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Suburban 1/2 vs 3/4 tow rig

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chappys4life

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Looking at picking up a suburban to use as a driver and occasional tow rig butwanted to get some advice from people on here who have used them.

I occasionally buy a car and use a uhaul transport (last tow was 90 gmc jimmy) but I also have a camping trailer 21.5 feet and 3000lbs. I’m torn between if a 1/2 would be okay or I need to step up to a 3/4. I live in Texas so flat but tend to travel to the east coast like Virginia and North Carolina as I have family there.

I found a 89 350 with a tow package and 3.42 gears. Also looking at a 85 454 3/4 ton but it’s double the price. It would see rotation as a driver but maybe tow 10-12 times a year so I’m wondering would the 1/2 get by fine and be a comfy ride or should I plan on just go 3/4 to be safe. My biggest concern is so have a 94 f250 460 currently and it has factory heavy duty suspension so the ride sucks. Looking to pick something up then sell it as I hate the ride
 
I have owned a 89 3/4ton sub 4x4 and it actually rode pretty well. Remember there is a lot of sheet metal over the rear end to smooth out the ride. Your F250 is light out back and has stiff springs so it's tough to compare.
 
1/2 tons have two major flaws that fail often, rear axles and overdrive transmissions. One other thing specific to 1/2 ton Suburbans is the rear springs sag with age and miles. All of these can be upgraded with time and money.

The 3/4 tons were built for what you want to do but lack overdrive so the top speed is lower with gears for towing and fuel mileage is worse.

There isn't much difference in ride quality between the two in a squarebody Suburban when comparing suspension in good condition.
 
Good to know about ride quality. Found 2 different 3/4 ton 4x4 with 350 but a lot further than the area I was looking. How are the 3/4 tons with 350s? Seems the 3/4 ton address the trans and rear issue so a big block is not as crucial. Also figure I could save up for a 383 to add some power down the road.
 
Growing up we had an 85 3/4 ton sub we used to tow with. It rode good unloaded and even better with weight on the rear.
The 89 1/2 ton will have a 700r4 more than likely. They don't like towing in stock form, and the rear axle will be light duty.

If your used to bbf mileage than the bbc shouldn't bother you :haha:
 
Brakes are the biggest difference. 1/2 vs 3/4. The 3/4 will will have bigger brakes. Not sure if your travel trailer has electric or surge brakes, at 3k. Wouldn't bet on U-Haul car trailers having working brakes.
Is 4x4 a requirement? 2wd big block 3/4 burb ride almost like a caddy and tow 12-14k no sweat.
 
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Wes Harden said:
Brakes are the biggest difference. 1/2 vs 3/4. The 3/4 will will have bigger brakes. Not sure if your travel trailer has electric or surge brakes, at 3k. Wouldn't bet on U-Haul car trailers having working brakes.
Is 4x4 a requirement? 2wd big block 3/4 burb ride almost like a caddy and tow 12-14k no sweat.
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Its not a deal breaker but do like 4wd haha
 
I have both, I love the 3/4 ton. Rides better, imo, tows better, sits higher, and people just get out of the way.
 
Imho, all Suburbans should have been 3/4 ton. They ride just as good as a 1/2 ton. In fact, I actually prefer to run 8-leaf 1-ton springs in mine. Good load capacity, no saggy butt and they ride as good as 52's in a 1/2 ton.
 
I'm tempted to strip my 1/2 ton burb and throw an axle under my 3/4 ton! I like it that much! I have 8 lug hubs and what not already. Including fresh powder coated rims...it is mighty tempting.
 
USSkoval said:
Imho, all Suburbans should have been 3/4 ton. They ride just as good as a 1/2 ton. In fact, I actually prefer to run 8-leaf 1-ton springs in mine. Good load capacity, no saggy butt and they ride as good as 52's in a 1/2 ton.
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Need a "damn right" icon lol
 
83ChevyK5Blazer said:
100%, bigger brakes and bigger gears in the back. Find an older set of 3/4 tons and you get a 14ff, but a 9.5 sf is still better than a 10 bolt rear.
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Sounds. I was looking at front wilwoods for my jimmy could pick up a set for a burb too. When it comes to a 14ff what would I be looking for? Been running fords forever now learning chevys
 
chappys4life said:
I found a 91 gmc 1/2 ton. It is worth swapping 3/4 axles if I can work out a deal
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If you like the truck, absolutely. Front just needs 8 lug hubs and rotors. Theres a great how to in the Resources section. You'll need 16" wheels minimum.

Edit: found it.

6 Lug to 8 Lug Conversion

6 Lug to 8 Lug Conversion We all have read and seen the many many postings about upgrading our axles. All we hear about is the 14 bolt this and 14 bolt that. Well that’s all fine and dandy that we upgrade our rear axle to a 14 bolt, but what...
ck5.com ck5.com
 
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any 3/4, single rear wheel, 14 bolt full floater from 73 87 truck and up to 1991 burb, will bolt in. You might need to mod p brake cable connections, and update the master cylinder to match. * lug wheels will also be needed.
Semi floater 14bolt in 6 lug are out there, someone will know better the donors. They 9.5" ring gear and smaller rear brakes than the full floater.
this 91 1/2 ton a 4x4 ?
 
I have a 1992 K1500 Sub that I swapped axles and lifted. It has a 14 bolt ff in the rear and a 3/4 ton Ford D44 in front, with 4.88 gears. when I put the 14bolt in the rear, I converted it to disc brakes.
The 5.7 has been stoked and bored to 388 cu. in.
I get 9 mpg empty and 5 mpg towing my Blazer.
It’s a marginal towing rig. Even with the bump in hp, it’s barely enough

D0F0A8C4-EC4E-4670-A710-09C70F4F18BE.jpeg
 
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