I've already got a better TB, air intake, and cleaner exhaust path. I also tow 6,000 lbs around the Rockies on occasion (trailer has it's own brakes).

Given those facts, and assuming there was $600 or so available in my wallet for the D, would you get a Hughes Airgap intake, or do one of the high end front brake kits? .... or something else?

 

Hmm....

 

^ lol. The question is, do you want better performance going up the mountain or down the other side? Up=air gap, down=brakes

 

Well,
... I do seem to too frequently bog down to be 'leader of the one lane parade' on some of the uphill pulls at 8,000ft ASL

... and I do already live at lower HP 5,500' ASL in Albuquerque, 3 yrs here in Albuquerque, compared to the HP at only 200' ASL in NY for the 1st 10 years of my D's life.

... and brakes don't know altitude, so 200' = 9,000' for stopping.

... I see a trend here...

 

Well it looks like you have your answer. And while we are on the subject of power, you know what doesn't care about elevation as much? Forced induction. That should solve your problems.

On a side note, let us know if you decide on the airgap and how it works for you. Been tempted by it for a while now.

 

Personally I wouldn’t tow with the Durango to the extent I’d have to start looking for upgrade options like you are.

Much better off getting a vehicle more capable doing the job. And yeah, I bet towing in the Rockies sucks.. I lived there in Colorado for 6 years. Good stuff!

 

Not everyone can warrant or afford(like myself) a dedicated tow rig. Upgrading a rig a little to make it a little more comfortable towing something it was already capable of makes more sense to some than buying a new rig to tow with a few times a year.

 

Hey, we all priorities.

And the rig doesn't have to be "new"..

Just seems wasteful to dump performance money into a old truck that will never perform to the abilities of new trucks these days (but yeah I get not everyone can afford a new truck or wants a new truck)

 

I feel a Durango tows fine, within it's limits. My R/T (bought new) came with tow package and is rated at 7300 lbs, and my Jeep on it's trailer is maybe 5800, so I'm comfortible. I've been dragging the Jeep on the trailer since 2 months after buying the D in April '01, including 2041 miles to get from NY to NM.

That 'leading the parade' thing really only happens to an embarrassing extent towing on the 50 miles between Durango, CO and Silverton, CO., which is an annual event.

I have no intent on getting rid of the D as long as it does what I need, and it has for over 12.5 years now. I spent over $5 grand on things over the past 14 months or so, tires, shocks, tuneup stuff, fill Magnaflow exhaust front to back, and a high end trans rebuild. I'm good. ... but I'd still like that Airgap...

 

Well yea, gotta put that built tranny to good use