What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Update - BURB IN DRIVEWAY!!! Pics added!

I agree. My Yukon (3.42 gears, 285 BFGs) is getting about 15mpg average, and it SUCKS for towing anything more than an empty lawnmower trailer. I towed a 10ft trailer with a D60 rear in it for about 4 hours, and it lacks for power so bad that the torque converter would not lock up in OD. The total weight of the trailer and axle couldn't be more than 2000lbs, and it was a total pain in the ass to drive it home.
 
In terms of towing performance, i'm only looking to match my 94 blazer with the 350tbi. I know the 2500 will handle the weight a lot better.

In terms of gas mileage, i really just want to be SURE i can get 15+ on the freeway doing 70-75mph on long trips. I'm not saying i dont' belive teh numbers you are giving me (yellowk20), i just have seen most ppl getting about 14 on teh highway on a good day.

I realize i'm only talking a mpg or 2.......but it all adds up for a broke student on long trips.

I've heard of multiple ppl getting 15-17 out of the 454, but with 4.10's, most ppl seem to be in teh 12-14 range....and that makes me nervous.

If i am convinced i can get 15-16 on teh highway, i'm willing to get teh 454 4.10's truck and swap to 3.73's.

When i drove that truck, it was spinning around 2450rpm at 70mph....where my truck only spins 2000rpm at 70 wiht the 350 and 3.73's

true it wasn't probably under the same load......but yah, just sorta shocked at the higher rpm. Guess thats really the 4.10's talking.

And now im rambling....

Thanks for all your continued input guys!
 
Well a 350 powered burb with 4.10's is gonna turn the same rpm as a Bigblock with 4.10's so what you need to find is a 3/4 ton burb with 3.73's or run taller tires. if you want 15-16 mpg or more you might want to think about a later model Tahoe with a 350 a burb is big and heavy vehicle and gets the mileage to match it
 
I'm thinking again about buying this 454 burb and swapping 3.73's into it....its only got 48k miles on it, and looks like a new truck.

I'm ok wiht like 15, 16 on rare occasions......but really, my whole reason to get a burb is to get a 3/4 ton.....getting a tahoe buys me the same set of problems i've had wiht my truck, and the last 2 1/2 tons we've had.

THanks for continuing this discussion man!

EDIT: I first typed 4.10's instead of 3.73's......i want to put in 3.73's
 
Last edited:
No problem , just want you to make an informed purchase :D I love my 454 Burb'
 
Thanks man, i really appreciate it.

BTW, never got to mention how sweet your burb is. I love white...thats what my current truck is, and thats what the truck im looking at is.

My parents are talking about letting me keep my truck for a while if i decide to purchase this, as long as i pay the expenses - guess they're starting to realize just how emotionally attached i am.

In my previous post, i meant to say i would swap out the 4.10's for 3.73's, especially if my parents would help pay for the swap in teh name of fuel savings. Yah, i know a 1 step change in gears isn't normally worth it....but it may be in this case.

Talked to a guy in traffic on the way home wiht a 454 and 3.73's, and hes getting about 15mpg - Just like you. I figure your 4.10's wiht 35's ends up being about the same drive ratio as he had wiht 3.73's and like 32's.

Now that i can probably keep my current truck for like $500 a year, i just may have a 454 burb like yours in the next week or so :)

We'll see what happens after i mull this over for the next couple days. Damn i feel indecisive....i never am about other things. But i guess this is super important to me.

Which brings me to a bumper sticker i like:

"Women come and go, but you can depend on a truck"
 
Hey, off topic, but how did you correct for your 35's on your speedo/odometer?

I'd consider running 265/75's or 285/75's if it wasn't too hard to correct for.
I think you can correct with a programer on teh OBDII, but forget. Thanks!
 
to be honest it was dead on when I got the truck I'm not sure how it was corrected but its right!!
 
I'm runnin 285s right now, and mine's only off by about 2mph, if that. For stock (basically) size tires, you won't really need correction.
 
Ok, so once agian, you guys were dead on.

I drove a 99 2500 burb (131k miles - ouch), 350, with 4.10's.

It was a turd. Sure the mileage didn't help, but with the 4.10's in its favor, it was still a dog.

Why would this burb only run like 2150 or 2200 rpms at 70mph? Stock 245's.

So now, if i want a 2500 burb, this one i've been eyeing wiht low mileage and 454/4.10's is the one. Just gotta decide if i can deal with the gas mileage, and be willing to part with my truck.

I'm gonna mull it over some more, thanks for your patience and continued interest guys!
 
What about swapping an airbag system into your truck? i have no clue how you would actually do it but it seems doable with a donor truck to rob the parts from
 
Does seem doable, with lots of work.....but how would you ever know if it worked right?

Right now, the plan i think is to drive mine until somethign major needs work, then get something else.
I don't have the time/money to hassle with a swap like that.

The more i think about it, i really want a 3/4 ton burb, but if i have to get a 454, im really gonna take a hit when it comes to gas. As much as i really want to get it, it doesn't make sense rite now.

So far, everything i've had to do with my truck, my 1/2 ton has been up to the challenge. Yes, i'd like somethign that tows a little better, and is more durable......but at this expense it seems like it might not be worth it.

Originally when i looked a this truck, the idea was to swap the gears/motor, and get decent gas mileage. I guess i just let myself get really far away from that, into considering a 454 wiht 4.10's.

Thanks for all your help man, i really appreciate it....just seems like getting a 1/2 ton tahoe when mine craps out is probably a more economic bet.
 
When I was 16 my parents gave me their 88' 2500 350/4spd. It seemed to have a lot of power until you hooked onto a trailer,but the more I drove it the less power it seemed to have. I even put headers and a custom dual exhaust on it. After about 9mo I decided I needed a new truck. So I found a a 97' 2500 Vortec 454/5spd. It was the greatest thing I though. It got about 15-17mpg and ran like a scalded dog :D and pulled relatively good considering I was usurally pulling 15K or more. I drove it for about 2yrs when the milege really started to take a dump {around 135K} It got where it was getting 11mpg and my mechanic couldn't figure it out. I contimued to drive it for another year and decited I needed more power and better milege,so I bought an 01' 2500HD Duramax/6spd :D. It seemed to be the most powerfull think I had ever driven {my dad had one too} and the milege was great. 20+mpg if I drove it sensibly {which I don't}. After about 6mo it didn't seem to have the power it could so I bought a 200hp chip. Now I have adequate power {475rwhp :D } .Looking back on it the 454 powered 2500 is the best way to go if you're not towing like I do and want decent milege. If you need more power you can always get a Whipple Charger :D . I want to get another Vortec 454/5spd supercharger it just for a play toy.
 
Ok, so my tranny is basically dead (still rolling but horrible noises and slippage), and im back making an offer on a burb.

Guess you guys really did have an impact on me, just took me some time.

I'm working on getting a guy down to a reasonable price on a 1997 2500 Burb, white/grey LT, 454/4.10's, trim removed, 285's on aluminum rims, dual exhaust. Clean Truck. Now if i can get him to take bluebook for it (which is already absurd for a truck no one wants in this day and age).

Anyways, im making progress!


Here's a pic i took to show my parents when i looked at it:
attachment.php


IMG_2916.JPG
 
my gf. Really rare oppertunity to see her willing to be in a picture!
 
NICE BURB !!! I just stripped my my emblems off looks way cleaner
 
Really? if i got it, i;d kinda want to put them back on . Yes, it looks cleaner, but then i think how many door dings i would have without my current ones.

This truck is too clean and straight to let get all dinged up.

If i didn't always have to park on campus or in tight parking lots though, i'd totally leave them off - it defintiely looks sweet that way.
 
Ok, made an ok deal pending inspection, and its getting inspected on monday. Stand by for an update then!

Now my mind is running, whats teh stereo speakers wired up like in that thing?

Are there seperate channels for front/rear doors and ceiling?

All goes well i'll be a member of the SUB FOURM next week!!!!
 
Driving down to hopefully complete the deal tonite....may be a member of the CK5 Sub Culture by midnight!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom