Hard to believe but I'm looking to purchase a 2002 plastic edition avalanche to pull my jimmy around. I've looked for the 2500 with the 8.1 and they're a lot less common than the 5.3. Based on how much I tow (not very often) and the fine job my 1990 SBC burb has done, I'm leaning for a 1500 w/5.3 a vortec engine. It should have enough power, I can tune it with my existing copy of EFILive, and will save on gas when I'm not towing.

My question is should I get a 4x4 or get a 2x4 and swap in the transfer case and front end from my 1990 burb? I hate to purchase a 4x4 and then cut everything out for a SAS but I don't know if there will be body clearance problems with a pass. drop case either. Not too worried about running a 10 bolt up front because I only will need 4 wheel drive when towing at a park with a muddy parking lot. Hell, I don't even know if a 1990 transfer case will bolt up to a 2002 4L60E. are they both 4bolt style or did the newer cases go to the six bolt? It might be easiest to go with a 2500 4x4 and wait on the SAS until I had the parts, time and need to do it.

So I see two choices. get a 4x4 and SAS using a drivers drop ford 44 or 60 high pinion (leaning for a 44 since I don't need the added weight of a 60) or get a 2x4 and swap in the parts I already own from my 1990 burb that I will be parting out. Which way would you go? :grinpimp:

I think IFS is just fine for a tow rig. Why go through the trouble of a SAS?

I would SAS it because I don't like all the plastic but think the ones lifted look pretty good. So that's the route I would go. The 8.1 will be a gas hog if you go that route though. Tough decision

im pretty sure the new 4l60's use a 6 bolt pattern, i work at a gm garage and the tranny guy is the bay beside me, i help him lift down tcase's all the time im 90% sure they are 6 bolt, and a vortec 1500 avalanche will pull your rig, the have some balls for being plastic as hell and gay IFS

I think IFS is just fine for a tow rig. Why go through the trouble of a SAS?

+1 Lifted tow rigs dont tow all that well in my experience. I also HATED my 5.3 in my '05 silverado and all I was towing was 2 or 3 four-wheelers.

If you hang on for the 3/4 ton you get the leaf sprung rear, with the 14 bolt on the big block. I don't think I have seen a 3/4 ton Avalanche with a semi float in it. The 3/4 ton has the bigger 9.25 front end in it with bigger axles and you can install a lock right in the front if needed. Also the leaf spring rear will make it easier if you decide on an SAS later. I agree with gutter runner though, stay with the IFS for a tow rig/driver. I've always wanted to find a wrecked one and put a 99-02 pickup front clip on it. I think it has a cleaner look. And get rid of the ugly body cladding.:shaking:

I agree with the ifs and would weigh on what terrain you tow on. I have seen tow rigs in the sand with the front tires wandering in and out. That will wear out your end links. If you tow in rough terrain, get the cognito end links and braces. You will keep everything in line a whole lot better. I am probably going to do that on my silverado but may SAS. Definately go for the big motor and heavier suspension. It will tow alot safer and more effeciently.

Wow, I forgot the 1500 didn't have leafs out back. What I was going to do was swap both axles since I have a nice 14FF in the burb but now I think a 2500 is the only way to go. That IFS is strong enough for this duty and it has the 4L85E trans. really not much choice now. Thanks for the replies! Ya knocked some sense into my hard head!! :flipoff2:

What do you have against buying a pickup and not having to dump thousands of dollars into it to get it the way you want.

I dont understand why you would spend all that money on an ave, just to dump more money into it to swap what you want in it.

Just buy a 2500 crew cab pickup and be done with it, looks better too

There's a helluva lot of possibilities with this next truck. I eventually want to go to something newer than my 72 so I was thinking why the hell buy a 4x4 when you gotta sas it anyway? I have enough parts from this burb to make a good start. The 5.3 is simply an awesome engine with a 76mm turbonetics on it. easy 600whp without doing more than changing the valvesprings and tuning it. I don't have a turbo sized for an 8.1 AND I'd probably have to change pistons and rods to keep from blowing one up which is too much work. did I mention 5.3's rock with a turbo? :flipoff2:

In reality, I don't need ANOTHER project so it makes more sense to get a 2500 and use it for tow duty. It's much better prepared for the job. I like the ave because it is a good mix between a burb and crew cab. I'd go for a yukon xl otherwise. No more pickup's for me... only problem is finding one I can afford. Just missed a nice one in Atlanta.

EDIT: Also, now that I am reminded the 2500 has leafs out back I think it would be easier to drop in a 5.3 with a turbo if I ever wanted to get that kind of power and efficiency...

If you are hell bent for an Avalanche, then go for the 2500, IMHO I would go for a used 1500 hd with the 6.0, an excellent compromise with no gay plastic.

FWIW, Petersons did an an article called ultimate avalanche years back. I hated it at first but after a while I began to like. It helps to remove the plastic and line-x em...

There's a helluva lot of possibilities with this next truck. I eventually want to go to something newer than my 72 so I was thinking why the hell buy a 4x4 when you gotta sas it anyway? I have enough parts from this burb to make a good start. The 5.3 is simply an awesome engine with a 76mm turbonetics on it. easy 600whp without doing more than changing the valvesprings and tuning it. I don't have a turbo sized for an 8.1 AND I'd probably have to change pistons and rods to keep from blowing one up which is too much work. did I mention 5.3's rock with a turbo? :flipoff2:

In reality, I don't need ANOTHER project so it makes more sense to get a 2500 and use it for tow duty. It's much better prepared for the job. I like the ave because it is a good mix between a burb and crew cab. I'd go for a yukon xl otherwise. No more pickup's for me... only problem is finding one I can afford. Just missed a nice one in Atlanta.

EDIT: Also, now that I am reminded the 2500 has leafs out back I think it would be easier to drop in a 5.3 with a turbo if I ever wanted to get that kind of power and efficiency...
Get the 2500 avalanche, swap in D-max and go towing!:grinpimp:

At first I laughed but after I thought about it a bit it's not a bad idea...

I really like my 2500 Avalanche. I had to get a small 3/4 ton to fit into the garage at work, and for my job I couldn't have a pickup (which is beyond fawked up).

Anyway it works well. All are 14 bolt full floaters, mine is stock with 265s, oem 4.10s, it looks ok, but I didn't buy it for style. I have towed two rigs through 11 000' passs with it (grossing 20k) no problems. It's nice having 4wd to towing in the snow.

One of the neighbours has one with a 6" lift and it does look pretty good, but mine will out tow it.

STS makes a turbo kit for it, or you cn drop money on Raylar heads/cam/intake if you want to make 500+hp NA without internal mods.

whipple also makes a supercharger for the 8.1

whipple also makes a supercharger for the 8.1

Not anymore. I was looking into it...

Paxton has one for '01 and '03, thats all i have found.

STS and Raylar seem to be the best bet.

Not anymore. I was looking into it...

Paxton has one for '01 and '03, thats all i have found.

STS and Raylar seem to be the best bet.The wipple show up on e-bay every now and then.



But, alas the 8.1L isn't worth swapping out it for a d-max because make nice power anyway!

but the d-max would be a cool swap regardless.

The 2500 is seemingly rare right now. at least where I'm looking.

Or find a 6.0L 2500 burbin' and swap a d-max into it!