Hauls everything except ass ;)
Yep, I dragged another vehicle home... Scroll down for comments...
Details:
1993 Chevy Suburban, Silverado Package - C2500 (3/4 Ton)
350ci Motor, 4L80E Transmission, TBI (0x85 Calibration for the curious)
Power Windows & Locks / Cruise / Tilt / Power Driver's Seat
Light Gray Cloth Interior
Rear Wheel Drive
Front Buckets, 2nd row Split Bench, 3rd Row Bench
Front and Rear A/C
Since this has Calibration Code 0x85 (1993 Heavy Duty 5.7L/4L80E), that means that TTS Datamaster version DM32x85 works with the truck. Once again, I get to use my favorite scanning software! (and yes, that did come in to play when deciding my vehicle type ;) ) Even though the truck is bone stock, I wanted to make sure that all sensors were operating properly. Sure enough, Datamaster allowed me to see that both the engine and tranny were throwing no codes, and I was able to watch all sensors and see that they were working fine. My first mod to the truck was a B&M 24kGVW Transmission Cooler (aka "Supercooler"). Watching the Transmission Data in TTS Datamaster, I saw that my tranny temperatures dropped approx 30 degrees F with the installation of this cooler! ~190 to ~160. That's good! Want to see my datalog? First, download TTS Datamaster version 85 from the link above. Then, download this file Right-click / Save-As and Unzip It. There will be 2 files in there, a before and after. Both have Engine and Transmission Data in them. Take a look at the tranny temperature.
Comments:
Trans was replaced 11k miles ago with a remanufactured unit. Motor runs strong, doesn't smoke, some oil on valve covers but the motor/trans is completely dry underneath. Running boards have been removed, they were both bent. Trailer wiring harness is crazy, Bubba got hold of this one. We'll leave it at that. ;) Everything works, truck runs very well.
Should be adequate for hauling my '98 Z to and from the track. Just needs a new hitch, as the one that's on it is only rated to 5000 lbs - and a Camaro plus trailer would tip in slightly over that.
I didn't realize how rare the 3/4 ton Suburban was (here in Texas, anyway) until I started looking for one. 1500's (half ton) are a dime a dozen. I paid right at KBB private party for this one, but I attribute that to the new battery, new alternator, newer tranny, newer A/C compressor, newer tires, and overall condition, which was mechanically great, cosmetically OK. Inside the console was $9.5k of oil change receipts, parts receipts, etc. The brakes, tranny, tires, wiper motor, PS pump & lines, plugs, wires, shocks, t'stat, brake booster, A/C system, etc were replaced or fixed by the previous owner - and the big items (tires, brakes, tranny) all within the last 12k miles. The previous owner obviously took care of the truck. He purchased it at 79k miles (for $15.7k, found that receipt too), it's got 143k on it now. There were two owners prior to him (at 25k miles it was sold). Carfax is great. ;)
There are a few door dings, couple of things I'd call small dents, but nothing that really detracts from the truck, other than the tweaked running boards.
Within 24 hrs of getting the truck, I changed the oil & tranny fluid / filters, and I reworked the alarm system (as in, made it work).
Not bad for under $6k. ;) It's paid for. But my first fillup of the tank was $50.00 - ouch! ;)
Update 2010 - I wrote this back in 2005. I only wish fill-ups were $50 these days. As of August 2010, they're about $85. Back in post-Katrina days, they were $125+. A thirsty 40 gallon Suburban tank can be a big mouth to feed at 13 mpg! It now has 210k miles on it, and has reached the point of local duty only (after replacing the wiper motor, the battery, and the fuel pump this summer... now the A/C fan blower motor has gone out). I don't really want to drive it much outside of town... I did get another car, but that's another story...