Smooshy

Sorry if its already been discussed but, why do 3rd gens sound so different than 1rst and 2nd gens?

doomgaze

It's because of the high pressure common rail injection.

Smooshy

Interesting, I'll have to research that more. Thanks

wannadiesel

Three injection events instead of one. The 3rd gen has a "pre", "main", and "post" injection event. The pre is a small amount of fuel that raises the cylinder pressure slightly, then the main injection event happens, then a small amount is added late in the power stroke for emission purposes. The pre event quiets the engine, on the older engines the fuel is all injected at once, giving the distinctive diesel knock.

The really loud trucks are the 2nd gen 24 valves, the pump is louder than the rest of the engine. The 2nd gen 12 valves have a pretty good clatter due to the fixed injection timing. 1st gens are quieter than 2nd gens because the VE pump has dynamic timing, making them quieter at idle and low speed.

Smooshy

Thats for sure, I have one thats straight piped.

DR3500

the 3rd gens have 2 or 3 injection events, the block is "tuned" to make it quieter, and there is a girdle on the bottom end to make the truck quieter.

Danderson

The 2nd gen 24-valvers are primarily designed to render conversation between owners and drive thru employees unintelligible.

Smooshy

Ok I know I posted this a while back but I just noticed something again about the sound of 3rd Gens. Only asking cause I want to buy one but I dont want to buy one that sounds funky since there are some that sound really good obviously.

The first 3rd Gen I herd that posted this about sounded terrible. It was like a p*ssed off weed eater or a rice rocket. It was straight piped. However I herd one yesterday that sounded awesom and I asked the guy about it and it was straight piped like the terrible sounding one. It sounded great though so I'm confused. I dont know the years of either, forgot to ask.

kelley15

My 3rd gen sounded raspy straight piped. I added a 5'' tip and it added some bass and was even louder. Then I put on a 6'' tip and it sounds oh so nice.

doomgaze

The 03's are louder and sound quite a bit different than 4.5-06's. I've heard a few 03's that I liked, but I could never get my 05 to sound like I wanted.

I ended up removing the muffler and keeping the cat and adding a 5'' tip. Sounded okay I guess. Some people commented that they liked how it sounded.

But then I just said screw it and traded it in for my 01... now I have a truck that sounds perfect.

Smooshy

Yeah I love the way my 2000 sounds but I have a little one on the way so I was thinking the new Mega Cab would be a cool addition to my fleet