My old GMC 3/4 ton 454 truck finally gave up the ghost after 28 years of faithful service.
Now I have this little puny 318 engine with a tiny toy like looking transmission and little tires that claims to be a 3/4 ton truck.
What do you think is going to happen when I put my 800 pound dump box on the truck and then load it up with another 800 pounds or more and drive it all over town?
I am also pulling a small 4 by 8 trailer with my lawn equipment in it.
Will I burn up the automatic transmission?
Did I screw up and buy too light of a truck?
Or is this one tough Hell of a truck and I am not giving it due credit.
I will always be on 35 mph roads.

 

I cart around loads of dirt in my 3/4 ton on a regular basis..... as much as 5000 pounds on occasion. (I try and avoid that kind of behavior though....) and cruise down roads at 55...... Just leave Overdrive Off.

The transmissions are weak...... Get rid of the trans check valve.

Your 3/4 ton has a 318?? Didn't even know they came that way....

Your truck probably won't even notice the trailer...... (well, if it IS the 318, it might....)

 

I had 1000 lbs of concrete in the back of mine and was also pulling my little 5x8 trailer with my motorcycle on it and could hardly tell. It rode a little smoother lol. My truck is a 1/2 ton with a 360 and 3.55's. Like HeyYou said leave the OD off but if you're only going 35 it shouldn't be going into OD anyway

 

You went from 454ci to 318ci and expect the same performance?

2500s did not come with 318's. You have a 360 gasser, a 5.9L cummins, or somebody did an engine swap, or rebadging job and you should get your money back. I'd submit the VIN to a dealership and get the build sheet and find out what it's supposed to have.

Then I'd crack skulls.

 

man, those chevy big blocks were torque'y rascals.. comparing with the 18 is not fair.. not even to a 360..

what gears does it have?

 

My 98 2500 barely squats with a pallet of cement in the back, 3000 lbs.

Does anyone know if all 2500s came with Dana 60s?

 

2500 gas engine was 60's front and rear. (manual trans might have gotten the 70 rear......) I think there is a chart in the faq section about his.

 

The OP posted this to cause a reaction by those who like and enjoy the truck. I find it hard to believe someone would actually think the 318 and 454 are comparable. And, didn't he notice the small tires before he bought it?

Sooo, to the OP... The truck is what it is. It has a lower horsepower motor from the showroom. You can do some things to get a few extra ponies, but it won't be a big block GM product. Take good car of your Mopar motor and it will last you many years. Don't blame the truck! Sell it if you don't like it.

 

The OP asked the same ? on another forum...I think he got a 1500 with 2500 doors or a 2500 somebody swapped a 318 into. You'd have thought he'd done a bit more research before throwing down the green, or...who knows.

My first ride...a '73 1500 with 454...no comparison to my Ram as far as axle twisting tire shredding torque and it got better mileage too. Everything else about it was sh*t.
And that's where this memory shall end :

 

The OP posted this to cause a reaction by those who like and enjoy the truck. I find it hard to believe someone would actually think the 318 and 454 are comparable. And, didn't he notice the small tires before he bought it?

Hey hey hey, calm down, I am not trying to get any reaction.
I am not comparing a 454 to this engine.
I love this new to me truck and engine. It is smooth an silky and peppy.
It sings.
I am just asking if it will do the job for me before I spend the money to
transfer my dump box to this new truck.