Just bought my first diesel

[CGresswell]

I just bought my first diesel... ... ... . retirement gift to myself! Went from a '98 S-10 to 2004 Quad Cab, long bed, diesel, auto, tow pkg, 3. 73 Posi back axle.

Question: how do you know if it is a 2004 or 2004. 5 or ??

Also, I want to monitor my trans temp... ... ... . and I read about after market guages? What do I need to obtain guages for?

What other after market items are needed?



Thank you for reading and responding.

Dick Gresswell

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Welcome to the diesel side. You're now hooked and will never go baaaaccck!



How to tell if its a 2004. 5? If you get real poor fuel mileage and you have to make repeated visits to the dealer - its a 2004. 5 If the gods smiled upon you - its a 2004 555.



Okay... just flaming. Actually if you look on the drivers side of the plastic black piece of garbage where you put the oil in there is a sticker with the engine info. It will say ISB 305 (2004 models) or 325 (2004. 5 models) and rated 305 or 325 HP.



Guages: transmission (auto), EGT, and Boost.



Aftermarket: You have come to the right place. Just hold on to your wallet



You will really enjoy the beast. Actually I had an S10 blazer for about eight months. One month running and seven months in the garage. Snapped a crankshaft while going over homestake pass. Was a poor college student so I had to wait to put a crank kit in. It was the worst POS I have ever worked on. Had to jack up the body to get at the torgue converter bolts to remove the engine - yeeesh, give me a break. Plus I had traded a 67' LandRover with a chevy iron duke four banger, warn overdrive, safari top for the darn thing.



Oh, one of the downsides to this forum is you subjected to drivel posted by the likes o' me.

 

[jandtjil]

Congratulations

Originally posted by CGresswell

I just bought my first diesel... ... ... . retirement gift to myself!

Congratulations on both events



I would agree with OTD on gauges if you plan on towing/hauling.

I would leave the aftermarket stuff alone right now and concentrate on something like this...

load as many fishing freinds as you can fit in the cab, all the tackle boxes, all the poles, all the coolers, 55 gals of water, a generator, 5 gallons of gas, a boom box with ZZ Tops greatest hits, 5 days of luggage for everyone along, a GP medium tent and poles, a picnic table and chairs, 5 of the gals from the local Hooters (they only need one change of clothes), a 16 gallon keg, another cooler full of ice, 2 bags of Doritos. suntan lotion for the girls, two rolls of TP, dark glasses, and a hat. Then go find a favorite lake shore that is at least 400 miles away (gotta drive that thang) and have fun.



No the engine won't get broke in hauling all that, but it sure sounds fun.



JJ

 

[CGresswell]

Thank you for response

I checked and it's a 2004. 5 (ISB 325 built 01-13-2004).

I checked mileage first time at 1300 miles. Took trip to San Diego to see daughter. Averaged 19. 8 (back and forth). No load on truck just wife and I.

Last thurs I put an ARE shell on it, weighs 250#... ... . that's it.



Guages:

- Where do you install pickup for transmission guage? As it comes out of transmission?

- Where for EGT? And what is this?

- Where for Boost? And what is this?



I noticed that when you open the hood, and lean into the engine, you have to be real careful not to lean into the first cooling condenser... ... ..... I was going to fabricate an aluminum angle (2" x 2") across the top that you would hit first, before the condenser. Anyone conceived something like this? I also would install a "bug screen" from the angle to the bottom of the condenser, similar to a window screen that we use on our windows. Any thoughts on this?

Also, I was thinking of installing a small bumper guard (Westin Bull Bar) out front... . as there is no real protection if someone were to back into me. Thought on this?



Thank you for answering.

Dick

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Use the search function to find out all the info and more about guages, bumpers, or anything else that comes to you. So much information here abouts that you don't have to reinvent the wheel.



Geno's garage make several condenser protectors.



http://www.genosgarage.com/

 

[CGresswell]

Thank you for response

Just after I last posted, I read the Timthe toolman's posting about using the search feature. Been using it since. Thanks for Geno's address. That condensor protector is just what I was dreaming up.

Dick

 

[dpuckett]

Basic rundown of gaues and functions-

EGT- Exhaust Gas Temp- temp of exhasut coming out of the engine. Takes fuel to make heat- keep it down, and you'll go farther on a gallon of #2. Great argument about pre vs post turbo for probe. 1300 preturbo is the max sustained safe temp.



Boost- Pressure of air coming out of the turbo, through the intercooler, and into the engine. Takes fuel to spin the turbo to make boost. Keep it down (within reason) and you'll get better MPGs, in theory.



transmission temp (auto)- temp of automatic transmission. Used primarily in towing, haulng applications to prevent overheating.



Daniel

 

[ATVX4]

Hey Guys. Great site! My name is Nick and I just purchased my first CTD. Ya gotta love it! What a difference from my Ford SD V-10! I tow a 5,000lb enclosed trailer, It loves every minute of it! I have learned alot here. My Dipricol gauges should be here today. I am a lil nervous about drilling the manifold,(shavings), but I am told it is not supposed to be that bad. See you guys at the fuel pumps.

 

[Jengle]

Hey, Nick, come on down to Kaufmanns with us on the 14th of Aug. Even if you don't dyno, no one says you have to, hang out and see a bunch of trucks, some bombed and some not. You will learn a ton about these things and see a lot of neat stuff. You will also see a lot of people working on them, and see what is inside the covers. Here is the link to the event.

 

[dpuckett]

Drilling/ taping manifold

Not sure if the 3Gs are any different from the 1st and 2nd Gens, but the manifolds are pretty soft, considering the heat they will see in 500K+ mi. I always put some grease on the tip of the drill bit(s) while drilling and the grease catches 98% of the shavings. Same thing with the tap- a good dollop of grease. So far no problems. The few, if any, shavings that make it out will be tiny and blown into the exhaust stream before they damage the turbo. If you still feel unsure, you can take a magnet and skim around in the hole and try to pick up any shavings you can find.



-DP