Should I go with a diesel suburban?

[moturbopar]

Hi all, I am thinking about buying my friends 85 6.2 suburban, to replace my 95 Heep grand cherokee. I need something that can tow other vehicles around and my family and a pooch. The grand cherokee is just too small, it has OK power with the 5.2, but scarry towing anything more than 3500lbs. Anywas the suburban is a 3/4 ton 6.2 with a anks turbo, engine is a later model 6.2 and seems to run very well. It has a TH400 (that leaks) and a ger vendors overdrive. stock 10 bolt in front 4.10 gears and a 9.5" 14bolt. as a 6" lift and hd2500 wheels. Aftermarket drive shafts. The body is fairly rough (that doesnt bother me, but it might bother the wife, she will drive it too ) but can be fixed, the interior is a little rough too.
SO how do you think this setup would tow a 4000-5500 lb trailer? would it do it reliably?

 

[Hossbaby50]

You won't win any speed races for sure but it can be done. FWP towed his K5 on his trailer (about 9-10K total weight most likely) with his 80's CC and it was SLOW on hills. If you keep your trailer weight down it will help for sure though.

His CrewCab is 80's dually 4x4 6.2L w/banks turbo, Th400 w/GV unit, 4.10's I believe.

If you are ok not going up big grades quickly then it would probably do well for a towrig. Fred said his CC is very peppy around town unloaded and gets high teens for mileage I believe.

Harley

 

[tRustyK5]

It should tow that just fine, seeing as it should have 4.10's and the turbo set-up. It won't be fast, but it shouldn't be horrible either. Definitely a better wheelbase/trackwidth vehicle for towing than a ZJ...and the fuel mileage should be quite reasonable when not towing.

Rene

 

[86dieselburb]

The turbo and GV will help out a lot I'd spect. I have an 86 3/4 ton 6.2 4x4 with 6 inch lift and 36inch tires. They thing is a major slug with a trailer, but it is also N/A and has mucho miles on it.


I'd get it, but then I'm partial to subs and diesels.

 

[moturbopar]

Thanks guys. I have ridden in the sububan and it runs pretty strong! I bet its as fast maybe a little faster than my 91 350 TBI suburban I used to have.