upgrading thoughts - mine /yours

[lizzyhermit]

been draggin' a 30' TT around with a stock 98. 5 24v 3. 54, AT, guages with just over 130k miles.



we're looking to upgrade to a similar size 5er staying right close to the GVWR / GCWR of the truck. I'm seriously thinking of:



DTT TC / Valve body upgrade

Smartcontroller (already have a Pacbrake but don't use due to transmission temps)

Edge EZ



what about 3. 74 or 4. 10 gearing ?



your thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Hello. What does the TT you have now weigh? How many miles a year do you plan on pulling the 5th wheel? What gauges do you have? Look into 4" exhaust and a better air intake. DTT will be a good choice. Get the billet shafts along with the TC/VB. I have no opinion on the Edge being I have a 97. Do a search on here on Catcher ecm's. Some people have taken their boxes off and replaced the stock ecm with a catcher.

 

[Hohn]

been draggin' a 30' TT around with a stock 98. 5 24v 3. 54, AT, guages with just over 130k miles.



we're looking to upgrade to a similar size 5er staying right close to the GVWR / GCWR of the truck. I'm seriously thinking of:



DTT TC / Valve body upgrade

Smartcontroller (already have a Pacbrake but don't use due to transmission temps)

Edge EZ



what about 3. 74 or 4. 10 gearing ?



your thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

I'd say do the transmission only once, and go all out.



There are no 3. 73 for your axle-- just 3. 54 or 4. 10s. Aftermarket gears are lower-- 4. 30, 4. 56, etc.



I'd say to try just the MAD ecm and see how you like it. Edge's product quality sucks lately, and it's not a question of IF it will fail, it seems to be WHEN At least their customer service is decent and they are good about replacing boxes.



So try the ECM, and if you still need more, throw in some 275s or small EDMs, or pick up some DD2s from the classifieds or something.



jmo

 

[Fred Swanson]

lizzy, the transmission upgrades along with the DTT upgrade kit and Billet input would be considered mandatory IF you want to use the Smart Controller and an Exhaust brake.

The EZ is a good choice, but consider the Comp, and using it withouth the pump wire to see how you like it.

For gearing, 3. 73's are available for the Dana70, but go with 4. 10's, if you're looking at peaking 12K on a new trailer.

Very common setup I have done on a number of trucks over the years.

 

[Hohn]

Oops-- I thought the 70 shared the same gearing restrictions as the 80. Sorry.

 

[paccool]

Make the engine and transmission mods first. After you do that, you may not feel you need to change the gearing. The gears in my 93 had been changed to 4. 10 from 3. 54's, I changed it back to get the RPMs in a better spot when towing. I tow 7K so am a little lighter than you are.

 

[lizzyhermit]

lizzy, the transmission upgrades along with the DTT upgrade kit and Billet input would be considered mandatory IF you want to use the Smart Controller and an Exhaust brake.

The EZ is a good choice, but consider the Comp, and using it withouth the pump wire to see how you like it.

For gearing, 3. 73's are available for the Dana70, but go with 4. 10's, if you're looking at peaking 12K on a new trailer.

Very common setup I have done on a number of trucks over the years.

thanks Fred, what's the rationale for the Comp vs. the EZ ?

 

[WyoJim]

My truck must have been like yours originally. With the camper on it wouldn't maintain speed in cruise on the hills on I-25 in Wyoming without shifting.



I installed the EZ and 275 injecters which cured the problem, but on a trip to Alaska the Transmission began to slip.



I finished the trip, then took it down to AZ and Fred Swanson performed the DTT miracles. For the last 50,000 miles it has been flawless and will run up to 80 mph going up a 7% grade wearing the camper.



Thanks Fred!

 

[DjFire07]

Lizzy, from what I have read here, the Comp without the injection pump wire tapped is an EZ but then you have the option later to just tap the pump wire for more fuel. It's a plan for the future kinda thing. DJ

 

[lizzyhermit]

My truck must have been like yours originally. With the camper on it wouldn't maintain speed in cruise on the hills on I-25 in Wyoming without shifting.



I installed the EZ and 275 injecters which cured the problem, but on a trip to Alaska the Transmission began to slip.



I finished the trip, then took it down to AZ and Fred Swanson performed the DTT miracles. For the last 50,000 miles it has been flawless and will run up to 80 mph going up a 7% grade wearing the camper.



Thanks Fred!

WyoJim, what % TC did Fred install for you ? Thanks..... and Fred did my guages awhile back... .....

 

[SnoKing]

been draggin' a 30' TT around with a stock 98. 5 24v 3. 54, AT, guages with just over 130k miles.



we're looking to upgrade to a similar size 5er staying right close to the GVWR / GCWR of the truck. I'm seriously thinking of:



DTT TC / Valve body upgrade

Smartcontroller (already have a Pacbrake but don't use due to transmission temps)

Edge EZ



what about 3. 74 or 4. 10 gearing ?



your thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.

You might want to read this thread. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114893&highlight=building+2001+5



We tow a 11. 25K 5er and it performs great now with the mods I made. I believe that for towing the 4:10's are the only way to go with the auto. I run 2000RPMs and 63 miles per hour and hardly ever have to come out of OD now. I would say, let the speed that you want to tow at determine the gears. I think Bill at DTT would agree on mild bombing and 4:10's make a for a good tow rig.



I use the truck in the winter for snowmobiling so did not want the touchy throttle of the MAD ECM. I can reach down and shutoff the COMP (in EZ mode) any time I want to detune a bit.



BTW, do the transmission once and do it right. That is complete DTT upgrade with billett input and 2nd gear cage at least. I am running the 89H TC. It was costly, but is a great bomb all by itself. At 18+K combined weight I am getting high 11's and low 12's for MPG towing. 15 to 17 combined freeway and trips to the store. 18 to 19 Freeway.



Here is my dyno sheet:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res6pseo/id19.html



500 ft lbs at 2000 RPMs. 596 to the ground max.



BTW, FRED can fix you right up.



SNOKING

 

[Fred Swanson]

The Comp allows for future growth if you want to, with nothing more than tapping the wire.

The 89% is the TC of choice that works best in this area, even in the higher altitudes we have just north of here.

 

[azpete]

Lizzy, Fred did my transmission about 4 years ago and have towed up all our 8 and 9% grades around the state without moaning and groaning. The Smartcontroller was my last upgrade and would highly recommend it.



I have the 4:10's and on the interstate wish for the 3:54. It's a compromise, after some upgrades see if it works for you. Gear changes are not cheap.

 

[lizzyhermit]

'cause Mama said so !!!

Mama said the upgrades will NOT be enough for the 5'er she wants. So Papa says "should I look for a new truck first?". And Mama says, "Yes !"



So, does anyone know the GVWR and GCWR of a 2005 HO 3500 QC with 6 speed?



But Honey, I'll need a new Pacbrake and Edge box tooooooo!

 

[SnoKing]

SRW is 9900 and DRW is 12200 GVWR. Most larger 5ers will put the SRW over the 9900. GCWR is something like 23 to 23. 5 depending on gears. SNOKING

 

[RMachida]

2005 Towing guide is at http://www.daimlerchrysler.ca/EN/DODGE/PDF/ram2500_towing.pdf and specifies GCWR of 21,000 lbs (9525 kg) for the 3500, SRW, 6speed, 4x4, LB.