I am tossing around the idea of switching to a 3rd gen by selling my 12v and my backup 1500 V8 truck. And I have a few questions...

I want to put my 2.5" leveling kit on it that I have leftover from my 12v truck, will it fit? With a 2.5" leveling kit will 35x12.5 tires fit without rubbing anything on stock wheels or wheels with a little more offset?

With a true turbo back 4" exhaust that is straight piped (out the back of the truck with a 6"-7" tip), homeade intake (just like an AFE St. II or AEM brute force) and a decent programmer will the stock clutch hold up for a while?

What is a good programmer that can land me say 400hp on a dyno and not break the bank?

What kind of mileage when driving easy could I expect on the highway when at a constant speed?

I am probably going to try and find a '03-'04 Quad Cab swb 4x4 with a HO and 6-sp manual... Do you guys think that I would be happy going from my 400-450 hp 12v to a Common Rail with just 1 programmer? I really don't want to get carried away with this truck.

I want to buy it for the nicer and quieter interior, quieter engine, improved cold engine idling and driving. And possibly being easier to get to the 500hp mark later on down the road.

Thanks for any help ya'll!

-Chris

 

I don't think the leveling kit will work, but they are pretty cheap anyways. A leveling kit will allow 35s, but you will certainly have rubbing with 37s. I have had good luck with the clutch on my 04 and I would say I was on the way to 400hp at the wheels (Smarty level 5). Higher settings it will slip if I don't watch it. The ****** whistler intake should do you some good for cheap, and a 4" downpipe. The Smarty works great and the support is awesome for the 3rd gen crowd, but the xzt or diablo works well on 03-04s too for alittle less $$$. I see 19.5 to 21mpg hand calculated at constant speeds, but really depends on your driving. An 03-07 would definitley have a different nature, smoother, quieter,etc. I think you would be happy. Getting to 500hp on an 03-04 is a little more costly than 04.5-up, but the good link is the nv5600. Hope this helps man, and hope to see you on the 3rd gen side soon. Rick

 

A smarty on a 3rd gen will make you very happy coming from your 12v.

 

dont waste your money on a 4" TB exhaust if you buy an 04.5 or HO and newer. its factory 4". 400rwhp is pretty easy on a HPCR. like rip said, leveling kits are reasonable prices and will allow 35s. go with a whistler intake and same the coin for something else. stock clutch sould handle 400 ok, as long as your reasonable...

its time to stop being an undervalver and come on over to the winning team

brett

 

I wouldn't call it a "winning" team. If you are driving a Cummins period you are a winner! lol. If I got an '03-'04 I would snag a cast elbow and downpipe from behind an '04.5+'s turbo and then just get some aluminized piping to get to the already 4" tailpipe and put a nice looking tip on it. I know I'll buy a better ValAir clutch later on to suit my needs but the longer the stocker lasts the better, my stock clutch in the 12v didn't last at 350hp very long lol.

I also want it for the added comfort on long trips, since I drive 6 hours each way every weekend nearly this school year and will have to drive 3 hours or so each way next school year it would be kind of nice.

Plus I want more adjustability for towing trailers, with my big injectors they haze when I put a decent load behind them, I'm sure the GF's camper wouldn't like that! Haha

 

I just looked on e-bay and all the leveling kits I saw (steel spacers 2"-3") were for dodge trucks '94-'07 Geuss I can hold onto mine then! I think the spacer measures to 2.75" too... Aren't 3rd gens usually 3" from level?

 

The nv5600 is a pretty well built trans so I think 400rwhp should be ok so long as you are not dropping the clutch at any stupidly high boost levels. A smarty or ppe tuner will get you over 400rwhp noooo problem. The 04.5+ produce a little more boost so I am partial to them but any common rail is a great motor

 

Good to know about the leveling kits working on 94-07, I guess that's a +.

 

So no one has a MPG estimate on a 6sp 4dr swb with a leveling kit on 35's when driven easy?

My 12v with stock injector got over 600 uncorrected miles to a tank and with my big sticks still goes a bit over 500...

 

as far as the mpg.. I've got an 04 pre (automatic tho) and with a triple dog (purchased from the classifieds here for $300) I just got 22.8 mpg on a 900 mile trip with hills cruising at 70. On another occasion, I made 24.5 on 100 miles cruising at 65. Now grant it, I'm running crazy larry, so there is around 500 hp currently, but I keep my foot out of it and it seems to do well.. around 20-21 around town. I also have 35" BFG's and the gear ratio helps a bit.

Anyone know where i can get a cheap leveling kit?

thanks

 

Mine is getting about 17 or so on average.

 

I get about 17 on average around town. When I go long distance I'm usually towing about 7-9k so the milage varies based on terrain.

 

I wish I had my 02!

 

I'll tell you what, my truck looks like an '02 and I can sell it to you for a very non-'02 price! lol I'm going to sell off my big injectors and swp in some stock 215's or custom 5x.012's, Give it a little more MPG and low-end for whoever buys it in a few months...

 

i went from a 01 to my 04 and they both have thier pros and cons,i liked the 5 speed in the 01 better than the 6spd,i love the steering and fullsize doors on the 04,the 01 seemed to rev easier and seems more tight,the quiet engine is nice but i love the sound of a rattly cummins.my 04 gets good milage and drives nicer than the 01 and the fullsize rear doors are awsome.i had a smarty and stix and a comp in my 01 and im sure it would beat my 04 with a pred and x2 box.both great trucks but the better steering and fulsize doors make the 3rd gens better in my opinion