47, I agree with all your points. My 3600 came with tube shocks so got that covered. I also did extensive cab insulation, used peel and stick from Lowes Home Improvement on the floor, back of cab, roof and all the area inside the outer door skin I could access. Then over that I glued 3/4" black closed cell foam. The old truck is really pretty quite, easy to heat and not too hot in the summer. I'm running 215-85-16 tires and it drives very OK. Think 1970 Chevy truck OK, not 2017. I've got the added weight component covered with the steel flat bed. Ride is good, even of wash board roads. On the high speed gearing, 4.10 gears (stock was 4.57) and a .72 overdrive T5 tranny work great. The stock 216 pulls the high gears fine at 60-65 or level road, any hint of hills and 4th or 3rd are just a shift away. 60 mph is a very easy/nice cruise speed.
Yep, it ain't stock but it's low mileage (just rolled over 50,000 miles) and it suits my needs just fine.
RonR
