Greetings! Haven't been around in a long while so had to re-register as my old email address used is no more, but I have a new question for this community:

I've had a couple of 1st Gen D's and just lost our 2003 SLT+ in an accident. Thought about buying new but just found a very low mileage 03 at a dealer for less than the insurance settlement. Only issue is that there's no factory towing package on it. What do you really lose in capacity, etc. with aftermarket?? I remember ours had a separate cooler and I believe a different axle in the rear. Both old and potential replacement rides are the 4.7l engine. My boat weighs in at about 3,600lbs and I NEVER had a problem towing it on the 03 with factory tow hitch.

Any thoughts are appreciated and TIA!

 

I think it just depends what equipment the truck has, such as axle ratio, transmission cooler, etc. Although you're not pushing any boundaries with a 3600 lb boat, so you should be fine regardless.

 

I felt my '02 Durango 4.7 & .355 gearing struggled a bit to get moving with my 3200Lb Glastron. After that it did just fine. I did not have the tow package, only an aftermarket class 3 hitch and hoppy(?) harness. I also have a 5 flat trailer harness and had to add an extra wire for the trailer brake reverse release. I did pick up a trans cooler but never got it installed as the my boating 2013 boat season was shortened.
Tow pkg. I'm thinking was........
Hitch
Cooler
Harness/Receptacle
HD Braking
Possibly gearing and tow mirrors


I now have a Ram 1500 5.7 with the package but have not towed with it as yet.
Previous vehicles '77 Ramcharger and '84 Ramcharger, both 360's and no tow packages, seemed much easier to tow that weight. I guess 80 cubes will make a difference.

 

I don't think there was any braking upgrade for the tow package, and apparently the 3.92 gearing wasn't included either (which it should have been).

 

Thanks, I know I got the 3.92 ratio as a separate items because the cost was minor in the purchase I thought it might help given the smaller engine. Anybody ever changed that piece after the fact??

 

Yeah, your right on the brakes and gear. Found the option list. Both 4 wheel anti and gear an op.
TT Group + HD Service Group
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750 amp batt