Hey guys, I'm looking at getting a 94-98 2500 4x4 with a manual, probably extended cab long bed. My question is once I get it where do I start on starting to build it? What mods should I do first? I am going to stick a quite a little bit into this truck and just wonder where to start. I have been looking at most of the diesel sites and just dont know where to start. What should I get to start on then what do I move on up to? Anyone play in the mud in their truck? I am going to be using mine as a recovery vehicle to save my dumbass step brother alot since he drives a chevy hehehe. Any experience with some good mud tires that dont whine that much on the highway. I have tsl boggers on one truck so I know what there like, but I want a radial with a high load rating, and an pretty aggessive tread. How do the aftermarket exhaust systems sound? How do stacks sound? I was trying to decide if stacks would be worth the extra work for the good sound.<br>Thanks for the help,<br>Mack

 

The first things I would do is. guages, air system (Scotty air 2, AFE mega cannon). TST torque plate. And from there I guess it depends on how far you want to take it. -Anthony

 

Mack:<br><br>I agree with what &quot;yz&quot; has already told you. If you<br>go up &quot;substantially&quot; on the H.P. and you have a<br>manual transmission, you are going to have to get<br>a better clutch (South Bend, Mitchell, Centerforce)<br>and if you get an automatic at least the TC and<br>valve body will need to be upgraded. One other<br>&quot;upgrade&quot; that will give you alot more power is<br>&quot;high flow&quot; injectors such as the &quot;370 Diamond<br>B&quot; Marine Injectors.<br><br>&quot;CMNS PWR&quot; can give you some good advice on<br>stacks! He may see this thread and post, but if<br>not, e-mail or P.M. him.<br><br>Good luck!<br><br>---------<br>John_P

 

Well I am going up substantually eventually but just need to know what to do to get a good foundation to build on. Like an good air cleaner assembly and good exhaust? Where do I take it from there to get big power? Can you feel any difference with the intake and exhaust changes?<br>Thanks,<br>Mack

 

Also add to list 3k or 4k governor spring kit (GSK) and AFC spring kit. The intake and exhaust will add more pep to a stock motor - not major but noticable. It will also tame the EGT's somewhat when you start adding other mods. The GSK will really wake up the motor as far as rate of acceleration and top-end power (will not defuel as quickly).<br><br>To get really big numbers you need to change the turbo and play with the pump plate. The sky and your pocketbook is the limit.<br><br>The nice thing is that it will still run your AC without overheating, power brakes will still work, and it will still get 20 mpg on the open road. Can't do any of that with a gasser at the same HP and torque ratings.

 

Mack:<br><br>I forgot about exhaust systems for your truck.<br><br>There has been pretty &quot;extensive&quot; research done on<br>going to the larger 4&quot;-5&quot; exhaust systems. Two guys<br>who did alot of this was Joe Donnelly and Piers. The<br>bottom line is they don't help H.P. that much, but<br>they will help to lower the EGT's! If you get a 96'<br>or 97' model Dodge CTD, you will find they have the<br>catalytic converters on them. On my 96' mine was<br>plugged up BIG TIME with black soot so bad in some<br>places it looked like &quot;Kingsford&quot; Charcoal Briquets! ;D<br>I was very surprised to see that, and after I took it<br>completely off, the truck ran MUCH better! The <br>newer 24 valves don't have the &quot;cats&quot; on them though.<br>Some of the &quot;aftermarket&quot; exhaust companies (such as<br>Magnaflow) claim increases of 10-15 H.P. by going to<br>the 4&quot; exhaust. I just don't believe it and my dyno<br>figures certainly didn't reflect that, however, your<br>results may vary.<br><br>--------<br>John_P

 

Mack,<br>You won't be disappointed with the cummins. I suggest that if the local laws comply that instead of purchasing a aftermarket exhaust system simply buy a 4&quot; downpipe and run it the rest of the way out yourself no muffler no cat. You'll love he sound and save mucho deniro. Deffinately get the gsk because after you get into bombing and you get that extra hp defueling is really depressing.

 

don't forget that with the 5 speed--they have problems. get the fully splined shaft and a SBC.

 

Ok guys I got some better ideas of what I need. I havent heard of the fully splined shaft with the 5 speed. How hard is this to install? Also on the 4k gov kit I noticed it is suggested you put in heavy duty valve springs. How hard is this and what tools are required? I am still debating on the exhaust system. I live in kansas so the only real thing I would have would be noise violations and I've cruised around in my 64 malibu wagon enough to know that they dont give even those out in my small town. Is there any regulations on diesels as far as the cats go? I know on gas vehicles it is a 2,750 fine for taking a cat off a vehicle there was orginally one on if you get caught (I have once). Any where where I could download sound clips of exhaust systems? I have downloaded sound clips of a 4 inch exhaust and absolutely hate it, there is no real good loud throaty harmony like I am used to. Are the stacks restrictive because of some of bends you have to make? One thing about the stacks that I've heard is the exhaust can leak back into the cab, is this true? If so, how can this be prevented? Does just running a 4 inch downpipe and pipe all the way out the back sound good and loud?Thank you all for your very detailed and quick responses so far.

 

I have the stock 3&quot; downpipe and 4&quot; from the end of it through the bed and into 5&quot; stacks. At idle it sounds almost stock but when you poor on the coal it gets 3x as loud. I love it I'm getting a 4&quot; downpipe next year. hope its louder.

 

the afc spring kit dosent do anything but reduce the amount of smoke right?

 

I got to agree with the last line of dodgeman01's signature.

 

<br>Which part is that the first, last, or all of it?<br> ;D<br>

 

love all of it espicially the (.)(.) and (,) lol