Just bought an 05... some basic suggestions?

[JacobsD]

Hey everyone, I just bought a 2005 2500 quad cab short box 4x4 automatic. I know about all the goodies associated with the Smarty, and I was wondering if anyone had some other good suggestions on upgrades. Can anyone recommend a better valve body for the transmission? What should I be aware of? I already noticed the plastic intercooler tanks... . I'm moving up from a 12 valve 5 speed so I don't really know a whole lot of anything about these.



Thanks! Oo.

 

[Matt400]

I have that same truck and am really happy with it. I bumped the timing 3 degrees and changed the cam. I added a BDTowLoc mainly for control of my PRXP PacBrake which works nicely but a VB & TC upgrade would do wonders I think. The stock TC is pretty loose.



The CAT becomes questionable with performance mods that might clog it.



My plastic cooler is still in tact. Its hard to advise on mods cuz it depends so much on what you want out of it and plan to use it for- towing, everyday use etc. You just gotta do the fuel tank vent upgrade for sure!

 

[JacobsD]

Thanks! I will look into the fuel tank vent. I don't tow much with it, but am not a huge fan on how the transmission just DOESN'T downshift no matter if its in tow or just regular mode. In tow/haul it will go into third, but not any farther down. Maybe a valve body or a programmer will fix this. .

 

[cerberusiam]

The tranmission is the ONLY weak spot I have found on mine. I fixed it good after I smoked it with a little too much Smarty.



The injectors, fuel system, mpg, etc, has been stellar and just no major issues in or out of warranty. I have had to replace ujoints to get rid of a vibe that was annoying more than anything, and upper ball joints to address the bigger knobby tires, but, rock solid otherwise.



Your trans should downshift, and downshift too far, if you look at it wrong. Under 65 mph 3/4 throttle should give you drive and redline the engine. :{ Bad!! It generally will not go into 2nd if you are over 50 mph and you really don't want it to. You will get used to cussing at the gov solenoid/transducer and shuttle shift until you find a good set and get a shift enhancer.



A little extra power and some relatively inexpensive mods to the trans and its whole different truck to drive and tow with.

 

[EDankievitch]

I have a 05 with the G56 six speed. Do the free wheeling hubs and install greasable Ball joints and the new up dated for 08 Drag link asy and you'll have an awesome truck.

 

[JacobsD]

Your trans should downshift, and downshift too far, if you look at it wrong. Under 65 mph 3/4 throttle should give you drive and redline the engine. :{ Bad!! It generally will not go into 2nd if you are over 50 mph and you really don't want it to. You will get used to cussing at the gov solenoid/transducer and shuttle shift until you find a good set and get a shift enhancer.

I should have clarified... I meant when slowing down. This is my first automatic diesel, so maybe thats normal. Good to hear everything else is solid though. I bought the truck from the dealer with bad u-joints and ball joints and they said they would let it go cheap if I did that myself. They gave me the parts for it, too Oo.

I have a 05 with the G56 six speed. Do the free wheeling hubs and install greasable Ball joints and the new up dated for 08 Drag link asy and you'll have an awesome truck.

Ball joints are in, hubs are next Oo.

Thanks guys

 

[EDankievitch]

The factory non greasable ball joints are worth what you paid for them... . nothing don't waste your time putting them in...

 

[cerberusiam]

I should have clarified... I meant when slowing down. This is my first automatic diesel, so maybe thats normal. Good to hear everything else is solid though. I bought the truck from the dealer with bad u-joints and ball joints and they said they would let it go cheap if I did that myself. They gave me the parts for it, too Oo.

Thats normal without and EB in automatic. Manually downshifting will help a lot. An EB helps a lot more. Oo.

 

[seafish]

I have a 05 with the G56 six speed. Do the free wheeling hubs and install greasable Ball joints and the new up dated for 08 Drag link asy and you'll have an awesome truck.

Hey ED, do you mean TSB-22-005-06 --the tie rod/link assembly upgrade. Have you done it to your truck?? In your opinion, did it help with handling or stability?? Why are you recomending it?? I am curious becuase I need to decide if I am going to do it to my truck (see below). TIA

 

[AH64ID]

I have that same truck and am really happy with it. I bumped the timing 3 degrees.

What did you use to get 3*? And what did you see for an EGT drop with that?

 

[FosterW]

You just gotta do the fuel tank vent upgrade for sure!

Dave you might have seen this already but I found this for a fuel tank vent kit. Glacier Diesel Power - Product Detail

You might want to cruise around that site too they got some cool ****.



Im psyched to see the rig in a month or twoOo.

 

[WOT]

I have that same truck and am really happy with it. I bumped the timing 3 degrees and changed the cam.

What did the cam do for you? I've been thinking about doing that and a free-spin kit.

 

[WKruger]

Don't get too carried away on fueling mods until you get a 2 micron fuel filter installed. Injectors will last much longer.

 

[EDankievitch]

Yes thats the new drag link and crossover. It keeps the TOE in adjustment constant as the truck bounces. Should help with tire wear. My truck was all kind of funkyn steering after I did the ball joints So I did the update. It helped alot. but my problem ended up being the steering box back lash was too loose.