2004 and PRBX?

[User113]

So, I am reading Superdawg's thread on the PRXB, and in conjunction with the current rebate, I think I want to do the exhaust upgrade to my truck.

I bought the truck in June of 2014 with 260K miles on it. I don't know much about its former life.

It is a 2004 (build date 9/25/2003; 305/555) with a 48RE automatic transmission. I suspect the engine may have been replaced at some point (because of the clear varnish sprayed on it) and it came with an MBRP exhaust tip. It also had a gooseneck hitch and dual rear wheels.

I have replaced the dual rear wheels with single 265/70R19.5 tires (axle is 4.10) and added a Smarty Touch (mostly for gauges).

I am thinking of either the C44049 or perhaps the C44032 and a heavier duty compressor (like one of their AMP HP625 series compressors).

So, what all do I need to worry about? Shift Kit? Thrust washer? Torque converter? How does my truck differ from Superdawg's in this matter?

 

[cerberusiam]

If the trans hasn't been rebuilt then likely doesn't have the thrust washer, which is not that big a deal unless you are going to use the EB constantly day after day. ECU has roughly the same programming so the same upgrades would apply.

 

[Superdawg]

I think the electronic control box (Copilot) that Pacbrake supplies will be programmed a little differently depending on the build date of your truck. The install wiring directions will be a little different (which you can download from Pacbrake and look over). Very similar to what I did.
Kind of expensive. About 900 at the trans shop after parts and labor, plus the cost of the PRXB. 12 hours of my time to install the PRXB. I am slow but an install shop probably won't do what I did or charge me an arm and a leg extra to do it.
That said, I wish I could have afforded to do it a long time ago.
And free spin hubs..... And upgraded steering boxes.... Upgraded transmission....
I love how it drives.
My wife drove it the other day, first time with the exhaust brake. She doesn't like the truck anyway and the different sound of the exhaust brake bothered her. I heard her #@$%!. Oh well, can't please everyone.

My first concern would be that many miles on the (original?) transmission.

 

[User113]

Yeah, I don't know much about the history, but like I said, I do believe there's something weird about the motor since it is all covered in clear varnish. But it still runs well; these motors are supposed to go a million miles or more, don't know about the transmission, but it is working fine now.

I love the advice from these forums, there's so many people on here that have probably forgotten more about these trucks than I will ever know! Thanks.

 

[cerberusiam]

Co-Pilot for 04-05 is the same model, same functions, tap the same wires. The MY 2004 TCM is essentially the same and use the same wires in the harness and should react the same way.

The engine may go a million miles, transmission won't. IIRC, that engine is a 750k build if you are working it. Work it less and it might go longer is something doesn't fail and hurt it. Injectors are the failure point. If you don't change them out every 200-250k the engine won't last that long.

Depending on how hard you use it 100-300k on the trans. Too many variables to positively say.

 

[User113]

Injectors are the failure point. If you don't change them out every 200-250k the engine won't last that long.

Do you recommend they be changed preemptively as a maintenance item, or wait until one fails? Is there any way to reliably gauge the an injector's health?

 

[User113]

Bigger turbo and exhaust whaile I'm at it?

Actually, after some additional thought, I'm thinking I may want to upgrade my turbo from the HE341 to the HE351, which I understand is pretty much a direct swap. If I do that, I wonder if I should also upgrade from the 3½ inch exhaust to the 4 inch exhaust. (If I go with the bigger exhaust I would need to order the C44033 instead of the C44032.) What do you guys think about the bigger turbo/exhaust?