new owner mods

[BWalczak]

I have been towing a 24' enclosed car trailer with a V8 Toyota PU. The tail was wagging the dog so I went shopping. Just picked up my '03 2500 Laramie HO/6 speed. Love the power and range. Can't wait to try towing my 7500# trailer & car.



Any suggestions on "must have" add ons? I am not looking for more power or changing the look but any engineering improvement would be good.



Whats the deal on SYNTHETIC OIL? Any opinions?



Thanks.

 

[JWerkheiser]

CONGRATS ON THE UPGRADE!! You'll be really impressed when you go to tow with it.



I have a 4x4 and am finding side steps of whatever type you prefer to be a necessary item. It's a pretty good step up there as you know(if you have 4x4). I also recommend mud flaps all around as the tires really kick up the rocks. I have the Mopar molded and really like them but others have installed other brands and like them as well. I installed the Mopar rear fender well inserts and it keeps the rocks from hitting the inside of the box (very loud). Gauges are necessary in my opinion on any diesel pickup, the most important being boost and EGT. I personally have not installed them yet as I am awaiting more pillar mount options, but there are some out there already. Bed coating is something I needed as I haul stuff that scratches. I also put a Roll n Lock on. It makes a nice bed cover that locks, and it is retractable so you can haul bigger stuff without removing it.

 

[David Muench]

I've got to agree with most of the above. I'd say the 3 best things I did to my truck so far are:



1. Mopar rear wheel well liners



2. Husky Liner mudflaps



3. Husky liner floor mats (front and rear)



Gauges are also very important, but I am still waiting for a dash pod of some sort. .



I also put an Extang FullTilt tonneau cover on that I am very happy with, and upgraded to BFG AT 315/70 tires. They really helped the traction, ride, and look of the truck. And at $129 each, you can't go wrong.



Still on my short-list is:



Gauges (waiting for a mount)

Permatech spray in bedliner

Speedo correction for the big tires

2" leveling kit for the front end (and probably shocks to match)

Some sort of steps. . I am still thinking Kodiak Sidewinder powered steps

CB and brake controller

Better air filter/box (waiting for the aftermarket to catch up)

5" exhaust



And I'm still waffling on whether to install a B&W gooseneck hitch before the bedliner is sprayed in, or to wait until I actually have a gooseneck trailer (could be a couple years).



As far as synthetics. . Don't even think about it till you've got 10-20k on the truck. After that though, there are more than enough opinions on the TDR on the subject.



Have fun with the new truck.

 

[David Muench]

I almost forgot one last must-have (one that I haven't ordered yet) - the factory service manual on CDROM from http://www.techauthority.daimlerchrysler.com/.

 

[klenger]

Consider:

Exhaust brake

Spay-in bedliner



Opnions on synthetic lubricants? ... on this site, ... you have got to be kidding.



Enjoy and congrats.

 

[BWalczak]

Some great ideas. The factory service manual would be wasted on me. The owners manual is technical enough. I am still trying to program my garage door opener...



My truck is 4WD so the side steps that extend back to the rear wheels in stainless would be great.

 

[BWalczak]

The Dealer installed a hard plastic bed liner that will go in the dumpster asap. The spray in type look great and keep things from sliding around.



Now I am sorry I did not buy a goose neck trailer...

 

[boonsur]

WELCOME!!!

You can't appreciate the Cummins until you tow. Be sure to let us know how that goes!



You should break the engine in, before switching to synthetic oil. Usually 10-15K miles, depending on how much weight you tow. The synthetic will reduce temperatures and not allow proper "seating", etc. if used too soon.



As was mentioned, mud flaps will help keep the dings down. I don't like steps because I'm tall and just end up getting my pants dirty by rubbing against them. Bed liners/covers come down to personal taste/usage. Gages are good to have, but not critical with stock power and the light loads you will be towing.



Aftermarket performance mods should be coming out soon (by next spring I would imagine). Because the new high pressure common fuel rail is so different, many of the older mods do not apply. One of the most common mod to the previous generation engines was changing injectors (to increase amount of fuel at each squirt). The new system allows the computer to control the duration and number of pulses for the injection, so the new upgrades will be primarily electronic. Along with increased fuel, you must also increase air flow. There should be a couple of different air box upgrades to do, and plenty of things you can do to the turbo (change the wastegate setting, port size, etc. ) to increase boost & flow. Get crazy and you'll have to look at upgrading the transmission, ... . and... . and... .





Good luck!

 

[CATCRACKER]

my mods the day after i pick it up:

1. mopar mud flaps(front and rear)-$70

2. blacked out mindows(metalized tint) $175

3. spray in line-x $350

4. 2"level kit (installed)-$328

5. 15 ton red shackle hanging off of draw tight-free

6. ex the silencer ring-free

7. oil guard by pass $173



=$1096



more to come but i will wait a while ex. tires,engine mods,dvd/6"lcd,speakers,



looking for a cheap nice looking seat cover. anyone?

 

[drtrox]

Hi all, and Happy New Year! Could someone please post part numbers for the Mopar rear wheel well liners and any required attaching fixtures along with a ballpark price and your evaluation of ease of installation. TIA

 

[kwoods]

The part number for the Mopar rear wheel liners is 82207367 and the suggested retail price is $89. These are very easy to install and come with all necessary hardware... They say you can order these from www.mopar4less.com cheaper than $89...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Ah jeez, lets not get that synthetic thing started agian!

 

[Benson]

For those of you with the steering mounted radio volume controls do you know if you can still use that if you were to change the radio out? Just wondering.

 

[krabman]

There are a few that can use at some of the wheel functions, not sure if any can do all of them.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Well let me help out with my wish list:

1) Waiting on AFE for a filter and box

2) Waiting on Edge or DD to come up with a box

3) Waiting on Jardine for an exhaust

4) Waiting on exhaust to get inline pacbrake

5) Waiting for my wife to let me drive it.....



The add ons so far are:

1) DC molded mud flaps(front)

2) B&W Gooseneck hitch

3) Autometer Boost and EGT Guages with A pillar mount



Now if I do all of the additions at once it will cost me about $2500.

I can't decide if I will get the injectors first or wait for the box. DD does have injectors and exhaust so maybe just maybe if January is good to me I can afford both of them together.

 

[mgonske]

Originally posted by Greg Boardman



2) Waiting on Edge or DD to come up with a box

I've had my Edge EZ installed for almost two weeks now, thanks to Diesel Power Products.

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by Benson

For those of you with the steering mounted radio volume controls do you know if you can still use that if you were to change the radio out? Just wondering.

Not yet. Soundgate is developing an adapter from the 2003 Infinity to a Sony stalk-type interface. They gave me a tenative date of this spring. I plan to use them with my Empeg.

 

[Benson]

Thanks David, and nice truck. How's the ride when running empty? Any difference from the previous generation? Oh, by the way, got torque?

 

[David Muench]

Thanks. The ride is great, especially with the BFG 315/70's. The taller sidewall helped a lot. And it still handles great. The 3rd gens are a whole new truck handling-wise compared to the 2nd gens. I had a 2001. 5 chassis cab dually, and it had the common pull to right problem. . The 3rd gens track straight, and have very crisp and responsive steering. I loved my 2nd gen, but I don't regret trading in the least.



Definitely got torq.