lookin for a pickup for tow reasons ( good light dbl axle car trailer with a 3500 lb load max approx - so maybe around 4500-5000 lb total tow weight ) but also playing with the idea of a wagon if it would tow that amount safely ( and maybe be a ton better on gas when not towing ) . the back is gonna hold quite alot thats for sure . i'm just thinking that a full frame , good sbc 350 , good trans and some wheelbase could work ok . i'm pretty sure i've seen those haulin some pretty good loads . thanks for any info . del
that roadmaster tranny will not hold up to towing. I have a pile of them at the shop. if you do get a wagon, have the tranny gone through immediately, or carry a spare in the back....
good to know . think thats got the 700 trans . was gonna call a local good hitch installation place and ask them about that , guess i will also be calling jerry and mark , a couple good tranny people ( dif shops ) also . the www.uhaul.com site listed that combo as being ok to tow with for that general size load . hey - i shoulda' put this thread into the "choo-choo" section - too late at night i guess . del
I have towed everything for the last 3 years with my 92 Roadmaster Wagon with no issues. I did go through the trans per the recommendations of the guys at B & M, upgraded some hard parts, converter, shift kit, deep pan and cooler to drop the fluid temp. with a load. Worked like a charm and wasn't hideously expensive, either. Other than a radiator problem on a trip to Idaho I have been all over with no troubles. 100,000 mile anniversary is coming up in about 2000 miles. Biggest thing I had on the trailer was a 1972 Sportwagon which is about as much weight as I would put on it. Its a fine tow vehicle with a little trans prep. No different than the 700R4 and 4l60e issues in general. Its an overdrive automatic, after all. Good luck!
Make sure you get one with the towing package. It has deeper gears (2.93 I've heard) for towing. Don't forget a good reciever style hitch, load bars and sway control.
checked vin# info today with our gm store - 350 sbc naturally , hd cooling , hd brakes and susp , load level system , eng and oil coolers , 2:93 posi , 4l60e trans , federal emissions and trailer tow pkg . solid car , sounds ok , starts ok , ac works , most of the little stuff works . a little rust on lower left qtr , good underneath , 138,000 miles . have not driven yet - no plates . the usual wood grain peel and a couple minor dings . leather interior need a good cleaning and driver door panel loose ? electric mirror mirror switch is suspect and rear end sat up kinda high and did not think to check air suspension system . did not know it had it until i saw vin info this am . asking $2350.00 . i should check e-bay to compare $$ i think . any info / tips appreciated . thanks . del
Del, Check ebay. There is almost always a couple wagons listed by a guy that sells nothing but the mid-90's wagons out of Auburn(I think,might be Geneva). The wood grain should peel of with help from a hair dryer. -Steve
i think i saw the listing for the guy that sells a bunch of those wagons . this one i'm lookin at - guys price looked ok but not great according to what i saw on e-bay . have to call him . my body shop guy said the wood grain thing is a total pain in the ass . it'll be a "driver" anyway if i go in that direction . del
