Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) edge box or plain gauges?

[TSkeen]

02 ram new injection pump new lift pump. I know I need to moniter fuel

pressure & agauge would do that but ... . the edge product is tempting. any feedback would be helpfull. 02 240,000 miles loaded 4x4 4. 10 auto stock.

 

[BTowler]

Go for the Juice, you won't regret it. Full set of gauges plus 120hp & 350 ft. lbs. !!!

 

[dnesbitt3]

consider yourself warned

put edge comp, exhaust brake, big exhaust, guages and had some fun for a while... . now I'm in to this thing for alot more $$$$ (transmission, torque converter)... . wishing I would have bought a new truck, could have easily made the first 24 payments on what I've spent since about 185K - injection pump, lift pump (then I installed guages), a little later edge comp and exhaust brake, then I fried the stock Torque Converter... . (hello Goerends - should have gotten the transmission at the same time) 10K later - new transmission (thanks Dave Goerend I love it). I've never run my Comp above level 3 for fear of taking out my turbo or at a minimum blowing the 8 year old boost hoses off... ...



My point is this... . I should have bought a new truck that has as much HP/Torque as my "hot rodded" truck. It would be under warranty, and it would have 200K less miles... ...



I like where I'm at now that I've made it 10K without any further repairs... . but all this money tied up on a "53" block??? I should have my head examined... .



Peace,

Don<><

 

[Joe Mc]

02 ram new injection pump new lift pump. I know I need to moniter fuel

pressure & agauge would do that but ... . the edge product is tempting. any feedback would be helpfull. 02 240,000 miles loaded 4x4 4. 10 auto stock.

Although I'm not sure which edge product you're looking at - here goes.



MHO - No bombs till you can "see" what's happening, I. E. "you should spend your $ in an order to prolong, not in an order to destruct so you 'have' to replace things" (I'll explain "spend $$$ to prolong" later). Meaning: get an "A" pillar tri pod, go FUEL PSI (recommend starting out with a 0-30 versus the 0 - 15 like I did - as you slide the slope things change - like a higher volume and psi fuel pump), a TRANS TEMP and a combo BOOST/EGT. You don't have to spend gobbs of $$$ on fancy gauges, it was suggested to me that the Westach ones resemble the factory dash gauges as the field is black, the numbers are white and needles are white (only difference on the Westach is the tip of the needle is red). This will provide the ability to "Monitor" what is going on. Here's what I used

Apparently image server is down - if you wish to look at my set up go to Readers Rigs, Joe Mc's 99, look in album vacation 7/02, it's the 9th picture.



Now (spend $$$ to prolong) once you have ability to monitor (gauges) you "could" do the Edge/Injectors/Turbo thing, however, your poor trans (as mentioned in your post "Stock") at 200k+ miles isn't going to last very long. So, "get er done" with one of the better aftermarket trans outfits everyone talks about here - "look at all of the sites for these transmissions" call the people and talk to them - find what's right for what you are looking to do and what's best for your pocket, go a bit bigger (remember that slippery slop I mentioned earlier :-laf). Try to decide on a vendor that can "correctly" do the install, set it up, tweak minor things you may find that aren't quite to your liking (shift points) and support you in the long run.



The reason I suggest the order of doing the gauges then trans before the BOMBS is: if you throw a box on and whoopie Oo. this thing really goes, then "hmmm, I wonder how it will do w/bigger injectors" and so forth your trans temps will climb without you knowing it (remember no gauges yet) and your egts will spike too. So, with the gauges you can monitor egt and trans temps so you don't fry your engine or trans. The other thing is if you do the trans first you will notice an improved HP to the ground effect without any BOMBs. Then when you do go w/a fueling/timing box and injectors and, and, and . . . not only will the trans be more able to "hold in there" but it will allow you to experience all the new power actually getting to the ground.



Have fun with whatever you do - life is too short sometimes to worry - but, there's - MHO. Enjoy!

 

[RGutierrez]

I have the Juice with attitude. When I installed it, I took the pillar gauges out. Big mistake. The attitude will read everything you want and the Juice will make horsepower but I find the attitude to be very small and difficult to read especially when the truck is loaded pulling a hill or going down the track. While driving, monitoring gauges on the pillar especially boost and EGT is alot easier than looking at the Attitude screen. The Attitude will audible alarm for everything else. Just my 2 pennies.



Mundo

 

[BTowler]

The Attitude monitor is easy to read, the only thing that would make it difficult would be location. I have mine on my column and can monitor it with all of my factory gauges, and Edges recommended location is right on top of the dash where it is in line of sight. Plus the alerts and adjustable defueling points make it the best possible set up. You can set it to defuel at any given EGT. As far as pillar gauges, why spend that money now when you can add the juice with all the gauges you need and the extra power which you can control. You can even install it and not tap the pump wire till you take care of any other important issues you might have.

 

[TSkeen]

Thanks for your help. I guess I should have told you more about my situation. The 02 is a work truck that spends 95% of its time towing. I tow a single axle cargo trailer that might , on occasion, tip the scales at 6000#. It spends much of its time between 1800 & 2300 RPM. in high gear. I have spent alot of money the last 50,000 miles. injection pump,new lift pump from dodge(was dumb at time about Fass) rebilt transmission ; radiator ... the list goes on. At this point ,the truck runs great . I would like to go another 100,000 ... or more before I turn over my new 06 (4x4 auto 3. 73 loaded) to replace. At that point, I might decide to convert the 02 to a play truck . Nothing firm yet. but want to spend my $$ wisely. again ... thanks for your input

 

[RGutierrez]

You should get the FASS if your gonna go another 100,000 miles. You could always install it on your new truck. I was on my third lift pump and third injection pump when I got the FASS. No problems since. The Cummins and Dodge lift pumps will fry on you. My third pump was actually relocated to the tank and it started failing on intermitent operation. I would start the truck and the lift pump would quit. I would restart the truck and the lift pump would run. I didn't know it was failing until the Attitude gave me an audible alarm.

 

[BTowler]

With the work you have done, the only thing you should have to worry about is transmission, stock 47re does not hold up well to higher hp. I would also suggest the Glacier 392 lift pump solution, the price is reasonable and the system is pretty much bullet proof.

 

[Silver_Ram]

Buy the Juice w/ Attitude, and a FASS. I just installed the Juice & found out my 2 month old redesigned, lift pump is getting weak.

 

[VHolloway]

when i get one I think I will have cummins do the install

the dealer is a joke

and other shops don't care

well my 2 cents

ps. the guys a cummins are top shelf

 

[Rattler]

I agree on the Juice, but my 150,000 mile clutch sure didn't like it. O well, i just tell myself that it lasted long enough. Come on OFE. Randy :-laf :-laf

 

[TSkeen]

Thanks for all your help guys. Pulled the trigger, Edge with attitude . Install will happen today. I hope I can show some restraint with my right foot & resist the urge to turn the power level too high. Sure would be fun to stroke a few of the blue oval bunch. Most of the ford clan in my area are red neck kidds. Also, wonder how the 02 with the mods will stack up against the 06. might be able to con the wife into a drag... my luck... . I"LL BREAK BOTH OF THEM. But, thanks all the same . Tim,

 

[TSkeen]

Pulled the trigger

Thanks for all your help guys. Pulled the trigger, Edge with attitude . Install will happen today. I hope I can show some restraint with my right foot & resist the urge to turn the power level too high. Sure would be fun to stroke a few of the blue oval bunch. Most of the ford clan in my area are red neck kidds. Also, wonder how the 02 with the mods will stack up against the 06. might be able to con the wife into a drag... my luck... . I"LL BREAK BOTH OF THEM. But, thanks all the same

 

[NoSeeUm]

Good luck with the restraint thing.



My guess is that this will only be the begining. But then its all only for fun. You can't ever really justify the expenses and you only get to live once. Think of it that way.



Enjoy your truck;

Jim