Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Here is the Readers Digest version.
In the beginning of Dec 04 my truck got diagnosed with the infamous crack. I attemted numerous quick fixes with no success and opted for replacement of the block rather then going the trade in route. After optaining a new long block the truck went in for the swap in the beginning of March and was completed by April 5th.
During this process the Transmission got rebuilt, transfercase got checked, larger injectors got installed and the engine bay got cleaned and degreased.
Here are some lessons I learned along the way;
1- Plan ahead if you are upgrading, some items might be out of stock or take longer than expected during shipping.
2- Make a list of all the products you need, its a lot easier when you can check things off then trying to remember everything.
3- make a budget and add 10 to 20%, you will find additional items that are wanted or needed.
4- Check all engine accessories for proper function, if they are at all questionable fix, rebuilt or repair as needed. In my case, I didn't check the seal between vacuum and power steering pump and will now have to correct this problem.
I have to give thanks to many people and vendors who helped me along the way.
John from Performance Diesel, without him I don't know if I whould have attempted this Task, Bubbah who spent many late hours giving me a hand, Dave at Goerend Brothers Transmissions and Pat from Pat's Transmissions Servive, between the two of them i got a crash course on AT trannys.
In conclusion, I have put 300 miles on the Truck so far and I'm very happy with the results, I could use a larger exaust housing for the stock Turbo and the exaust needs to be opened up a bit but than again those things can be done as finances allow.
In the beginning of Dec 04 my truck got diagnosed with the infamous crack. I attemted numerous quick fixes with no success and opted for replacement of the block rather then going the trade in route. After optaining a new long block the truck went in for the swap in the beginning of March and was completed by April 5th.
During this process the Transmission got rebuilt, transfercase got checked, larger injectors got installed and the engine bay got cleaned and degreased.
Here are some lessons I learned along the way;
1- Plan ahead if you are upgrading, some items might be out of stock or take longer than expected during shipping.
2- Make a list of all the products you need, its a lot easier when you can check things off then trying to remember everything.
3- make a budget and add 10 to 20%, you will find additional items that are wanted or needed.
4- Check all engine accessories for proper function, if they are at all questionable fix, rebuilt or repair as needed. In my case, I didn't check the seal between vacuum and power steering pump and will now have to correct this problem.
I have to give thanks to many people and vendors who helped me along the way.
John from Performance Diesel, without him I don't know if I whould have attempted this Task, Bubbah who spent many late hours giving me a hand, Dave at Goerend Brothers Transmissions and Pat from Pat's Transmissions Servive, between the two of them i got a crash course on AT trannys.
In conclusion, I have put 300 miles on the Truck so far and I'm very happy with the results, I could use a larger exaust housing for the stock Turbo and the exaust needs to be opened up a bit but than again those things can be done as finances allow.
