one better than the other?

[Cheekster96]

hello gang. in the near future, i will be planning on getting another truck. i am looking at a 95-99 (possibly 2000) 3/4-1 ton (non dually) 4x4 with either the 350 or 454.

which are the most reliable. i have my 87 3/4 ton 4x4 still goin strong with 195K miles still. i know the 96s and up have more power with the Vortec design.

how are the trannys? I hear the 4L80E are equalivalent to the TH400s. Is it the same like the 4L60Es when yow tow, you should keep it in D vs OD or is the 4L80E strong enough to keep it in OD?

I want a heavier truck because i think they are built stronger and last longer. Larger frame, springs and breaks.

Any suggestions?

thanks.

Lee

96Z 383

[banshee42096]

i had a 97 k1500 extenda cab with 350/auto when i sold it

it had 120000 miles on it towing a 9000lbs trailer frequently

had valve body in trans need updated vlaves installed for s

hutter concern,and for engine only replaced the intake gaskets

for small coolant leak other than that never had one lick of trouble

with that engine trans combo i do miss it .but the 2004.5 d/a cc 4x4

i have now makes me forget about it just a little only

had the 355 gear in it made for a little harder towing but it made

it good luck

[Ag Teacher]

Man - a 87 3/4 ton 4x4 - Isn't that the only model with the old body style but a fuel injected engine? That rig is a collectors item if its in good condition. I always liked that body style of truck.

 

As far as your post, I have a 98 Chevy K-2500 heavy duty (8600 GVW) that I'll be trying to sell as soon as I get a gooseneck hitch put in my new truck. It's been a really good truck. I bought it in 2000 with 24000 miles and now it has 89000. Only problems have been a couple of fuel filters and keeping rear brakes on it. Part of the brake problem is due to the Emergency Brake sticking and since it's a 5-speed, I use the emergency brake daily.

 

As I said, mine is a 5 speed so I can't help you with the transmission questions. If you're going to pull heavy, I say get a manual tranny. The 1st gear on the 4L80 is kind of high, even higher than the 4L60, so it won't have much low end grunt like a granny 5 speed will. If you get the auto, try to find one with a 4.10 rear end. Mine has a 3.73.

 

Here are a couple of pics of my truck loaded. Sorry, don't have any of it after a washjob. But it will show what a 350 will pull if you make it work. It should be noted I live at less than 1000' elevation so if you're in mountain country, you might want the 454. My truck gets around 13 miles in daily mixed driving. It has gotten 16 on a trip where I kept the speed around 60 or 65. Loaded heavy it gets around 7-8.

 

Hauling John Deere 2555, approximate tractor weight of 8500 pounds and trailer weight of 4000 pounds.

 

Hauling 12 rolls of hay, approximate hay weight of 12,000 pounds and trailer weight of 4500 pounds. Different trailer than first photo.

 

Good luck finding a good used truck. Let me know and I'll clean ol' blue up and sell it to you.

[Cheekster96]

wow, thanks for the reply!

mine is the 87 old body style and has the original TBI still. I put on an Edelbrock intake and some long tube headers, port and polished the stock heads and now the truck doesnt run all too good..lol so, instead of gainin performance, i lost it. just need to work out the bugs. need to port out the intake (2 inch holes) and get a chip for it.

my truck has the 4.10 gears and the TH400 tranny. so, i dont run it very often on the highway. It has the dual tanks (20 gallons) and everything on it works, is a Silverado.

The paint is ok, will need a new paint job in a year or two and no major rust. I have tried to keep on top of it as has the previous owner.

Not sure i want a stick though, never considered that. Are the five speeds strong? I know that GM made/makes a six speed too, but never heard of anyone owning one of those.

Once i get the tranny problems solved, i should be in good shape again.

thanks again.

Lee

96Z383

[To-Dmax]

Reliable- 350 hands down, but the power from the 454 is great and mached up to the 4L80 with 410 gears worked fine for me. Except the 1994 year.

I ran a 1988 350 1/2 4x4 over 100,000 miles before a dealer ever had a chance to see the truck. That is when I tradeded it in on a new 1992 3500 with 454 great pulling truck. Tradeded that in for a new 1994 3500 6.5 Turbo diesel with auto trans

(4L80E) Could not tow in O/D on that peice of junk. problems and replacement motor at 92,000 miles. Not powerful at all.

then a new 1999 K3500 454 4L80E Ext.Cab 410 gears Great truck with good pulling power & could pull in O/D. The only reason for selling that truck was to buy my Dmax.

 

I could only get 10-11 MPG empty on the big block, and 7 MPG pulling a 12,500LB 5th wheel trailer. I hope this helps some.

[Cheekster96]

what was wrong with the 94 4L80E? isnt it the same tranny as in your 99?

i know the 350 has been around since (1970??) and is probably the most famous and reliable engine ever built. i think anything in the 96 years and up (350) would be a big step up from what i have now. Im not sure on my specs, but i think my 350 puts out 210 hp and 330 ftlbs of torque..not sure, is the heavy duty 350 from the 87 year.

your info does help alot DMax.

are the Vortecs as reliable too? i heard some issues with the heads on them? but i suppose they are only as reliable as you maintain them!

what about aftermarket componets? i would only go as far as putting on a cat back exhaust. something good. flowmaster or a borla system. are the chips in the newer chevys the same as the older ones? PROM? take out and reprogram?

i want to get a truck and not mess with the engine. no cams, heads and so forth..i want a reliable truck to drive everyday..lol

my old beast is giving me a headaches. i still have a 383 camaro i need to finsih building up.

thanks again for everything.

Lee

[Ag Teacher]

I think he was complaining about the combination of the 4L80 and the 6.5 diesel. If you want a reliable engine and you're not towing heavy every day, I don't see where you could go wrong with the Vortec 5700/350. I think it's the best combination engine GM has ever produced (fairly strong, fairly fast, and fairly economical when compared to the competition of the same model years.)