Hey everyone. I have a 97 Ram 1500 5.9 (360). Lately Ive been having a misfire in cylinder 3. Ive changed the cap, plug, and wires and its still there. Next thing I'm going to do a compression test, and I have a feeling it will show bad compression. Right now it has 240,000 on it so it's probably due.

So since I would probably have to replace the valve, Im looking ahead into rebuilding the whole thing. I am just looking for something to tow better with. Currently I have a 24' enclosed car trailer, so with it loaded I'm looking around 10,000lbs (suspensions has already been upgraded). The transmission on this truck too amazingly (knock on wood) has not one issue right now.

So I am looking for suggestions as to what I can do with the motor to make it a little more torquey so it can tow efficiently.

Thanks!!

 

You really need a 3/4 ton truck. I think your max tow rating is around 7200 pounds.....

 

Towing over the vehicle rated capacity will make quick work of that transmission.

 

 

What gears are you running and what size tires are on your truck? Is this truck 2WD or 4WD?

 

Doesn't matter what you do to it, the authorities (cops, your insurance company) will go by manufacturers specs for towing. If you are overweight, according to that, then the cops will write you a ticket, and your insurance company likely won't cover you in the event of an accident.

 

You can put lipstick on a pig, but in the end, it's still a pig.

Good luck!

 

Exactly, like what everyone else was telling you, not a great idea. Not meaning to gang up on ya or anything, but just because it seems like it does it, doesn't mean it should, or it is good for it. The half-ton truck is rated lower than the 3/4 and 1-tons for a reason. The axles, brakes, transmissions and even the frames can be/are different. Now, if you swapped axles from a 3/4 ton, giving you bigger brakes, axle shafts and gears, that makes it safer and more practical, but you still have to deal with the legality issues like others have stated. And on top of it all, the 46re you have (assuming it is a automatic transmission) just can't take that kind of abuse. They have issues with dying without towing over the rated limits. It is a lot more than just upgrading the suspension of the truck to be able to tow. Save your money, sell the poor half ton and buy at least a 3/4 ton in the same price range if you need to tow that kinda weight. I see 2nd gen 2500's with bad gas motors around me all the time for around $1,000 asking price.

 

I think Odessa makes an EQ head that flows better and is a better casting. I think they also have a stock replacement that is a better than stock casting. Maybe an RV cam and a tune from Hemifever or Flyin Ryan. I think someone makes a larger throttle body. Then a set of stainless Manzo shorty headers off fleabay and a Magnaflow muffler.

 

Eq heads, headers, 50 or 52 mm throttle body, roller rockers, sct tune by Flyin Ryan
Here's a link to Ryan's facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/flyi...scussiongroup/