jeepnut47

Getting a 2004.5, 4x4 2500, 4 door shortbed, with a 6 speed. Very familiar with the Cummins. I have a 1999 3500 flatbed 4x4 5 speed now.


What does everyone recommend for towing suspension upgrades. Going to be pulling 14K 25' gooseneck and 30' 14k tag toy hauler. Looking into the following upgrades... Gooseneck hitch, rear sway bar/air bags/???


I will be adding an edge (for gauge readings), tow hooks (doesn't have any), air dog in future. Probably only put 5K miles on a year. Will still use my 1999 for heavy work. Just using this truck to haul the family and travel.


The main reason I ask, is I saw some kind of ride enhancement hollow rubber things??? Was wondering if they were ok, or if I should stick with air bags or overload springs.


thanks,
Dave
(Bloomfield, IN)


PS... and the truck only has 82K miles. almost no towing miles.

Brad5502

I put rear airbags and a pacbrake engine brake on mine, plus a Smarty Sr and installed gauges for EGTs, fuel pressure, Rear and front differential temps.

Edge will suffice for the gauges and I recommend the airbags to smooth out the Chucking when going over freeway overpasses.

The engine brake is a huge help if you tow hills at all. I do 10 mile 6% downhills and never touch the brakes. Huge plus for wear on the brakes and relaxing downhill driving.

My 5th wheel is 13.5K lbs. Hope that helps.

hot_runner58

I have to agree with the above statement, I tow hills and through a few busy towns, and the Pac brake I put on is one of the best mods I've done. I hauled my backhoe from job to job for 2 years and that brake made a 5 second faster difference in slowing down from 75 to 55 compared to only using the engine. Of course, mines and auto so there is some difference, but the brake is still a good investment. I think the smarty and gauges is a better deal than the edge myself, and I have had both set ups. Perhaps think about a little bigger turbo. I perhaps should have gone bigger with mine after I finished my upgrades, but the one I have made a big difference in keeping things cool and getting things flying down the road.

cLAYH

You are going to need a better clutch than the factory one if you plan on towing that heavy with ANY power added.

SOhappy

I'm sold on the firestone ride-rights (or airlift equivalent). Makes towing much nicer, most cost-effective upgrade for these trucks. Easy install too.

AH64ID

Airbags are superior to the timbrens, so I would go that route.

The standard hellwig anti-sway bar was a huge improvement empty and towing.

Unless your going to add power I wouldn't add gauges. The 04.5 will run nothing like your 99 in terms of EGTs, and will do nothing but scare you with stock, normal, EGTs.

04.5s came with the engine mounted fuel pump, make sure that's not still there as they are major failure points.

I would look into a FASS pump over Airdog for many reasons, but a fuel heater and filter cross references are two big ones... Recent reliability of the Airdog has also been an issue, based on many sites and info.

I agree 100% on the exhaust brake, I wouldn't tow heavy in the hills without one.

jeepnut47

Thanks for the replies. Where is a good place to find the rear sway bar? I may also do the air bags.

Yep, I know to be careful with the clutch. When it slips, I'll upgrade. Got 60K on mine luk in my 1999 pulling these loads. Been perfect.

Pac-brake is a something I would very much like, but $1200 just isn't in the picture right now. I have a lot of short hills around me. Just driving with patience helps a lot. The roads are so terrible around here you can't go very fast anyway. lol

Was not aware of the engine mounted fuel pump. I'll have to look into that. I use the edge and air dog on my 1999. They've worked well for me, but I've heard of friends being pretty picky on the chips They recommended the smarty as well. The air dog did fail about 5 years into it, but it was a no hassle replacement. They may not be the best or smoothest, but I'm not quiet that sensitive.

Thanks again. All in all, I just want to make sure I have a solid truck to tow with. My 1999 is still around too. It's far from perfect, but has been good.

AH64ID

Amazon has about the best price I have seen on the swaybar.

Edge runs HOT for anything HPCR, most run it for a while and ditch it for a Smarty.

jeepnut47

Thanks.

The vin says it has the 11.5 rear end which is the 4" tube I believe. I'm no where near the truck right now. lol Just have a problem finding the part #.

jeepnut47

What would you guys do...Air Bags and rear sway bar or just one or the other?

AH64ID

All 04.5's and up trucks have the 4" 11.5 with the diesel.

I have both, and each improved the towing experience. I would start with the sway bar, then bags.

Brad5502

Still not sure why everyone sez a new clutch is needed. I'm at 190K, probably 50K of that towing a 13.5K 5th wheel.

I tow conservatively and she's never slipped. I'm happy with stock so far.

cLAYH

Stock clutch only works with stock power.

jeepnut47

Just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions. I went with some Air lifts. They said they were having a little less warranty issues with them.

Towed my new 30' toyhauler with the 99 3500 last weekend. It redeemed itself. Next time will be the new 04 2500.

CRToney

IMHO airbags aren't superior to timbrens. Timbrens are inexpensive and are easy to install. They don't need adjustment. Two problems: in hot weather they get soft in extremely cold weather they are very hard. I have had them on my '92 w350, 97 2500, my 03 2500 and on the front axle of my KW w900 w/ AG100 suspension.