Took my 2003 cummins to the shop a few days ago to have an Air Dog 150 lift pump installed. Mechanic called today and told me that the lift pump had to bolt to a flat surface on the frame, which I knew already. He then told me where the Air dog was supposed to mount to the frame on my truck was rounded, and the only way to mount the pump was to weld a plate on to my frame. Is this normal for the 2003? Has anyone else had to do this when having a FASS or Air Dog installed?

 

Mine is bolted directly to frame drivers side between where front door meets rear on quad cab.

 

Not normal. I don't know what he is smoking, but the two AirDogs I have installed just clamp around the frame. You can put them anywhere as long as there is space. Tell him to check an install vid on YouTube and get it done.

 

That's what I thought. He ended up not welding anything, just bolting the bracket straight to the frame like it's supposed to be. But I now know where not to take my truck for work anymore. Its hard to find a good diesel mechanic now and days.

 

You can add Blacks Tire and Auto to your list. I went to them in Dillon, SC for an alignment and they couldn't even put my hub cap back on let alone properly diagnose front end problems. The manager didn't even want to replace the hub cap because "It's not like it's a brand new truck." First and last time I ever go there...

 

With this site and the willingness along with a few tools you can do a lot of repairs/upgrades yourself. My advice don't let another person work on your rig, it only costs you more in the long run. Just my .02 cents.

 

Yeah after dealing with that incident I'm going to try to do all the work myself. Only going to help me learn more about my rig anyways.

 

Indeed

 

If they have no exerience installing an Airdog then you need to go over the entire job yourself. Let me tell you why. The airdog draws ALOT of power . If all the battery connections aren't spotless it will act like resistance and you may only see 4v at the LP. I got lazy and had these slimeballs from Lee's Auto ranch in Ct install mine and that was exactly what they did. Then they told me the LP was no good when the truck died. I had to get another LP frorm Airdog(which I ended up eating because the one I sent back was fine) because after they plugged that one in it did the same thing. I figured out it was the wiring. In the interim when those morons were working on it they must have blown shop air back through fuel line and obliterated the Pickup basket which cost me another 150$(used one new was 450$) and I had to drop the tank so let that be a lesson. Do it yourself.
This was on my '02 2nd Gen.

 

Here's some pic of the quality Job Lee's Auto ranch in Ellington CT did. A bargain for 200$. Like I said...Re-check everything yourself.