stealman1

I really like this truck, but when I pull my 5200lbs. dry weight toy hauler it struggles a bit. It does fine on flat ground and mellow hills, but I live in the Sierra mountains and long steep grades are the norm for me. This truck is a 5 speed manual and getting out of 3rd gear and into 4th can be a challenge at times. I wish it was a 6 speed, but nothing I can do about that. This truck is completely stock except for a Amsoil air filter with a 4" hole in the bottom of the air box and a Commander gauge. I feel like a need some more low end power. I dont want to go mod crazy and want to do things that will extend the longevity of the engine a drive train. I would like some advice on what to do.
Thanks.

soulezoo

Smarty Jr. is the answer for you.. hands down. Or you could go the quad xzt route...

Seriously, having the same engine and having been where you are at (BTW where are you at in the Sierras? I am by Tahoe) There are a lot of different choices that will work for you; I just think smarty jr stacked with something like a power puck (think Smarty on mid level with puck on low setting) really helps power and economy and still be safe on tranny and engine.

PM me if you want to chat about it.

SOhappy

Get a boost elbow too (along with a chip). You'll never regret it!

HUGE difference.

Of course, you'll need gauges too.

rich

i regretted chipping my 03 was the same as yours went thru 3 sets of injectors.in my opinion put a decent set of injectors in it and get some gauges the bullydog monitor is a good one in my opinion. to much hp and you will bust the nv4500 mine in the 03 went out 4 times. this is my opinion but look around and seee how many have injector issues that are also chipped. that model will get real good fuel mileage . mine would get 12 pulling my 40 ft gooseneck

rockdonon

I had an 04 So and did the intake (afe), straight through muffler, and used the Edge chip. Was a great set up for me.If you already have the Comander hooked up, the zxt would be the most logic way to go.

SOhappy

Geez, what level did you have it set on? I've never had my EZ above level 2 , never smoked the tires, just baby it off the line but it sure pulls my 10,000 lb toy hauler up over the western mt. passes like a homesick angel.

61,000 miles, 20+mpg empty, 13 mpg towing, no injectors, no tranny issues, no regrets (knock, knock).

stealman1

The problems that Rich posted about is what concerns me. I don't want to tear this truck up. As far as the injectors go, is adding fuel duration without pressure hard on them? I thought I read that the Smarty jr. only added duration? Is the nv 4500 really that weak and what about the stock clutch?

If I get a boost elbow do I need a boost fooler? Will the elbow give me more power. I noticed that I can only hit about 22psi. of boost.

This truck does get great fuel economy. If I don't tow it is always over 20 mpg. and sometimes a little over 22 mpg. Although most of the time I drive to get good fuel economy.

Thanks for the help.

rich

i log almost 70k a year on mytrucks and 90% of that is towing. the box i had was a quad box and was set on the lowest setting. the injectors ad the fuel for hp with out turning up the pressures and do it the way the motor was designed. i also forgot to mention getting something to replace the lp that will go out in that model. if you dont tow heavy and add lots of hp the 4500 will handle it along with the stock clutch. tow over 15k for long periods and add the power it will give you some trouble. that mileage i got was an empty trailer.

soulezoo

Excessive pressure is what kills injectors. Not duration and especially as little extra duration that smarty jr gives... it is a mild box and will help mileage a little too. The smarty will also do your boost fooling... the boost elbow will get you a little more boost (you have to have more fuel to drive that turbo for more boost though). You don't want to go over about 32 psi with your stock turbo. If you get a power adder-- any one of them-- leave it on lower levels to protect the clutch. You need an egt gauge if you don't already have one.

soulezoo

What Rich said about the lift pump is true as well. Plan on replacing it at some point.

2003Ram

Smarty Jr. or Quad XZT as stated above will get you what you need.

I went for a couple of years with just a Quad for more power on my '03 SO. Stock, my truck would only do 45 mph pulling a 10k Toyhauler on a 6% grade, in second gear (L2). Adding just the Quad and using the the 60 hp setting, I was able to bump the speed up to 55-60mph on the same grades in 3rd. With the additional mods listed in my sig, (Smarty on 3, Quad on 1), I wave to the Ford's and Chevy's as I go by.

SOhappy

The boost elbow is just a small replacement part for your turbo's wastegate, it necks down the volume of air used to actuate the mechanical gate. Boost foolers are for the electronic wastegates in later trucks, so no you don't need one. The ebow takes about 10 min. to install/uninstall (keep the factory hose clamps just in case). It'll return an extra 10psi, and boy- what a difference 10psi makes ! My gauge hits 33psi at when towing heavy at 3000 rpm, which is about the limits of where you want to be stock.

I've been told that the elbow has to be used with a box or you'll get a Check Engine (CEL) code.