Ditto...it is what it is...a 'half ton' that is towing close to it's ratings
Yes, changing 'some' components to the next higher class helps, as they
are from higher class GVWR's
Ditto that there are no freebies in gaining more power. It comes
from somewhere and whether noticeable or not, it has a cost. The OEMs
have several mandated positions that some folks who think does not
matter 'enough' when they go tuners.
CAFE MPG is only one...EPA mandated exhaust has higher levels of
pain (fines, recall and even jail time). Why it is now a FEDERAL
offense to mess with SMOG systems and components...yes even in
states where they don't SMOG test
In helping the manhandling abilities of a half ton, I've gone to way
over sized LT tires, HD shocks (noodling double shocks), stiffen
suspension and will NOT go too deep on engine mods.
Notice all of the above mod's reduce 'ride quality' that I think most
half ton owners insist be high on their have to have list
Changing both diff ratio's to 3.73 is the best bang for your buck
Boy Racer stuff (I'm a life long boy racer and spent tons of $$$$)
has other things that needs to be done to accomplish
Electric fans do provide a bit more HP, but the cost is that the alternator
now has either shortened life due to increase loading to having
to buy a higher duty cycle
That increase in HP is when running empty. HP increase because it is
NOT working hard at that time they measured...towing will have the engine
working hard for loooooooooooong periods of time. So the alternator
will have to provide higher power. Note that most OEM alternators have
a duty cycle in the 30%-40% range...where electric fans need or demand
near 100% duty cycle while towing
