K that was a little dirty. Warranty is up truck is paid for.No problems so far but a blown mastercylinder on the G56 clutch(Almost a disaster) and a hard starting issue that a dealer reflash has seemed to handle.So warranty is up and its time to start building.I have $10,000 that came with about 60 easy monthly installments.Truck is an 06 3500 QC SB W/G56 spd manual T-case.I'm thinkin bout 6000 into the suspension (2.5 King coilovers w/progessive rate springs) and 4000 into tires and mild engine upgrades. Truck has 28000 miles and tows 26' Weekend Warrior,24' Whaler offshore boat,and small skiploader tractor on occasion. Bout 5 tons on average. Id like 37''x12.50" MTR (Interco TSL SSR Toyo MTs,or mabey Yokahamas).Motor mods I want an intake,muffler delete, and a programmer (Id like one w/moniter to avoid more gauges and it must be SOTF).Suspension I'm lost on but I was almost Thinkin bout a 4.5" fabtech with Thuren shocks and steering.Carli springs and LT airbags.I have ruled out bumpers(TDK),manual hubs,and gears due to $ issues right now.One of the reasons I want 37's is to lower my rpm's @ 65-70mph w/o a 3-4k$ over/underdrive.If there is any $ left over a set of Bushwhackers and nerf bars would be cool.I'm looking 4 advice on a good place to buy,I will install everything.And any other usefull advice and experiance(besides 4 stroke motors 4 the boat) =-) Cheers Phil & Sophie Will post with all progress of course.

 

Everyone's preference is different, but I don't think a lift and 37" tires is very conducive to towing. ESPECIALLY if your WW is a 5th wheel! But that is only my opinion.
The tires are going to reduce your effective gear ratio to about 3.12 (assuming you have 3.73 gears now). So you will reduce your RPM at 70MPH about 300rpms.
If you do it though, I hope you like it.

 

Ill go from another angle.

Twins keeping the stocker, no idea cost but we will say $4500
Torque converter/valve body $2000
If you want a programer with gauges edge or Bullydog $1000
And lastly buy a lift pump of your choice, and either lift or rims and tires $2500 or both/ just depends how good of a shopper and classified finder you are.

If your gonna buy 37s in a MT type tire be ready to spend alot of money often, and even more if you tow. Your truck will be reliable, and a street/ towing machine.

JMO.....

 

All Carli or Thuren on the suspension. You won't have to spend $6,000 if you go Thuren. Toyo MT's on the tires.

 

i agree carli + tq and vb + smarty+ gauges... then you can find used rimes in the classifieds on here for a good price.

but its up to you

 

My $.03

MPI or BD's Twins, Thuren Suspension w/ Kings, 37's (unless 5th wheel, then 35's), Gauges, Smarty, Southbend 3250# DD clutch, and EMS hubs for low range 2wd.

Oops, went a little over budget.

 

I would put that 10000 into a bigger offshore boat or maybe some 70 or 80 vsw's on bent butt rods.

 

Tuna man I tend to agree with you on the boat what would you reccomend.I fish tuna but it usually about 150 mile round trip run to the warm water. If you consider 62 degees warm. Anyway that is easy for you to say your truck is already built.How do you like the Swampers ? Also considering Attitude A2 or the Bullydog with new touchscreen. I know the Smarty is one the best programmers out but I am looking for a simple turnkey moniter/programmer truck is out of warranty and both the Bullydog and edge should produce plenty of power for me w/an intake and some exaust mods.Not sure what the vsws are but I am assuming tackle/gear. We fish mainly Albacore out here and my big tuna to date is 32lbs. That stuff may be a little overkill. I think the 37s should be cool for towing w/Carli long travel air bags. My last tow rig was an extra cab f250 w/460 38 Swamper tsl radials . I had it geared as well. The only problem I had was a lack of power and range getting mpg towing the toy hauler. As far as the tranny I went with the six speed so I am really only worried about the clutch. I will baby the stock one till I can afford to change it. These trucks were geared way too low from the factory wich is one of the reasons I want the 37s. I have a set of 35 toyos I liked alot but are wasted after about 18000 miles. Talked to Don Thuren and he told me my stock aluminim rims are great rims w/good offset for up to 37"tires. Thanx 4 all the feed back guys. Philip

 

whatever you do don't forget to set aside $1500-$2000 for a good clutch and heavy duty hydraulics.

 

Where you go out of for the albies? We usually do Santa Cruz.

 

Over here on the east coast it is usually 120-150mile round trip out of Va. Beach. You need to catch you a 70+lb yellowfin or a 100+lb bluefin. The giant bluefins are arriving by the day but it has been to hard to get out due to the weather. The big boys are 200+. Im sure you can find something to do with that $10,000. maybe take a little of that and come over this way and catch a monster.

 

I live in the Santa Cruz mountains.East side and the harbor is 20 mins from the house. You may see me down there this weekend as it is the last weekend for rockfish. My handle is "No Bannanas". She's a 1997 24' Outrage Whaler with a red canvas T-top. Well trailer her up to Half Moon Bay or Down to Monterey sometimes depending on where the fish are at. Id love to fish the east coast. My first mate grew up in Conneticut . Id love to go up thereand check out the Albin factory (Next boat I hope).How bout those Irocks and Bdog ?

 

Leveling springs and bilstein 5100 shocks, with 35" Toyo MT tires. Navigation with back up camera, in dash Kenwood DNX8120. Smarty, and keep it on level 7. Maybe some nice leather seats with heat. One of those cool little diesel powered coolant heaters, espar? And keep the rest for a clutch upgrade later.

Sounds like fun.

 

Come on down to Monterey one day, and I will meet up with ya and show you my rig. I have Thuren suspension with Bully Dog PMT, with 315/70/17 Mickey Thompson MT's on stock wheels. That will give you a pretty good idea of what you are looking for

 

Big surf this weekend. Stay away from mavericks!