First truck, has mods....caution???

[Smoking Brian]

I just got my first truck, 03 QC short box 6spd with 52k miles on it. The price was good but much information missing about the truck, specifically the mods.



It has an AFE air filter, and a 5" exhaust all the way back. It sounds really cool. It is faster than the 05 I test drove at the dealer so I am assuming that it has a chip/module but don't know for sure. The overhead computer is giving me mileage of 20-22mpg @65mph and that seems to good to be true also.



I'm brand new at this (4 days and counting) with lots of questions, this seems to be the group with people in the know...

Questions

1. How do I determine what if any aftermarket chip is being used?



2. Do I need to pay special attention to anything in particular with these mods? In other words, are there any negative side effects for the mods?



3. E-brake: I bought the stick specifically so the I wouldn't have to deal with any issues when adding an e-brake. The fact that my wife won't drive it is merely a coincidental bonus :-laf . I'm not looking to start any great debates, but I would sure be interested to know what brake you would select if you had my truck.



Thanks in advance for your help. As an interesting side note- in my pre-purchase inspection I was under the truck and saw that it was set up for a goose neck hitch. The dealer tried to hide it by adding a bed liner. That saves me a few hundred bucks and some head ache. Now all I have to do is sell the bed liner... cheap if your interested.



If I haven't already said, the truck is loads of fun to drive and it sounds like a Mack truck.

 

[mberry]

First, Welcome to the TDR.



1. You'll have to look for the box if it has one. Most people put them on the fuse cover under the hood. Sometimes there is no external box since they have used a downloader to modify the ECM. Try to find someone experienced close to you that can help identify it. Maybe a diesel shop?



2. EGT's are always an issue. If you don't have gauges, get some soon.



3. There are severeal vendors of quality E-brakes. You will have to decide what system will serve you best. I am going to get a Pac-Brake when funds become available.



Hope this helps.



Mark.

 

[Smoking Brian]

Thanks for the welcome and the g2. I will be looking for the module tomorrow.



As far as guages are concerned, I have a pyrometer and that's it. I haven't searched the archives yet to learn what I don't know that I don't know yet. I'm sure there is plenty on EGTs.

 

[JoshPeters]

The other quick easy thing for you to do... that helps us considerably (diagnosis if needed)..... Put your trucks information in your signature... and your City/state. You would be supprised how many people are from around you. I didn't think there were many in MN, I was wrong... our local group... if everyone showed at one time... . would be over 100 trucks!



Josh