cLAYH

4.10s were the standard option with the 6spd manual. I'm surprised you have the 3.73s in a dually with the 6spd manual. I had the SB clutch in my '03 and even with 4.10s I still had the same bucking problem you are describing. Way to grabby of a clutch for towing really heavy and trying to start off easy. I will say though that in 5 years I never slipped it pulling 18K and having mods on the truck.

RobG

I suspect the 4.10 option went away when they switched to the G56. I just know it flat out was NOT an option anymore after mid-2005. The G56 has a very short 6th gear, which gives the same RPM with 3.73s as my old NV5600 did in 6th gear with 4.10s.

Rob

KATOOM

I tug around a 38' 5th wheel and I have 3.54's with 285's and a short bed SRW. Yes, if I could start from scratch I'd have a dually but with a 5th wheel that large but I'm not sure I'd ever want 4.10's. Too low of gearing for everyday driving down the freeway, but thats just me and no knock on anyone who thinks otherwise. That said, my truck pulls around that 14k setup pretty nice for such a little truck but a dually would be more laterally stable. If new trucks weren't so darn expensive and mine wasn't paid for then this would be a none discussion but I'm not willing to spring for new truck payments, and higher insurance, and higher DMV fee's. I've even thought about converting this SRW short bed to a short bed dually but thats a rare job. The dually fenders would go from the tail light all the way up to the cab. Look like a toad.

misterKTM

Thanks for all the input. Good perspectives.

Update on my direction/progress...I found a '03 dually bed the same color as my truck. . It's in excellent condition same year, same color - couldn't pass it up. I then located a year newer ('04) dually rear end with the same 3.73 posi. Picking it up today actually. Bought 4 new KMC wheels, and 3 used steel wheels (2 for truck, one for spare). Going to wrap then with some Michelin MS/2 tires and call it a dually !

The conversion pieces look to be a good kit if you are just going for the dually 'look' and not function. I want to pull a heavy trailer of course and didn't like that the wheel bearings were all inboard of the dually wheels with the adapter plates. The real dually axel has the outside bearing outside of the wheels...Better deal..

I like the clutch input/advice..I was considering doing a clutch when I tackle the conversion. My Stocker has been fantastic, so I may just stick with it or equivalent. I was thinking south bend, but I don't want the bucking...and the stocker has held up great.

misterKTM

Conversion Complete ! Did it in probably a day total....About 1/2 day Saturday and 1/2 day sunday. I have a pretty well equipped shop though...Jib crane made it much easier. Way better than selling my truck an buying another one. Anyone considering converting (either way) I would encourage it before selling truck...piece of cake to do..

KATOOM

Looks awesome.

Colo_River_Ram

Ready-Set-Tow!

CrazyCooter

Sweet! You will be much happier with the DRW pulling that load.

cincydiesel

Here's one for all the SRW haters.. Been happily pulling this for over 20,000 miles and never a flaw and at any speed needed. 3.43 rears, 3,700 kingpin weight and 18,800 lbs. trailer with all 4 hay burners in the back. I will say I do NOT cheap out on tires. I make sure I have the best of the best.

RobG

I'm no SRW hater at all. The only reason I have a dually is I had planned to get a big truck camper, but that fell through and I got the big 5er instead. I could tow mine just fine with SRW.

FWIW, if you tow a huge heavy trailer with SRW, like you said, don't cheap out on tires. If it's really heavy, I'd say go with 19.5's.

Rob