Mods to 03

[Prairie Dog]

I made a couple of mods to my truck (62K miles) over the winter and finally got a chance to tow our TT and get a feel for how well they worked.



First was the BD SBS. I had issues when towing with the having to continuously correct and over correct the steering during longer sweeping curves. It required both hands on the wheel. I had adjusted the steering gear so it was tight but still had issues. The SBS stopped all of that. I can comfortably drive in the same situations with just one hand. With either straight stretches or curves, it just stays where I put it. Funny thing is, the truck didn't handle badly when it was new.



Second was Bilstien shocks. The back of my truck would bounce with the TT attached and porpoise over bridge approaches or any place there's a dip in the pavement. I had tried new stock shocks (free) and Ranchos, neither of which made any difference. The Bilstiens stopped 90% of the movement.

I couldn't be happier with the results. Oo.



As a side note, I also installed poly bushings ( f/ Geno's) in my track bar and replaced the tie-rod at the steering gear ($20 Rock Auto) but upon removing the stock parts I could tell there was nothing wrong with them.

 

[Buffalo]

I have a similarly equipped '03 & tow a 25' Nash TT. Noticed that you have a PacBrake, on your truck &, was wondering how you like it? It seems that you have a similar sized trailer. There have been a couple of times where I would have liked an exhaust brake but, I don't feel like I NEED one with my sized trailer. What is your opinion of actually NEEDING an exhaust brake with your truck & trailer?



I'm not sure I want to go thru life without ever having a PacBrake!!! Just hard to justify the purchase.



Thanks.



Joe F.

 

[NIsaacs]

Buy one, and don't worry about justifying it! You will like it so well you will always be smiling and looking for excuses to drive it, even empty they are nice. I always tell my Ford and Chevy friends, I have so much power, I even use it uphill



Nick

 

[Prairie Dog]

The exhaust brake is great. We go on lots or camping trips during the summer and have to go over a couple of mountain passes. I can idle down these hills without ever touching the brakes and in fact, I sometimes have to turn the PB off because it slows us down too much!

I guess I dont really "need" it but I would never again go without one. Even when we're not towing it just makes driving the rig that much better.

But, if you really want to justify it, check out what it would cost to do a brake job on you truck and/or trailer. Adding an Ebrake may keep you from ever having to do one.

 

[THerber]

I agree with NIsaacs and Prairie Dog, you will never have another truck without it, I use mine all the time, even running empty.

 

[Slow Six]

I did some front end mods which all helped but the icing on the cake was the Mopar steering upgrade. It is probably the best money spent for improved steering and the death wobble is gone. . As previously mentioned an exhaust brake is nice to have.