Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Exhaust & Shocks

[RMantey]

I am taking a censes so I can make an educated buying decsion.



Keep in mind that I pull trailers for a living (mostly travel & never over 10,000#)



1. I have a straight 3" exhaust (no muffler/resignator) on the truck in good shape, I have been told that going to a straight 4" exhaust would not gain enough performance, fuel savings, etc. . to justify the cost.



What is your opinon & why?



2. My shocks are due to be replaced, what are the best shocks to buy that will give good towing/handling & ride.



What is your opinon & why?



I have no problems on how she has performed/rides in the past/present, but, any improvements would just be "iceing on the cake"



Thanks

 

[Loren]

I am taking a censes so I can make an educated buying decsion.



Keep in mind that I pull trailers for a living (mostly travel & never over 10,000#)



1. I have a straight 3" exhaust (no muffler/resignator) on the truck in good shape, I have been told that going to a straight 4" exhaust would not gain enough performance, fuel savings, etc. . to justify the cost.



What is your opinon & why?







2. My shocks are due to be replaced, what are the best shocks to buy that will give good towing/handling & ride.



What is your opinon & why?



I have no problems on how she has performed/rides in the past/present, but, any improvements would just be "iceing on the cake"



Thanks

1. Mark Chapple from TST Products told me years ago that a 4" exhaust doesn't make much difference until you get way up in horsepower. I wasn't even close, and I'm still not. Mark used to work for Cummins as an engineer, so I suspect he knows what he's talking about on this issue. He told me that they had studied exhausts on dynamometers.



2. After 107,000 miles, I finally changed my factory shocks to Bilsteins. I wish I had done it 106,000 miles ago. I got a much better ride. It's still not a car, but it's not a bronco anymore either.



Loren

 

[johncameron]

I put OEM replacement Bilstein shocks on last year and all I can say is



Yup, should have done it the day I bought it.





I put 4 inch exhaust when my stocker rotted off. No performance change, maybe 25F cooler but thats it.



JC