towing suspension package

[78Brougham]

I was told by the previous owner, my 1978 Cutlass has a towing suspension package... if there was such a thing.. how can I tell if the suspension is a heavier setup than stock? would the sway bars be noticably different? would there be other things to note ? ... and yes it has a hidden trailer hitch under it that I will prolly remove.

 

[MR442]

More along the lines of trans cooler /gearing and heavier springs

That hitch if its a hidden one help tie frame rails together

 

[Blake442]

The "towing package" usually only consists of the hitch and wiring for it.

If you're lucky, you'll have the F41 suspension goodies like better springs and a rear sway bar.

And don't remove the hitch.
Even if you don't use it, they do a great job of tieing the rear frame rails together, which not only gives the body a stiffer feel, but helps eliminate squeeks and rattles.

 

[78Brougham]

OK I do recall seeing a sway bar back there, but don't quote me till I go look the next time I move it... and am not sure if there is a seperate trans cooler, but it has a 3 core radiator with a large trans tank .

Please bear with me on getting to things, I am physically disabled, and have no place to work on the car right now, so I haven't really started poking around yet. I mostly get to start it and move it away from the parking attendants, so I don't get a parking ticket... :shock:

As per the hitch; I was just thinkin it was dead weight, but seems unanimous so far that it stays LOL thanks guys.. good point there.

 

[Phoenyx]

I had an 80 GP with the towing package. The car had the f-41, trailer wiring, and the rear hitch. It also had the big rad, but no extra transmission cooler. I believe it had 3.08s with limited slip too.

 

[custom442]

As per the hitch; I was just thinkin it was dead weight, but seems unanimous so far that it stays LOL thanks guys.. good point there.

I'm thinking its dead weight too. I doubt you're going to do any crazy driving to make a difference, the stock engine and trans will never need the extra support. If it's obvious and sticking down I would take it out so it doesn't look like a uhaul rental.

 

[78Brougham]

I had an 80 GP with the towing package. The car had the f-41, trailer wiring, and the rear hitch. It also had the big rad, but no extra transmission cooler. I believe it had 3.08s with limited slip too.

Am not sure if this is an aftermarket one or a stock dealer one, no sway bar, but the shocks sure do not look like lightweight stocker GM OEM's.. wish I knew more about the history of this car..

Cheers, that tells me a few things it might have goin for it... Gonna see if I can get the car in a position I can take some pics of the undercarriage... then set them loose on the experienced folk in here...