New to the forum, new to diesels. After years of towing with a half ton hemi I finally got the truck I wanted. My 07 5.9L is primarily used for towing. I'd say 90% of its use will be with a 5-ton bumper pull trailer behind it. Most of that time the trailer will be a light load of around 8,000 pounds. A large amount of my hauls will be through the mountains with the steepest grades around 8-9%. I bought the truck on Christmas Eve 2010 with 91k miles on it. The truck has a few mods done to it already, but I'm not sure of the extent of the modifications. It feels very zippy off the line, but I have nothing but a gasser to compare it to.

Current "Known" mods:
- S&B CAI
- 4" exhaust with muffler, unknown brand. Pipe is black though :P

I'm wanting to know what modifications I should look to make, and in what order. I'm not interested in extreme amounts of horsepower/torque or rollin coal. I want it to be reliable, get good fuel mileage and get out of it's own way when towing.

What I was thinking:
1. Gauges: EGT for sure, boost and fuel pressure?
2. A programmer of some sort, smarty?


Also, what sort of maintenance should I be doing to this truck? Keep in mind, this is my first diesel so don't worry about hurting my feelings. I need to learn. Educate me fellas.

 

Im a little new to diesels here to but from what ive learned i will say u are on the right track with what you are thinking. Definatly get the gauges first because u wanna know what your truck is doing( boost,egt,tranny temp,and fuel pressure). I would say a smarty jr since you prolly dont wanna change the tranny right away. Then like i did on mine i did a fass platinum. i've also added a s&B cai, exhaust , etc... Im sure someone wiser than me will chime in but for what its worth thats what i would suggest. hope this helps ya some

 

Thanks for the help! The smarty jr is what I was considering.

Also, please recommend any brands of gauges/pods, or other programmers.

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Anyone else?

 

Smarty Jr and a set of autometer gauges boost pyro and trans temp if you have a auto trans

 

I'd look into better fuel filtration. Kill 2 birds with one stone and get an Airdog. Flush the radiator. Change the diff fluid. Exhaust brake might be nice for ya too.

 

So you would go with an AD before gauges and programmer, or in addition to?

I looked at the S&B filter on the truck and it was clogged slam up and brittle. It appears to be their oldest design for this truck. I may need to upgrade that. I stuck a parts store filter on it for the time being. Made a big difference in power.

Here are my thoughts on the order of mods. First things first, I'll change all the fluids.

1. Gauges
2. Programmer
3. AD/FASS
4. Tranny and/or TC
5. Exhaust brake

 

Looks like a pretty good list so far, just make and sure to save your pennies when it comes to the transmision, they are not cheap to open up and play with

I would go Isspro or autometer 60psi boost, 1600F pyro, and transmission temp
Smarty jr. or Smarty sr., you can keep the sr. on a low level say SW2 until you get your other mods done
Fass or AD, its up to you, they are both nice units
If I had the Cash i would be getting a Goerand transmission

 

Howdy! Welcome to Diesel Bombers! You're Going to Like it Here!

 

Thanks for all the help guys. Going with the autometer factory match set; pyro, trans temp, boost. Then to save up for the rest.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Glad you found the help you needed!