Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 99 dodge ram feels like pulling 6k# when empty

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Pulls best at 2800? I'm not doubting you but I rarely have enough guts to rev that high... . motor sounds like it's going to fly apart on me!

Seriously?? I've tached mine out past 3000 and into the red scores of times. Mine doesn't sound too bad and is pretty smooth to at least 2800, doing a very precise valve adjustment made a real difference in smoothness and sound. I've always been in the "when in doubt rev it out" philisophy in order to prevent lugging and excessive EGT.