Joined the ranks, now want advice/experiences with mods - Diesel Forum

Crash_AF · 03-10-2003, 11:18 PM

Hi everyone,
I purchased my X on Friday, thanks to those who sent me advice on what to look for while I was shopping. Now I'm looking to do some upgrades...

Truck is a '00 PSD 4x4, bone stock with 66K on it. Still has the stock Steeltex AT's with a little over 1/4" of tread left and black shocks...

After putting in a lot of seat time with it this weekend (put about 1000 miles on it during the ordeal to move my Suburban to my grandparent's place) I found that it does cackle but does not have any idle knock.

The guestimator says that I'm getting 16 MPG empty and 15.5 with 1/4 towing - 1/2 highway and 1/4 in town driving. Haven't filled up yet but have 1/4 tank left with 450 miles on the tripmeter.

Here's the order of things I'm looking at. Advice, experience, etc is welcome...

1: Tank and prepump mods. Looking at the kit from ITP and a Racor 460R from DIS in addition to 'harpooning' the tank while it's down.

2: Regulator kit and HX mod from ITP

3: ISSPRO Boost, pyro and tranny temp gauges

4: Reconfigured radiator hoses, coolant filter and Evans coolant

5: Spin on tranny filter pre cooler and magnafine post cooler (yes, I'm anal about clean fluids)

6: New tires, shocks, and U-codes

I must say that I love my X and expect that I'll have a permanent grin on my face for the next several weeks if not months.. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Before anyone suggests the BTS tranny, the wife already OK'ed the trip to the Ozarks for next year's tax money... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Hopefully the stock tranny will hold out...

Anyway enough rambling about my new baby... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Later,
Joe H

jschira · 03-11-2003, 07:03 AM

Hellwig rear anti-sway bar.

Rancho 5404 Steering Stabilizer.

Brakes? Rotors?

swhitney · 03-11-2003, 10:50 AM

No need to 'poon' the tank, it should fill very well as is.

I'd stop with the pre-pump and tank mods and see how much improvement that makes before jumping for the regulator kit, save the money for the exhaust, and chip [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

ExcursionPSD · 03-11-2003, 10:33 PM

You may want to consider opening up the fuel filler opening so you can use the BIG nozzle at the truck stops, if it hasn't been done already.

If you have the small aluminum flipper valve in the filler, it has not been done.

dmftoy1 · 03-12-2003, 07:55 AM

Looks like a good plan to me, but I'd probably do as you've already been advised and do the pre-pump and maybe the tank mod and see how you fair with those. My personal opinion on the HX mod is that I'm not ready to do it yet.

The only other advice I'd have for you is to do a flow test on the tranny return line with all your filters. There's a certain amount of flow over a certain amount of time, and if you over filtered your fluids (if that's possible [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] ) you might introduce too much restriction in the line. The other "gotcha" is that if there's too much flow restriction I believe the cooler bypass opens and you won't be running your fluids through the tranny coolers.

Good luck!!

Have a good one,
Dave

PS - GO AIR FORCE! (my dad was in for 22 years and I"m definately an airforce brat)

Toolman1 · 03-12-2003, 08:17 AM

Sounds good. The suspension mods by far gave me the most bang for my buck. The regulator mod was also sweet as it made a world of difference in improving how the engine ran. As far as the HX mod, I'm not real carzy about it. I did it, but it really didn't seem to make any difference. The only thing it did do, was cause me worry about having high pressure oil in a flexible hose that is in very close proximity to the turbo and other surfaces, upon which it can rub. I always carried my plugs with me, but a failure of this hose under operation would kill the engine immediately, and make quite a mess under the hood. And since my wife drives this truck most of the time, it's not somthing she would be able to do anything about on the side of the road, with my toddler and newborn in the cab and freezing temps outside. Anyway, for piece of mind, I removed this mod. If you still want to do it to your Ex...and wouldn't mind one that only has a few miles on it....let me know, I'll sell you mine, cheap (PM me).
Toolman1

Crash_AF · 03-12-2003, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the info, keep it coming.

The brakes are still good and no warped rotors. Where is the best place to purchase the Hellwig rear swaybar?

Too bad you didn't reply sooner Toolman1, I just ordered the HX and prepump kits last night...

What's the easiest way to knock the neck restrictor out of the filler? Hole saw or... ?

Thanks,
Joe H

Hihorse · 03-12-2003, 01:18 PM

A few pretty cheap things that made a difference in mine:

APC headlight harness and Sylvania 65/100w bulbs. My headlights were too dark.

Remove the roof rack bars!! They will rub through the paint. You just loosen and slide out the rear.

I haven't had any brake problems with mine.

Enjoy it!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

jschira · 03-12-2003, 01:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Where is the best place to purchase the Hellwig rear swaybar?

Joe H

[/ QUOTE ]

www.summitracing.com

dmftoy1 · 03-12-2003, 01:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the info, keep it coming.

The brakes are still good and no warped rotors. Where is the best place to purchase the Hellwig rear swaybar?

Too bad you didn't reply sooner Toolman1, I just ordered the HX and prepump kits last night...

What's the easiest way to knock the neck restrictor out of the filler? Hole saw or... ?

Thanks,
Joe H

[/ QUOTE ]

Hopefully this will help!

http://forums.thedieselstop.com/ubbt...rue#Post946046

Regards,
Dave

Toolman1 · 03-12-2003, 02:32 PM

Yeah, I used a hole saw, but only after I removed the entire filler neck assembly from the truck. I don't recommend doing this mod while the filler neck is still on your truck....unless you have one heck of a good vacuum and can be certain that no plastic debris will fall into the opening. I know I posted a complete "how-to" on this subject some time back. It might be under my old user name of Toolman (wihtout the 1 at the end)<--long story.

Cheers.