Hi to all, I have a 2000 Dodge Ram, 5.9L ,24 V Diesel, 1 ton DRW,EXT CAB with 8 foot bed and a automatic Transmission, 100% stock with 30k mi on it. I have just started to use it to pull a 36 foot 5th wheel Hitchhiker trailer. What I would like to do is improve power for towing, add an exhaust brake for down hills and improve MPG a little. I was looking at the Banks powerpack and the Banks brake along with the Smartlock brake. Is this a good or bad set up ?? From what I have been reading here it sounds like their are some better, less expensive options. What I like about the Banks is it all in one kit. One company so it should all fit together and work, Right ?? Are there others that have the same thing or is it some parts from here and some from there that may or may not work together??? I would like to do the up grades and be done, Don't want to spend a lot of time having to play with this or that.

 

Banks is for the girlies.... In all seriousness, the problem with banks is they way over advertise and people think Banks when they think anything diesel performance. Paying millions of dollars towards advertising really does work, unfortunately.

Don't get me wrong, most of the Banks hard parts like their exhaust brake is nice stuff. It's their electronics that sucks. They are FAR over priced, you pay for the name and a big fat convienence fee for getting everything in one kit.

If you are interested in a company that can supply everything for you in a "kit" I would get with BD diesel. They have good products and great customer service.

If it was me I would put an Edge Juice with Attitude for fueling and timing (thats the extra power and mileage), a jacobs brake or BD brake, and a Suncoast valve body and torque converter so the trans can handle the power of both the Juice when you are on the throttle and the brake when you are trying to hold back speed.

I purchased all my aftermarket products for both my Rams through www.dieselnutmotorsports.com Jason has GREAT customer service and will not stop helping until you are happy.

 

There are several companys out there that can set you up with everything that you need, and it would be alot less expensive. Here's a company that I have delt with a lot and have always had great service. www.piersdiesel.com