87GMCJimmy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Location
- Mint Hill, NC
They are comfy, quiet (AFAIK the quietest of the big 3 diesels), reliable, and tow great! They are Chevy (or GMC) so, the Z71 sticker won't be out of place. What's not to love? Other than price of course but, if ya look around enough, there are deals to be found.
I understand being attached to a truck but, there comes a point when you need to cut your losses and switch to something that will get the job done!
The 1500 is gonna break down towing that much Jeep, that's too much weight. Assuming 6000lbs for the Jeep, and a pretty lightweight trailer at 2000lbs, that adds up to 8000lbs. IIRC, the towing capacity for a K1500 ext shortbed (I think that's what you have?) is at most 7500lbs so, you'd be 500lb over the limit. That's also assuming it's just you (no gear) in the pickup so that you are not going even further over the GCWR of the truck. Add extra power from a turbo into that mix and you have a recipe for disaster!
Okay, lets talk Cummins swap. First off, it's gonna be pricey and there are going to be a lot of little (and big) reliabililty gremlins to chase down with this complicated of a swap. But, it would be sweet. But, you are going to have to swap engine, trans, t-case, rear axle, and frontend (no way a stock 1500 IFS is gonna handle that weight). Even then, you are still stuck with a 1500 frame! Not gona work. So, then you'll wanna beef the frame, say ya fully box it, add crossmembers, custom mounts for the springs etc. WOW, that's a lot of work but, hey, it'd be cool in the end. But then, you have a WAY heavier vehicle than stock, weighing and towing more than it is rated at. If you get into an accident towing grossly over the original GCWR of the vehicle you are screwed. So, how to solvce it? Get the DOT to inspect and uprate your capacity. Okay so, tons more work to get it to where they would actually approve it and a ton of paperwork too, fun! NOT!
I know you are opposed to the idea of a new rig but, it will save you A LOT of headaches to bite the bullet and get something!
I understand being attached to a truck but, there comes a point when you need to cut your losses and switch to something that will get the job done!
The 1500 is gonna break down towing that much Jeep, that's too much weight. Assuming 6000lbs for the Jeep, and a pretty lightweight trailer at 2000lbs, that adds up to 8000lbs. IIRC, the towing capacity for a K1500 ext shortbed (I think that's what you have?) is at most 7500lbs so, you'd be 500lb over the limit. That's also assuming it's just you (no gear) in the pickup so that you are not going even further over the GCWR of the truck. Add extra power from a turbo into that mix and you have a recipe for disaster!
Okay, lets talk Cummins swap. First off, it's gonna be pricey and there are going to be a lot of little (and big) reliabililty gremlins to chase down with this complicated of a swap. But, it would be sweet. But, you are going to have to swap engine, trans, t-case, rear axle, and frontend (no way a stock 1500 IFS is gonna handle that weight). Even then, you are still stuck with a 1500 frame! Not gona work. So, then you'll wanna beef the frame, say ya fully box it, add crossmembers, custom mounts for the springs etc. WOW, that's a lot of work but, hey, it'd be cool in the end. But then, you have a WAY heavier vehicle than stock, weighing and towing more than it is rated at. If you get into an accident towing grossly over the original GCWR of the vehicle you are screwed. So, how to solvce it? Get the DOT to inspect and uprate your capacity. Okay so, tons more work to get it to where they would actually approve it and a ton of paperwork too, fun! NOT!
I know you are opposed to the idea of a new rig but, it will save you A LOT of headaches to bite the bullet and get something!
:Rockon:
. Like I said, was just messin around cause I consider pretty much everyone on here a friend, we're all here to help each other out, and wheel a little bit in between being broke down or building rigs