Hi, I'm an FNG here and just bought a 99 Dodge extended cab 4x4 with 147,000 miles. It has an Auto with 3;55 gears and stock size tires. The only mods that have been done to it that I can tell is a 4" straight pipe from under the pass. seat back, a K&N element in the stock air box and it has a Holley blue pump down by the tank feeding the stock lift pump.

I needed a 4 wheeler and have wanted a diesel and found this truck. I will be using it for around the farm chores and for towing an open car trailer in the summer. It will have plenty of power stock but I would ike to give it some more oats for both power and fuel economy.

What are the best entry level mods without going past the durability of the stock drive train? I like fabricating and doing things on the cheap if possible but I'm not a bailing wire guy either. My thoughts were adding an AFE type cone filter and possibly a better flowing intake. Thanks for your input!

 

Gauges are a damn good idea, ad fuel pressure gauge a MUST! Under 8psi at your injection pump and your damaging it. A good lift pump with filters such as a FASS or AirDog is an excellent investment. Especially if you intend to keep the truck for a while.
You have sufficient air flow for what your engine is needed, so a different filter and intake is not needed.
Unless your looking for the best of everything, a Edge Juice with Attitude or Quadzilla Adrenaline with V2 Pulse is great bang for the buck. Power, gauges, turbo timer, alerts, and many more options all in one. There are other products that fuel harder, like a Smarty or Edge Comp, but there are no gauges with them.

 

like RAWilliams said, worry about the pressure first and foremost, then worry about power adders. best bang for the buck is definetly a chip.

 

Yes, A fuel pressure gauge and a 5 psi warning light has been ordered. I'll look into the chips

 

MOST important is gauges first,Fuel pressure is at the top (you need to measure the fuel pressure at the VP44 this would be the injection pump that is very expensive if you have to replace it)then EGT gauge because you do some towing.Then a good lift pump Airdog or FASS.A smarty will be your best bet for a programmer because it won't want to fry the trans in one shot.If you want to get a programmer with gauges there are Edge Juice with Attitude or Quadzilla Adrenaline with V2 Pulse,but watch what the program you pick some fuel hard and your trans will go bye bye.