I just purscased a 2003 QC 4x4 with AT (48RE) with 70,000 miles. It is currently stock. I would to do some mods to upgrade pulling capability and fuel mileage but not enough where I have to spend alot of money on the transmission.

I currently use the truck as daily commuter and use it on the weekend to pull a bobcat, 70hp tractor, or a dump trailer.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank You.

 

Spend some time reading over all the posts here and you will get some good ideas as to what you need to do.

For what you are explaining above, I would say intake (homemade or store bought), exhaust (straight pipe?), and a Smarty Jr. I would also say a good set of guages to keep track of it all.

 

MTC is correct. You will need to be careful of any additional power. You can run the Smarty Jr on the tow setting but just be easy on the takeoffs!

 

It seems anything over 70hp added over stock you are looking at tranny upgrades, so maybe this is a starting or end point for you.

 

Get a he351 turbo off of a .4.5 and up truck, for more air. Mod your own air box. All you need is a muffler, you will see little in a 4" exhaust. I have a Smarty, but a Quad box on about 50 h.p. is a lot better than stock.

 

I read about moding you existing air box but haven't had any luck finding a thread on how to. Can anyone point me in the right direction. Thank You.

 

Does anyone have a link tho the 04.5 turbo mod.

Thanks

 

You don't need a link. If you can pull your turbo off your truck then you just do that and replace it with the newer turbo. Install an adjustable boost elbow or simply clamp the wastegate hose off. That's about it unless you want to also get the better 04.5+ exhaust elbow and a real 4" downpipe...

As far as what the OP is looking for. Just do everything in my sig. I had the same plan for my truck that you have and it's perfect now.....

 

Look under Home Depot intake. You cut a 4" round hole in the bottom of the filter housing, hook up a piece of 4" drain hose and run it down below the engine compartment. Then use a 6.7 air filter. There are two large threads on the he351 turbo. It is a true bolt on. The quad box will give you all the power your trans can hold. Add a free flow muffler, if desired as the gains seem to be less than 10 h.p. and you will add 50-75 h.p. and the drive ability will be much better. If you do a little shopping around, this can be done for under $500.

 

From reading on the site and this thread, I believe I have a plan.

Gauges (Boost, Pyro, Trans)
Home depot intake
smarty jr

Is there anything wrong with running the stock exhaust?

 

Nothing wrong with stock exhaust. I would look for a he351 down the road.

 

Will add the he351 and the smarty exceed the auto trans?

 

Just the Smarty jr will exceed the tranny...I have slipped mine a couple times just trying the upper settings

 

The he351 will keep the ext down towing. Adding fuel is the only thing that will add much power. The turbo alone usually does not do much for power. You don't have to max out the power on the smarty!