Can't decide what to do. Suggestions? Thoughts?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

thedog52

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Posts
12
Reaction score
26
Location
Tuttle, OK
First Name
Reece
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban 2500
Engine Size
350
Yes, I throw it in drive and go. I usually only tow my single axle trailer and my kingquad. So nothing major. It is just so freaking slow it drives me nuts
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,601
Reaction score
9,120
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Yes, I throw it in drive and go. I usually only tow my single axle trailer and my kingquad. So nothing major. It is just so freaking slow it drives me nuts
Before changing gears try towing in 3rd that's going to bring your rpms up just like gears would,but you'll still have O.D. when not towing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WFO

thedog52

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Posts
12
Reaction score
26
Location
Tuttle, OK
First Name
Reece
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban 2500
Engine Size
350
In 3rd it sounds like it is screaming. It'll drop down on a grade and it sounds like it is around 3k or more and thats only driving at like 60.
 

gmbellew

Full Access Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Posts
1,239
Reaction score
1,327
Location
Kansas city
First Name
glen
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
suburban 1500
Engine Size
350
when's the last time you had a tune up - plugs, wires, cap, rotor? could be the ignition system needs to be freshened up.

I have a v1500, 350, 4l60 that sits on tires that are also about 32in. it motors down the highway fine at 75mph, but isn't winning any land speed races. downshifing on hills is expected, and not that different than my 2004 suburban. the biggest nemesis on the highway is wind. driving in high winds (central ks, Oklahoma, etc) just kills it way more than it does a more aerodynamic vehicle with a modern drive train.

I use D around town, and OD only on the highway steady above 55mph. I don't tow much, but when I do, it is D only and you definitely have to adjust your expectations on speed....ain't no 75mph towing going on...
 

thedog52

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Posts
12
Reaction score
26
Location
Tuttle, OK
First Name
Reece
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban 2500
Engine Size
350
I see you are from Kansas. Yes the wind is insane on some days. We drove it to Florida last year, I did fuel filter, cap, rotor, and a bunch of other stuff then. I did the calculator and it shows in 3rd itll be spinning 2800 at 70. Thats really not too bad. Idk man, here lately it has just been miserable to drive. I plan on checking compression and fuel pressure this week to see if the engine is still healthy. Go from there.
 

gmbellew

Full Access Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Posts
1,239
Reaction score
1,327
Location
Kansas city
First Name
glen
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
suburban 1500
Engine Size
350
if I ever find a pot of buried money, I'd regear to 4.56. or the cheaper solution is to go back to stock height and tire size

but if things have changed for the worse, I'd do what you said about checking compression and then look at the tune up parts, or check compression while you just do the tuneup parts. or at least check them. I've had wires that intermittently don't fire. put a timing light on all of them and make sure they are all firing.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,601
Reaction score
9,120
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
In 3rd it sounds like it is screaming. It'll drop down on a grade and it sounds like it is around 3k or more and thats only driving at like 60.
And that's what it will be like with steeper gears,unless you just go to 4.10 which wouldn't be enough change to warrant the cost
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,090
Reaction score
12,473
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
In 3rd it sounds like it is screaming. It'll drop down on a grade and it sounds like it is around 3k or more and thats only driving at like 60.
That’s what it’s supposed to do. Although if it’s that much of a dog I can’t imagine it doesn’t just downshift all the time by itself. Is your kick down working?
If not, I still wouldn’t tow much more than a row boat in OD with an old truck and not much hp.
 

thedog52

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Posts
12
Reaction score
26
Location
Tuttle, OK
First Name
Reece
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban 2500
Engine Size
350
Everything works! Im now just thinking this is how these old burbs were. Maybe im just getting a little HP crazy.....:cool:
 

Sgt Gus

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Posts
318
Reaction score
474
Location
Texas
First Name
Mark
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
R20 3/4 ton
Engine Size
454ci/7.4L
I appreciate all your responses. I did some research, I believe the burb has either 3.64 or 3.73 rear gear, which means its chugging along at 70mph around 1900 rpm. No wonder it cant tow worth crap. Im now considering changing out gears first and see what that does
Our 3/4 ton, 454, th400 trans has 3.42 diff
 

Craig Nedrow

NADAR UNDER THE RADAR
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Posts
1,103
Reaction score
2,360
Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Diffidently do a compression test, it will tell a bunch. Fixing heads is not going to fix a flat cam etc, just did this, heads no workie with cam flat, expensive time consuming etc.
 

thedog52

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Posts
12
Reaction score
26
Location
Tuttle, OK
First Name
Reece
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
Suburban 2500
Engine Size
350
Fellas, I have made a decision. I plan on purchasing a wrecked Tesla and swapping the drivetrain out of it and......just kidding. Dont shoot.

Honestly though, ive decided I am going to drop the money for an ATK 383 TBI replacement. They are inexpensive, make plenty of torque, and drop right in. Harris tuning said burning the chip is easy. While doing all that, I also plan to put the Y pipe in like he suggest. I think this is the best option.
 

Sgt Gus

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2023
Posts
318
Reaction score
474
Location
Texas
First Name
Mark
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
R20 3/4 ton
Engine Size
454ci/7.4L
Fellas, I have made a decision. I plan on purchasing a wrecked Tesla and swapping the drivetrain out of it and......just kidding. Dont shoot.

Honestly though, ive decided I am going to drop the money for an ATK 383 TBI replacement. They are inexpensive, make plenty of torque, and drop right in. Harris tuning said burning the chip is easy. While doing all that, I also plan to put the Y pipe in like he suggest. I think this is the best option.
Where from? Just the long block? Seen with and without tbi etc.
 

HotWheelsBurban

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2023
Posts
2,512
Reaction score
6,000
Location
Houston, Texas
First Name
Carol
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
R2500 Suburban
Engine Size
350
I appreciate all your responses. I did some research, I believe the burb has either 3.64 or 3.73 rear gear, which means its chugging along at 70mph around 1900 rpm. No wonder it cant tow worth crap. Im now considering changing out gears first and see what that does
That sounds like my OBS 350 trucks. Burb is half ton with 3.42 rear axle and overdrive. Turns around 1700-1800 RPM at 70 indicated on the speedo. Big truck has 4.10 in a 14 bolt FF, and the 4L80E. Does about the same, and the engine is happy in both cases. Burb tows in D because 4L60E....
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,416
Posts
957,118
Members
36,753
Latest member
TheRigLivesOn
Top