1SlowFormula

I have already searched the forums and found some info but nothing concrete, so I figured I would start my own post for this instead os resurecting the older threads.

I am looking for a new (to me) CTD truck, mainly for towing reasons, and a lot of the truck I am finding in my price range with the options I want are already lifted.

I have the choice to spend the money modiying my truck to haul what I need it to haul or get a new one, and my wife thinks the better option is to get the CTD truck, but when we keep seeing these lifted truck I have not idea if it will still be good for towing.

So are guys towing heavy loads (~10K or so) with lifted trucks, any experiances you want to share and things to worry about?

Specifically I am looking at one truck in particular that is a 2500 CTD 6SPD w/6" lift on 37" tires, and really want to make a move on it, but need to know if it is a good move for my purposes.

These things I got from my research through the forums:
•Some kits are better than others, but which ones adn why?
•Shocks should be upgraded if they were not with the lift kit.
•Drop hitch and etc is needed, already researched those and there are choices so that's good.
•The tires may be a little overkill and wobble a bit when towing do to taller side wall, but are already E rated so that shouldn't mater for the load, right?
•Some lift kits just use blocks (which ones) and need to have torque arms (control arms) custom made for the rear to prevent axle wrap/ - which kits need this and are these custom pieces of something that I can just get if the truck doesn't have them?
•I heard lifted trucks eat through U-joints faster when they tow, but is this like 10% faster, or will I be replacing U-joints every year?

My big question are there any kits that I should avoid just due to design or sacrificing weight capacities?

klx650a2

I've ridden in a few lifted trucks with proper lifts, springs, shocks, etc and I cannot imagine towing with them. They felt "unnatural" and in a cross wind wandered all over the road. I've got enough on my plate towing with a regular truck without adding a lift and bigger tires...

Just my .02

macattack_ga

Especially if you are towing.. your going to want E rated tires...
are those big 37" tires E rated?

1SlowFormula

Actually I found out through a little research those are not, I thought they were on 17" rims and the Nitto Grapplers in 37" are E rated for the 17" rims but D rated for the 18's that this truck has, so I would need to upgrade the tires, which I kinda wanted to do anyhow...

high bid

IMO...I would say if you're going to tow >10k lbs more than 1/3rd of the time I wouldn't buy a lifted truck. I tow the Baja a lot during the summer w/mine and it does perfectly fine up/down the hill country of Tx but we're not talking NM or CO. I'd also definately look into 4:10 gears if towing anymore than 10k.

bnold

If you are buying the truck to tow keep looking for a stock suspension/tired truck... 37's are going to kill your final drive ratio... height and 37s will KILL your mileage...

Gooseneck/fifth wheel is almost a guaranteed out without modification for a 6" lifted truck with 37s...

If for show lift... If for work leave the suspension alone IMHO!

1SlowFormula

It is technically going to be my daily driver, and I tow 28' tag enclosed car hauler just under 9K 2 or so times a month for racing. If a heavier car is put in there it can get upwards of 10K, plus there are times when I will have over 10K in the trailer for long distances, but that may be 1-2 times a year. But I want a truck that can still tow...

larrybartlett

I'd leave the lifted truck(s) alone, especially if it's a bumper pull, you'll get alot of sway in my opinion

Kenny D

my dually has been lifted a total of 9 inches with 35s for about 40,000 miles and now has 37s i tow all the time and heavy 21,000 at one point half way through FL and back. If you do a lift i would not use blocks. I have never had any issues just use your head leave more room to stop and most of all remember your trans, that is your only real week point. I have a skyjacker no real issues, tho i have been through one set of bushings up front. Sher a stocker pulls better but you can do anything lifed a stocker can do just hafto take a few more precuations and mabee run a litle slower Hers A few pics.



heres the new set up

Kenny D

by the way your guys are rite no goosneecks or 5ers without mods and if thats all you do leave it stcok. i tow allot but the lift does make it a whole new ball game and the drive deff wears you out more gues its up to you man but it can be done lifted

supr

I would keep looking. I would go manual 6 speed, if you can finf one. 4.10 is not needed, but is nicer for heavy start up & cruising. New is not a bad option, I think most bugs are out of the 6.7, plus you get what you want/need. I would, without qustion, get the dually 3500 for towing.
Properly equiped, a 3500 can handle a 14-17k trailer, within weight rating.

bhuffstutter

why not look for a 2wd single or dually from what I've seen they a little cheaper.

1SlowFormula

OK, I have other threads about what I am looking for, but the trucks I am looking at are 6spd's that's one of the reasons I am having trouble finding them and the ones I have looked at are all over the place from stock to lifted trucks...

Here is what I have been looking for: 04.5-07 5.9 CTD, 6spd, 4X4, Quad or Mega cab, Tow package, and with a power driver's seat in the sub $35K price range, and less than 70K miles on the clock. Now those are the basics, I would prefer (in this order) Mineral Gray, Blue (either shade), black, or Maroon, don't need but will not argue with a Laramie and it's leather interior, and I don't care about the little things (stereo, overhead console, or any of that crap), hell one of our cars (my wifes daily driver) doesn't even have a radio in it...

So with that being said I have only 3 Manual trucks in a 200 mile radius of my house, most of which are 4+ hour drives from here, so the pickings are slim and I rely on the info I gather here before I make the drive to actually look at the vehicles. So with the one that was just traded in it has a 6" lift and other mods and tops the list of everything I have been looking for, therefore I needed to ask you guys about towing with a lifted truck...

here are some exterior pics of one of the ones I am looking at (ignore the 'DIESEL' stickers, this dealership puts those one so people can tell at a glance, Oh and it's dirty because it was just traded in and not detailed yet)...
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3711.JPG
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3716.JPG
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3717.JPG
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3718.JPG
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3719.JPG

Kenny D

buy a 05 6 speed and ill swap you a built DTT hahaha

1SlowFormula

OK, I just got some more info from the dealership working on this, they said they said it is over at their shop getting some work done before it hits the lot for sale because they need to inspect it and all that and found they need to put exhaust on it. They also said it was a BDS lift kit, and the guy working at the shop they use for thier diesels did the work on this truck and knows the PO, so I will be calling that guy a little later (the line was busy when I last called).

I asked them for pics from under the truck and under the hood and this is what they sent:
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3795.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3796.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3797.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3798.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3799.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3800.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3801.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3802.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3803.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3804.jpg
http://www.pszweb.com/truck/Ram%2025...h/101_3805.jpg

So looking at the BDS web site this looks like their 5" rear block lift setup, but if anyone out there is more familiar please let me know, and also let me know your thoughts on towing with this kit.

John