I got a chance to pick-up 91 CTD SRW flatbed not sure if its 4 or 5 speed 400,000miles, kinda cheap. I'm thinkin to throw dually wheels and air bags and go pick-up a 14,000lb package in South California. I got '02 2500 AUTO CTD SRW, so I can turn this '91 into DRW easier and its stick with new tranny. I know nothing about 1st gen. What do you guys think? Any ideas or comments? Thanks for looking at my thread.

 

So you already have a DRW axle and fenders? Both can be difficult to find.

 

Its a 5 speed for sure. Getrag 5 speed... First gen will pull 14,000 pounds

 

I got DRW wheels, and its got a flatbed, so I think I'm ok as far as that. I'm just wondering abbout the mileage (400,000) and runin the truck up 6500' elevation with 14000lb pckg. I know they supposed to run forever, but what are the weak spots? what should I check out before running it at a full load? Thanks for your replys

 

The lengths of the SRW and DRW axles are different, I believe. Also, the hubs, bearings, drums, etc. are different. Putting DRW rims on a SRW axle would probably cause premature bearing failure.

 

Not true. My old truck was a 3/4 swapped to a dually with a set of wheels, front dually adapters and a flat bed. The guy that did it before me was the second owner of the truck and purchased with 77K miles on it. Swapped at 80K and I just retired it a 298K with not one bit of trouble. I don't think you will have any problem with it. Chevy's you can't just swap like this.

I've also put a SRW axle in a dually so it would tuck the tires under a flat bed before. The are 3 different width rears for these trucks. SRW, DRW, and the Cab and Chassis.

 

Oh, and if it's a 91, a 3/4 ton truck is a 250, not a 2500. The 2500 designation didn't start until '94.

The difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is the brakes and suspension. The 1 ton uses some heavier pieces in the rear (3" brake shoes, larger leaf spring bushings/bolts) to handle the higher capacity.

Is the 14,000 lbs the weight of the payload with or without the trailer its on? I hope that's including the trailer. Is it a 5th wheel or gooseneck, because there's no way I'd tow that much on a ball hitch.

I think 14,000 lbs is too much load for a 3/4 ton truck. You could probably pull it, but could you stop it? Your truck is probably already heavier than stock with a flatbed on it in place of the stock bed. I'd want a real 1 ton truck for that much. If you have a problem and cause an accident, your insurance company might not cover you if you exceeded your vehicles rated towing capacity. You might even get some serious tickets for exceeding towing capacity.

You didn't say if it's a 4WD or RWD truck. That makes some difference, too.

 

See this thread ;

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...owing+capacity

The general consensus is the ability to stop safely. Do you have trailer brakes?

 

Thanks for all your replies fellas. Its a 91 250 2wd, and I need to pick up a 33'10,500lb sailboat, so its kinda aerodynamic, which should help with towing and I think the trailer is about 2500? It is a 3 mobile home axles (5000lb capacity each) all with brakes and I've got a prodigy controller. I moved a 36' (about 10500 total weight) sailboat few years back with 95 3500but that was auto, and I think that tranny was the weak link. This time boat is a little smaller but heavier, so that's why this 5sp is so appealing.

 

just be careful towing that heavy in 5th gear. dont lug it. and over fill the trans by a qt first.

 

Thanks for your reply, can I just stay in 4th on the flat lands? Im trying to find out a gear ratio on this truck right now, so I'll have a litle more info in a while I need to go about 300 freeway miles @ about 50-55mph and I need to get over Cajon and Moutain Pass (about 8000' elevation). So climb slow and come down slower. I've towed 12000lb long distance before, it is all about trailer brakes and making them slow the whole thing on downhills, but that was with automatic and no engine brake. Can I just put the truck into 2nd or 3rd gear coming down and crawl down at 25mph still using trailer brakes?

 

You can do whatever you want to do. I just wouldn't exceed the published GCVWR or you could face fines and if you have an accident, your insurance carrier can get away with denying your claim.

Remember, it's not just you out there on the highway.

 

over fill the G360 with royal purple synchro max and tow away. it'll pull the load fine. check the rear diff fluid too.

 

Thank you for your advice sir, I've just talked with a friend who has a new ctd drw, may be he will help me out this time.
Just FYI when I pulled 36' salboat with my '95 ctd dually auto (now with sick tranny from moving 14'x70' mobile homes for 4 yearrs) we were properly licensed and permitted in California and Nevada. It just made my truck look like a mini-truck with that big boat behind it. I felt that I was under control at all time. I just wished I had exhaust brake, thats it.
In fact, it gave me so much confidence, I became a Nevada licensed mobile home mover and now ater 4 yrs tranny finally gave out (it was already shifting funny wen I bought the truck in' 03).
My friends call my truck "an animal" these trucks are monsters, but you are so right about not execeeding ratings and laws.
Cops are sometimes amazed, when they pull me over, that in Nevada you can lawfully pull a mobile home with 3/4 ton pick-up provided its been converted to drw.
Anyways fellas, Its all about safety, if you know what you doing and got right stuff, Its all good, just dont hurt yourself or others in the process.

 

Guys, great news, my buddy will do it for $400+fuel. I think this problem is solved.
I sincerely appreciate all replies, I've learned a whole lot about 1st gen in the last 18hrs. DTR is amazing