Cost to build tow Rig..

[ktmoutfront]

I want to do a tow rig also. But late model 4x4 under my 87 blazer. 6.0 would be ok as I am only towing 2500 pound boat.

I already have a real tow rig for hauling the big stuff.

 

[sreidmx]

What year are you looking at again? The 7.3 that is in the SD body style is considerably better than the OBS 7.3. OBS 7.3's have a non waste gated non intercooled turbo and the results are a smokey laggy bottom end when compared to the SD 7.3. Injectors are also different between the eras too. Trannies are not that big of a problem behind the 7.3, most of the E40D/4R100's held up pretty good. So did the Dodges actually, it's when people were doing a simple little mod or 2 to the Cummins and practically doubling the torque is where the bad rap came on those early Dodge's trans issues.

If you are looking at an OBS Ford and want a newer "old" truck, that is probably your best bet. Both of mine have that classic feel to them similar to a square body GM, but with much more modern HVAC, electronic drive train,etc. A Dodge of that same era, feels much more like a new era truck of today's standards, not classic at all.

It's a 2000 SD and your right, it has a real truck feeling to it, and from my reading this is the best of the 7.3 years because it still has forged rods where the newer stuff got powered metal. My transmission guy said the 4r100 was good especially in stock form when cared for. This one has gone 240k miles so it's been problem free.
I found some sites that show how to rebuild the injectors. Or send them in 500$ and have em rebuilt.
So well see..I might just need to drive it some which I can and that's nice before I decide to pull the trigger.

 

[Kay86K5]

It all depends on how someone goes at a build. $10k? A good paint job costs $5K on it's own...

I have a super clean '81 K30 crew that I plan to short bed, Dmax/Allison, full restore inside and out. I am budgeting $30K for that project.

I think it depends on how nice of a paint job you are looking for. Knowing how your blazer looks, I know you go for a really good paint job and in that case yes, ~$5k or more for paint. But some of us don't care to have it look perfect. Some of us just want it to look pretty good from 10ft away and in that case you don't have to spend that much on a paint job (~$2-3K).

And yes, if you are doing a full restoration on anything, $30k better be what you figure. But once again, it depends on what the OP (or any of us that are doing or considering this) really want out of their truck. I want a good looking dependable tow rig. It doesn't need to be perfect, but I just want it to be a clean looking square that gets used. In that case, absolutely you can build one for $10-15k and your time.

To the OP, if I were you I would probably just pick up a rig like the one you are looking at (referencing the Ford) since you are still in the building stage of your other rig. Being someone that has 3 boys that are 4 yrs old and younger, I can appreciate you wanting to not take all your time working on rigs and spend some time with your kids. Luckily for me, my crawler is pretty much built to where I want it other than small misc stuff here and there and if stuff breaks while wheeling. So now I have the itch to build something again and that's why I'm taking this build on. Plus, I am going to try and get my older boys that are almost 5 and 4 yrs old more involved with this build with stuff like cleaning out the interior, ect.

 

[sreidmx]

^ what he said! I guess once the little dude (rubberducky) is older he can help and it won't be a big deal. As far as looks your right on as well, if it's towing chances are it's gonna get bumped into etc so I'd rather not stress about paint.
Function over form.

 

[kgblazerfive]

I got a 96 F350 7.3 with under 200k for $5,000.00. In the last few years I have put very little money in it only put 2k miles on it since I bought it. The trans went out of it so its is getting a new one with all new glow plugs. Still will be in it under 10k. Air works 4x4 4dr power everything has a lift with 35's.

I was planning on building a Cummins powered 80, 3x3, 4x4 Chevy had all the parts including both of the trucks. Decided that the cost, as well as the labor involved would not be worth it. The cool factor was the only thing pulling me to get it done.

Hind site 20/20, buy one already done, like the one that sold on here not to long ago.

 

[Kay86K5]

I got a 96 F350 7.3 with under 200k for $5,000.00. In the last few years I have put very little money in it only put 2k miles on it since I bought it. The trans went out of it so its is getting a new one with all new glow plugs. Still will be in it under 10k. Air works 4x4 4dr power everything has a lift with 35's.

I was planning on building a Cummins powered 80, 3x3, 4x4 Chevy had all the parts including both of the trucks. Decided that the cost, as well as the labor involved would not be worth it. The cool factor was the only thing pulling me to get it done.

Hind site 20/20, buy one already done, like the one that sold on here not to long ago.

Sounds like you got the deal of a lifetime. Happens sometimes, but don't count on this always happening, especially in this inflated truck market right now

And the cummins costs more cause guys want more money for the motors cause their reputation and it requires more work to get them in these square body trucks then other options. Cool factor is def there, but more work.

And I believe the buy one already done directly contradicts everything this site is about (built not bought)

 

[76zimmer]

Everything in my brain says you would be better off with a newer truck.

Less wind noise. Better hvac. Safer. More powerful. It's already done.

Except for the fact of the matter at some point that used truck is gonna need some money. As most here we don't have alot of extra cash. I wanna be stoked when I put money into my tow rig.

It will likely take years to get mine where I want it. I doubt it will be as comfy asca modern truck. But I think I can get it to where I am good with it. Enough power. Comfortable enough. I can find stuff wrong with any truck

And let's face it. Towing a square with a square

pretty much the way I feel....My 99-2500-6.0 isn't as comfortable as my 95 Burb was, but its good for a long haul and will manage towing my 10K+ load (it does struggle on the hills though). I think my 76CC will be close to my 99 as far as comfort goes when I'm done with it.

It all depends on how someone goes at a build. $10k? A good paint job costs $5K on it's own...

I have a super clean '81 K30 crew that I plan to short bed, Dmax/Allison, full restore inside and out. I am budgeting $30K for that project.

Not everyone gets bit by the snowball effect....Might as Well!
I'm with ya on this though...I'm into my 76CC for almost 9K including the purchase of the truck and the upcoming diesel conversion.
The 98 Dodge for the Cummins conversion and what I've done to the engine and beefed trans I'm into for about 6K right now.
I'm hoping to get it mehcanically/electrically reliable for around 12K, then the restoration work begins next phase.

 

[blazinzuk]

I suppose your budget also depends on how much you do. I have a friend who is an upholstery guy. Serious price discount. A friend who can help me with paint. I can do transmission with just a little guidance. All the add up hours tedious crap I got that too. Engine well that's gonna be spendy. I would like to be a duramax Allison combo eventually and if that happened for a full resto I would not be far off that 30k mark either.

For this first go round I will be under the 5k mark by a good amount.

There in lies the problem. It's your tow rig but realistically mine will have 5 or 6 periods where it has to be taken off the road for major mods.

But I have lived crew cab squares since grade school. So it's what's gonna happen

 

[iwaxmyjimmy]

Y'all are just like me lol. I'm trying to put together a 5.3 or 6.0/4L80E/208 combo in a CUCV chassis with 4.10 geared 3/4 tons, just need to figure out what body. As long as I can get seats from a newer Silverado in it and decent AC/heat I think I'll easily pull one rig, my jeep or k5, without a problem. Maybe 8k including trailer for the k5 is what I'm hoping will be my max weight.

 

[rjfguitar]

Sounds like you got the deal of a lifetime. Happens sometimes, but don't count on this always happening, especially in this inflated truck market right now

OBS 7.3's are pretty cheap really, they are actually a great bargain. Yeah there are some guys wanting 10K for them that are super clean, but your average one is around that $5K mark, less if it's a 2wd. I paid $4500 for my 94.5 with a 7.3/ZF5 4x4 dually with a bunch of extras added to it.

I think it depends on how nice of a paint job you are looking for. Knowing how your blazer looks, I know you go for a really good paint job and in that case yes, ~$5k or more for paint. But some of us don't care to have it look perfect. Some of us just want it to look pretty good from 10ft away and in that case you don't have to spend that much on a paint job (~$2-3K).

And yes, if you are doing a full restoration on anything, $30k better be what you figure. But once again, it depends on what the OP (or any of us that are doing or considering this) really want out of their truck. I want a good looking dependable tow rig. It doesn't need to be perfect, but I just want it to be a clean looking square that gets used. In that case, absolutely you can build one for $10-15k and your time.

To the OP, if I were you I would probably just pick up a rig like the one you are looking at (referencing the Ford) since you are still in the building stage of your other rig. Being someone that has 3 boys that are 4 yrs old and younger, I can appreciate you wanting to not take all your time working on rigs and spend some time with your kids. Luckily for me, my crawler is pretty much built to where I want it other than small misc stuff here and there and if stuff breaks while wheeling. So now I have the itch to build something again and that's why I'm taking this build on. Plus, I am going to try and get my older boys that are almost 5 and 4 yrs old more involved with this build with stuff like cleaning out the interior, ect.

Well it just depends on what someone wants and what they plan to do. I could see $10K if someone simply just bought a K20/30 and only did a few minor things to it. To do what seems to be the topic here, which is to update the drivetrain with late model stuff.... going to blow a $10K budget in a second. It's why it really doesn't even pencil to bother with square bodies anymore for a cheap and effective tow/work vehicle. Before the pitch fork crowd comes, just pencil it out. I contemplated rebuilding my K30 and revamping it for my current work needs. I figured it would cost my $10K to LS swap it, dually conversion, new flatbed, anything else. I bought a 94.5 4x4 7.3 OBS Ford dually with a flatbed already on it for $4500. Money well spent.

Do I plan to go wild with my K30 and make it a Dmax powered show looking truck? Of course, because it's kooool, not because it makes sense to be a good tow rig economically.

 

[rjfguitar]

It's a 2000 SD and your right, it has a real truck feeling to it, and from my reading this is the best of the 7.3 years because it still has forged rods where the newer stuff got powered metal. My transmission guy said the 4r100 was good especially in stock form when cared for. This one has gone 240k miles so it's been problem free.
I found some sites that show how to rebuild the injectors. Or send them in 500$ and have em rebuilt.
So well see..I might just need to drive it some which I can and that's nice before I decide to pull the trigger.

Super Duties are completely different trucks. They feel super modern inside, but also very tough. OBS Fords feel VERY classic in nature, they really were the last trucks of that 70's/80's era styling.

I wouldn't worry about the injectors. Just do a cold start, that will tell you a lot about the condition of the injection system on all the HEUI style engines. If he's never done the trans, just plan on doing it in the near future. IMHO, whenever an auto makes it 200K, I figure it's given 100% of it's expected duty cycle and after that it's borrowed time. I personally don't think $13K is all that great of a deal, but prices vary depending on location too. Around here that is a bit much, but nothing rusts away here either.

 

[sreidmx]

Well the wife put the Kabash on it because it's not a crew. So we're back to square one. Does a 454 k30 really need more balls to tow?

 

[Zane M]

Well the wife put the Kabash on it because it's not a crew. So we're back to square one. Does a 454 k30 really need more balls to tow?

Depends on a lot of factors. Motor/Trans and gearing all play a role in the equation of how well a vehicle will tow. Gas engines in the mid seventies through the mid 90s were pretty anemic by today's standards, but we all managed to get our stuff from point A to B with them. We didn't always get there fast, and consumed mass quantities of fuel doing it, but it was done.

As a real life example, my Grandpa had a '73 C30 with a 454/TH400. Most sites show this as a 235 Horse/355 ft lb combo.
He pulled a 25' fith wheel travel trailer and a CJ5 behind that. Flat ground was no problem, but as you started getting into much of a grade he had to downshift into second and might be down to 25-35 miles per hour by the time he reached the summit. He probably got 4 miles to a gallon towing that combo.

 

[80' 427]

Well I paid 9k for a 2002 extcab k2500 with a 8.1 Allison. I would think you could buy a crew for similar, of course no Dana 60 but you could swap it.

 

[80' 427]

Of course I am thinking when I graduate I will be buying a 91 suburban k2500 as a dd so what do I know

 

[rjfguitar]

Well the wife put the Kabash on it because it's not a crew. So we're back to square one. Does a 454 k30 really need more balls to tow?

Which year K30? Even depending on years, not all 454's are equal either. I've found BBC's can be funny and more so than SBC's. I've seen stock 454's with no balls at all, and stock 454's that actually do pretty well. My 35 yr old original 454 in my '81 K30 actually has pretty good pep to it for what it is. Obviously, a later V3500 with a TBI 454 will do better as far as mileage and slightly more power.

You said you want to pull 10-12K. A good 454 will do just fine for that. You will not pass up a gas station, and just take it in stride when you have to down shift to 2nd in the hills and have Cummins/Dmax/Pstroke trucks with more weight passing you up. 454's and 460's are yesterday's pulling engines. They are tough on fuel and lack power when compared to modern engines. Will one work just fine for you? Like someone else just mentioned....absolutely. Back in those days we moved all our crap around just fine with 454's, 460's, 35o's, etc.

 

[sreidmx]

Is the 8.1 that much better to consider it vs a 2000 with a 454?

 

[kgblazerfive]

My dead stock 80 K30 towed my burb fine. Just not tool fast and not past a gas station. Climbing Soldier Summit (elevation. 7477 ) it would go down to about 45, and it got about 5 mpg on my trips with it.

If it had had better gearing aka. overdrive it would have got much better mileage.

 

[sreidmx]

So one other idea I had, the wife's truck pulls her horses fine, she's never going to crest 5klbs towing and if she does it won be by much. Me I need to pull my k5.. Maybe with a camper on the truck. I was thinking a m1008?? Dirt cheap, not fast but I'm not ever in a hurry towing anywho and I can always tweak the 6.2 a bit and stick boost to it. Bring It to 6.5 levels which would do me fine. Not luxurious but square body and less than 10k by a mile!

 

[campfire]

So one other idea I had, the wife's truck pulls her horses fine, she's never going to crest 5klbs towing and if she does it won be by much. Me I need to pull my k5.. Maybe with a camper on the truck. I was thinking a m1008?? Dirt cheap, not fast but I'm not ever in a hurry towing anywho and I can always tweak the 6.2 a bit and stick boost to it. Bring It to 6.5 levels which would do me fine. Not luxurious but square body and less than 10k by a mile!

I think that's a fine idea (O/D and boost would be welcome additions), but I thought you were wanting a crew cab.

It could be quite cheap, and O/D should bring decent mileage, too. If you're not in a hurry & you don't need the back seat, I'd say go for it.