I just had to get this off of my chest. I am a prime example of how NOT TO DO IT! Do it once, do it right, save money. Do your homework. Save up your money. I will now share some of my ill thought out mods and experiences.<br><br>I have DD2's. Now I wish I would have gotten DD3's (only $80 more at the tiime). If I upgrade that will cost me (including selling my used 2's) about $200 more.<br><br>I started with an EZ. That lasted 6 months. I traded the EZ up to a Comp. Can't remember how much I lost on that deal. Now I wish I had a Drag Comp. That will be another $125.<br><br>I bought an AFE drop-in air filter. Then I added injectors and box. Needed more cool air. AFE lasted me 6 months. Bought a Scotty 2 for $195, sold AFE for $25. Paid $75 for the AFE originally. Another $50 loss.<br><br>Bought a PacBrake. Love it. However, I want to go to the DD3's. So..........I would need/want a PDR HX40. No problem right? Wrong, I lose my PacBrake and since I still want my exhaust brake I would need to get an in-line brake. I should have bought an in-line in the first place. Don't know how much I might lose on that deal.<br><br>Installed a 2 gauge pillar mount. Should have bought a 3 gauge to start with. Have even used my cubby hole for a FP gauge but no where to put my tranny temp gauge. Yes I know I could get a pod for the steering wheel but don't like a gauge there.<br><br>What else have I done wrong? I could tell you about the exhaust system. Did some of it twice, but I won't bore you with the details but I trust you get the idea. I am sure, or leastways hope that I am not the only one that has screwed up. At least I admit it and wanted to share this story in the hopes that others (newbies) might have something to ponder when considering modifying a perfectly good truck.<br><br>Am I glad I modified my truck? You bet your sweet A$$ I am. Haven't had this much fun since I was a kid.<br><br>Roger<br><br>PS. Support your local vendor of aftermarket products. They need to make a living too!<br><br>

 

[quote author=Racer57 link=board=7;threadid=16319;start=0#153037 date=1056512411]<br>PS. Support your local vendor of aftermarket products. They need to make a living too!<br>[/quote]<br><br>But look how much extra money you've given your local vendor of aftermarket products. <br><br>Seriously though, I always ask my new customers what kind of people they are. Do they have other go-fast toys? I've discovered that many people with a 'vette in the garage or a hopped up Z will likely not be happy, at least for long, with minor mods like an EZ or RV275s. So ask yourself what kind of person you are. You'll save money in the long run.<br><br>Then ask what you want your truck for. Simply pulling an RV and want a little more to get over the next 7% grade? I've got hundreds of customers with gauges, EZs, RV275s and they're in their glory. Work truck thats gotta give a little more than what Dodge intended? I've got a bunch of Scotty, TST or Edge Comp, DD2'ed trucks pulling more weight than they really should. Or do you want a 1/4 mile machine?<br><br>Be honest about who you are and what you want your truck for. It'll save bucks in the long run. And choose your diesel performance specialist carefully. Find someone who will be honest with you, and has the necessary knowledge to help you make proper decisions about your truck. <br><br>Rod

 

Dont worry you definitely arent alone here. Many tales of woe on this site I'm sure. Mine alone cost much $$$. Cant reveal that info since I could incriminate myself. ;D <br><br>You are sooooo right about doing your research before you buy.

 

Ah yes, sage advice from the gentleman responsible in great part for the installation of the Scotty II in my truck. Heck, he made the hole in the cowling . Roger, I'm going to have to have a serious sitdown about this exhaust brake thing because I'm going to be venturing down that road eventually, along with the 2LO switch. <br>In defense of all of us who do the mods, but not in a real logical manner, most of us don't really know where we're going when we start down this slippery slope. I knew generally that I wanted a strong towing rig because I have visions of towing a fiver off into the sunset of my life. The starting point was of course buying the CTD. From then on, it's been a learning thing (and very confusing sometimes) on which mods to go with which will give the best benefit, for the least amount spent (a great example of false economy :'()<br>First and foremost, gauges. Which?? Mount?? Fortunately here, good advice was given and I have no regrets about the 4 gauge pod decision. Next, tranny upgrade. Get the expensive things taken care of while money is available for such things. Happy with my decision. Now, it's time for the mods. The one thing I've learned so far is that upgrades and mods sometimes have unexpected or forgotten in the wealth of information, side effects. Kinda like prescription drugs. This current greater than sliced bread will cure your cancer but it will also elevate your blood pressure, possibly damage your kidneys and shouldnt be used around children. Sound familiar?? I digress.<br><br>The outshoot is many of us don't really know where we're going on this slope. I bypassed the 275's and jumped to DD2's. REALLY like the difference. Love the sound of the Scotty II and by the way, it's not nearly as loud as many would have you believe. Now, I find out that I may have to be careful about the selection of an &quot;exhaust brake&quot;?? Roger, I'll just wait (I've got awhile anyway) until I see what new lessons you have to pass along. And that folks is the biggest lesson I've learned from this site and NWBombers: we are blessed with many people who are more than willing to share their knowledge and skills to help each of us, no matter what the end use of the truck is to be. ;D ;D<br><br>~Dave

 

Racer57,<br>Thank you for helping the economy along in these &quot;down&quot; times .<br>Also, thanks for this post. It comes at a time when I am starting to think of modifying my vehicle. After reading this, I am going to have to go do some re-thinking. I usually learn from my mistakes but sometimes it is nice to learn from someone else who has &quot;been there, done that&quot;. <br><br>&quot;Fools you are... who say you like to learn from your mistakes... I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others, and avoid the cost of my own.&quot; - Otto von Bismarck, Prussian statesman, 1880.

 

Amen brother I went through the same thing as you with another vendor before I met Rod from wildcatdiesel.

 

I am currently trying to plan for phase 2 of my addiction. My losses are going to come from a set of 275 injectors that just aren't big enough ;D and a boost gauge that only goes to 35psi. I am going to wind up collecting a lot of parts and installing them all at once this time around.

 

Hey Ryan,<br><br>I might be willing to help those 275s find a home. I feel very comfortable about where I am going with my truck and some 275s would fit nicely into my plan. ;D

 

I'm glad I spoke to the right people and found this site as well as some others before I purchased anything! It's all been money well spent and I now have my truck setup perfect for my application (basically just towing the 5er and getting me to work daily!).<br><br>I send a thanks out to Jack, the moderating team &amp; all the participants of this site for making me broke! ;D <br><br><br>Tony

 

I have only had my truck a year and four months and have had the same experience and only started bombing after I had the truck six months. #8 plate not enough, #5 plate not enough, #4 plate not enough, 3,000 spring kit not enough,K&amp;N drop in not enough, Bhaf not enough, HX35 not enough, HX35-40 hybrid not enough, etc,etc.<br><br>I am not a Bombaholic repeat after me I am not a Bombaholic. <br><br>Anybody have a set of twins that need a home?<br><br>Bruce

 

<br><br>Yes! ;D

 

Ok, here I go again. First off, I trust I didn't offend any aftermarket vendors. It's guys like me who support you and also do a pretty good job of placing ads in the site classifieds. Do listen to your vendors. The will give you good advice if you are honest with them. But of course, do you really know what you want? Again, I encourage you to do your homework. Rod (Wildcat )and Rip (sourceautomotive), among others are excellent sources of information and will not try to sell you something that you don't want nor need.

I wanted a towing machine. I tow a 8500# dry 5ver sometimes. DD2's and Edge works great for this,if you address your drivetrain. But remember, you can never have to much power but a lack of it sucks. So..........I was happy with right at 300rwhp, right? Yes, but.........I said, self, more can't hurt. So I add more. Now I've got in excess or 400rwhp. Can I still tow and have a reliable street machine? You bet I can. When towing I just run Comp on 1x1. Why in earth do I want more? I don't really know, but maybe it is because I can? And besides, the 03's with injectors and a box will soon be at 500 no problem. 475rwhp for me sounds really sweet. We are diesel enthusiasts, or is that diesel fanatics with obsessive compulsive behavior patterns. Anyhow, to each his or her own. Am I done with modifying mine? Probably never but if I keep on spending money at the rate I am my wife says I'll never be able to retire. BTW, I am 62 years old and like I said previously, this is fun, albeit expensive.

Roger (a young person at heart trapped in the body of an older fart)

 

That whole 03 thing is whats getting me.I currently own a 99 that i cant mod, Since it is a company vechile i cant, atleast writoffs and insurance says i cant haha. havent decided on that though. But i wanna buy a truck for bombing. Just for fun a good 1/4 mile( i know what i wanna do with it haha) And these 03s can make so much power so easily its like well ***. But if i paid for the new truck i couldnt afford the mods haha endless. Maybe ill find a nice wrecked one to play with

 

Been there too. The only good thing is the stuff you're replacing can be sold at a good price as it usually doesn't take long to realize you want more. My 275's where in for 1 week, my EZ for two weeks etc, etc. Don't think I lost more than about 20% on any of the resales. ;D<br>Tim

 

Ah, the hot rod bug. Once bitten, I think you never get over it. You may go into remission for a while, but it will surface again. Having a big 1 ton diesel dually run about like a big block Camero or Mustang is COOL!! <br><br>When you can smoke such a performance car, it's REALLY GREAT! ;D