2004 cummins- Need advice for a few mods

My dad just gave me a 2004 dodge cummins for my graduation present, needless to say I am THRILLED!! I love this damn truck with all my heart. I have 1,000 dollars that I want to put into it right now and I was wondering what you all suggest. It has 170,000 miles on it and the only after-market modification it has is a quadzilla performance chip. I am new to diesel trucks so I welcome any advice on ways to spend my 1,000 dollars. I want to keep this truck forever so I would really appreciate advice on how to extend the life of the whole truck, and also ways to get better fuel mileage.


                               -Thanks  

First thing i would get is a set of gauges and a good air kit like a S&B or ICEBOX.  
2005 2500 dodge ram banks 6 gun w/speed loader,turbo back stright pipe, S&B intake on its way, phantom gauges,20" gear wheels with Cooper Xenon tires,and much more to come

save your money for injectors the quad boxes like to kill them also put a 5 to 7 micron fuel filter in it and change it about every 10 k  
I burn more diesel and run more miles in a week the most of you people do in a month. ctds that have been used 97 3500, 98.5 3500, 98.5 3500,01 3500, 03 3500. those that are being used 06 3500, 07 3500. and yea these trucks earn their living

I have the Banks 6-Gun Tuner w/ Speed Loader, the Banks Intercooler, Banks High Ram Intake, PDA In-Cab Display, and a Volant Air Intake.  I cut the muffler off and have a 4" from the CAT back.  I'm not saying you need all this stuff but Banks is a good way to go with Dodge.  But once you add enough stuff and learn how to use the lead foot God gave you, you'll need a new clutch.

For a simple $1,000 bucks though, I say go with tradition because there is nothing wrong with a bigger air intake and nothing sounds better than freeing up some exhaust room for your big ass engine.  You might want to check out a few websites for larger intercooler parts.  This also helps free up some air intake.  

get a smarty it is agood programmer. banks is not worth the money for what it does  
I burn more diesel and run more miles in a week the most of you people do in a month. ctds that have been used 97 3500, 98.5 3500, 98.5 3500,01 3500, 03 3500. those that are being used 06 3500, 07 3500. and yea these trucks earn their living

I would also go for the smarty.  I know a lot of folks who are running them and love it.  5 years ago, it was Edge Products that had the advantage.  Now days, MAds Electronics rules the game in my opinion.  Marco and Bob are good guys, and will set you up properly.  

I got a Banks 6 gun w/speed loader i will sell ya. I wanna try something different.  
2005 2500 dodge ram banks 6 gun w/speed loader,turbo back stright pipe, S&B intake on its way, phantom gauges,20" gear wheels with Cooper Xenon tires,and much more to come

Gauges, first and foremost.  Boost, pyro, and tranny temp gauges are the first three I would start with, and then look into a fuel pressure gauge or "Low Fuel Pressure LED" kit.  This makes sure you get fuel to the CP3 and won't burn it up.

Next would be a good intake and modifying the exhaust.  IIRC, it should be a 4 inch exhaust but keeping it on the cheap would be a muffler delete.  The catalytic converter acts as a muffler to begin with, so a muffler delete will just help get the exhaust out faster.  An S&B intake with a CFM Plus intake manifold together should be around $550 - $600 bucks, and the gauges should be right around the $300 mark.

Shop around for your best deals, the internet is your friend.




Kris  
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC 5.9L - No Mods Yet
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 QC 6.7L - Titan Fuel Tank Owner