Towing C10..... what do I need ?

[wilkin250r]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

there ya go!
if your going that big, you'll want to step up to a 1 ton. a long wheelbase crew would be even better at them heights.... (39 incher's...)

What are those beautiful tires? Maybe it's just a trick of the photo, but they look really wide. I cannot find wide tires anymore, everything looks like a pizza cutter.

[Tusky]

Originally Posted by greg64

My C10 has a six cylinder that makes all of about 120 HP. I can pull trailers fine, I'm just slow on big uphill climbs. With 400 HP, I'd be worried about cooling that engine more then "will it pull the load?".

Just wondering what motor you running Greg?
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[greg64]

Originally Posted by Tusky

Just wondering what motor you running Greg?
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I'm running a 292 six. My truck was stock with a 250. The 250 is fine too, and gets better mileage than the 292. But the 292 has more grunt. The 250 was leaking more oil than the Exxon Valdez, so instead of fixing the 250, I found and rebuilt a 292 while the 250 was still running.

The two engines make similar horsepower, because they can't rev, at least in stock form. The 292 is built like a tank internally, though. These engines had to be able to stand up to 4000 RPM at full throttle for most of the day, in the medium duty trucks.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Honestly, I was sold on the 5.3L after using my Dad's 2000 Z71 shortbed to do some towing. Plenty of power to move cars on a 16 ft trailer. Now I'm replacing the old tired 305 with a 5.3L.

Another note, check the condition of the rear springs and replace them if they look questionable. Mine were cracked at the eyelets on the main leafs after a few years of towing. I ended up replacing them with some heavy duty springs.

[greg64]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Honestly, I was sold on the 5.3L after using my Dad's 2000 Z71 shortbed to do some towing. Plenty of power to move cars on a 16 ft trailer. Now I'm replacing the old tired 305 with a 5.3L.

Another note, check the condition of the rear springs and replace them if they look questionable. Mine were cracked at the eyelets on the main leafs after a few years of towing. I ended up replacing them with some heavy duty springs.

I'd certainly agree that the 5.3 is a significant upgrade from a 305.

I'll echo the "check the leaf springs" thought. I replaced mine last year. They were totally clapped out, and 3 non-main leaves were broken on the driver's side. The truck now carries heavy loads a lot better too.

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by wilkin250r

What are those beautiful tires? Maybe it's just a trick of the photo, but they look really wide. I cannot find wide tires anymore, everything looks like a pizza cutter.

38x14.5/16 toyo mud country
the tread is a full 14.5, from sidewall to sidewall there a tad under 16", which prob makes them look wider than they are....

[Tusky]

Thanks guys! The more I hear/learn the better off I am down the road. My brother has a 305 in a shortbed 85 model truck.... He said it's a real weak motor for towing and he only pull two horses at a time. I'm definitely going the LS route due to the knowledge I have with those motors.
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[Tusky]

Okay my pals.... boss told me you'll be in great shape if you can find a "heavy half" or a "big 10".

What exactly is these trucks? What makes them so special?
I can't remember ever seeing one in person... so what will it take to convert a basic square body into a "big 10?
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[MalibuSSwagon]

Usually they'd have 8 leaf rear springs from a 3/4ton, heavy duty brakes front and rear (1.25 in wide rotors in front, 2 3/4" drums in rear) and HD front coils. Usually ordered with a 454 because the whole point was to circumvent the emissions requirement by raising the GVWR.

I put the 8-leaf springs in my 1/2 ton, and boy does it ride hard.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Usually they'd have 8 leaf rear springs from a 3/4ton, heavy duty brakes front and rear (1.25 in wide rotors in front, 2 3/4" drums in rear) and HD front coils. Usually ordered with a 454 because the whole point was to circumvent the emissions requirement by raising the GVWR.

I put the 8-leaf springs in my 1/2 ton, and boy does it ride hard.

HD 8 leaf spring packs, HD front coils, & HD 1.25" front brakes were there for sure. The 2 3/4 HD rear drums were an option as well as Big blocks or small blocks for power.

[Tusky]

Do anyone on the market sells those springs/brakes as a kit ? ... I really want to convert a regular C10 into a BIG 10. Would buy one of those trucks but again I never seen one in person but they seem like they would be awesome for my application

[wilkin250r]

Looking at Malibu's information, and if the heavy half was designed to circumvent emmissions requirements, I think a heavy half would be a great option for you IF you were under strict emmissions requirements.

But a heavy half is just a mid-point between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton pickup, if towing and weight capacity are your primary concern, I think stepping up all the way to a 3/4 ton is a better option.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Honestly emissions is a moot point. They did back in the day since over a certain GVWR, emissions equipment and testing. Doesn't really matter now.

I upgraded my front brakes when I lowered the truck, by installing drop spindles for 1.25 inch brakes and new calipers, rotors, and bearings. There isn't really a kit, I just bought everything from Oreillys since it was cheaper than getting the stuff online. The rear leafs I bought from a local spring shop.

[SCOTI]

The HD rear leafs were for extra capacity. It would ride better when unloaded w/standard rear leafs. An AOL set-up will help as much as needed once there's a load.

Prob spend a similar amount buying different HD leafs new.

[naphtali5725]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

there ya go!
if your going that big, you'll want to step up to a 1 ton. a long wheelbase crew would be even better at them heights.... (39 incher's...)
you also want a SOLID HD drop hitch, or put a brace in, unless you lift your trailer. i flipped my trailer axle underneath, thinking of putting a 2" block in it, add some 33's & less of a drop hitch....
Attachment 1395441Attachment 1395454
Attachment 1395440

i'd like to have that entire setup! jump in and go have fun LOL

[Cabnchassis]

Think about the springs if you don't need them. My C+C rode great with the flatbed but once I shed the weight it's pretty rough when it's unloaded. Axle hop is worse too.

For you the big advantage of a 3/4 ton would probably be the trans. If you're putting a lot of power through that LS the 700r4 won't take it, in it's stock form. They can be rebuilt to be excellent transmissions but stock they're weak link of the drivetrain. The TH400 on the other hand has a long resume of being used hard and taking it.

[Hiluxxulih]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

The HD rear leafs were for extra capacity. It would ride better when unloaded w/standard rear leafs. An AOL set-up will help as much as needed once there's a load.

Prob spend a similar amount buying different HD leafs new.

Tell me about it my 85 has the heavy duty rear springs and it's pretty rough riding .

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by naphtali5725

i'd like to have that entire setup! jump in and go have fun LOL

thanks! heading out to the bush in a couple weeks (yay!!)
Tusky, have you given airbags a thought?
run lighter springs for a nice ride & still have carrying capacity. i have 5000lb firestone bags in the rear of mine, not for capacity though ( i have 4500lb rear leafs) but i dont like that tail dragger look when loaded. you can also "tune" your ride some playing around with the air pressure, & you'll never have a lopsided load again.....

[Tusky]

Been awhile since I posted... I been one busy guy. I finally towed my car with a C10 with a 305 motor. It pulled but I could tell big time it was having a hard time. I'm sure gears would help that situation. As far as air bags I have no experience with those.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Tusky

Been awhile since I posted... I been one busy guy. I finally towed my car with a C10 with a 305 motor. It pulled but I could tell big time it was having a hard time. I'm sure gears would help that situation. As far as air bags I have no experience with those.

So you borrowed a pickup or is this what you bought ???

If you want a great towing vehicle then something like my 1976 C-20 would be perfect. It's much more solid and stable than a half ton, and you could also throw tools and fuel cans or whatever in the bed while you are towing (or a camper for sleeping?). The 16" wheels and 10 ply rating tires also make it much more solid on the road. I originally used it to haul my camper trailer around to logging sites in the mountains of Colorado.

Of course, when you're towing don't expect the same performance as with an empty pickup.

From time to time I see 2wd 3/4 ton "camper specials" often with low miles for sale pretty cheap, because these days everyone wants a 4wd. You could buy something like that, catch up on the maintenance, and pretty much go to hauling your race car anywhere you want without any modifications whatsoever.

Four wheel drive is over rated IMO unless you live out in the hills like I do with roads that turn into mud holes when it rains. If you really want 4wd then you might consider a GMT400 (1988-1998) with IFS.

[Tusky]

Yes I borrowed a truck. I believe the truck only had like 3.08 gears or so in the rear. I'm go build the engine first then find me a body. That's what I've decided on to do.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Tusky

Yes I borrowed a truck. I believe the truck only had like 3.08 gears or so in the rear. I'm go build the engine first then find me a body. That's what I've decided on to do.

Well, that's one way to go about it....

I bet you could find a nice running camper special pretty much ready to use for about $2K.

Also keep in mind that you can get a weight distributing hitch (Reese, EZ-Lift) for a couple hundred dollars. That way you get safe level towing and nice ride when empty.

Believe it or not, back when these trucks were made folks bought them and put them to work hauling campers and towing pretty much as is. It wasn't uncommon to tow a 25' travel trailer with a half ton pickup or even a full size American car. Of course they didn't have the internet to obsess over it back then

[Tusky]

^^ I've been told that before

[Tusky]

Been doing some research and studying more...
For the engine I'm go do a 6.0 add a set of 1 3/4 headers, a custom tune, aftermarket mufflers and a tbss intake. This here will net me 425 horse at the crank with 460 ft lbs of torque to boot.

[Tusky]

Been a long time since I posted on this site. Just want to give you guys a update on what I have did.
I have built a 5.3 383ci motor that produces some awesome power.
I have a basic 4 inch stroker crank/Rods
Mahle pistons (3.902 bore)
212/218 558/562 On a 115 LSA
Stock truck intake
36 lb injectors
317 truck Heads untouched besides valvesprings
morel lifters and a comp timing chain
Ls6 oil pump
Ebay throttle body

And my results...... 455 hp/485 ft lbs
Torque production exceeded 450 ft lbs from 3200 to 5300 rpm!!
Hope it gets the job done.

Now I need some motivation!! Lets see some more square bodies towing cars