What vehicle to keep?

[K5-CJ5]

So guys, I have an 83 CC K30 with a 350, th400 np205 etc. Been a great truck no doubt. I recently have the opportunity to purchase a 2001 Chevy 2500hd 6.0 AT 4x4 etc from a family member. Trying to decide whether to sell the K30 and put that money towards the 2001 2500hd, or put a 454 etc into the K30 for my tow rig.

Also playing with the idea of a 6bt swap, if the cost is doable.

Any thoughts?

 

[Deuling]

Id keep the CC unless it needs lots of work.


Id trust the cc more, and easier and cheaper to fix.


I don't trust the tcases on those newer rigs, seen too many blow up.

 

[K5-CJ5]

Doesnt need much work. It has a new 350, new th400 new 14 bolt etc. Just need to do the paint, and interior, but its not bad, just from 1983.

If I keep it I will do a larger motor swap because the 350 doesnt have the power when towing.

Not sure how well the 2500hd will tow with the 6.0, but better than the 350. I would guess not as well as the 454, anyone who has experience with the two, let me know.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Experience towing with a camper and a trailer(3klbs) .

6.0 left something to be desired. The truck did seem high geared, but the power wasn't very inpressive. A lot of slow going up hills.

 

[Greg Ducato]

I had a 2005 3/4 ton Sierra 4x4 with a single cab, flatbed and 4.10 gears. It was not much of a tow machine and felt labored with a mid sized car on my aluminum car trailer. The trans would run quite warm towing at 65mph or so as well.I installed a cat back exhaust, K&N complete cold air and had a tune done but she was still kind of lame for towing, though it did pick up two miles per gallon. I traded it in 2007 for a Dodge Ram cab and chassis with 6.7 Cummins and 4.10 gears and never looked back...

 

[K5-CJ5]

I appreciate everyone's reply. Im leaning towards keeping the CC, and doing the 454 swap as I have acquired one that is fairly inexpensive. Should be easy to swap in, and the truck's vin is setup for a 350 or 454 so no smog issues here in cali. with the swap.

The 454 is a 98, but ill have to swap the injection for carb. in order to meet the cali smog laws without a headache. Carb, is not as nice as fuel injection but should do ok towing.....If not ill have to get the truck refereed by cali and deal with a bunch of crap.

How much difference towing will the carb, versus injection really make?

 

[Greg Ducato]

Could you get a stand alone system for the 98 EFI engine from Painless, Howell, etc? I think by the time you bought the intake, Carb, distributor, etc you may come out pretty close to the same $$

 

[K5-CJ5]

Possibly. Not sure if those systems are eo certified for smog, anyone know?