engine size and fuel economy

[zibzer]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

Just an FYI the 4.3's and 5.7's run the same transmissions, depending on the year either 700R4's or 4L60E's. So in respect to the above comment, the only way that you are possibly going to "add stress" would be if the lack of power in the 4.3 is causing the tranny to hunt between gears and heat up. Otherwise the 4.3 doesn't stand a chance of overstressing that tranny.

yes this is obvious......

like i said before, ive towed lots, and have driven many chevy trucks and know these 4l60e trannys very well. I have personally owned 3 vehicles with the 4l60e and driven countless others.

 

[2broke4this]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

Just another thought:

When I was looking for a tow vehicle for my 21 footer, I looked at quite a few trucks and SUVs before I ended up with my 97 GMC Savana 2500. I'm in a similar situation, the van sits unused unless it's towing the boat (or a uhaul, as it has done recently) or hauling lumber or whatever other huge thing I need to move. It has a Vortec 350 in it, 3.73 gears, and the 4l80e (heavier duty) transmission. As others have mentioned, I replaced the transmission cooler right after I got it (and quite a few other things), but at this point it's set up to tow pretty much anything I throw at it. It gets between 14 and 15 mpg in regular use, and I got just under 12 mpg on the last trip towing.

Two major reasons I went with the van: You can get them dirt cheap (even cheaper than a truck). You can haul an AMAZING amount of stuff inside! A 12 foot 2x4 fits inside, with the back doors closed. It's ridiculous.

The one change I would make (and might when the rear end finally goes out) would be to be sure to get one with limited-slip. I've only had a little trouble on one really steep ramp, and it was solved by having people move toward the front of the boat. Mine was a former wheelchair van, so the rear suspension was beefed up like crazy and it hase massive brakes, so other vans may not do as well as mine, but it's something to look into. I traded my 1993 Olds 98 for it. Straight up.

Whatever you do, make sure you get something you can live with and can feel comfortable driving while you are towing your boat to whatever destination you choose. You don't want to be grouchy when you get to the lake! The van can seat 8 with room to spare for coolers, gear, or whatever else you want to bring along.

Anyway, good luck in your search!

-Carl

 

[Chad D]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

yea I was thinking about a van so I could haul more people to me but the only concern is how hard is it to work on a van when someting goes wrong. do you have a lot of access to the engine when you take the cowling off on the inside?

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

4.3's suck i had one in an 95 silverado and hated it, got worse mpg than my 350CI truck and half the power, i will never buy another even light towing in any kind of hills it will struggle at freeway speeds.

shortest and best coment in thread
100% correct

 

[reelfishin]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

I used to have a 1986 F150 with a 300 straight six and a 4 speed manual trans with overdrive and it towed just about anything I ever hung on the back with no real effort. I regretted selling that truck many times over. Mileage wasn't bad but not great at about 18 overall and maybe 14-15 towing a 4200lb trailer. I've been looking for another one ever since with no luck.

Look at torque ratings as much as horsepower, it's the torque you need when towing and launching a boat.

I use a Ranger 4 cylinder now, it gets about 18 mpg towing and 26 - 27 mpg unloaded.

The 98 to 2003 GM trucks with the 4.7L V8 do pretty good on gas too, I've used one of them off and on and was pretty surprised at how well it did on gas.

I had several Ford 302 trucks, all were in the 11 to 13 mpg range at best without a trailer.

I wouldn't recommend the newer Ford V6 for towing, it's a pretty light duty motor which has numerous concerns.

The older GM I6 motors from the early 80's were hard on gas, I had a 250Ci in a 1986 C10 and it only got about 15 mpg on a good day unloaded even when new.

 

[Ezrider_92356]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

here are my recommendations for your senerio

1. 88-95 chevy 1500 with a 350 (its pre vortec so less power but very reliable good fuel economy fuel injected still has plenty of grunt, the pre 95's with the older style interior tend to go pretty cheep)
2. ford f150 with a 302 or I6 (86-96) don't expect great millage out of eather the I6 is slightly better though good power 302 will be fuel injected. pre-97's are the older body style and sell for less, 86's will be the even older body style but still get fuel injection on the 302)
3. dodge ram 1500 (with high fuel prices everyone is offloading them cheep, they have decent power but realy suck down the fuel 318 or 360)

 

[2broke4this]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

Sorry, got distracted.

With the engine cowling off, the engine isn't absolutely terrible to get to, but it's definitely not as easy as working on a regular truck. It could be much worse. So far, that hasn't been a major issue for me, because I haven't had to do anything too major since I caught up on the maintenance when I got it. I need to go find some wood to knock on, real quick!

Something to keep in mind: If you end up with a conversion van, take into account the extra weight added by the conversion package and subtract it from its towing capacity. My van is just a stripped down passenger van, so that wasn't an issue for me.

Again, good luck!

-Carl

 

[Chad D]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

hey thanks for all the replys I didn't think I would get so many post. its been very helpfull. for any of you who didn't know I am fairly young and still in school but I work full time and have not had a lot of time to look at trucks however the semester is over and will try and pick something up by this weekend. gas just jumped $.20 here so I think that will work to my advantage and hopefully get something a little cheeper..... btw how were the transmitions in the old dodge trucks from the late 80's early 90's. I have not been a fan of them in the lighter duty vehicles. ( had a lebaron in high school that the transmition fell apart at 113k miles.)

 

[Chad D]

Re: engine size and fuel economy

so I finnaly got a truck and I think I have thrown fuel economy compleatly out the window and went with something I like. I have always loved the look of the old chevys and I found a 77 with a 350 it was in exelent shape. it only has a couple of rust spots and 126k miles. the best part it was only a $1000 I know that seems like a lot for that old of a truck but its in great shape and worth it. (good canidate for restoration for a show/towing truck)