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

[thedog52]

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]

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.

 

[thedog52]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[gmbellew]

best rpm calculator is http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

[Ricko1966]

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]

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]

Everything works! Im now just thinking this is how these old burbs were. Maybe im just getting a little HP crazy.....

 

[Sgt Gus]

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]

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.