1st gen towing tips
#16
Registered User
roger that; I should have said so directly. and don't even get me going on that lame-o excuse of a parking brake. That reminds me that I need to add to my signature the Mico lever lock I installed to keep my truck from drifting down the boat ramp, pulled by a three-ton boat & trailer. I never want to show up as one of the maroons on YouTube having my truck recovered from underwater!
#17
Registered User
forgot to answer this: the good news is that dash cams have gotten super-cheap. I don't even know what brand I have, but I paid less than $75 for it a couple of years ago and have velcro mounts in my truck and old M-B 300TD wagon. Recently I dropped it on the garage floor so the buttons no longer work (but it's still recording). Amazon Prime days are coming up on the 15-16th, I bet you can buy a camera with forward and reverse views for less than $50. Well worth the peace of mind given how much distracted/moronic driving occurs today. It won't prevent an accident, but it will memorialize it! The reverse cam will pick up the daredevil who comes up in the center lane (as you're in the slow lane) and suddenly cuts in front of you to make an exit a few hundred yards away (of course, there's no one behind you, these drivers are just impatient)f
#18
Registered User
The only reason I drive my '90 is when its hooked to a trailer. The heaviest I have been is 19k combined, in central Pennsyltucky with a grade every 2 miles. I have the G360, 4.10s and 315/75R16s (35's).
The single biggest improvements I have seen are 1)swapping out the non IC radiator to the IC radiator, 2) the 3200 rpm governor spring, 3) Denny T Stage 1 fuel pin.
I have put about 50K on the truck since doing the Getrag/4.10 swap and I have had no issues related to towing with the Getrag. Even in 5th gear on grades when the engine is on the higher end of the RPM spectrum.
Like Oliver said, spend the extra on a good gauge set. I have worked on quite a few later generation Dodges where the owner complains of high EGTs and the culprit is the Glowshift units.
Also like mentioned above, the brakes on these trucks SUCK. Good progressive brake controllers are worth their weight in gold.
The single biggest improvements I have seen are 1)swapping out the non IC radiator to the IC radiator, 2) the 3200 rpm governor spring, 3) Denny T Stage 1 fuel pin.
I have put about 50K on the truck since doing the Getrag/4.10 swap and I have had no issues related to towing with the Getrag. Even in 5th gear on grades when the engine is on the higher end of the RPM spectrum.
Like Oliver said, spend the extra on a good gauge set. I have worked on quite a few later generation Dodges where the owner complains of high EGTs and the culprit is the Glowshift units.
Also like mentioned above, the brakes on these trucks SUCK. Good progressive brake controllers are worth their weight in gold.
#19
Registered User
BHD, what rpms are you running at 60 with the 4:10s and what tire size are you running?
#20
Registered User
With the 3200rpm governor spring it tops out above 90mph
I really think the best combo for these trucks is 3.55s, 33 to 35 inch tire, HX35 turbo, and a fuel pin.
If money weren't an option and I could get the driveline angles to work a Brownie Box or Gear Vendors would be awesome to split all the gears for towing.
The following users liked this post:
nonrev (07-07-2019)
#21
Registered User
Clearance in the torque converter is critical. Mine got knackered by a shift kit install mistake, where the installer put in the TQ pressure mod that's not needed. Over time it stretched the case a bit and braking quit being effective. Goerend warranteed the TC.
#25
Registered User
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
92GhostRyder
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
27
09-16-2018 12:02 PM
BRUISER
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
11
02-02-2015 11:25 AM
BigDodge1
Towing and Hauling / RV
7
06-25-2005 09:57 PM