Well lots of questions and figured this was the best place to put them. I just got a black 2000 CrewCab SD 4x4 7.3L Lariat (price was too good to pass up)

This is a multi purpose vehicle for me. Most of my question will pertain to towing and what is the best product made in any give area.

I will be needing a brake controller. My understanding is the Jordan Ultima is what I should be looking at. Pro's/Con's anything better?

Next is a 5th wheel or GooseNeck. There are only 2 companies I see that make what I am looking for. For a 5th wheel Reese's 30k looks nice. For a GooseNeck, Hidden Hitch laos has a 30k rated unit. I also see Hidden makes a "hidden" version where you only need a 4" hole in the bed. Question is pro's and con's or either. The once place I spoke to said I probally should go with the GooseNeck but wanted more input before I anty up for it.
The truck does have a factory bed liner just in case you want to know.

Then there is the question of what is the difference between a 350 and 450 Someone told me it is the physcal springs that are the only the difference? Any truch to this? COuld I just bolt em up? Not sure of the distance between the hangers. Or maybe a set of air bags or helper springs are better? Any suggestions?

I just ordered an Extang Tuff Tonno as I did not want a solid unit since it would have to be removed/put on easily as well as transported when not in use.

I most likely will also start looking at the Banks exhaust brakeing system.

Anything else?

The term we can stick with is "Bigger IS Better" as safety, reliability are key factors.

Thanx in advance!
...Steven

 

I am not really up to which brake controller is best.

As for the 5th wheel or gooseneck, it really depends on what you are planning on towing.

Since you are going to have to cut up the bedliner and all that does is trap water under it, you may as well toss that and have a spray type liner done like Rhino.

I will let someone else answer on the beefing up of the rear end.

 

Was just reading through your questions. Couple of things come to mind. The jordon brake controller is a good one and I don't see any problems with that part.
The 5thwheel is somthing else. First I would ask what kind of trailer are you pulling. Converting a regular 5th wheel to a goosneck can create some problems. I think you will find several diffrent ideas on that but the 5th wheel hitch is easier to hook up, especially if you alone and don't have somebody to eyeball for you. I have seen several of the conversion kits for the 5ver to a goose but really don't have a lot of confidence in them. You did not mention B&W hitch's they have a system that can handle both kinds, its a little pricey but really looks good and is really easy to use. I have the Reese and can also do both. Although the current towed vehicle is a 5ver I could still get the plate and pull a gooseneck.
If you have a factory liner take it out to the trash can and tape a dollar to it that way you can say that you threw somthing of value away. The drop in liners will cause rusting and noise. Personaly I don't like them, have the liner sprayed in and be don't with it.
You never did say what you were going to tow so I'll just go by what you said. The diff between the 350 and 450 is a lot more than just springs. If you look you will see the actual frames are diffrent, the front axels are diffrnet and the gearing can be diffrent. Granted the drive line is basicly the same. Look a lot closer if your going to be pulling anything over 13000 pounds. If you are then just step up and spend the money for the 450, like you said, safety is a consideration.
The Banks exhaust brake, it is a real nice system but make sure that you get the entire thing, you can cause problems if you don't get the whole system, braking that is. This is one area that can be worrysome if you take shortcuts.
I think I was able to hit on most of your questions. I'll check back from time to time to see how things are going.

 

The trailer I am towing will need to be converted. At the moment the best way I can describe it is look at a rig and flip it upside down. The hitch pin is on my old tow vehicle (not a ball) and the plate which is a smaller version of what you see on tha back of a rig is on the actual trailer. I never saw anything lke it before but it has worked for the last 15 years without any problems.

I'll just cut the plate off and weld in either a 5th wheel or goose neck hitch. No biggie either way. As for ease of connecting that is also not a concern.

The trailer (1985 PAC) is roughly 32' deck and a 5' beaver tail. I am not sure how long the arms are that extend to where the connector is but I would have to imagine the trailer is 40' total length and is factory rated for 15k GVW which is roughly where I am when loaded. When loaded I have about 6k lbs centered over the trailers twin axels and 4k lbs in the front.

The 450 really was not an option to go with as it was pricier. Plus how could I beat a 2000 350 PSD crewcab, duelly, Lariat with 29k miles for $29k Not to mention this is a dual purpose vehicle meaning also a daily driver.

My old tow vehilce was a GMC 6000 converted to a motor home. The 366 gaser did realitively well and was rated to 29k lbs GVW.

In all my reading here so far it looks like braking is going to be my main issue in dealing with weight and this particular truck. So what size rotors are on this thing? Can larger ones be installed or do I need to go with a larger rim first?

Thanx for all the replies