1999 Tow Rig

[Lannyz]

Hey everyone!

I am new to this forum and looking for some advice. I have a 1999 Yukon SLT 4x4 and was wondering if I should spend the money to upgrade this truck and use it as a daily/tow rig or should I find another truck to use as such. It is currently my daily and I want to use it to haul my 1985 Z31 every now and then.

Thanks everyone

 

[swathdiver]

If it runs good why not? But sometimes having two trucks is more fun than one! What would that Z31 weigh with the trailer?

 

[Lannyz]

If it runs good why not? But sometimes having two trucks is more fun than one! What would that Z31 weigh with the trailer?

The Z31 weighs roughly 3,000 I'm not sure what it would weigh with the trailer. I am just worried that its going to be too much for my Yukon to handle. I have read that the transmissions on the model that I have tend to go while hauling too much weight. I haven't towed too many times so I'm still pretty new to the ins and outs. Unfortunately I am currently in college so I don't have enough space at my apartment to store two trucks and my Z31. I will only have space for my Z31 and one other parking space.

 

[swathdiver]

Your truck can easily handle that load, it's about 1/2 of your tow rating. But you're right, the transmission may need freshening/beefing up which is what I would do in your shoes. You know the truck and are familiar with it and best of all, no car payments, just maintenance.

 

[xanatost]

I would put in a bigger trans cooler. Its a easy mod and should only take about an hour to install.

http://www.gmt400.com/threads/how-to-factory-auxiliary-trans-cooler-upgrade.18104/

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

Nicholas, to the forum, glad to have you. As for towing, I think 3:73 gear would be ideal if possible, and when towing you can use your gear shift to manage the overdrive and lockup converter to make towing much better. Before retiring, we had a 37' motorhome and it had the same transmission and that's what I did. Just watch your tachometer to keep your engine from straining. Good luck to you.
David g..............

 

[Lannyz]

Thank you all for the responses and help! I have decided to keep my yukon and bring back some life into it. As I live in Michigan and the crazy weather I am going to wait for it to get a little warmer before I start doing modifications. I will make a thread with my build to keep you all updated.

Again,

Thank you for the help!

 

[My99Yukon]

Welcome to the Forum. I had the same "sell, upgrade, repair" question and I chose to keep a fairly easy to work on, great second or primary truck. Here is a write up on some of my mods on your same model Yukon. Just food for thought and some ideas.

Project 99 Yukon