Looks like i'm a bonafide, card carrying member now.... Just picked up an '04 Quad cab, short bed, 4x4 SLT yesterday. Immediately put 885 miles on her to get her home.

Drove from Boise down to southern Ca. I am loving the Cummins ! 21.5 on the overhead console was pretty much the norm for MPG. It went higher at times, and as low as 20.8 climbing the grade into Reno. Empty of course, but none of the hills/climbs i encountered had an effect on this truck. A slight pitch change in the turbo whine was all i could notice. Coming from a '90 K5 Blazer, the power is very much welcomed.

Can't wait to get my trailer behind it to see how it does in the towing dept. (only 3,000#)

If there are any recommended upgrades, or mods i'd love to hear them.

I think the first thing i'll do is check to see if the lift pump is in the tank or not, and do that swap if it isn't.
I don't have any big plans to alter the truck, or tow anything huge, but i'm open to suggestions.

 

That is a sharp truck. Overhead doesn't tell the truth exactly. Do a hand calculation, be more accurate.

 

I wondered about that. I'll fill the tank tomorrow and get the truth.

 

what ever you do dont let that truck near a smarty haha

nice truck ! how many miles on her ?

 

She now has 94k

Whats the skinny on the Smarty's ? It seems those are very popular. Never heard of that brand before. How do they differ from the other tuner's ?

 

lots of reading. I'm only interested in mileage and lower EGTs when towing, so I went with the Smarty Jr. Do a search you can read for days.

 

Nice rig! Love the topper! Been looking at buying one myself.

 

Stay away from the Smarty.. Once the bombing begins, it wont stop until your divorced, broke and living in a 6,000,000 horsepowered, kryptonite fueled, 2 second 1/4 mile, fire breathing beast.

 

lol, GOTCHA. How about recommendations for some guages. I know the importance of monitoring things, and feel a tranny temp guage, pyro, are the minimums.

Suggestions for what to get. Is boost that important to monitor on a stock rig ?

I don't really love the pillar mounts since they create and even larger blind spot at the A pillar. Any other suggested mounting places ?

 

Welcome to DTR and the best diesel engine ever!

For gauges I would do a boost, pyro, and trans temp. Search Gauges here and you will bring up lots of threads for recommendations and locations.
I have the Autometer factory match and love them. I have posted pics of them installed which will show up in a search. But mine are on the a pillar.

 

Thanks for the welcome. I've owned a couple other diesels, both 6.2's ( LOL I know....... I know....... go ahead and start laughing now. ) But working in the automotive field, and at a shop for the past 10+ years, i feel this is the superior diesel, and a good truck as well.

 

Very nice truck. Looks just like mine six years ago when had a topper. Makes me think I miss it. On a gauge mount option I chose a SRT10 pillar mount for my pyro. I like that it retains my grab handle, it does not effect my side view. I think if I add gauges it will be a three pod dash mounted boost,trans, and a rail pressure. Nice truck!

 

Congrats and welcome to DTR...(I think you will find this site VERY helpful in not only servicing "your new truck", but also in saving money that you might have blown on non-value added extras)

As for gauges, I echo what my boy rockcrawler304 said...I have the same gauges and love them (Boost, Trans, Pyro Autometer factor matched gauges in the A-pilar).

Smarty JR!! Best money I ever spent on the truck.You will find plenty of threads and post here relative to this programmer. Really wakes up the Cummins. If you think your happy with Cummins power now, just wait!

Again, congrats on the new toy...your gonna' love it!! (Oh yeah, and your not even gonna feel that 3K lbs trailer)

 

finally ran the tank out and refueled. True mph was 18 (which included about a 100 miles of in town stuff)

Pretty happy as this is double what my K5 was getting.

 

Got the truck reg'd in CA. last week. Also went with passenger car registration rather than commercial. Didn't even have to ask, the girl doing the VIN inspection (came in from ID.) asked if i was going to keep the shell on permanently..... easy peezy.