Hello,

Sorry in advance if this has been posted before, I've looked and cant find an appropriate thread.

My story starts with 96 Ram 1500 (5.9L) that had tons of bolt on stuff (see signature below) and from what I can tell very little engine work. The only engine mods I can find are dual batteries, K/N intake and a Holley TB. I should also mention that the previous owner told me that the truck has 4.11 gears but I have not confirmed. It has a cat back daul exhaust with a flowmaster muffler. Also this truck from day one has run Rotella diesel oil in the motor. Truck has 73,000 miles and just passed California emissions with out any problem. Runs and drives fine with one exception.

Towing sucks!

I'm trying to haul a 24' toy box that when fully loaded will be around 6,500 lbs. On the way to our favorite camping spot there is a pretty serious grade, I'm estimating 7percent for a couple of miles. The truck is turning 3300 rpm in 1st gear at 24mph. It's an agonizing few minutes getting up that hill and just waiting for the motor to cough, sputter and die. The entire trip to our spot take me from 900 feet above sea level to around 5500 ft. There are a few spots where the truck needs to get down into 1st gear and scream for mercy.

My questions are;

Sell it and get a diesel? (I don't like the option because this truck has lots of expensive bolt on's that I'd have to purchase for the new truck. Taking these off even with low milage renders the truck worthless. KBB 3k$).

On a very tight budget, what would the best power adders be? I'll list what I'm thinking in order of (what I think) performance / budget order.

Electric fan
Chip and 91 octane (Jet or other)
lower temp thermostat (180 degree)

Any suggestions?

Thank you,

 

I would verify your gears.... Sounds to me like still has the stock 3.55s..... Even 4.10s with 35 inch tires is going to be a struggle pulling a 6500 pound trailer..... I think you are pushing very close to the limit for your truck.

 

Sounds like you have the same problem as me. My truck dont pull for ****..

 

Well i havent towed anything with my truck yet but I have the 4:56 gears with 35s. Does anyone have that kind of set up and if so what were you pulling.

 

4.56 gears with 35 inch tires leaves you pretty close to stock RPM in the assorted gears.... shouldn't compromise you from stock, aside from the handling issues stemming from the truck sitting higher.......

 

Time to show it a tuner to unleash the beast within.

It's also a good time to start worrying about the automatic transmission, if that's what you've got behind the engine.

 

No motor mod short of a stroker or forced induction will provide any noticeable help in a situation like that. You need gears when you are trying to tow a grade like that. Those Dana 60's more than likely do have 4.10s but that is the bare minimum for running 35's reasonably. For you situation 4.56 will make the truck tow like stock (not very well). I would suggest 4.88s or a lower gear for towing like that.

Also a HUGE transcooler and a guage. I would not worry about the motor towing that grade but I bet your trans temps are through the roof.

BTW, JET chips are terrible. I have never heard a good thing about one.

 

check plenum gasket

 

Towing sucks in any any gas motor event with my 5.9 4.56 gear's and 33" tires and the full aftermarket exhaust tuner and intake. I shot the hills alot when I'm towing or loaded down its the only way to get up them at any sort of speed. (Worst time I can think of happen a few weeks ago pulling a 6,000lbs chipped loaded down with wood. Hit a light that I knew I didn't want to hit with that much weight behind me. I pulled an impressive 15mph up the hill traffic was pissed. But theres really nothing you can do) I'm pretty sure you know what I'm talking about so theres no need to explain it. Just try to put a good run on the hills is really about all you can do. Make sure your out of OD as well.