Hey All, If you could start all over, what accessories/bombs would you add or do 1st?

[stew]

This being my second post, Can you say "Newbie" LOL



I picked up an 02 two months ago and this truck ROCKS !!!



The subject title refers to add ons, bombing and the such... It could be from as simple as an air freshener to extreme like, neck snapping motor mods !!! And all in between. .



Being green, I am looking for some utilitarian type stuff 1st... For example, high on my list is a front receiver hitch with a brush guard ( winch in mind) or a custom bumper... I know for sure the stock bumper is weak and just for looks... (I witnessed a 1500 rear end a compact car at low speed and it folded that stock bumper real easy)So sad, it looked silly, the car had no real damage...



We have Deer and Moose playing chicken on the roads here and I would lean to a new bumper... Would one of those gnarly bumpers protect from a deer hit at 50 ? I know Moose would cream the truck regardless though... But, it's less obstructive than chain link over the windshield for protection... LOL



I know gauge's are priority here and that's already on the list...



I do no heavy towing at this point, maybe 6,000 lbs max...



Give me your thoughts, what did you get later on and say WOW, I should have gotten this sooner!!!



I know this might vary per region and climate also... Being in Massachusetts on the NH/ VT borders it's not to cold in winter...



I like chrome, loud annoying sounds and dark smoke!



Keep in mind, this is fiord country around these parts... I gotta show those PSD boys some style!



So, what put the biggest smile on your face either performance wise or utilitarian ??? Ater all, some of us gotta work, not just get there fast... LOL



I know some things you might mention will be top end... Are some aftermarket suppliers just as good in quality as the top end boys at a lower price? Those web sites come in handy !!!



Thanks and looking forward outside the box replies !



Being new, and a lurker for a couple months I am glad I joined... It will be nice matching faces to type some day !!!



Stew

 

[rubberneck]

DD3's, Edge drag comp, and DTT trans, and you will have no worries about the ford boys or the dmax boys. Once that wears off, there is alway bigger injectors and drugs.

 

[tntway]

the first that i would do?

very simply gauges AND... ..... the sport headlight conversion.



this is the single BEST bomb that i have done. i really can't understand why DC didn't put these lights on all the trucks





if your interested..... PM me i have the instructions, Tim

 

[BNH4221]

Hey Stew,



Not very exciting but a winter front for your rig is a good idea in the winter. Helps with heat up in the colder weather. I use mine when the temps start getting into the 40's and 30's.

Also, if you want or need work done give Mass Diesel in Norfolk a call. You can find the number on the site here. Worth the ride for you. No ties, just a happy customer.



Steve

98 QC 12v 4x4 124,000 happy miles

"Bone stock: I save all my money for booze"

 

[LSMITH]

I would have bought DD3's right off the bat instead of upgrading and wasting money on the inbetween sizes. I would have upgraded the transmission right away when I started bombing instead of milking it along the last 70K miles. Other than that I am pretty happy with the way things have progressed,

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

First of all .....

gauges, just gauges and establish a benchmark with a stock configuration. From that point on, you have a benchmark to reference the realtive worth of any so-called enhancements and establish how much bang you get for your buck and not just vapourware.....



The only hard part is deciding how many gauges, location in cab and manufacturer preferences... . start trawling the archives. If you're absolutely gagging to bomb something on the truck and do not want to compromise the factory warranty, I would recommend you dump the OEM factory sparrow fartset-up and install a decent of airhorms, My own preference is for Grovers but there are others out there. Its all down to personal choice. My own truck bio details is in the profile bottom left... .



Good luck... .

 

[Batman]

Definately, give Scott @ massdiesel a call (508/528-6127)





http://www.massdiesel.com/





"Once you start down the path of the Dark Side, forever will it dominate your destiny"



BOMBs away, good luck.

 

[Clinton]

Turbo Diesel Life Saver, Denver Off Road (front) bumper

 

[Mactruck]

Start simple.

gauges and a power edge EZ, from Massdiesel.

I find this to be a nice easy, inexpensive way to get more power out of your CTD without destroying your transmission.



This is the way I started and look at me now. (click on "My Profile")

It becomes an obsession. Oo.

 

[JR2]

Now you are talking... . here is what I would do to a new truck.



Gauges

Air Horns (I have Hadley Marine horns)

DD3 injectors

PDRHX40-14 turbo

Edge Drag Comp

DTT transmission upgrades

4 inch exhaust (or dual stacks depending on your taste)

Some type of Intake mods... BHAF/AFE/Scotty2

Fuel system upgrade. . move lift pump back by tank

Road Armor bumper or Denver Offroad



Still want to spend more $$$$ (this is the stuff I still want to do)



PDR or DD camshaft

Ported and polished heads

Twin turbos

Air Bulllydog hood

DD super mental injectors

DD modified VP44 injection pump

Nitrous Kit

Propane Kit



There is tons of info in the archives of TDR. Do a search for any of the above items and you will be overwelmed with info. Your best bet is to find a local group of guys and talk to them... also Mass Diesel is a good place to start.



JR2

 

[WadePatton]

Gauges Gauges Gauges.



Then lose the stock muffler, you'll be way happy you did. Then a BHAF and remove SR for more noise.



Now to spend money: a fueling/timing box, injectors, and maybe a turbo. At your $$$ leisure. Plenty of discussion on here about which and why.



One Hallufa bumper is Spanky's Bush Push sold by Wildcat Diesel.



Other little things I've done is cloth seatcovers, underseat lockbox, and SS sill guards--all from Geno's. Love the seatcovers.



Yet to do on my rig is spray in bedliner (linex), bigger injectors, bigger exhaust, and bigger turbo. And I need a clutch, but that don't 'ply here.

 

[JBlock]

Gauges and EZ

Gauges and an a EZ , that all I need

 

[stew]

OK, the response is great ! I have a list now...hey, it's a start

Now, I gotta drain the bank accounts without you know who finding out... . LOL



1-Winter grill covers... JC Whitney had some nice stainless ones !

2-Gauges Gauges Gauges.

3-Road Armor bumper or Denver Offroad... I checked out Mactruck's pic's and that Denver Offroad is awesome!

4-Power edge EZ you'll get to know me Mass Diesel... LOL

5-Air horns

6-Lights, sport conversion... . I'll have to check it out!

7-Stacks or duals... I always liked stacks ! I run 4" x 36" airflow stacks on my street bike now! It's also a 6 cyl. , gasser though... LOL

8-injectors & BHAF/AFE/Scotty2

9-DTT trans

And finally #10-A travel trailer... I might have to live in it after this... LOL





Thanks for the responses... You folks are very helpful! The TDR ROCKS !



Stew

 

[Speedo]

Auto transmission upugrade

The first thing that I would do is upgrade the transmission. Do it right

from the start then all of the other enhancements will fit right in

there. I went with a couple of performance upgrades and then

spent a couple of days pulling my transmission, rebuilding it and putting

it back in when I was supposed to be out having fun. I thought if

I just took it easy it would last till I had some time to get to the

transmission. Its done now but if I had it to do all over I would take care

of the transmission when I first got the truck.



Gus

 

[BNH4221]

Hey Stew,



Why dont you check out the winter covers made by a TDR member? Go to the classifieds and check on vendor promotions and basement enterprises. Supposed to be nice stuff. I don't have them, use a type no longer in production. Don't know the member, Don't have the product, can't vouch for any of it.

I just like to support the TDR members whenever possible.



If you are really, really cheap use a piece of cardboard. Cut out a hole for the fan so it doens't run all the time. Worked for me for a long time!



Good luck



Steve

98 QC 12v 4x4

 

[stew]

"We have Deer and Moose playing chicken on the roads here and I would lean to a new bumper... Would one of those gnarly bumpers protect from a deer hit at 50 ? I know Moose would cream the truck regardless though... But, it's less obstructive than chain link over the windshield for protection... LOL"



Well, I spoke with Layne and it's either the DOR or the Ute front bumper!!! Both are very nice and I have some time to decide... Money is in and it's just a matter of time !!! Ye Haa !!!! Oo.



So who is gonna help me with the install? !!! :--)



Also got an Extang tuff Tonno III on the way ! I should be able to work it when I get the stacks !!! I saw some pics of a retro... Looks like it might work with a cover...



Come spring, the gauges are going in !



Well, gotta go... Hope to see you at some events this coming year !



Thanks for the help to date !!! It's been super !





Stew

 

[Chipstien]

My single best mod to this date is my DTT trans. If I could do it over again this would be the first. Then I would have went for the Comp instead of wasting money on the EZ. Do it right the first time. PS. Like Lsmith said... go straight to Stage three injectors. They are every bit as streetable as the stock injectors. Happy bombing.