I have a 97 dodgd ram 1500 4x4 360 and i want to change the engine, transmission, and transfer case to a 408 strocker. Should i be okay with the 1500 frame and dana 44 axles?? Or would i need to get the 2500 series frame and axles??

 

That's a nice lookin' truck. 408 would be fun, but, you would need to beef up the trans to deal with it. T-case and axles should be fine though. Moving this to 2nd gen ram section for ya.

 

So i want to pull more weight. Can i just get an extra leaf springs or would i have to get the dana 60 with leaf springs?? I know i would have to get a trans cooler and i am going to put air bags in the rear for leveling too

 

You get into whether it's legal or not. But the 9.25 will handle some weight. How much weight we talking about?

 

I want to have enough weight on the truck to pull my 28' enclosed trailer that has my 94 dodge grandcaravan and my kawasaki vulcan 1500 motorcycle, plus an external fuel tank for longer driving between gas stops.

 

I am thinkin' a 3/4 ton truck would be a better plan.... You are going to be pushing your max tow weight pretty hard with that......

 

So can i get by, by changing the axles along with trans cooler and get air bags to keep it level??

 

I'd just get a heavy duty 2500 and fix that up. You'll probably spend less money with less aggravation to go big. Keep your current truck for a daily driver.

 

That would likely work, but..... the legal aspect rears it's ugly head. If you are towing more than the tag on your truck says you should, that's a crime.... and your insurance company is instantly off the hook for anything that happens while you are doing it. Get in an accident, and get sued? YOU are on the hook. Not the insurance company. I would start by finding out exactly how much your trailer, van, and bike weigh, and then add the weight of yourself, any passengers, and assorted other gear. Are you over your GCWR? Start looking for another truck.

 

The manufacturers weight rating and the legal weight rating are two different things. Depending on where you live and the situation you can be over the manufacturer weight rating and still be 100% legal. I am guessing a 28 foot trailer with a minivan and motorcycle will weigh around 8-9K, your 360 will pull that, just don't be afraid to let the engine rev, and lock out the overdrive. The most important thing is a larger transmission cooler, depending on how you load the trailer and what kind of hitch you use you may be fine with the factory springs.