SoCalDesertRider wrote: No one 'needs' a tuner/chip. Some people 'want' them, but nobody 'needs' them.
Dump trucks have hauled and pulled many many more tons of weight than our pickups ever will, with old 200 hp gas engines and lots of low ratio gearing.
Agreed. Many today want to climb the hills with their trailers in tow at 70 mph in overdrive. They think a truck that has to downshift is "a dog".
Quote: Agreed. Many today want to climb the hills with their trailers in tow at 70 mph in overdrive. They think a truck that has to downshift is "a dog".
No truer words have ever been spoken!!! I have ran into many people that have just that type of thinking!!! What's up with that?
I have seen lots of 18 wheelers lately going 15 to 25 MPH up hills around here. They have no problem going that slow up a hill. That is just one extreem. The other is what you mentioned above.
I just don't get it?
~ Too many freaks & not enough circuses ~
"Life is not tried ~ it is merely survived ~ if you're standing
outside the fire"
'68Monaco440HP wrote: I wouldn't waste my money to degrade reliability, increase fuel consumption and prematurely wear the drivetrain, suspension, etc.
I have the 305/555 motor in my 2004 with the NV56 6-speed. A 10,000-lb GVWR trailer is just right (and if you work the numbers you'll find that the likely comfortable maximum in a TT with TW near 15%, against 3.73 gears, etc.) There is just no work involved as I see it. Diesel engines love to work, and they don't fall on their faces like even the best gas motors.
This is a medium duty motor in a light duty truck (unlike the competition). Enjoy, as do I, the great blend of power and economy the factory nailed dead-on. As a truck driver I cannot believe the numbers of people who find this truck (or any of the others) too slow. Too slow for what? (No one ever answers that question which should tell you something).
Keep the filters (air & fuel) changed often. I do mine along wtih oil/filter changes at 6-mos/6,000 miles or about twice annually. I also use STANADYNE fuel additive; do as you will on that. It gives me another .5 to .75 mpg.
If I have to climb a pass at a slower speed I also need NOT worry about EGT's, etc as the boys with their kiddie tuners do. 24-lbs of boost will be more than sufficient.
This post if funny!!Have you ever ran a tuner in your truck or believe in hear-say?I have run 3 hp boxes in my 2004 dodge truck since new,NONE degraded reliability.To each his own,but beware of the NA-SAYERS.If you are looking at putting in diesel fuel additives read the spicer lubricity report.coobie
2004 Dodge 2500 cummins turbo diesel 305/555 motor,auto tranny & 3.73 gears.Bullydog power pup with outlook monitor & afe stage 2 air intake and Fass fuel system.
The stock 03 turbo and muffler are terrible! I changed them first and it was like a different truck at accelleration and pulling hills, without touching the electronics. I'm a huge proponant of better breathing turbos/exhaust and it was sure good preperation for the Predator tuner! The guys who play on the dynos get an instant 50 hp by gettint rid of the 03 turbo alone and putting on the later 325 hp turbos (or better). That's how bad the 03 turbo is. I tow on 100hp, stock clutch, and all temps are fine. I'm not worried about reliability with proper, effective and safe mods. Craig
Another point to consider is the additional power allowing a speed on grades that keeps the transmissions torque converter locked up. Prior to installing the Edge EZ I would find my transmission temp going beyond recommended limits since I could not maintain a speed of 50mph. Not sure if this would affect the 48RE as it does my 47RE but since installing the Edge EZ and using the lowest setting it has significantly helped with the tranny temp. Just recently I went with a Goerend transmission with the optional torque converter switch and that has completely resolved the problem.
Quote: This post if funny!!Have you ever ran a tuner in your truck or believe in hear-say?I have run 3 hp boxes in my 2004 dodge truck since new,NONE degraded reliability.To each his own,but beware of the NA-SAYERS.If you are looking at putting in diesel fuel additives read the spicer lubricity report.coobie
I believe this to be true only if you add power the correct way. I've known a LOT of people who didn't, and paid the price for it, heavily. Don't just throw on a box and call it good. There is a specific process that should be followed. Given your history with power add-ons and no reliability issues, it seems that you've done it the right way.
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I'm guessing it was housed in a train or a ship too.
