If you are interested in using an exaust brake, and I feel that is the best money I have spent on my CTD, you should be considering the manual tranny. I understand that the auto does NOT like the e-brake.

 

Supposedly, that's not a problem with the new 48RE auto. Jacobs is working with DC right now to get their brake approved for use with 48RE equipped trucks.

 

[quote author=thecatsfan link=board=11;threadid=16812;start=0#161006 date=1058461048]<br>You can find the gear ratio on the information sticker under the hood (at least I think it's under the hood, was on my 97, it's in the glove box on my 01). Look right up front by the hood latch. Should have everything from gear ratios to paint codes.<br><br>I think you will notice a difference between the SO and the HO. I drove the 03 HO here and I could feel it. But if you were to add an Edge EZ, you probably wouldn't notice a difference anymore. The HO would only have a little less power than your SO. ;D<br><br>Your information was right on!. The manufacture date of my vehicle is 10/97 and there is nothing that indicates I have 24 valve. Therefore, I can only assume I am a 12 valve. Also, the gear ratio was right where you said it would be, under the hood. It is only a 3.53. This makes me feel pretty safe that almost anything I buy will feel more powerful than what I currently have. Would you agree? (Forgot to mention that my truck is the 4 speed automatic).<br><br>In regards to a new truck, the dealer tells me I should not worry about a 4.10 since I am not a full time puller. He says I should go for the 3.73 (of course, that is all he has on the lot). (By the way, I am talking automatic here, not manual). My concern is that when I go up to Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead, there are some pretty steep grades. I am currently too scared to make this trip in my 98 CTD (not 98.5). Just not enough pulling power and I tend to overheat when it is hot out. Should I be worried about the pulling power of a 3.73 automatic California version?<br><br>This Edge EZ chip sounds really interesting. Does it void the warranty on the Dodge? How much is it about? Would I be happy with a new 3.73 automatic CTD with an Edge EZ? Do you think I could maintain 60 mph up hill without overheating with such setup? Reminder: my fifth wheel is 8600 dry. GVWR is around 13,600. I will likely tow the trailer around 11,000.<br><br>Exhaust brake. I asked the dealer yesterday about the exhaust brake. He told me that Dodge will only install it for the manual transmission still. He does not know anything about installing it in automatics. Do I necessarily need an exhaust brake in the automatic? Would people advise me to get a third party exhaust system? Don't they void the warranty on the new truck?<br><br>If I wait for the California '04 HO (which could be a long time from what the dealer tells me), would it be a good idea to buy the Edge EZ for my 1998 to improve performance in the meanwhile? Will I notice a substantial difference wih this chip in my 98?<br>[/quote]

 

If your 30' 5'er has horses in it, get the automatic. The horses don't care much for the shifting of the manual

 

It sounds to me like you want the 4.10s. If you want to pull a large heavy 5th wheel up a steep grade at 60 mph, you will want the most torque pushed out to the wheels that you can get.<br><br>The 3.73s are a good gear - I wouldn't mind having them. It sounds like the only dissapointment you have with your current truck is the towing capacity. If you buy a new truck and it doesn't tow well, you will have the same dissappointment. So if towing capability is the major factor in the purchasing decision, the 4.10 gear might be best. Nothing's worse than buying a brand new vehicle and being unhappy with it.<br><br>The CAL HO was supposed to release in Jan of 2004, but that very well could have changed. I'm not even sure where you would find out when it is supposed to be available. Unfortunately, dealers will tell you what will help sell the truck on their lot. They definitely don't want you waiting for an HO or looking around for a truck with 4.10s.<br><br>I wouldn't necessarily trust a dealer to know anything about exhaust brakes. Jacobs is owned by Cummins and they have already designed an exhaust brake for the new 48RE tranny. They are working with DC to get it approved. Click here to hear it straight from Jacobs<br><br>A 3rd party exhaust or exhaust brake will not change compatibility and I would suggest waiting for the Jacobs brake if you want warranty coverage. The tranny is the key component here. It has to be a 48re auto, not the 47re that some trucks on the lot might still have.<br><br>Do you need an exhaust brake? Only if you ever plan to go downhill with that big trailer behind you. I wouldn't tow in the mountains without one. Auto or manual doesn't change the fact that you will be riding your brakes real hard without the exhaust brake.<br><br>Would you be happy with a 3.73 CAL auto and an Edge EZ? I think so but happy is a very relative term. What I am happy with would never satisfy some of the guys on this forum. I can't tell you what speed the truck will do up a grade. It differs a little with every truck / trailer / driver combo. Especially with the new auto, I think the truck would do very well.<br><br>A new Edge EZ will run you anywhere from $425 (eBay) to $550. You can get them from numerous sources. I can give you some links if you decide you want one. Many others on here will be able to help also. <br><br>Will it void your warranty? That's an ugly question. Technically, it is illegal for DC to void your warranty because of an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part directly caused an otherwise warrantiable failure. The problem is DC will likely void your warranty and force you to take them to court and prove that it didn't cause the problem.<br><br>They aren't likely to refuse to warranty a suspension problem because of the Edge EZ, but engine and tranny related problems - they probably would. Might vary from dealer to dealer also.<br><br>I wouldn't chance it. You can take the Edge EZ off in less than 5 mintues and the dealer should not be able to tell it was ever installed. You should remove it for service anyway because it will interfere with diagnostic readings. <br><br>Can DC ever tell that an EZ was installed by readings in the computer? I don't know for sure. I really doubt it, but I truly don't know.<br><br>Can you put an EZ on your 12 valve engine? No. The 12 valve engines were not computer controlled, so electronic performance modules do not work with them. There are other ways (cheaper ones) to get the same kind of power out of your truck, but everything comes with it's risks. You could easily push 350 HP out of your current engine. Since you have the 47re tranny, there would be a major risk of having more power than your tranny could hold. If you are interested in upgrading your 12 valve engine, you might want to read some of the posts in the High Performance section. Lots of good info over there including what some guys have been able to handle without tranny upgrades.<br><br>If you had to decide tomorrow what to do, here's something to consider. If you buy the 03 CAL SO with the 48RE auto and the 4.10 gears, chances are you would be much closer to what you want right out of the gate. If you needed a little extra, the Edge EZ would give it to you. I would suggest getting the gears you want is probably more important than the higher powered engine. Increasing HP is not that expensive. Gear swaps are very expensive.<br><br>Okay, that was way more than $.02 worth. Sorry for being so windy. :

 

Thanks!.<br><br>I can not express how helpful you have been to me. Since last night I have done some more deal inventory research and found out that there are seveal 4.10s on the lots still (in the Southern California area). I think I will go for 03 and I also think it will be enough power for me. I am not necessarily looking for a monster, just something that gives me confidence when I pull. I love the idea of the Edge EZ as further backup should I feel the need for more power. Now, if I can only negotiate a good deal. Thanks again for all of your help. <br><br>

 

[quote author=rattle_rattle link=board=11;threadid=16812;start=15#161381 date=1058541425]<br>If your 30' 5'er has horses in it, get the automatic. The horses don't care much for the shifting of the manual <br>[/quote]<br><br>That might depend on a couple of things:<br>1) slant load or straight load?<br>2) shifting technique of the driver!<br><br>that auto tranny downshift while climbing hills can be quite a jolt.

 

I don't let my horses ride with an automatic, that way they don't get spoiled. ;D No, I think that I can shift almost as smooth as an auto. Those auto's do some hard downshifting sometimes. Really, it shouldn't matter unless you can't shift a manual at all. Horses should be fine with either.