Originally Posted by Gerehead8

The V10 is thirtsy but overall is a good engine. Don't worry about cracked heads that was only really an issue with the early ones 94-96?. The truck will have a 47RE transmission which is stronger than the 46RE in the 1/2 tons but is still not the best. With 82K on the truck you could install a shift kit and maybe get the tranny to last a little longer. It will have a version of the NP241 transfercase which is a capable case. The truck will also have a Dana 60 in the front and a Dana 70 in the rear. Both axles are plenty strong for what it sounds like you are doing. With enough lift you could probably run 40's with out to many issues. The axles will either be geared with 3.55's or 4.10's as I don't think 3.93's where offered in the HD trucks and I think 3.73 was a cummins only option, I could be wrong on both of these. For running 35's even if you have 3.55's you won't need to regear if you don't want to as the torque of the V10 will handle the tires. If it is priced right I would say buy it as the truck will easily handle most of what you want to do.