Project Built for Towing

[anderson750]

Great info. I think my mileage #'s are within reason to yours....usually a little lower. I am getting to replace the intercooler on mine since it was damaged by a flying object. I don't expect much drop in EGT's from it, but while I am in there, I am installing a Snow Performance water/methanol injection kit. I don't really care if it helps any with mileage, but will start a thread to chronicle what I see the impacts on EGT's are.

 

[LT.]

Great info. I think my mileage #'s are within reason to yours....usually a little lower. I am getting to replace the intercooler on mine since it was damaged by a flying object. I don't expect much drop in EGT's from it, but while I am in there, I am installing a Snow Performance water/methanol injection kit. I don't really care if it helps any with mileage, but will start a thread to chronicle what I see the impacts on EGT's are.

Drugs (water/meth) will help with the EGT's and it should help with your mileage as well. Not to mention your entire intake system should run cleaner for the drugs. The only issue I have with drugs is that it is another system that requires being filled from time to time. Just like the DEF and Nitrous. I am seriously looking into adding another turbo charger to run cooler, more mileage, and more power. While it is more expensive up front I will save in the long run not having to refill another tank. Drugs does one thing that no other power adder will and that is make the intake side of the engine much cleaner. Intake tract, valves, heads, will all be significantly cleaner.

I look forward to your thread on these modifications.

LT.

 

[anderson750]

Drugs (water/meth) will help with the EGT's and it should help with your mileage as well. Not to mention your entire intake system should run cleaner for the drugs. The only issue I have with drugs is that it is another system that requires being filled from time to time. Just like the DEF and Nitrous. I am seriously looking into adding another turbo charger to run cooler, more mileage, and more power. While it is more expensive up front I will save in the long run not having to refill another tank. Drugs does one thing that no other power adder will and that is make the intake side of the engine much cleaner. Intake tract, valves, heads, will all be significantly cleaner.

I look forward to your thread on these modifications.

LT.

I have thought about a bigger turbo, but I would need to do aftermarket engine brake and do the head studs. If I get to the point where I have a head gasket problem, then I will more seriously consider a bigger turbo with aftermarket brake. I am some what getting around the frequency of filling the tank by having a friend build me a 15 gallon tank out of aluminum. Sure it will need to be filled, but not as often. The thread is on hold since apparently the intercooler I ordered is on back order for about 4 weeks and I don't have the time to tear into this twice.......so I will start the thread when it happens.

Maybe I am just putting a band aid on the problem, but it seems to be a reasonable band aid.

 

[LT.]

I have thought about a bigger turbo, but I would need to do aftermarket engine brake and do the head studs. If I get to the point where I have a head gasket problem, then I will more seriously consider a bigger turbo with aftermarket brake. I am some what getting around the frequency of filling the tank by having a friend build me a 15 gallon tank out of aluminum. Sure it will need to be filled, but not as often. The thread is on hold since apparently the intercooler I ordered is on back order for about 4 weeks and I don't have the time to tear into this twice.......so I will start the thread when it happens.

Maybe I am just putting a band aid on the problem, but it seems to be a reasonable band aid.

A larger turbo opens up a bit of a can of worms. Larger turbo will give you more lag in the lower rpm range. A compound turbo arrangement you can keep your stock turbo and add a larger turbo to help with the high EGT's and give you more power when you want it. I have looked into using drugs on the truck but, really don't like the idea of filling another tank on the truck. I am just too lazy to do that. There is another option you can think about. Change the turbo wheel out to a Wicked Wheel or something like it. Keep your stock housing and get a small bump in pressures. This may keep you from having to do head studs and fire ringing the head also.

I am still looking forward to your modifications. I may end up doing the same if you like it.

LT.

 

[anderson750]

I bought some custom tunes from Anarchy Diesel and I am really liking them. The power delivery feels so much smoother when I am towing and when I am cruising down the road it just feels like it is in the heart of the power curve and pulls with a lot less effort. Also, they adjusted some of the transmission settings and I get TC lock out in 2nd gear when in tow/haul mode.

 

[LT.]

I bought some custom tunes from Anarchy Diesel and I am really liking them. The power delivery feels so much smoother when I am towing and when I am cruising down the road it just feels like it is in the heart of the power curve and pulls with a lot less effort. Also, they adjusted some of the transmission settings and I get TC lock out in 2nd gear when in tow/haul mode.

What did you have the new tunes loaded on? Was it a Mini Maxx from H&S Performance?

LT.

 

[anderson750]

What did you have the new tunes loaded on? Was it a Mini Maxx from H&S Performance?

LT.

Yes

 

[LT.]

Yes

Nice. I will have to look into this more.

LT.

 

[LT.]

The truck just recently turned 72,000 miles. I changed the oil, Royal Purple of course, and changed the fuel filter again. The rear duals now have 42,000 miles and the fronts have 7,000 miles. The tires have been great and the rears will end up with over 50k panel them pretty easily.

Rob

 

[LT.]

I am over 75k miles now on the truck. That makes it 10k on the front tires and 45k on the rears. With winter here I am starting to rethink the rear duals a bit more. I think they would be fine if it was summer but......

A month ago or so I had to replace the batteries. I believe that is the only item that has failed on the truck.

Rob.

 

[LT.]

I just recently replaced the tires with the exact same tires. I posted up in the tire review thread. The old ones lasted 55,000 miles exactly. There was a little life left but, with the summer rains and winter coming I thought it wise to replace them.

Rob

 

[LT.]

Rosie project BFT is gone. I bought a brand new truck. The new truck is just going to be my long range hunting truck and some light exploring while being a daily driver. Nothing fancy.

Rob

 

[SLC97SR5]

Congrats! Did you trade it in? I would have liked to see the for sale ad if not. I'm interested to see what you bought.

 

[LT.]

I traded her in on a new truck. I sold my big tex tandem dually trailer and I really had no more use for a dually. She never had anything break and she never left me stranded. She hauled 37,500 lbs twice and she never complained. Hands down the best tow rig money could buy in a light truck at the time. GM and Ford could not match the Cummins for towing grunt.

I bought a brand new 2018 GMC 3500HD with the L5P Duramax. The new truck is a crew cab short bed single rear wheel truck. She has the All Terrain package which gives me all the skid plates, hill decent assist, oversized shocks, over load springs, rear locker etc, etc, etc.

This truck is loaded to the max with every concivible option available.

So far I have installed mud flaps to keep debris off the truck.

Rob.

 

[LT.]

I guess I don't log in as often as I should. The GMC now has a small lift, 3 size larger tires, cold air intake, and a shell. If it wasn't for the lift you would think an old man drives it. Oh, wait...... An old man does drive it. Lol.

 

[Bart]

WOW, I guess I missed the post where you something froze over and you departed from a Mopar. Great looking truck Rob. Love it.

 

[LT.]

WOW, I guess I missed the post where you something froze over and you departed from a Mopar. Great looking truck Rob. Love it.

Sir,

When I went to look at a new truck I did look at all of the big three. The Ford had 2 issues I could not overlook. First was the price tag. $80,000+ was a bit higher than I was wanting to pay. The second issue was the soft rear suspension. Every new Ford seems to have that southern California pre runner look when you actually haul or tow with the truck. This would seem to be unsettling going down the road. The dealer told me just to add air bags to the truck. I was pretty pissed off with that answer. After spending 80k+ I should not have to add a damn thing.

The Ram trucks were still sporting the same sheet metal my old dually had. It just seemed to me that if I was going to buy a new truck it should look new. I really loved everything about it except the sheet metal.

The GMC had new sheet metal, the highest horse power rating, and had the most comfortable ride and interior. The GMC also knocked down the best mileage hands down. The tranny was smooth, seats top notch, interior options off the charts, spacious cab, excellent performance and, the icing on the cake was the review from the Fast Lane Truck on YouTube. In 2017 the GM trucks beat both the Ford and the Ram trucks in the Ike Gauntlet. Even with 3.73 gears vs the Ram and Ford 4.10 gears. The Ram and Ford also boasted higher tow ratings but, were reduced to towing the 23,900 lbs the GM maxed out at. That's says a ton (sorry for the pun) about the GM trucks.

So, GMC won out over the other two in my opinion. Ford claims the highest tow and hauling capacities but, with such a lousy rear suspension I don't see how. It was just my opinion but, I believe I have chosen the best truck. Now, for 2019 who know which truck may be the best. But, for my money in 2017 when I bought my 2018 GM had the best.

 

[Bart]

I've been driving a GM for quite a while and love the ride, power, and Allison trans. My SOL leases a new GM every 3 years and one of these times I'm going to buy his when the lease is due. Very nice trucks for sure.

 

[LT.]

I kinda hinted at this in the today I want this thread but, I traded the 2018 1 ton single rear wheel short bed on a 2019 gmc Denali crew cab 1 ton dually. Of course it is 4x4 and I lifted it 1 day after owning it.

 

[Bart]

Wow, another beautiful truck.