Hey guys,
I'm thinking about buying an 06 3500 what would be the best mods to start with?
Free flowing exhaust, chip or? I know you've probably been thru this time and again but I'd appreciate your input
thanks, gunnie

 

I like the way mine handles and pulls....drives really nice. you can read my sig.... all i need now is a tc and a fuel pump.

 

so the fuel pump needs to be changed same as a 2000? What pump is recommended what about fp gauge?

 

i plan on getting a fp gauge as well. the pumps are not a complete necessity on these trucks. I dont know exactly but you can read on here that you want a min of a certain psi for fp and the pumps can slowly fall. I had a friend put a gauge on mine temporarily just to see and with my juice on level 2 i can draw my psi down to 3 - 4. Little low for my liking. and i am wanting to add a pressure box so i know im going to need one at some point. For all i know i could be draining the rail too. Im doing my pump as a preventive measure, not because im having problems with it right now.

The 2 big names for fuel pumps are airdog and FASS. Lots of people like both. Its really gonna be what will fit your truck and driving style.

I didnt do the fp gauge when i did the rest cause of money and mounting locations. I did the 3 gauges i felt were the most important to monitor. Now that i have a good idea of what i want my finished product to be like i can now go ahead and get my rp and fp gauges and install them.

 

what part of the ozarks are you in?

 

central missouri about 25 miles from the ark line

 

would a holley blue or black work ok with these also? I know i'm asking a bunch of really should know questions, I'm just not sure what is the best place to start, on my 2000 fp guage and new pump was first but maybe these aren't quite as finicky about fp?

 

do you know if we have a tech article telling the differences between a 2nd gen and 3rd? maybe I should start with something like that and save everyone all the silly bs

 

For a should know question, i dont know. hopefully someone else will chime in. In my opinion, an din my situation, keeping finances at the top of my mind i would get the truck, set it up with a full set of gauges to see what it is doing, and maybe see a tranny guy that you trust to do pressure tests on the tranny. I could tell you nasty stories about when i traded my NEW 06 for my USED 06, but thats for another time.

Central MO is farther north than 25 miles. Im central MO here in lake of the ozarks. are you near branson or somewhere near there?

 

I should have said central part of the state 25 miles from ark line near west plains

 

i see. you ever make it up here to the lake area??? Hope i was able to help ya out with your decision.

 

Looking at you sig line for your '00 truck, seems you didn't do very many mods, kept it pretty clost to stock.

The '06 comes with a 4" exhaust, which is more than adequate for good exhaust flow. I added the 'muffler delete pipe' to reduce the EGT's. I also added a tip to extend it past the fender, got rid of the soot on the fender.

I use my '06 to haul very heavy loads and have yet to draw the fuel pressure down to where an aftermarket pump would be needed, pump pressure has been good and steady at 8, I've drawn it down to 4 on steep grades.

I live at high altitude and air intake/flow is important. I changed out the stock intake box, intake horn, and got rid of the plastic plumbing from the intake horn to the intercooler. Made for better breathing, again cooler EGT's, better fuel mileage.

The '06 trucks are known for their 'black oil', the soot level seems higher on them, so I installed a bypass oil filter for better filtration. Stock oil filtration is 15 nm, adding the bypass took it down to 2 nm. It is the particles between those two numbers that does the wear damages.

I also installed a bypass fuel filter for better fuel filtration, the stock filtration is 7nm, bypass took it down to 2nm. Cavitation to the CP3 fuel pump is what destroyes them, and of course does other damages to the injectors, the lower the size of the particles the longer the pump will last and it lessens injector problems.

You didn't say whether the truck had a standard or automatic, if auto, a trans temp gauge would be a good idea, although I have not heard many here speak about the trans overheating, but if you tow it is a good addition.

Actually gauges for better monitoring are always a good idea, just depends what you feel needs monitoring. You can see what I installed in my sig.

As far as mods are concerned, the steering does need consideration, especially supporting the steering box, it has an issue with flexing, and many talk about wandering due to the flexing. While I did not seem to have any of the steering issues, I chose to install a steering support, went with the one made by Defiant, but there are several to choose from that all do a good job taking care of that problem.

After those few basics, everything else is just a matter of preference and maybe more specific as needed to support what you will be doing with your truck.

I like the leveled look, so I installed a leveling kit. I also like bigger tires, and by putting on the bigger tires I lowered the RPM's at highway speeds, a plus in the fuel mileage as well. Since I tow, and tow heavy, I added air bags and also a sway bar. Made the ride better in the twisty mountain roads that I travel on a constant basis.

If you decide to purchase the '06, I am sure you will be pleased with the truck. I would buy another '06 in a heartbeat.

CD

 

I purchased mine back in Jan. of this year. First upgrade was the Intake I went with K&N because of the deal I got. Next I purchased a Predator module. Next I am going to put the muffler eliminator kit for the exhaust. Cd what size of spacer your running in the back?

 

I run a 1/4" spacer on between the rear wheels and was able to get 285 70's on it with no rub. i would not go any more than a 1/4 spacer unless you go to adapters......not enough stud for the lug to bite....

 

I appreciate all the input. You're right I don't do alot of mods, I do pull heavy loads also, mostly cattle and equipment. I like the '00 and have had excellent service from it but the dual wheel stability is what I'm after. I've heard the 06 has much more power than the 00 so I'm a little stumped as to where to begin, Are there issues with an 06 similar to the vp44? Is the Smart jr a good or better choice than say a super chip? I have a 63 chevy pickup for my play thing so am more concerned about dependability than getting too wild with this. It's going to be a work truck but I do enjoy the seat of the pants torque that the cummins has. Oh I forgot it is a standard tranny.
Thanks, gunnie