Need some input from the experts.
Have found several decent K30 crew cabs, all comperable miles, price, year, all 454's.
One is a 4spd SRW
One is a Th400 SRW
One is a TH400 DRW
Truck will be used as a tow rig only (no DD duty) with some desert off road driving thrown in.
How well do the 4 speeds do? Or is the Auto a better choice. Any advantage to the DRW?
Thanks.

you are going to "desert off road" drive your tow rig? :eek:

Check the Tow ratings...with the Fords the Autos are rated to tow more weight.
DRW...more tongue/bed weight capacity, usually better traction, less roll (Feels more stable towing)-----worse gas mileage, more tires to buy, probably can not rotate tires yourself if you do that...

Check the Tow ratings...with the Fords the Autos are rated to tow more weight.
DRW...more tongue/bed weight capacity, usually better traction, less roll (Feels more stable towing)-----worse gas mileage, more tires to buy, probably can not rotate tires yourself if you do that...

If you can afford it a diesel is really the way to go...

I hate to say this, 'cause I'm a manual guy, but those 4 speed trannies suck. I know some people on here will think I'm crazy, but here is my reasoning, and yes I have owned and driven a lot of them. The granny gear is great for getting a load moving, but the gear split from low to 1st is huge. The first gear sucks because it's too high to get anything rolling without much slippage. These are true truck trannies, so they'll not be rushed on the gear changes, so you lose a lot of your momentum between shifts. With the torque converter, you get more of a "gear split" effect. Get the auto, much easier on you and the truck, plus you can upgrade the pi$$ out of them for any load you going to tow.

I agree on the 4 speed. Way cool, but kind of a pain in the ass to drive. I've got a '73 C20 with a 454/T400. 180,000 miles and all I've done to the tranny are annual fluid changes and new pump gasket/seals.

Buy the 4spd and swap in an NV4500.Autos suck and won't last unless built.My experience with both trannys says the stick is better.I know there is a bad gap but with a 454 it shouldn't be a problem. I towed with mine behind a 350 and didn't have much complaint.I sure like my NV4500 much better but it has a 454 in front of it.

Get a diesel. DOUBLE the mpg's....it'll add up....

And gas is going up...diesel is starting down again, now that spring is here...

Diesels are much easier to tow with...especially with a stick. Tons of idle-torque = easy clutching without killing motor, idling around yard, easier backing, etc..

4x4 is great for towing; because you can slap it in low-range when you're jockeying the trailer around....at a nice controllable crawl...

Rig for sale in my sig....

I've only towed about 400 miles since I bought my '01 F350 6-speed, so this is not a "lots of experience" post.

The jump from low to 1st is quite significant. But if timed correctly, and the shift to 1st is done well, the speed loss isn't that big a deal. Took me a while to do the L-to-1 shift somewhat well and not lose all my speed!

JP

WTF are you smoking? Maybe in your area diesel is going down.. But diesel is higher than premium in So cal. It hurts my wallet everytime I fill up, but I do love the other aspects of owning a diesel. Everything else you said regarding diesels is why I got a 6 spd manual 4x4 truck.
Scott

Thanks for the responces
I need a truck that has 4x4, 4 doors, able to tow with, and under 5k.
It will be used as a tow rig and off road recovery truck. Diesel would be nice but is out of my $$ range. Beside the truck may see 2000 miles a year, so will deal with the gas prices.
My options are a W30 (have yet to even find one)., F350 (found a few but were beat to shit, has E4OD's, or big$) or a K30 (found a few).
Since Chevy parts are more readily avaialbe my choice will be the K30 SRW w/ auto. Will add a huge tranny cooler, change the fluid once a year, get a spare just in case.

I would go with the granny 4spd, but thats just me. Look at the trucks first before you make a decision. Dont pick a certain tranny if the rest of the truck is toast. You can easily shift from uber-low to first and not loose momentum if you just practice..... its all in the timing.

I would go with the granny 4spd, but thats just me. Look at the trucks first before you make a decision. Dont pick a certain tranny if the rest of the truck is toast. You can easily shift from uber-low to first and not loose momentum if you just practice..... its all in the timing. ^^^ Gospel!

Got one!
1988 GMC, SRW, 454 TBI, 4 speed, 205, 4.10's all the good stuff.
130k, original owner - he special ordered it, full power, tow set up, all HD stuff. All the maintenance was documented from day 1.
Has 35's and 2.5" lift.
Cosmetically challanged - peeling GM paint, sun damaged seats, looks ugly so the price was good.
Have towed with it already - the 4sp takes some getting used to, but is not that bad once you figure it out.
Even w/ 35's and 6k worth of trailer, it hauls ass.
Thanks guys for all the info.