Newbee - Basic Q's

[daniels]

Please Help - 2004 CTD 4x4

Hello All,



I’m proud to say I’m a CTD owner now! This is my first diesel truck. I bought a 2004 with 55,000 miles. with: engine#:57183951 and SN # 39270

I know absolutely nothing about CTD’s so please help with the following:



1. 2004’s – what are the strengths/weaknesses for this year? What do I need to look out for as far as maintenance or problems?

2. What mods can I do WITHOUT jeopardizing my 100K warranty and blowing my transmission? Fuel/Timing Box? Exhaust? Turbo? Injectors?

3. I’ve read a little about the Smarty, Smarty Jr, and other boxes…but what box is the best for my truck while running the stock transmission? NOTE - I do not tow, I just want more power to race around when I need it!

4. Is there an easy way to increase my turbo whistle?

5. I’m located in San Diego, CA. Are there any good diesel technicians nearby?



Thanks in advance!



Sincerely,

Jake

 

[HOBrian]

I would start with:

1. Ball joints, tie rods

2. u-joints

3. If it's a LB I would look at the carrier bearing.

 

[Jeepr]

As far as whistle, if you do a cold air intake, (I've got an AEM), the whistle will definately come! Other than that, you can take out the silencer ring.

 

[JDiepstra]

Hello All,



I’m proud to say I’m a CTD owner now! This is my first diesel truck. I bought a 2004 with 55,000 miles. with: engine#:57183951 and SN # 39270

I know absolutely nothing about CTD’s so please help with the following:



1. 2004’s – what are the strengths/weaknesses for this year? Engine mounted fuel pump can crap out anytime, leaving you stranded. What do I need to look out for as far as maintenance or problems?

2. What mods can I do WITHOUT jeopardizing my 100K warranty and blowing my transmission? Fuel/Timing Box? Exhaust? Turbo? Injectors? Depends on your dealer. Some will let you get away with more than others, but the common theme is becoming they all try to screw you.

3. I’ve read a little about the Smarty, Smarty Jr, and other boxes…but what box is the best for my truck while running the stock transmission? The Edge Juice with Attitude has built in and adjustable safety paramaters which will back down the power in the event it senses it is causing slippage. I am not sure about the others. NOTE - I do not tow, I just want more power to race around when I need it!

4. Is there an easy way to increase my turbo whistle? Take out the baffeling in the stock tube between the filter and the turbo. Remove silencer ring on the turbo. Get a cold air intake. 5. I’m located in San Diego, CA. Are there any good diesel technicians nearby?



Thanks in advance!



Sincerely,

Jake

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MSchneider]

welcome to the TDR. im also in the san diego aera. is your truck a stick o auto? eaither way should service it, alng with front and rear diffs. fuel filter and oil change just to beure if you bought the truck used.



shops in san diego

i use hrc in santee for some of my stuff that i dont do m self, jason and joe are very nice guys to deal with.



PM me if you need any help.

 

[icman95]

Yup, cold air intake system will get it to whistle. I have an aFE and it makes the turbo sing! At first I thought my wife would be upset having to listen to it on long trips, but she put on kind of a devilish smile, looked at me and said "If you tell anybody I'll deny it till the day I die, but that sounds cool!" Awsome!

 

[WoodChuck]

Do you know for sure if it's an early 04 or o4. 5? Check the build date, if it's 1-1-04 or later you have an 04. 5. There are quite a few differences between the two.

 

[CPittman]

Like WoodChuck says you should check the label on the driver's side of the valve cover to see if you have a 305 HP engine or a 325 HP engine. The 305 is a true '04 and the 325 is what we call an 04. 5. The 305's are the last engine systems that don't have any emissions equipment - no cat, no nothing.



And like JDiepstra said, if you still have (I doubt it) the stock fuel-filter canister-mounted lift pump, just know that your truck will just stop running one of these days - you'll be buzzing down the street, you'll hear a little unusual rattle from the mighty Cummins and then silence. It will fake you out and maybe start once or twice but your lift pump will be dead. You might take it to the dealer to see if they can tell you if the "lift pump retro-fit" has been done to your truck. If not, look out, it will die.



Get this if you want a little more turbo whistle but not too much - it's on sale! Get the cool blue hose and do the PSMBuick CAI mod to your stock airbox for a sweet (tolerable) sound.

 

[WoodChuck]

The early '04 had three engine ratings available, there was a 305 HO, 250 SO and in Calefornia and a few other states they also had a 235 SO.

In '04. 5 everybody (all 50 states) got the "600" or 325 HP HO engine.

 

[JDiepstra]

Like WoodChuck says you should check the label on the driver's side of the valve cover to see if you have a 305 HP engine or a 325 HP engine. The 305 is a true '04 and the 325 is what we call an 04. 5. The 305's are the last engine systems that don't have any emissions equipment - no cat, no nothing.



And like JDiepstra said, if you still have (I doubt it) the stock fuel-filter canister-mounted lift pump, just know that your truck will just stop running one of these days - you'll be buzzing down the street, you'll hear a little unusual rattle from the mighty Cummins and then silence. It will fake you out and maybe start once or twice but your lift pump will be dead. You might take it to the dealer to see if they can tell you if the "lift pump retro-fit" has been done to your truck. If not, look out, it will die.



Get this if you want a little more turbo whistle but not too much - it's on sale! Get the cool blue hose and do the PSMBuick CAI mod to your stock airbox for a sweet (tolerable) sound.

Agree. I did same thing. Sounds great but not too loud.

 

[daniels]

Thanks to all you guys for your valuable input. I have a big learning curve ahead!



Best,

Jake

 

[CToney]

Cool hose and psm buick mod is best for stock look and keeping warranty. Also look at an aftermarket fuel pump. I put a FASS on my truck. An intake horn also helps a bit. Check out my sig.

 

[crobertson1]

Just a technicality-there is no "G" in Cummins. Other than that, welcome to TDR and congrats on the truck!