I just bought my first 3rd Gen truck!!! I love it!!!

I've had the 2nd gen in my signature for almost 20 years, so I'm well-versed on those trucks. I'm brand-new to 3rd gens though so I appreciate any advice you can give me

I'm looking for advice on mods for my new truck. It is a 2003 QC, SB, 4x4, Automatic, 3.73 gears. 227,xxx miles. It has a hide-a-ball type hitch in the bed, airbags in the rear, and MRBP exhaust; otherwise it is completely stock (still has factory air-cleaner assembly). All front end components look brand new (springs, control arms, tie rods, ball joints, etc...). Truck drives and rides very nice. It does appear to have a leveling kit on it and it is running 315/70R17 tires on factory wheels.

My intentions for the truck are to be a reliable daily driver, pulling a trailer only about 25% of the time. Heaviest trailer load I have right now is about 9k lbs.

Other notes:

*I plan to having the transmission rebuilt soon; found broken pieces of a snap ring in the pan when changing fluid. My transmission guy is a close family friend and has a successful transmission shop 20+ years. He says he knows a very good way to rebuild this and toughen up the weak spots on this trans to let me increase power safely.

*When I turn the key, I believe I hear the lift pump running under-hood somewhere. Are these trucks like my 2nd gen in regards to the need to move the lift pump to a better location?

*I eventually plan to get gauges, but I don't want a race-truck look. What are the essential gauges to use? (Boost, EGT, fuel pressure from lift pump?)

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!!

--Matt

 

Maybe I typed too long of a message to get a response. Lol

is it worth monitoring fuel pressure between the lift pump and injection pump on a 3rd gen? This was vital on my 2nd gen.

I also see guages for monitoring "rail pressure", how critical is this?

I was planning on boost and egts for sure, depending on reasons here for either fuel pressure guage

 

Boost, EGT's and rail pressure are the three best to monitor. Lift pump pressure if you want to.

 

I would suggest that boost, EGT and lift pump pressure first, then maybe rail pressure. I have all 4 on my truck.

 

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That reminds me...I reinstalled the stock program in my 2003 3500 and retrieved the HP program after it was totaled in a wreck...It just says Smarty on the box and has 30, 60, 90 and 130 HP programs, but I set it on 90 HP when I got it and left it there...It did everything I wanted it to...I have no use for it, have programmer, cable, box and manual...I'm not sure what it's worth used, but if anybody is interested, PM me......Ben