Tow Rig Questions?

[Reedo311]

So my dad has a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel, he has been looking at making some upgrades and asked me to do some research for him. The truck is mostly driven on long road trips pulling our FJ40 or a trailer of some sort. Occasional use off road but mostly a pavement truck.

First of all he is looking at getting some new tires, right now he has the stock tires and want something taller but not too wide. The truck see most of its driving on the road so he wants a good all terrain tire. Any recommendations?

Second he is thinking about an after market exhaust, intake, and chip mod, (ie: bullydog, banks, etc.) Who has experience using these and what do you recommend?

Thanks for you help.

 

[wbb72fj40]

I have run bully's and diablo's. I love them both the bully is more complete. you get on the fly adjustment and ablitlity to read and clear the dtc's good fuel milage and a vast improvement in pulling power. the performance setting is good for hwy trips no trailer. extreme is good for laying out james bond clouds for people who piss you off. but i am convenced extreme will toast a motor.

the power puck is a plug and play. good all around power really sets the ctd free.

Oh your exahust gas temp will decrease when you install either chip. your mpg will increase. and the big old ofy diesel will feel more like a 350 chevy.

 

[calstyl2]

I will second the Bully Dog systems, good stuff and fair priced, AFE Stage 2 intakes, any 4 or large pipe system......

 

[Bodean]

I haven't done it yet but if the truck has an auto tranny then the Diablo Power Puck is all I would do to it as far as the chip is concerned. Exhaust will help as well.

Later,

 

[bigndn]

I have the BullyDog triple dog and absolutely love it! My cousin has the Edge in her powerjoke and has has had a lot of problems. HTH.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

I will second the Bully Dog systems, good stuff and fair priced, AFE Stage 2 intakes, any 4 or large pipe system......

03-07 common rail trucks came factory with 4" exhaust

On my 01 I am running the quadzilla adrenaline, some 90hp sticks, a swiss cheese air box for now, 4" straight pipe from turbo back, and a valair clutch.
In 3rd gear when i floor it i spin the tires.

 

[Bodean]

Anyone running the Diablo in an auto tranny CTD truck with a lot of miles? Mines got 208K on the stock tranny and I would really love to add the puck but am worried about how long the tranny wil last. With that many miles I wouldn't think long with that many miles on it.??

Later,

 

[wbb72fj40]

I had a diablo on my 97 and 98 the 97 sold with 255000 miles ,still strong, and still running the 98 had a shade over 230k when I traded it ,still strong and it's still running.

As a matter of fact every freakin one I sold is still running

5 total some autos and some standard and some sort of chip in every one of them I have had some buddies with problems out of aftermarket exhaust so
I shy away from it mainly loss of fuel economy.

right now I am running a 2005 thats been hooked to somthing heavy over half it's 147k tri dog on it. plenty of power for what ever hauled 15 rolls of hay per trip saturday thats 21000 lbs of hay + 6500 lbs trailer and the truck is another 10600 lbs so thats grossing 38k at 65-75 mph and thats pretty common.

The akelies heal of dodge is brakes they stink they always have I guess they always will. You have to have good trailer brakes.

anybody tried the vented rotors there always talking about on TV

 

[irondalefj80]

Honestly, i am a certified chrysler tech, level 4 diesel level 3 everything else. bully dog, edge, attitude all lie to your engine pcm and create unsafe fuel pressure in the fuel rails causing the injectors to blow the tip off and start to leak causing bad fuel economy, washed down pistons and burnt valves. I have seen this., cummins injectors are about 800 EACH. plus the labor to install.

I have a 04 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax with Allison 4x4. I have a banks 6-gun with speed loader and intake and exhaust. Towing 12000 lbs behind my truck i see 14-15mpg in alabama. I went to Jacksonville, Fl over 4th of july and saw 21mpg unloaded. I average about 16-17 around town. and that is on straight diesel. Banks is the only company that increases HP and Torque without damaging your engine. Given banks is a good bit more expensive than the competitors, but weigh a set of injectors. My truck Dyno'd 550 hp and 950 ft/lbs at the rear tires on level 6. at about 60 deg air temp and 45% humidity.

If you do want to go with diablo, or bully dog or edge, i highly recommend putting stage 2 or higher injectors from a company like BDpreformance.com, or some aftermarket injectors. I chose banks because i plan on keeping my truck to 500,000+ miles, right now i have 102K on it. The kit on mine will keep up with if not outtow a vehicle with bully dog. I just dont have all the black smoke.

If i was going to buy another diesel, i would go with banks again. They have been MORE than helpful when i was looking into my programmer. Not to mention all of their products have been engineered to work together. Shoot me a pm if you have any question, but remember, treat your diesel how you want it to treat you, buy good quality fuel, change your water/fuel separator frequently (every 6-12 months.) and she won't leave you on the road.

charles