add about another 1,000 for other gear, gas, emergency parts, snatch blocks, etc, plus hauling you & your buddies. 9,000 lbs is good, with 10k being the max you can pull with a tow hitch...over that and you'll need a 5th wheel gooseneck, not possible with a Burb.

Looking quickly at 1999 and 2001, it doesn't show a 1999 4wd Burb, only a C2500 with a 7.4L and 4.10 rear that would do the job. [UPDATE: There's no penalty for 4wd option on this rig...10,000 lbs capacity with 4.10 rear, HD cooling and trailering eqpt.]

A 2001 Burb 2500 4wd with either the 6.0L/4.10 rear or the 8.1L/3.73 rear combos would give you 10k lbs towing. Obviously you'll need the HD cooling and brakes...check for these factory options on the glovebox sticker. Plus, get a good trailer brake controller if not already installed on the rig.

Dependability is inversely propotional to complexity, so I'd say that wanting 4wd will probably reduce dependability and increase maintenance. That is the one option above all others that can ruin things. But I also understand you wanting a fall-back vehicle in case the FJ gets stuck. I, myself chose to forego 4wd on my latest rig for that reason...not worth the maintenance needed for where I live. I don't regret it at all...my truck is EASY to work on. But you have different needs and thus will have to choose based on those requirements. Good luck!