towing capacity

[badams1]

I have a 2001 quad cab, auto, 2 w-d with a 3:54-1 gear and have added a 4" exhaust, K&N, Diablo Power puck, a big perma coll transcooler with fan and thermostat, guages to watch egt & trans. The truck puls great in Texas (flatlands) The GCWR is 16,000 for this truck according to the manual. I'm pulling a total of 17,500 lbs. which is 1500 over. I plan on going all over the country - high & low. With these mods (previously mentioned) do I really need to go to a 4:10 gear??? It seems to run ok like it is, what is the experts opinion?? Some have mentioned I need to upgrade the transmission - what upgrade are you talking about and where can I get it??? Accidentally deleted this posting previously. Thanks for responding. Wild Bill

 

[juicedcummins]

Keep the gears but consider increasing the line-pres with a valve-body or shift kit.

Next choice would be a tc if you have the cash. Remember the tc makes the truck the rest just holds it together.

At least that has been my exp.

 

[Rockcrawler]

My . 02- Keep the gears and beef the transmission, consider an ex brake and the related auto transmission mods if hills are in the forecast.



I personally wish I had a little more gear (3. 28's or close to that)as the r's get up there running 80+ in the roads out west. When you're forced to move at 55ish the 3. 54's and direct drive will work about right too. A lot of people are down on the auto and 3. 54 combo- I suspect most of them don't drive out west where you get to stretch the Cummins a bit. good luck!

 

[Gizmo 007]

I agree with the above comments. Although I don't own an automatic, I have ridden in a few with upgrades. With the right combination you'll be able to hang with us manual guys no matter where you go. The most important parts that you'll need are a torque converter and a valve body.



Check out http://www.dieseltrans.com. THis will give you an idea of what you'll be facing.



I'd say definately keep the 3. 54. I have a 6 speed with 3. 54 and pulling 25,000+lb. trailers is no problem. 17,500lb. even with an upgraded auto will be a breeze.

 

[Shooter]

I haven't found a 7% I cant pull at 65 and a 6% at 75 grossing 18k+/- ( -10mph in direct w/o the gearvendors od ). Just returned from Phoenix today, kicked a** on all the flowerpokes doing 35 - 45 up the grades to Flagstaff.



The transmission is the first thing to upgrade after installing gauges. If you can't get the power to the ground all the hp upgrades don't do any good.

see sig:

also see:

www.dieseltrans.com

 

[Steve M]

I had a '95 auto/3. 54. It towed fine but was alittle sluggish with it's 160hp. I traded it for a '98 12v with 5spd/4. 10. It definately had the advantage while in O/D but was also sluggish otherwise. That and direct drive was too low for interstate. Running in O/D was the only advantage I could see with the 4. 10. Now we're back to an auto/3. 54 and I'm happy with it. I have a good O/D for towing at 65-70mph and direct drive is usable at 65mph for the uphills. It's alittle sluggish in O/D but with 235hp/460lb-ft, it's more than acceptible. I'm only towing an advertised 7,000 lbs but I'm not expecting road rally performance while towing our 5th wheel light or heavy. Our next 5th will be in the 10-12k range and I suspect our auto/3. 54 combo will work like a champ.

 

[K_Arts]

I have the 3. 54's in my truck and it pulls heavy loads just fine.



Go get yourself a DTT transmission setup and don't sweat the other stuff... . Seriously!!!



Kev

 

[dodger22]

Keep the 3. 54's, add gauges (pyro, boost and trans. temp) and invest in DTT's tc and vb and throw in a box like EZ. These are basic upgrades that the truck should have come with in the beginning and will really bring the truck alive. I am pulling 600lbs. over GCWR of 16,000lb and it makes all the difference. Before these additions the truck would change down to 3rd when climbing a slight hill. now it accelerates going up the same hill without changing down!!



FWIW a friend of mine has the same configured truck, bone stock and pulling a 12,000lb trailer and he manages okay but complains the truck is low in power!



Just my 2 cents worth.



Richard