Ford guy finally made the move to Dodge
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Ford guy finally made the move to Dodge
Good Morning All,
I think I just made a great decision! I just purchased an '06 megacab CTD with the 6 speed coming over from my tired 7.3 powerstroke. It is time to learn a totally new truck and all the mods. I found this site and it appears similar to the Ford site. The people there were well versed on their trucks so I trust you are all also. So time to ask a few questions!
Starting form a stock truck, what are the best mods as far as bang for the buck along with which products for each mod are the best? I am assuming that it is similar in the fact that a chip, gauges, exhaust, and intake are basically standard. So what are the best products for each along with any other mods people recommend? My application will be in the realm of towing mainly so I am more after mileage than wild performance. Also looking for opinions of going to 19.5" wheels for safety and slight mileage increase. Any information would be helpful! Thanks
I think I just made a great decision! I just purchased an '06 megacab CTD with the 6 speed coming over from my tired 7.3 powerstroke. It is time to learn a totally new truck and all the mods. I found this site and it appears similar to the Ford site. The people there were well versed on their trucks so I trust you are all also. So time to ask a few questions!
Starting form a stock truck, what are the best mods as far as bang for the buck along with which products for each mod are the best? I am assuming that it is similar in the fact that a chip, gauges, exhaust, and intake are basically standard. So what are the best products for each along with any other mods people recommend? My application will be in the realm of towing mainly so I am more after mileage than wild performance. Also looking for opinions of going to 19.5" wheels for safety and slight mileage increase. Any information would be helpful! Thanks
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Just one word of caution to you coming from the same situation.
Dodge warranty work is not the same as Ford. The dealerships are not the issue (although some are a pain). Major warranty work like pumps, injectors, ECM's are called into DC. They have a very high rate of voiding warranties due to aftermarket items compared to Ford. Just a word of caution, I would check with the dealer you are planning on using. Even then, DC can deny them the parts, but its better than going on faith.
Hope you enjoy your new Dodge!
Dodge warranty work is not the same as Ford. The dealerships are not the issue (although some are a pain). Major warranty work like pumps, injectors, ECM's are called into DC. They have a very high rate of voiding warranties due to aftermarket items compared to Ford. Just a word of caution, I would check with the dealer you are planning on using. Even then, DC can deny them the parts, but its better than going on faith.
Hope you enjoy your new Dodge!
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis Metro Area, MO
I'd suggest maybe asking this in the 'Performance and Accessories - 3rd Gen Only' forum. You'll probably get a lot more suggestions, and find a lot more information there.
For my experience, I'm way too paranoid about getting my warranty voided to do really anything drastic prior to the expiration of the warranties. I've added gauges, and might modify the stock air intake a bit by putting a sort - of cold air kit on it. BUT I'll make sure I have a stock lower airbox if or when I have to take it into the dealer for work.
I was just at the dealer the other day for a TSB on the door seals, and I had to explain to them that the gauges were for monitoring STOCK performance only, and also showed them that I have my EGT mounted post-turbo. They were OK with it, and commented that the gauges looked nice.
But they also looked for any velcro or sticky residue from a velcro strip in the engine bay, and I'm pretty sure they did a computer scan on the truck while they had it.
For my experience, I'm way too paranoid about getting my warranty voided to do really anything drastic prior to the expiration of the warranties. I've added gauges, and might modify the stock air intake a bit by putting a sort - of cold air kit on it. BUT I'll make sure I have a stock lower airbox if or when I have to take it into the dealer for work.
I was just at the dealer the other day for a TSB on the door seals, and I had to explain to them that the gauges were for monitoring STOCK performance only, and also showed them that I have my EGT mounted post-turbo. They were OK with it, and commented that the gauges looked nice.
But they also looked for any velcro or sticky residue from a velcro strip in the engine bay, and I'm pretty sure they did a computer scan on the truck while they had it.
Chapter President
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Charles Town, West Virginia
Treangen
Sounds like you have the jist of it already nailed down. I would recommend gauges first. Even the stock 3rd gens can heat up pretty quick.
Next would be to open up the factory air intake. Either by going with an aftermartket filter or purchasing an entire cold air intake system.
Then comes the exhaust. You already have 4" stock therefore most just replace the stock muffler with a better free flowing one.
Chips.....well that all depends on what you really want. For example, do you want a plug & play module or do you want to run a programmer? Once you decide on that, then start product searching.
My truck for example, I removed the stock air intake & replaced it with my own custom torque tube and a AEM Brute Force Dry Flow air filter. In the process I also removed the silencer ring. Total cost was about $75.00 and now I have better air flow plus much more turbo noise
.
My exhaust is 4" straight piped with a 6" tip and I absolutely love the sound. Plus is helps drop the EGT's.
Performance wise, I used to run the Edge Ez module but then wanted to upgrade to more power so I sold the Edge Ez & purchased the Bully Dog Power Pup. I like the BD Pup way better than the Edge Ez. I have since then added a stage I Dr. Performance 50 HP module into the mix & all I can say is.....
Do some general research on this forum & you will get all kinds of good information. Plus there are alot of good people here willing to lend good advice.
HUMP
Next would be to open up the factory air intake. Either by going with an aftermartket filter or purchasing an entire cold air intake system.
Then comes the exhaust. You already have 4" stock therefore most just replace the stock muffler with a better free flowing one.
Chips.....well that all depends on what you really want. For example, do you want a plug & play module or do you want to run a programmer? Once you decide on that, then start product searching.
My truck for example, I removed the stock air intake & replaced it with my own custom torque tube and a AEM Brute Force Dry Flow air filter. In the process I also removed the silencer ring. Total cost was about $75.00 and now I have better air flow plus much more turbo noise
.My exhaust is 4" straight piped with a 6" tip and I absolutely love the sound. Plus is helps drop the EGT's.
Performance wise, I used to run the Edge Ez module but then wanted to upgrade to more power so I sold the Edge Ez & purchased the Bully Dog Power Pup. I like the BD Pup way better than the Edge Ez. I have since then added a stage I Dr. Performance 50 HP module into the mix & all I can say is.....
Do some general research on this forum & you will get all kinds of good information. Plus there are alot of good people here willing to lend good advice.
HUMP
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BigDave12768
General Diesel Discussion
19
Feb 2, 2007 06:15 AM
12valve
General Diesel Discussion
17
Oct 31, 2006 04:53 PM