Need some help from you experienced Ram'ers. I own a 2003 with the HO engine and a six speed. I seldom tow and do not often carry a payload but want more power for fun. Have been looking at some of the mods that may or may not affect my factory warranty. Now I realize that all these produsts have been hashed and rehashed ad nausium but have not seen any direct comparisons. For example what are the pros and cons of a Scotty II versus a Mega Cannon, or a Edge EZ versus a TST? If it makes a differance I live at an altitude of 7,000-8,000 feet and the diesel fuel here is high in sulpher. <br>What suggestions do you experts have for the best mods that will not affect my warranty? Best/cheapest place to buy? How about removable mods for when I take the truck in for a service?<br>I will be adding some gauges just as soon as I can figure which ones match my existing gauges the best. Wish there was a 3 gauge dash pod for the '03<br>Thanks for all the great posts on this site. A great help and very informative.<br>

 

You're going to have a tough time finding comparisons of products for 03's, as most of the products that are available are really new for anyone to have gotten a good grip on how they are working.<br><br>You don't currently have alot of options. You've got two fuel pressure boxes (Bully Dog (70HP), and Edge (80 HP now), two different air intakes (Bully and AirAid), Diesel Dynamics injectors (stage 1 to 3), and a plethora of 4&quot; and 5&quot; exhaust systems.<br><br>On the fueling box side, the Edge box is easily the better of the two. The Bully box just doesn't have any jam below 2200 RPM, and it runs out of legs faster. Both boxes gain power by increasing fuel pressure on the rail (the Edge raises it a hair bit more, and several hundred RPM earlier) which can be dangerous for the CP3 pump. Neither box exceeds what Bosch considers to be the maximum pressure that the CP3 can withstand.<br><br>As for the air systems, I have no experience with either, except to say that neither unit shapes airflow around the filter element. I suspect there will be better available in the not too distant future.<br><br>Rod

 

Rod, thank you so much for your helpful remarks. This is the first time I have read just how these systems work and don't work. I can wait a few months and see what else comes out of the woodwork for the '03's. In the meantime I will be adding gauges and watching this site for more info.

 

My suggestion is to leave it pretty much alone until you have a couple to 20,000 or 30,000 miles on it. I say pretty much because there are a few mods that should not void the warantee. If you want to change your air fillters to Scotty II or mega cannon, I don't think the dealer will. Also, you should be able to get away with an exhaust system change. My first changes would be a Detroit Locker in the rear and a Detroit Tru-trac in the front. Also add some weight to the back to keep your end from hopping. You will be surprised how incredibly capable it becomes.<br>The other thing would be gauges - pyro, boost, and fuel pressure.<br>Another thing would be the cosmetics such as a replacement front bumper W/12,000lb winch, and a full width rear replacement bumper with spare tire and jerry can carriers.<br>Also, change your tires. With a 3.73 gear ratio, you should be able to handle a 35 inch tall tire and keep the RRRRs down. I have 3.54s on mine with 33s. That is about an 8% increase in speed at the same RPMs, or an 8% reduction in RPMs at the same speed. Mine seems to love 1300 to 1850 RPM. I had been getting 18.5 to 19 mpg combined (and accounting for 8% speedo error), but now I am getting 20 to 21 combined.<br>I too want more power but I love to visit my daughter in Houghton, MI and know that I will only have one fuel stop between D.C and Houghton. Oh yeah I forgot to mention I rescently switched from Mobil 1 to Amzoil. Anyway, whatever you do keep us posted.

 

Thanks MD for your answer. Have some weight in the back now and it has made a difference. As soon as I can get them will install the Rancho 9000x. Also as soon as they become available will install Hopper Stoppers.<br>As for gauges, am waiting for the manufacturers to produce the right gauges. Same for fuel upgrades.<br>So to summarize all this into one word. WAITING!!!!!!!!<br>Will stay with stock tires for now but once they wear out will consider bigger tires. By then something else could be available.