This weekend's adventure involved flying up to DC and driving back my new tow rig. A DC area racer had used it to tow his enclosed trailer, but he's too busy to race now, so is selling off his stuff.
It's a 2002 Silverado 2500HD with the 8.1 Vortec and the Allison 1000 trans. It's got a 4.10 rear end with a locker. 79K on the clock makes it the lowest mileage vehicle in my fleet. Crew Cab / Long Bed makes it the closest thing I've owned to a schoolbus. :)
Goliath (my 98 E350) has been serving me well, but this one was too good to pass up. Speaking of Goliath - he doesn't go on the $2009 forum, but he is listed in the classifieds.
So that means we need a new flippin' picture.
Oh man you got my truck...
How many nuts did you have to give for that?
Exactly what i'm looing for
44Dwarf wrote:
Oh man you got my truck...
How many nuts did you have to give for that?
Exactly what i'm looing for
$7,500.
Like I said - too good to pass up. Closest comp in the country was $11,500, and it had higher mileage. It's the right time to buy big.
tpwalsh
New Reader
8/31/09 8:55 a.m.
Dave,
Do you have documentation on the rear end? When I was looking at that truck(before I realized it wouldn't fit in my dinky driveway) I was quoted it was a 3.73 locker. I guess in the end it doesn't matter, it's a gas hog either way.. but it'll tow the titanic if you ask it.
We had a truck much like that as a test vehicle. We ran it in a TSD rally. It was quick off the line but, yes, much like driving a school bus. The five-speed was nice, too.
tpwalsh wrote:
Dave,
Do you have documentation on the rear end? When I was looking at that truck(before I realized it wouldn't fit in my dinky driveway) I was quoted it was a 3.73 locker. I guess in the end it doesn't matter, it's a gas hog either way.. but it'll tow the titanic if you ask it.
I ran the build sheet, and it said 4.10.
It is a gas hog, but roughly the same as the van. Got 12.5 mpg on the trip home, running 75-80 with the occasional need to bury the throttle to get in / out of traffic.
Fitting in the driveway is going to be an issue for me as well. I did have the WRX, the challenge vehicle, and the Van / trailer all on my side of the driveway, giving the wife drama free access to her side. With the extra length, I don't think it will all fit on my side anymore...
Nice find. I have been looking to get out of my Tundra and into a little more muscle for pulling the trailer. The 2500 is much more appealing to me than the F-250 for some reason.
Raze
Reader
8/31/09 10:51 a.m.
good god, that thing's bigger than my left nut!
Raze wrote:
good god, that thing's bigger than my left nut!
That don't make no sense. Do you have elephantitus of the testicles or something?
tpwalsh
New Reader
8/31/09 11:40 a.m.
In reply to Raze:
The thing is HUGE. I looked at it before Dave bought it, and only afterward realized that it would stick 2.5-3 feet into the street. I think it's 2.5x the length of my crx(27 feet if I remember correctly)
and the average garage is what, 20 feet deep?
Raze
Reader
8/31/09 12:37 p.m.
tpwalsh wrote:
In reply to Raze:
The thing is HUGE. I looked at it before Dave bought it, and only afterward realized that it would stick 2.5-3 feet into the street. I think it's 2.5x the length of my crx(27 feet if I remember correctly)
That's what I was gettin at, you must need 2 standard parking spaces to park it. I think you could fit my Ranger in the bed of that thing, it's disgusting(ly awesome)!
Per Schroeder
Technical Editor/Advertising Director
8/31/09 12:40 p.m.
When is that there rig driving through Kansas City?
You need to drag race Pat, he thinks his Avalanche with the 6.0L is fast.
Per Schroeder wrote:
When is that there rig driving through Kansas City?
Saturday noonish give or take. What is your schedule?
Per Schroeder
Technical Editor/Advertising Director
8/31/09 1:21 p.m.
After that. I'm coming in Sunday afternoon. Tom is planning on picking me up, but, well, I'm paranoid and I like a back-up.
Gotcha. We're doing the TNT Sunday morning, so we're looking at a Saturday afternoon arrival, which should give us time to set up the paddock and prep the car before too many beers are consumed.
That looks like a really clean truck, especially for the price. I just got a 2000 Silverado 2500, but mine has only the 6.0/4L80E combo. Probably a bit better MPG empty, but probably the same/worse when towing. Those 496's are beasts. Nice truck
Dat's big. I drove a similar vehicle (not mine, just borrowed) several years ago and parking was a big problem. You either had to park way out back and sideways or use two complete spots and drive through which left you going the wrong way down the aisle when you left.
Do you need a CDL or Maritime Captains lincense to pilot that thing?
Does the Harbour Pilot meet you to steer it into the paddock?
I'm here all week, please remember to tip your waitress.
Wow, that is nice.. We got a 2001 F-350 a couple of years ago..it drives about 25 miles a day, plus the race weekends. It has 69k on it, and obvioulsy runs like a champ, the last of the 7.3litre. With the trailer, the whole rig is about 40+ feet. The first time I towed a trailer with it, I turned to tight and almost took out a stop sign. It's fast too. and gets about 16mpg, 11mpg when towing