87-91 3/4 ton question

[JasonH]

Was there a 3/4 ton 4x4 offered with the 454 in this time period? (I said 87, whatever the first year of the TBI was.)

I can find 3/4 ton 4x4's with 350's and 3/4 ton 2WD's with 454's, but can't find a big block 4x4.

Thanks!

 

[Muddytazz]

Nope, I don't think they made 3/4 4x4 454's in that time period.

 

[Burbinator]

What Muddytazz said...

The 454 was only available in the 2WD. Also, you are correct on '87 being the first year for TBI.

/forums/images/graemlins/burb.gif

 

[afroman006]

Well that sux I was hoping to find a 3/4 ton 454 4x4 once I save up enough money but I'm glad I found that out now so I dont waste all my time waiting... /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif. Guess I'll have to setle for a 3/4 ton 350 till I can accidentaly blow the engine nad get a 454

 

[Burbinator]

My Sub is a V2500 with a 350TBI...

...it does everything I want it to and then some (tent trailer, 22' Sea Ray and the occasional 27' travel trailer)...and is a little easier on the wallet as well!

/forums/images/graemlins/burb.gif

 

[chvyhs]

I'm happy with my 3/4 ton 350. Like you said you can always upgrade later!

 

[BanksBurban]

You could find a 3/4 ton diesel /forums/images/graemlins/burb.gif and put a Bank's turbo on it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Ddragggon]

I've heard it argued that some of the 3/4 ton 4x4's did come with the 454 in them, but I havn't seen one yet. so holdnig your breath would not be a good option right now.

an interesting little snippet from Autozone.com ( good for price cross referencing, if nothing more) they have a runnign poll on what engine came in what, and when you register a vehicle with them, they add it to thier poll... such as of all 1977 3/4 ton 2wd's, 78% came with a 454, 4% came with a 400, 7% came with a 350, and 11% came with a diesel... kinda an odd numbers set, but hey.

 

[azblazor]

I've owned 4 suburbans 72, 77, 84, and a 93 (all 4wd). My 93 was just stolen. I have been shopping for a replacement suburban. I've been calling people, buying trucktraders, newspapers, going on test drives, checking on line classifieds, tranderonline , etc. These past 3 weeks have reinforced my opinion that the suburban has never, ever been offered from the factory to the public in a 454 4 wheel drive configuration UNTIL 1992 with IFS.

Now to the issue of power, the 72 - I put a built 383 in carburated, the 84 was ordered from the factory by me (tried to get a 454) with a 350 carburated. The 77 had a 400 sb which we bought a reman 400sb and put a 350 TBI system on it (we still own this one - it's my older sons)along with a rebuilt 700r4. The 93 was a 454 TBI (with 4L80E).

As you might expect the power rating was lowest to highest: 84 350 carb ( heavy smog crap),

then surprising to me the built 383 carb is beat out by the 400 with TBI,

on top is the 454 TBI.

I also currently own a 6.2L diesel NA and for comparison it definately beats the 84 carb with smog, in get up and go.

 

[JasonH]

Cool. Thanks for all the good info! I currently have an '01 1500 that I use to tow my Land Cruiser. I used to have an 89 1500 4x4. I'm thinking I'm going to get rid of the '01 and get an older 3/4 ton. Partially because I like the older ones better, and partially cause it's a hell of a lot cheaper. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
But, I want to have the power to hold 70 on hills while towing, run the AC, and not worry about over working it. My 89 sucked for that, but it was not geared for it at all (I think it had 3.08's and it had 32" tires). That's why I'm thinking 454 is the way to go. But if you think the 350 with the right gearing will do what I want, then that's great as I'd like to have 4WD.
Thanks again!

 

[azblazor]

Well if you have been towing with a vortec engine you will probably never be really be happy towing with a TBI again. But we are making the move back down (up?)to a solid axle suburban from an IFS one. I had an offer accepted last night on a 78 with a built 396,TH400/NP205. It is a 1/2 ton but its got a 4" lift with new 35's. The rear 12 bolt has moser axles and an Auburn LS. It is carburated and runs really well - but the 1st time the carb needs rebuilding - it gets fuel injected. I would not tow much weight with less than 3.73's and would prefer 4.10's or 4.56's with 35's.