Any one tow with a Chevy V6?

[superV]

Looking at a 2000 1500 Standard cab, with a V6 auto in it. Need to pull 3500lbs. Anyone have any ex. with this set up? I was thinking I might need to put some gears in if it does not have the right ones.

[rivercrazy]

I used to tow a 3800-4000 pound boat with a Chevy S-10 4.3L V6.
I maintained the hell out of that rig with 3000 mile oil changes etc.
At 60K miles the motor spun a crank and cam bearing.... I wasn't too impressed with the motor after that.

[superV]

Is that the same motor?

[superV]

I would also think that was a 1/4 ton and uses alot taller gears?

[rivercrazy]

The rear gears in the rig was 3.73's.
I'm not sure if the the 190HP / 250lb ft motor that was in my 97 S-10 was the same as the truck your looking at.
I know they introduced a newer motor that I think is a 4.2L 6 cyl a few years later thats totally different than the one I had

[superV]

Thanks for the info I know its along shot but just want to see what everyone has to say. They come :confused: in a 3/4 ton too so I was not sure?

[rivercrazy]

You can get a V6 in a 3/4 ton?
When I had the motor rebuilt after the bearing fiasco, I spoke with the motor rebuilder. They said they had some experience with that 4.3L V6. Their experience ranged from the motors going over 200K miles to those coming in with spun bearings and other internal issues before 50K miles. When I asked them why, they said the most likely culprit was inconsistent production tolerances.....
After that I sold the S-10 and RAN to Toyota and bought a V8 Tundra. 98K miles with absolutely NO issues at all. And it gets better gas mileage than the Chevy V6 and has a ton more power.
My .01 cent anyway!

[Jordy]

My last company truck was a 2002 Chevy regular cab 1/2 ton 2wd with a V6. It wasn't a bad truck, had lots of get up and go to it, but as soon as you put a load on it, you knew it was there. Lost a lot of pep when we put a 100 gallon fuel tank in the bed. Never had to tow anything with it, but I don't think it would have a problem, other than taking a bit longer to get up to speed than some of it's big brothers.

[superV]

jordanpaulk:
My last company truck was a 2002 Chevy regular cab 1/2 ton 2wd with a V6. It wasn't a bad truck, had lots of get up and go to it, but as soon as you put a load on it, you knew it was there. Lost a lot of pep when we put a 100 gallon fuel tank in the bed. Never had to tow anything with it, but I don't think it would have a problem, other than taking a bit longer to get up to speed than some of it's big brothers. Right on thats the same truck, i have a friend with a 97 ford f150 ex.cab w/v6 5 speed and he pulled my boat with it no problem, but like you said slow take off and down shifting on grades.
Did you guys have anything go wrong with that truck? How many miles did you put on it?

[Jordy]

I was putting over 1000 miles a week on it and running the shit out of it all over construction sites and the like. Never had any problem. Just changed the oil and put gas in her. Still running around now but another guy is driving it.

[69 Elim]

I have a 97 S-10 w/ a 4.3 V-6. It towes a flatbottom awesome, but wouldnt' tow anything bigger. Actually braking is my biggest problem (and traction at the ramp). The 4.3 is a chev 350 with 2 cylinders cut off. Motor actually has a good torque rating, but the crank is the weak link and can't handle HP improvements too much. They still produce this motor in the S-10 and full sizes today (soon to be phased out with the new inlines that GM is coming out with).

[HOOTER SLED-]

I currently use my work car to haul. It's a 2001 S-10 Blazer with the 4.3 V6. I tow a 20.5' Open Bow Pantera on a dual axle Trail-Rite w/surge brakes. It does OK. I can make it through the Cajon Pass without really struggling. Just gotta get the momentum before I hit the incline. I still have and used to tow my 18.5' jet on a single axle Trail-Rite w/out brakes with my '89 S-10 Blazer with a 4.3 V6(only 140hp back then-not Vortec 200hp). That did fine as well. The newer Blazer towed the smaller boat like there was nothing behind it. So if you have a smaller old school boat, it should be cool. Me, myself, I wouldn't want to tow my 21 footer forever with the V6. It works for now. My company provides the car. I'm getting a Silverado or Suburban in a few months though to fix this. Oh yeah, with a V8.

[Dribble]

My 02. Get a truck with a V-8. The 4.3 is a great motor but only has 190 hp. It's rated to tow 3500 pounds but will struggle with it.

[rivercrazy]

I agree with ya. But they rate that truck for up to 5,500lbs!

[RiverForUs]

I pull the boat in my avatar (23' Caliber 1 with the 6.2L/Bravo 1) with my 2000 Chevy Astro that has a 4.3L V6. No complaints here--just compliments. Towed from Anaheim to Laughlin with 8 people in the van on one tank of gas. A little slow up Cajon Pass. On the way home I get the temp. gauge right to the red line when I hit the top of the hill coming out of Needles. But, the rest of the way is 75 mph with the dual A/C's running all the way home.

[JetBoatRich]

rivercrazy:
I used to tow a 3800-4000 pound boat with a Chevy S-10 4.3L V6.
I maintained the hell out of that rig with 3000 mile oil changes etc.
At 60K miles the motor spun a crank and cam bearing.... I wasn't too impressed with the motor after that. What part changed your mind about the motor?

[rivercrazy]

The part that cost me $3800 to fix!