HELP PLEASE! BUT LETS KEEP IT SOMEWHAT FRIENDLY IF POSSIBLE...

PEOPLE DEFEND YOUR BRANDS!! HAHA

I've currently built a 07 2500 cummins (5.9) did the full build pretty much myself between deployments and such full transmission(except shift kit, i don't touch the brains), turbo, exhaust, manifold, intake, intercooler, injectors, dual cp3, 250fass, flex-a-lite fans, cam, studs, snow pro, ... bla bla bla my mega cab was planned and built to be unexpected beast on the drag strip all I wanted to add was EFI live and a 86 or 91mm second turbo to it at this point to be completed..but heres my issue .. I lifted it 6 inches and threw on some 35's and I just completely blew out my back (herniated disks and at least 1 blown out, surgery in my near future) so I'm unable to get in and out of the truck/put my kids in it, the 6 year old can climb in with a stool but the 3 year old... well that's another story. So now I'm asking around and looking to see what some of the experts think. The way I see it I have a few options 1) buying some sort of performance stock height suspension for my cummins, not a lowering kit!!! 2)getting something new and starting fresh. 3) buying electric steps for mine and seeing if that works. Now I'm sitting with around $15,000ish installed in my cummins (and some spare parts laying around) and I only owe $18,000 on it. I've seen them going locally for $30- $35,000 with way less and I've already been offered $35,000 from my best friend but I think I can get more and I want him to build one so he really appreciates it.. and it honestly looks perfect lifted (never had so many people stop and tell me how great any of my other vehicles looked) so I'm leaning toward selling and starting again. (I am also itching to start a new build anyway)

Now I know everyone has a "brand" and I've been a dodge guy since I started driving. I may hate their crappy transmissions and uncomfortable drivers seat, both fixable... but still.

I've recently started looking into sled pulling... pretty legit from what I've seen but I don't know much about it. I also don't know if, after my surgery, I will be able to handle the jarring of something like that but I sure hope I can!

Now I'm really not a duramax guy, although I know they build easily and can be serious competitors. I can't really see me in one but I think they sit the lowest of all the platforms 'stock' so it's on my mind. If I start fresh I'm looking for a 09-11 .. so pretty much 6.7, 6.4 or possibly a 6.6... I know a 6.4 would be a cheaper build and I've always loved Ford interiors but I really love my dodge and the new ones are pretty good looking… with all that bs out of the way here's the point... I want a COMFORTABLE, family oriented, streetable, competitive sled puller that can on occasion smoke the competition on the strip, with gas mileage that I can live with.. (my mega is getting 17city/25highway/18 towing highway I don't know how but something just went right, I did 4 tanks with city, highway, and mostly highway towing to get these averages) but MOST IMPORTANTLY I need to be able to get my kids in and out and I need to be able to easily get in and sit myself. I've looked at electric steps but i'm unsure if that will be enough for my 3 year old.

Any help, advice, or even a you're screwed get a Prius response would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

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and yes my signature is out of date

 

Personally I'd lower it to just a leveling kit and keep it. Just my .02 if not buy a left over 12 Dodge heard you can get some killer deals on them right now.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

I know it's possible to lower it but I don't see the point in spending money to return to stock when the mega cab doesnt look very proportionate stock. I'm also getting some pressure from several friends to take on the challenge of the 6.4. Like I said before my 5.9 is built to pretty much exactly where (in my opinion) perfection is.. Perhaps it's time to branch out? I am also projectless at this point, or a gear head like me that is a necessity.. I just completed my dyna build, an my ****** build was put to a indefinite hold by my wife because she doesn't like the way I've taken it (2 seater) and we all know a happy wife means a happy life. I expect to be back on my feet in 6 to 10 months so by then I should have a stockpile of parts ready for whatever I choose.

So please keep the opinions coming!

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Ok so this isn't getting too many hits so I'll try and change it up a bit. (I'm on bed rest with an exploded disk waiting on surgery so i'm going to be persistent haha)

How and what would YOU build from these options (stock height or leveling kit ford or dodge, 3"lift Chevy)..

2010 Ram 2500

2009 F250

or dirtymax (I've never been a fan so you pick the years and why)

All around great truck, daily driver/sled puller/drag truck... built on a working family mans budget.