87 2500 4x4 truck build

[Jack135]

I have a 1987 2500 4x4 that I'm restoring.
I have a 350 motor, 400 turbo transmission and a 4:10 rearend.
I'm using this truck for a farm truck and a daily driver.
Will the truck to be able to pull a 5th wheel.
Will this be able to pull a load of hay without a problem?
Also as far as driving it to town or camping will it go 70mph?
Any idea of fuel mileage?

 

[1973c10]

Welcome aboard

 

[77 K20]

You have a good rear end ratio for pulling.

Depends on the weight of the 5th wheel.

Not advisable towing at 70 mph. Better to slow down as trailer tires usually aren't happy at speed (speed equals heat, then blowout).

It *could* probably tow at 70 mph but then your fuel economy will greatly suffer.

 

[Grit dog]

Welcome!
Depends how much snort the 350 has. Every thing else is the best of 70s/80s towing technology! Lol
Actually I forgot how solid my 86 towed. Stock 454 Vortec with a carb. Runs good but nothing special. same trans and gears on 35s half wore out.
Stock size tires will pull even better.
I could pull a 6000lb boat trailer at highway speeds easily. Idk how pulling a grade would be. It certainly would slow it down a bit. For frame of reference.
With my tires 70mph is 2900rpms.

 

[Grit dog]

Ya 70 with a big trailer is a lot to ask out of an old truck. Also a 5mpg adventure, lol.
As cool as they are, if I’m going to be ripping the hitches off of 5th wheel campers and hay wagons, I’d want any number of newer trucks that are bigger, heavier, more capable, more comfortable and more power. Occasional farm work or pulling to the local campground different story.

 

[Jack135]

I will only pull hay about 20 miles and my camper about 40 miles each way. Local stuff
Thanks for explaining the 70mph towing.
Although I'm not going to tow 70mph would it be better to go the 350 fuel injection route.

 

[Babs]

 

[Bextreme04]

I will only pull hay about 20 miles and my camper about 40 miles each way. Local stuff
Thanks for explaining the 70mph towing.
Although I'm not going to tow 70mph would it be better to go the 350 fuel injection route.

An '87 350 should already be TBI, right?

My truck is almost identical engine/trans/rear end ratio.

65mph is about it... it's wound out at that speed. I have a 5th wheel attachment in the bed and have pulled a trailer with it, it basically feels like there's nothing there. The power is low so it hates mountains, but flat land it has no problem at all.

My engine has some mechanical issues and is old and worn out carb'd... I average somewhere in the 6-10mpg range around town and highway. Truck weighs almost exactly 6,000lbs with me in it and full of fuel.

 

[Jack135]

Thanks for the info
What is TBI
Also what shocks would you recommend for a smoother ride

 

[Slybeanx]

Thanks for the info
What is TBI
Also what shocks would you recommend for a smoother ride

Throttle body injection. You should have 1 or 2 injectors in your throttle body.

I like my KYB shocks on my lowered C10, for a heavier burb it might differ.

 

[Bextreme04]

Thanks for the info
What is TBI
Also what shocks would you recommend for a smoother ride

Throttle body injection... basically you have the first year of fuel injected motors in a square body chevy.

Shocks will not make a 3/4 ton leaf spring truck ride soft. The softest(and most expensive) springs would be Deaver or ORD custom springs. Tuff Country EZ-ride springs are generally considered the softest budget springs you can get. Good quality shocks will help with bounce, but not softness.

 

[Jack135]

Thanks