so many choices... price looks right on the used Chevy's... what do you think about this? not a duramax, but...

$16,995
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd
Mileage: 19,152
VIN#: 1GCHC29K87E586597
Transmission: AUTO 6SPD
Engine: 6.0L V8
Exterior: White

Thats not a bad price at all!

Wow I didn't know they were that cheap. Nice low mileage, too!

I'm sure there are some diesels from like 05 and 06 that are under 20K as well.. not that you NEED a diesel over a 6.0L V8, but just saying..

Might be worth checking out if the towing capacity is significant.

The gas V8 is no slouch, 353 hp and 373 lb/ft, it's a great tow vehicle. The diesel would be only worth it if you wanted to tow a large heavy closed trailer and you plan on driving lots of miles. 2007 they improved the interior quite a bit, prior to that it was junk even by American standards.

True about the interior on the earlier models.. it was really plain. My friend has a 05 or 06 Diesel, granted he has work done to it but I think he's making close to 600TQ.. its insane

The diesel makes 660 lb/ft stock, with mods it can be pushed beyond 1000 lb/ft. But this is a tow vehicle not a drag truck :)

^at the wheel? I thought he was making that at the crank..

Yes, 660 lb/ft is the stock number at the crank.

Diesel is nice if you have lots of hills/mountains that you have to go over. I have a v10 and enjoy it, but when the hills come, I always look back and wonder if I should have bought a diesel. They are more though.

The chevy price seems pretty good for the mileage. I guess it is that cheap since it is 2wd.

2wd is preferable as a tow vehicle right? fyi I suspect I will rarely if ever be driving off road or in snow/ice with this truck

tundra
 

URL url for my claim: 2007 Toyota Tundra Rear Axle - 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

Just extra dead weight if you don't have opportunity to use it.

I think his was the model series before that one cause it was a few years ago.. i thought there was a new motor introduced..


either way, i don't want to get off topic too much.. either way these are all some good choices for a tow vehicle.

Travis: this vehicle is what I was testing before I departed. It is built to tow. It will do what you want with no complaints. Only issue: gas hog. If it is not your DD, no worries.

GM Duramax injectors: $1000 each. Don't go GM diesel unless you tow 10,000 sq. ft. houses across the country every day! ;-)

ahh, so that's the one... if I get one, will have to go through the fuel system and check out your work!

appreciate everyone's input... will revisit this when timing gets a little closer to purchase

No need for 4x4 (which is not truly 4x4 anyway.) Maybe get a Detroit locker instead of the L/S diff. With the Detroit, you will split the torque to both axles 50/50% through gears. GM L/S uses friction plates to transfer power--you may have too much or too little torque to the axle shafts at any given moment, and L/S diffs wear out, leaving you with "open" diff (all power goes to the axle with least traction). The Detroit will keep you going no matter what you encounter, and distribute the load evenly, giving you durability over L/S.

LOL "...the one..."??? Actually, I also worked on the C5/6, Holden/G8, Saturn LS, and so many others they blur. Shame the DPG is history--razed for housing. Best one to check out my work is the Saturn: drill holes in the exhaust to heat the fuel tank to 1200*F; fail one spark plug so that raw fuel is burning in the entire exhaust system; wear no asbestos; run South Mountain Park at the pace you run PIR (slight exaggeration); did I mention towing a small trailer? Oh...and the little diffuser for the fuel pump to prevent cavitating during higher-than-civilian g-forces

wow, that's quite a test...

off to watch some football!

I don't think 2wd or 4wd makes a difference unless you have other uses for the vehicle. My tow vehicle becomes the winter snow vehicle so I have 4x4, otherwise it would sit for 5 months.

mine will double as occasional family hauler, household utility truck, that's about it...

So how well should one of the F150 4x4s with the 300hp/365lb-ft 5.4L handle towing a Z?

Maybe later this year or sometime next year I want to pick up an extended cab pickup, and would like for it to be able to handle towing the Z with relative ease.

Travis, what kind of trailer do you plan on getting? If you're planning on an open single car trailer you should be able to keep your car/trailer weight around 5000 lbs., which a 1/2 ton would handle just fine. A HD P/U would be overkill IMO unless you plan on getting an enclosed trailer and/or pulling anything else heavier down the road.

Oh yeah, +1 on the tranny cooler recommendation.

Travis.. the Tundra is an awesome truck..

In fact.. Kyle@STILLEN is looking at getting rid of his to get into a 370Z.. perhaps you should hit him up.. It's meticulously maintained.. has a mild lift, a super clean system in it, some N-Fab's, and wheels and tires.

Only pictures I can think of right this second are in an ad we did:

STILLEN Truckin' Advertisement - Issue 35-6

Look for the Toyota page..

Just a thought..

Schrute, I think initially would be an open trailer like this one Featherlite Trailers - Car Trailers - Bumper Pull Trailers - 3110 Car Hauler

... but I'm trying to heed advice that people have a tendency to upgrade trailers! I have a tendency to upgrade everything! so having a little extra capacity might not be a bad idea... if you disagree, please tell me more - big jump in fuel cost I guess, huh ?

the one on the bottom right of the page, right ? looks good from the pic... let him know that I might be interested... you guys have my email- thanks!

Yep.. I'll let him know.

interesting... lots of folks at this tundra forum recommending the 4.7L for towing loads in the 3-5K lbs range

4.7 L Towing what size trailer/load - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum
"I have an '03 Sequoia, previously owned an '06 Tundra, and now a 2007 5.7L Tundra.
I fell prey to the temptation of the incredibly powerful 5.7L, but to be honest, I miss the silky smoothness of the 4.7L, and my 5.7L has had problems (vibration).
Don't have 5.7L envy. It is a fine motor for a 1/2 ton pickup!
R/
Kevin"

That Featherlite is a nice looking trailer. Look for removeable or low-clearance fenders or be prepared to possibly have to climb in and out the car window when it's on the trailer (Dukes of Hazzard style LOL). Low-sitting car doors and trailer fenders don't like each other. Get the biggest wheels you can on the trailer (usually 15" or 16") and keep the bearings greased.

As far as 1/2 ton vs. HD P/U's, if there's a possibility that you'll be towing more down the road, then yeah HD may be the way to go. Otherwise the 1/2 ton is adequate for a light car and light trailer. Where you were originally considering a mid-size V6 the jump to a HD is a big one. With a HD you'll have a stiffer ride and yes depending on the truck a MPG penalty. Typically a higher buy-in cost as well for the HDs unless you find the right deal of course. I'm not knocking HDs, just a right tool for the job kind of guy I guess.

One more thing to keep in mind if you get a used truck that's lifted with bigger/heavier tires is that the lift and tires will impact your comfortable towing weight limit and mileage (I had 35" 80 lb. mud tires on my Titan and they looked fanstastic and took me anywhere I wanted to go off road but mileage was around 12 on the highway without a load and significantly less when towing). Stock height and tire sizes are the better bet for towing. That Stillen Tundra does look good though :)

Man this discussion has me missing my truck and wanting one again! Before the part out:

http://www.the370z.com/members/schru...7098-titan.jpg

Just remember when whatever you buy, you will be taking much more then just the car to the track. Think about all of the tools, coolers, camping equipment, jacks, extra set of wheels, food, cloths, etc. All of this adds up, so buy something that can haul all of that. I have a 24 foot trailer with 5200lb axles (10400 total). This allows me to tow my 1500lb car, and all of the extra crap (probably another 2-3k of stuff), plus the actual trailer itself (3k lbs). One day you might even want to put a golf cart in there (those weigh 1k lbs). My tow vehicle can haul 10k, and I guess I am around 7k. Better be safe then sorry.

I'm really starting to lean in the direction of 5.7L 4x4 Tundra... crew cab, reg bed... 2007-8 model... rated for 10K... having 2nd thoughts about 4x4, and all the great ways to spend time off road here, prob needed

get the 4x4... you can always use it in 2x4, but have the option in when needed :)

I agree. I just picked up a new F-150 Supercrew with 3.55's and it tows very nicely and rides like a damn car. My first Ford by the way. Next purchase is a Featherlite open trailer :tup:


Z06stan

"4x4"
 

If you are leaning toward "4x4," let's talk (PM, or private email). I am keying PM now. Thanks.

man this thread has drifted lol. stop talking about trucks and start talking about your awesome 370z track car travisjb! lol MOAR PICS!!! UPDATES!!! lol

Okay no more trucks! lol

Stopped by Junior's yesterday... couple updates

- we found a lot of little metal bits with no structural or functional purpose that will be removed / shaved down etc... hoping to get another 10-25 lbs from this process
- we decided to relocate the battery from the rear to the passenger seat area, should save a couple pounds of cable weight and get the battery closer to the CG
- fabricating a custom dead pedal and floor setup
- we're going to remove and discard all the uneeded steering column assembly and simply use the 3/4" column itself and a custom mount
- Forged Performance sent me the works bell adapater and hub
- 17" Longacre bar mount mirror from Summitt Racing has arrived
- Lou Fusz is chasing down the much needed wiring harness, and will be overnighting to me next week when it hits their shop
- replaced rear window with Lexan and it looks great IMO! I'm going to keep the stock rear glass and will swap back in for RTA modified class events, if I manage to get to one of those this year
- front splitter setup is almost done
- Aeromotions wing should be here week after next
- Have decided to ditch the Stillen CBE and go with a custom alum + carbon can setup... anyone want the Stillen CBE? local preferred... any input on which cans to go with?
- We are contemplating removal of the front headlights... input?

Pics will happen by late next week! Junior may post a few before then - up to him.

I would give Tony @ Fast Intentions a call and see if he can get you a couple of his CF cans.

Leaning in this direction...

HKS Universal Carbon-Ti Muffler (75MM Inlet) The universal HKS Carbon Ti muffler assemblies are the same high-quality units used in the HKS bolt-on exhaust systems. The 170mm Carbon Ti muffler shell design is available in 75mm piping diameter. The 130mm Carbon Ti muffler shell design is available in 60mm piping diameter for use with custom exhaust applications. Each assembly comes with a polished stainless mounting bracket for separate hangers to be welded onto.

Specifications:
Tip Diameter: 120mm
Inlet Piping Diameter: 75mm
Shell Size: 170mm
Note: Includes Stainless Steel Mounting Bracket

http://vr-speed.com/store/images/t_19457.jpg

That would work too.