Build a hypothetical 3500HD.

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skylark

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HYPOTHETICALLY build me a GMT400, crew cab, 4x4, diesel, flatbed (not sure on 8' or 10'). It needs to be capable of 5k on the flatbed and towing up to 12k. It also needs to ride as smooth as possible and be reasonably low for being a solid axle 4x4 because I'm 5'7" and my sweetie is 5'.

The intent would be to haul a monster cab over camper, have utility boxes instead of besides and be able to take full advantage (if needed) to tow our 12k car trailer.

Here is the kicker, I want parts that will hopefully be still readily available 20+ years from now.

Here are my current thoughts. 5.9 Cummins (I really don't want DEF), Allison A1000 tranny and air ride suspension with 19.5 wheels (because I don't think 10 or 12 plys will handle the weight and be stable).
 

letitsnow

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I've got nothing but it sounds like an awesome project. It might be tough to keep it low though...
 

b454rat

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You need to find an actual 3500HD crew cab 4wd. They are out there, seems like down south n Midwest got em for some reason. Will need to regear, 5.13s will suck with a diesel. The way this country is going be lucky if anything is available in 20 years.
 

skylark

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I figured that I would have to go back to 4.10 gears. It would be nice to find a 4x4 but they are tough. With looking at air ride I'll be ditching the front suspension so I wasn't as concerned about finding a 4x4 to start. Also if I had to swap a front axle for gear/parts availability I would swap the rear to match wheel bolt patterns.
 

618 Syndicate

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You need to find an actual 3500HD crew cab 4wd. They are out there, seems like down south n Midwest got em for some reason. Will need to regear, 5.13s will suck with a diesel. The way this country is going be lucky if anything is available in 20 years.
GM never made them 4x4, but conversions are definitely out there.
 

b454rat

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Technically no, but GM cut a hole in the fence next to Monroe, so when they came off the line they went directly to Monroe for conversions.
 

Supercharged111

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You're in my boat now, I just passed on one for $10k. Got me to thinking maybe a C&C is the easy way out. Their frames were a lot beefier than a regular 3500 and could be had stock with 4wd and a 4.10 gear. I'd do the 10' bed, that puts more truck in front of the camper which is especially beneficial if you have a bunch of camper behind the truck.
 

skylark

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You're in my boat now, I just passed on one for $10k. Got me to thinking maybe a C&C is the easy way out. Their frames were a lot beefier than a regular 3500 and could be had stock with 4wd and a 4.10 gear. I'd do the 10' bed, that puts more truck in front of the camper which is especially beneficial if you have a bunch of camper behind the truck.
The problem comes in that Pearl (our 2000 K3500 dually) weighs in at 7700 empty. I know that our cabover will be 4000+ and I believe that she is only rated at 10k. I'll be overweight and can't even think about towing.
 

Supercharged111

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The problem comes in that Pearl (our 2000 K3500 dually) weighs in at 7700 empty. I know that our cabover will be 4000+ and I believe that she is only rated at 10k. I'll be overweight and can't even think about towing.

My camper is closer to 5000#. The truck handles it really well by itself. My only complaint is when we're towing plus the camper the fronts lock up too easy. I suppose it's no different than just the trailer too. I'm not sure how much a C&C or HD can help out here. C&C adds 2000# to your GVWR and the wheelbase will make it drive better period with a camper and load. Problem: Superhitch doesn't make a hitch for the C&C or the C3500HD. They do make one for a Ford C&C though (I asked last week) that may be adaptable. The first question that comes to my mind is are those frame rails 34" where the bed mount bolts go or 34" to the outside of the rails? If it's the latter, the Ford hitch may be your Huckleberry.
 
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