What's really needed to get truck ready to pull full time

[ccc1971]

Planning on taking my family on a year long school trip across the country. Truck is an 08 3500 SWQCLB 4x4 auto, fully deleted, and were pulling a 34' toy hauler fiver 14K GVWR (won't be over 20k GVW total). Since this will be a full time, semi retirement, funds will be tighter, and I need to start getting the truck ready. Some are obvious, while others may not be. I'm looking at spending no more than $10,000, total, on all upgrades.

- studs
- built trans (Revmax, Suncoast, ATS, NADP, etc)
- turbo (whole next level of confusion on which one). Stock VGT died painfully and I need a better fixed; just came out of a 366, which was a bad all around choice for towing. Looking at the Cheetah, Bullseye 363, 464/465 kits from Anarchy, Draconian and Fleece and the 467.7, which has some good reviews.
- exhaust brake. I really miss the VGT for the brake, and one will be going back in.
- tuning; several options, but will be EFI.

Since it's not a suspension discussion, I'll just say all wear parts will be replaced, but not at the high cost of some replacements (no Carli ball joints for example); this is also part of that $10k.

Where possible, I will be installing, reducing overall costs.

Where should I go from here, or does this look like more than enough?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Get one of them PacBrake LoadLeash engine brakes so we can all hear how it works. Seen it advertised for years but never heard how well they work!

 

[ccc1971]

Not running VGT anymore; can't run loadleash

 

[S.Morris]

Check or change out tensioner pulley and idler and serpentine belt. You cannot hear them going dry, and throwing a belt is not a good scene on the road. Also the engine will get HOT FAST with no belt, which you may not notice immediately if on a straight road. I'm talking 60-90sec fast if pulling.

 

[Simplysmn]

Sound's Like you have Plenty of truck why not just Load it up and go . It's going to pull just fine the way it is .I would save the Money for if you have troubles on the road . If it's Not Broke Don't Fix it ?????

 

[Cummins12V98]

Not running VGT anymore; can't run loadleash

Probably a dumb question but what does one have to do with the other?

 

[Loren]

Sound's Like you have Plenty of truck why not just Load it up and go . It's going to pull just fine the way it is .I would save the Money for if you have troubles on the road . If it's Not Broke Don't Fix it ?????

ccc1971,

I agree with Simplysmn. You already have sufficient truck to pull your trailer.

In my case I added Firestone Ride-Rite air springs to the rear suspension when I found that our travel trailer caused the truck to squat too much. It turns out that the hitch weight of that trailer is 2000 pounds. It does tow well, though.

The other modification to our truck was to upgrade the factory trailer hitch to an 18,000 pound rated hitch with a 2-1/2" square receiver.

I didn't do anything to modify the engine.

Edit: I reread your original post and see that you lost the exhaust brake. I agree that you should install one if your turbo doesn't incorporate it.

Good luck,
-- Loren

 

[Ozymandias]

I would go with the original VGT Turbo, they are far not as bad as people speak them. Also Holset learned how to build them that they last. Now they are better then the first series of it.

 

[Hammer]

-studs

-Absolutely a must with the 6.7 and their issues with added timing they will be needed.

- built trans (Revmax, Suncoast, ATS, NADP, etc)

I LOVE My NADP in my 2005,have lots of abuse on it and it has taken everything I can give it and more,however,I do not believe that they do a 68RE.In My 07.5 built 6.7 I run a Suncoast Mega68RE,full billet,billet convertor with Ryan Millikan's trans tuning.RevMax has a nice product for those running stock sized tires,anything larger and they do not want to talk warranty at all.

- turbo (whole next level of confusion on which one). Stock VGT died painfully and I need a better fixed; just came out of a 366, which was a bad all around choice for towing. Looking at the Cheetah, Bullseye 363, 464/465 kits from Anarchy, Draconian and Fleece and the 467.7, which has some good reviews.

If you say you want the e-brake,then you are very limited with options.The best option for you since you tow would probably be the Fleece VGT Cheetah.You didn't like the 366 so you will not like the 467.I had a 66mm II Silver Bullet on mine and have had little or no issues spooling it,but,I run a II 120 over CP3 with 180HP Injectors.I have a Billet S472 for it but am waiting on weather to cut me some slack as I do not want to sort out a new tune on crappy roads.

- exhaust brake. I really miss the VGT for the brake, and one will be going back in.

Not a option I am worried about as I do not tow with any of my trucks,never have and never will.They get driven everywhere we go regardless of distance and power level.

- tuning; several options, but will be EFI.

There are lots of options for the 07.5-09 Owners for tuning,My preference is EFI Live and with the latest update We(6.7 Owners) have the CSP5 switch option which makes it really nice.I run that with a CTS to monitor the important stuff except for boost where I run a digital Autometer Cobalt.

What you have is a great start,smart shopping will fill your budget better.Good fluids to ensure temps stay in check will go a long way to keeping the truck happy also.Good Luck......Andy