Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Modify Trucks

[roadbyte]

The question I have of the forum is that if one modifies his / her truck what happens if you break down on the road that is not close to home. For example I drive approximately 60K per year for work. With an unmodified truck if I break down I can get support from any dodge dealer that is close to the mishap. If I have a moderate to heavily modify truck how would you get the support?



I do understand the benefits of some of the enhancements from exhaust brakes to better oil filtering. But if I need to increase my horsepower 20 percent or more should one than consider a large truck to support what one needs to do. My reason there is that once you start down that path you have to modify other parts to keep up the additional horsepower other wise you are asking for trouble.

 

[Pit Bull]

Your correct. Increased HP and mod's will affect the reliability of all of the supporting parts. If you are not personally capable of repairing your truck you are at the mercy of whoever is available. If you are under warranty that gives you another reason not to modify. If you are out of warranty then I would suggest using the nearest Cummins shop.

 

[BFC]

Unless you go nuts with the power mods, I don't see reliability behing an issue. Plenty of guys run 350 HP give or take whith no issue whatsoever, whit the proper mods of course. As for warranty well we all know the answer to that one! Bombs=YOU ARE YOUR OWN WARRANTY STATION!.



Glenn

 

[jwilliams3]

I agree,

If you want to go up to 350hp you will be somewhat safe.

If you get into 400hp+ your margin for breakdown increases whether it be turbo, drive line, or engine, fuel system related.



If you get into heavily modifying, I would suggest learning how to fix your engine if something happens and carry some insurance (tools, spare parts, friends phone #'s).



Don't be discouraged though, there is help here on TDR just about all over the country.



If you are wanting help from the Dodge-Dealer I would suggest a Blue Chip fuel pump cover also a set of 275 injectors are hard to notice in a supposed stock truck in my opinion.



--Justin

 

[Chipstien]

I would put a set of Diesel Dynamics Stage 2 Stealth injectors in if you worried about warrantee but looking for more getup and go. The only way a dealer would know whether you have any performance mods is to remove the injectors and flow test them. Rather unlikely. Doubt that you would loose any reliability with just injectors whether it is a auto or stick.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Don't forget about the wonderful network of TDR members in the Travel Companion, a "Good Sam" kinda group.



Andrew

 

[Chipstien]

Speaking of the travel companion... . how do you sign up for this.

 

[csevers]

TDR MEMBER EXCLUSIVE SECTION

then click on travel compaion then follow the screens it is there so you can sign up very easily I did it it must be easy!



Craig

 

[roadbyte]

Modify

If you are not personally capable of repairing your truck you are at the mercy of whoever is available



How many spare parts does one need to carry with them plus the tools to work on the truck on the roadside if it had been modified.



If you want to go up to 350hp you will be somewhat safe



What does somewhat mean, please define.



The question is based on the Preliminary Results about the truck. It appears from this survey that most members have less than 75K on their truck. Out that how many people have modify their truck plus how many use their rig for work, with a minimum travel of 50K per year. This will be based on if your truck is down for repairs than you are not making money.





There is great wealth of information here on TDR and the people have been wonderful in sharing their knowledge of the truck and lending a helping hand when needed. I am looking at some mod’s but not to the point of some the people have done to their trucks.



Thank You

 

[marksmith]

If your question is what can I do to get more oomph from the ol girl, then I would suggest an EZ. It has a boost elbow that lets you get a little more air and the box is worth a little as well. This will give you (my guess is 275HP) and it is easily taken off (just have to worry about the boost elbow) if you run into problems. Although there is a lot of opinion on this very subject.



In my opinion that is just about all you can do without truly becoming your own warranty station.



As for me in about a month I am going to become my own warranty station and wake the ol girl up. But if you are concerned about what you are going to do if you are stranded along side the road, then the answer is simple. Stay stock until you run out of warranty.



JMHO

Hope it helps

Mark Smith

 

[RobbyRam]

My thought: Buy your truck from a dealer that sells and installs boxes! Mine does and he is cool with the TDR and a subscriber.

Bob in Sacto

 

[csevers]

many people mod there trucks for

several different reasons some do it as just a hobby to see what the max they can get some want a little more performace and can stay at that level some have got bitten bad by the bombing bug and there is no return for what ever the reason only mod your truck to the extent that soots YOU if you are not comfortable with the possiblitys of break downs stay in the shallow end of the bombing pool. I think I am in half way and am drowding already but I don't get far from home even when working the truck hard so I have a lot of options for back up help if needed.



If your fuel pump went and put you on the side of the road I would think most tdr member don't carry major parts with them you would need a hook but if a boost hose blows off do to 40psi most could put back on not all the thing that "could" happen are major do to being moded some could be limped home or to dealer for repair that is the chance that is taken when "you are your own warrenty station" . For what it is worth!!



Craig