Well, i just purchased my first diesel (2004 crew cab short bed). Nothing aftermarket has been put on to the truck so im starting out clean. I kinda feel like im in over my head haha. I wouldnt call myself a mechanic by any means but i can do 90% of any repairs on a gasoline engine. This seems to be a completely different world. I do some towing but not much. I am looking to purchase a Programmer for my truck for better MPG. I dont want to loose my performance all together (still would like to blow some smoke every once in a while haha) Also, what kind of add ons or changes do you suggest for longer engine life. (I have 70,000 miles now) Any information would be helpful.

 

BEFORE you start putting ANY performance mods, STUD THOSE HEADS. Next thing to do if you don't have emissions testing in your area or if you know how to get away with it, EGR delete kit, cat delete, and a 4" turbo-back straight pipe. As far as programmers go, an SCT tuner with custom tunes from Innovative Diesel is the best thing for the 6.0. Please don't be one of those guys that your only goal is to blow smoke and want to put in a smoke switch, if you want the power and having the smoke is just a nice byproduct, that's fine, but blowing smoke without ANY performance gain is stupid. Don't be too intimidated by your diesel, once you start getting more into the sport, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

 

Im from indiaina but am stationed with the Marines in NC that does have inspections. I know a dealer here that can give me a clean one and if that falls through im just going to plate it in indiana and drive back down here because ive seen the mess those EGR valves cause. When i said "Blow a little smoke" i was not intending it to mean just smoke. A smoke switch is like lifting and throwin mud tires on a 2wd. Looks cool but just a waste of money. Thanks for the help and im sure ill be on here a lot bugging everyone!

 

Hey no worries. We would rather you "bug" us and flood us with questions than see a another diesel goin to the scrap yard

 

Glad to have you. Ask away. Somebody around here will be willing to help you out. If we don't know the answer, We can usually point you in the right direction.

 

Another thing is a coolant bypass filter.. And also a fuel pressure guage is a must. Need to make sure it stays about 50 to 55 psi.

 

Yea I would not own a 6.0 without a coolant filter and a good set of gauges fuel pressure, oil temp and, coolant temp and pyro is a good one to. Glowshift makes some cheap ok gauges. And ic you get any tunes get only sct with custom tunes I have mine from innovative Econo tow and street.

 

As far as my knowledge is, the SCT is the #1 way to go for the 6.0, I have no complaints whatsoever

 

First things that should go on that truck are gauges (get whatever you want as long as you have fuel pressure readings), and a coolant filter. Next would be EGR delete and headstuds. After that, good mods that aren't quite as important are a 4" turbo back exhaust, and an SCT with custom tuning. I use Innovative Diesel as well but there are other good ones out there too.

You can do the SCT before the studs. Have you ever played russian roulette though?