Quote:
Originally Posted by grandkodiak
body and cosmetics i could give two ****s. dont get me wrong, im not looking to get one BECAUSE it gets better miliage or cheaper parts then my car, they are just state of fact bonuses haha! i do want a big ass truck, i love torque, big noise and 4x4, and they are damn sure cheaper then most SUV's... and its something to have long term while i find a job... markets dead at the momment haha with no signs of clearing up for a good few more years. im done with sports cars, im not interested in anything asian that doesnt have a rack and female connector... so this looks like a good option! plus fuel plate mod, 125hp? dayum haha
alex its that truck or a disco that youll help me fix  |
I don't know what fuel plate will get you 125 hp? Maybe a custom ground plate with bigger injectors, exhaust, 4000 rpm gov spring kit, tweaking on the AFC and star wheel might get you 125hp. But no fuel plate alone will get you there. Plus a 95 or 96 has the smaller Bosch injection pump, so right away you start off at a lower point. And if you really start "bombing" the truck all of the benefits you are looking for go right out the window. Fuel mileage, reliability, longevity etc. are all sacrificed as you turn up the wick, just like a gas motor. EGT start to become an issue as the factory turbo won't flow enough air. In order to turn 3000-4000rpm you will likely need upgraded valve springs. Gauges should be the first order of business to keep an eye on boost levels and EGT. Your automatic tranny won't live long much past stock power levels and fully built autos that can handle the power can easily run 5K with the converter to match. Stock clutches are in the same boat, at the power goes up, the factory clutch won't hold it, so you have to upgrade them as well.
If you want the truck for the mileage, longevity, simplicity, hauling capacity etc, then go for it and enjoy it. If you want it so you can "roll coal", know that a "bombed" diesel truck can be just as expensive, unreliable and troublesome as any hot-rodded 4th gen f-body if you do stupid stuff.
My truck has 4" exhaust, a BHAF (big honking air filter) a #11 fuel plate (rated for 280HP/680TQ more power for towing), EGT, Boost, Fuel pressure guages and that's it. Plenty of power, great mileage and stone cold dead nuts reliable. My truck had 159K when i bought it 5 years ago.
I've had rebuilt/replaced the following in the last 80k:
Lift pump (sometimes called the transfer pump)
Alternator (rebuilt by Generator/Starter Exchange)
Starter (New from NAPA replaced once under warranty)
Batteries (Optima Red Tops)
Rear driveshaft u-joints/pinion seal
Front brakes/calipers/lines/rotors/hub bearings
Bilstein shocks
None of that is out of line for a 14 year old vehicle with 241K miles.
I've done the following upgrades:
2002/up Flip-up Towing mirror upgrade
Sport headlight conversion (best mod to date)
Prodigy Brake Controller (for towing)
Rear Sway bar (for towing)
#11 plate, AFC spring kit (more power for towing)
Stereo
Rear flood lights for backing up/trailer hook up.
I see no reason not to make it to 500k. I love my Cummins powered Dodge.
Good luck, be smart with the upgrades.