I have trouble towing a heavy load from a dead stop (stop sign) then up a steep grade. I've been thinking about setting it up where I could shift it into 4WD LOW and have a manual switch or lever to be able to disconnect the front axle (vacumn).

This way, I would be in low range (tight gears) but be in 2WD (dry asphalt) conditions and it should shift through the gears no problem while climbing the hill.

What do you think?

 

There is a kit you can buy to do this , it basically cuts off vaccum to the vaccum switch on the T case, no vaccum to the switch , and it can't move the lock collar.

you could build it yourself with some sort of small elec air solonoid , splice it into the main vaccum supply line to the vac switch on the T case. make sure the solonoid is rated for continuous duty , and normally open.

 

how about running the vacumn line into the cab with a brass ball valve mounted neatly under the dash where I can reach it?

 

That would work just fine! As long as you can cut off the vaccum supply going to the switch ontop of the T case , your in business!

 

A performance torque convertor and valve body would make a world of differance. I've had both auto's and sticks, I prefer the auto if you tow light under 10k and of coarse daily driver, over 10k the stick with low 1st gear really helps get the load moving on steep hills.

You probably shouldn't be towing on a hill sooo steep you need low range!

 

Just how heavy are we talking here?

 

Man I wish I could have low range with my 2WD truck like that

...without spending thousands of dollars.

 

upwards of 10K.

 

What about installing a Posi-Lock? Wouldn't that eliminate the alxe engagement but still give you low range? I am not sure, just a thought.

 

Dont know much about first gens but this works very well:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=126682

 

Don't know about your truck but mine is very hard to shift from 4wd low to high while moving and will only reach about 20 mph top speed. You would have to creep up the hill then stop and shift.
My 3500 tows 26k regularly, I was having the same problem and was considering a under-drive gearbox until I installed a 3k GSK. Problem solved.

 

I tried it today on my gravel driveway in 4LOW, I was able to get up to about 30MPH. yes, very difficult to shift it out of 4LOW and sometimes it will grind.