Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Have not been active for awhile, thought I'd start a thread on my add on product experience and ask others for their opinions.
My 99 is now at 75K miles and they have all been hard miles in my dirt road, salty, weather extreme climate, especially since I now respond to medical and fire calls at all hours of the day and night...
+ DDI Injectors
I ordered these after I bought my Van Aken. The PE came out and seemed a better top end product so I installed the DD1's with the Hot PE which made a nice combo. The VA was otherwise great so I sold it via the TDR to another member.
+ Hot PE
I was an early buyer of the Power Edge product. I road tested it on a trip from Vermont to Montana. They sent me the new version to remove the shudder some discovered in the early version. Great product, Great company. . (would love to upgrade which seems to add the VA's low end but income down 75%)
JD Clutch
Despite a rough learning curve on my part, that clutch has never let me down like the OEM did.
- White Knight backup lights (hitch model)
TKO'd by corrosion in wiring and receiver, replaced with rubber tractor lights mounted to the side of the trailer hitch brackets (not as pretty). I really like the look of the WK's and would still recommend for my friends in the less salty parts of the country. If in a corrosion area, grease or prime the hitch coupler, seal the seams and protect your wiring connectors.
+ OverWattage headlight bulbs
Despite concerns over stress on the wiring, etc, I have had no problems with these 'blue' bulbs. No failures and they are bright.
+ SPA dual digital gauge
I think I introduced this one to the TDR. I love that guage and have it mounted in my cubby to the right of the radio. We did have trouble with the small temp probe they originally sold us which was upgraded quickly. I broke another by my error but since putting a strain relief on the temp wires I have not had any more problems. I wanted to make an engine cool down module with mcrossley but we ran into problems looking for harness connectors to make a clean installation. With the number of unemployed engineers I run into in VT, I still might try to do it. This gauge's wiring is vulnerable to corrosion in my environment, but what isn't...
ESPAR heater
I was fortunate to win one of these jewels which makes it's cost effectiveness rather favorable for me. I just blew out the glow plug after several winters so will eventually report on how that job goes when I get the new one in. I do not recommend using the cab heat feature (powered blower when engine off) as it really can kill the battery in my truck.
+ Bowers Fast Idle kit
Simple, inexpensive, easy to install and does exactly what it said it would (especially when the ESPAR glow plug died) Nothing like running all the emergency lights at -30F for hours and not fearing cooling the Cummins too much.
- Fabritech Ladder bars
I bought these to help with wheel hop in the snow which is real bad with our axle blocks. These bars far exceed my desired outcome with regards to improved traction in the deep snow. UNFORTUNATLY the paint fell off and the mounts did not stand up to the stress of the mighty cummins and goings of my RAM. The front mount on one side split when the tire was frozen into the driveway. I will eventually repain and fix the mount and reinstall. I've been running this winter without the bars and really miss them. .
+ LINEX
With my environment, I had to do something. I have no brand loyalty here, but this product works for me. The finish is just as delivered except where a loose cap door ate the finish off the tailgate. They will fix it for free.
+ AMSOIL
I have to believe that the truck starts better in the cold and have to believe the oil will last longer. (If I don't believe it then I have probably already ruined my engine by not changing the oil enough)
There have been more but enough for now... ... Strobes,siren,idle kits, tires, etc etc
My 99 is now at 75K miles and they have all been hard miles in my dirt road, salty, weather extreme climate, especially since I now respond to medical and fire calls at all hours of the day and night...
+ DDI InjectorsI ordered these after I bought my Van Aken. The PE came out and seemed a better top end product so I installed the DD1's with the Hot PE which made a nice combo. The VA was otherwise great so I sold it via the TDR to another member.
+ Hot PEI was an early buyer of the Power Edge product. I road tested it on a trip from Vermont to Montana. They sent me the new version to remove the shudder some discovered in the early version. Great product, Great company. . (would love to upgrade which seems to add the VA's low end but income down 75%)
JD ClutchDespite a rough learning curve on my part, that clutch has never let me down like the OEM did.
- White Knight backup lights (hitch model) TKO'd by corrosion in wiring and receiver, replaced with rubber tractor lights mounted to the side of the trailer hitch brackets (not as pretty). I really like the look of the WK's and would still recommend for my friends in the less salty parts of the country. If in a corrosion area, grease or prime the hitch coupler, seal the seams and protect your wiring connectors.
+ OverWattage headlight bulbs
Despite concerns over stress on the wiring, etc, I have had no problems with these 'blue' bulbs. No failures and they are bright.
+ SPA dual digital gaugeI think I introduced this one to the TDR. I love that guage and have it mounted in my cubby to the right of the radio. We did have trouble with the small temp probe they originally sold us which was upgraded quickly. I broke another by my error but since putting a strain relief on the temp wires I have not had any more problems. I wanted to make an engine cool down module with mcrossley but we ran into problems looking for harness connectors to make a clean installation. With the number of unemployed engineers I run into in VT, I still might try to do it. This gauge's wiring is vulnerable to corrosion in my environment, but what isn't...
ESPAR heaterI was fortunate to win one of these jewels which makes it's cost effectiveness rather favorable for me. I just blew out the glow plug after several winters so will eventually report on how that job goes when I get the new one in. I do not recommend using the cab heat feature (powered blower when engine off) as it really can kill the battery in my truck.
+ Bowers Fast Idle kitSimple, inexpensive, easy to install and does exactly what it said it would (especially when the ESPAR glow plug died) Nothing like running all the emergency lights at -30F for hours and not fearing cooling the Cummins too much.
- Fabritech Ladder barsI bought these to help with wheel hop in the snow which is real bad with our axle blocks. These bars far exceed my desired outcome with regards to improved traction in the deep snow. UNFORTUNATLY the paint fell off and the mounts did not stand up to the stress of the mighty cummins and goings of my RAM. The front mount on one side split when the tire was frozen into the driveway. I will eventually repain and fix the mount and reinstall. I've been running this winter without the bars and really miss them. .
+ LINEX
With my environment, I had to do something. I have no brand loyalty here, but this product works for me. The finish is just as delivered except where a loose cap door ate the finish off the tailgate. They will fix it for free.
+ AMSOIL
I have to believe that the truck starts better in the cold and have to believe the oil will last longer. (If I don't believe it then I have probably already ruined my engine by not changing the oil enough)
There have been more but enough for now... ... Strobes,siren,idle kits, tires, etc etc
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