Ok, I know it's not the ideal tow rig, but as it stands right now its all I've got. A 2000 Dodge 1500 2wd with the 5.2L engine. I just finished regearing the rear end to 3.90 with a new limited slip and was planning on getting a programmer so that I can fix my speedo, but what are some other upgrades I can do to make this a more bearable tow rig?

Currently I also have a weight distributing hitch and was thinking about a set of helper springs or add-a-leafs to keep the rear from slouching under load. Now I'm just trying to get as much inexpensive power as possible out of this beast.

I was thinking intake, headers and exhaust, but dont know if I would really see any gain. Maybe adding a mild cam or something?

Help me out guys
Chris

I have a 96 half ton. 5.9L though.

Two biggest improvements I made were 2,500lb hellwig overload springs and RS9000 shocks.

I have a high flow catback 3" exhaust. I lost some low end torque, but gained some high end power. I thinks it's the RC V8 too (vin code z), since I HAVE to run premium fuel.

I had the 5.2 in my 1/2 Ram tow rig. I added a 3" Gibson cat back, cold air intake, and flow tech headers. These made the most difference in seat of the pants power. I also added a jet chip w/o noticing a difference, and a throttle body spacer that was a waste of money. I had the 3.55 gears and 245/75/16 tires on it, and it towed what I needed well enough. I was towing a 85 extracab Toy with an exo etc on a 16' double axle trailer. I have no idea what the total weight was, but the Toy was a heavy pig. The only time I really had what I considered a hard time was pulling that weight up a 6% incline at about 9k in elevation, I was doing at 35mph and revving the engine hard. On the flats it was fine though. I also added a brake controller, autometer tranny temp gauge, the biggest autotranny cooler I could find and a thermo controlled puller fan for tranny cooler. That engine was rated at 220 horses and 300 Ft/LB stock. IMHO it felt stronger than the 5.4 in my current F150, and both are similarly modded. Sad thing is the 5.4 in factory trim is rated at 300 horses and 365 torque.