being a complete newbie to towing I was curiouss what I should do to my van to have it as ready as possible for towing things.
I have a 2000 Express 3500 LS extended wheel base van with the 10k tow rating. its obviously 24 years old with 220k miles but mechanically it is sound, although leaks some oil.
I was thinking of having all the suspensions swapped with new parts because I don't know how old it all is and I can tell the bushings are well past their prime. I'm thinking anything with a bushing, ball joint, rod end, etc.
I am not sure what to do on the rear though because it looks like I can get new shackles but not bushings for the leaf springs?
new fluids all around? Brake system checks?
I want the thing to be as solid as possible before doing this eaarly next year. I have two things to pull, one is motorcycle and then eventually I will have another car to pull that will probably weigh about 5500 pounds.
I assume a trailer brake system is needed.
I have a 2000 Express 3500 LS extended wheel base van with the 10k tow rating. its obviously 24 years old with 220k miles but mechanically it is sound, although leaks some oil.
I was thinking of having all the suspensions swapped with new parts because I don't know how old it all is and I can tell the bushings are well past their prime. I'm thinking anything with a bushing, ball joint, rod end, etc.
I am not sure what to do on the rear though because it looks like I can get new shackles but not bushings for the leaf springs?
new fluids all around? Brake system checks?
I want the thing to be as solid as possible before doing this eaarly next year. I have two things to pull, one is motorcycle and then eventually I will have another car to pull that will probably weigh about 5500 pounds.
I assume a trailer brake system is needed.