Hey Guys,

Well I know the time is coming to where I'm going to have to swap out my original clutch now that I have 140K on the truck. Even though I have gotten the truck to shift better with a new clutch pedal bushing, it still doesn't feel quite right. Now my dilemma is how far should I go with the mods, given that I'm on a reasonable budget, and I have been perfectly happy with the performance of the truck, which is completely stock except for the Tymar intake.

Currently my mod "wish list" is a SMF and clutch, downpipe, Stage I injectors, and a chip. I'll give you a brief rundown of what I do with my truck and why I chose these mods, in hopes that I can get some recommendations from you guys:

The main purpose for my truck other than lightweight household chores is to use it to haul my friends and all of our dogs out for outdoor entertainment. In the winter we go skiing and in the warmer months we do a lot of camping, where I tow a 23' travel trailer with a combined GVWR between 13-14K. I do some occasional offroading, but so far only as extreme as some rough forest service roads and sand dunes. I'm always open for some more extreme driving, but nothing that is going to thrash my truck and risk not making it home.

Obviously at 140K and with shifting problems, it's time for a new clutch. After reading this forum, it sounds like a Valair SMF and clutch is the way to go for performance and price. I hope to do the clutch replacement myself, but now I must decide what else I want to do while the trans is out.

It sounds like it's a good idea install an upgraded downpipe while the trans is out, and if I'm going to be wrenching on the truck, should I also consider doing the injectors and chip while I'm at it? The truck does smoke a little while cold; nothing major, but I think the injectors would benefit from a rebuild. From what I've read, I might as well go with Stage I's if I'm going to have them rebuilt. In order to get any benefits from these mods, its sounds like a chip is order, too. I also plan to run the truck by a trans shop that I have used in the past to see if they would recommend I have the trans refreshed while it's out (no need to go through the work of replacing the clutch, only to have the trans still shift like crap).

Any recommendations on what mods I should go for, given that I don't want to waste a ton of money on a 13-year-old truck? Any particular vendors you'd recommend? Of course, I'd love to also buy a complete catless exhaust, gauges, and possibly a rear limited-slip, but that's looking at some major money. Ultimately I'd like to get out of this project for no more than $2K, but I also don't want to redo any work for later upgrades.

I apologize for the long post, but I figured I'd give as many details as possible.

As always, thanks a million for any input you all have!

 

Get with RubberDuck for his hookup with Valair. Definately do the down pipe while the trans is out, much much easier job that way. Stage I's are worth the money, I would suggest Jim at Rosewood Diesel, (site sponsor). You can have a local muffler shop delete the CAT for you or do it yourself, cat delete pipe for $62 sold here: Diesel Truck Performance Parts & Accessories. You will need some gauges to keep track of everything, EGT & Boost, at least, more if you can afford, true oil and temp.

 

i wouldn't waste my money at a muffler shop. i went to a welding shop and payed $55 for a 10ft 3 1/2" pipe. delete cat and muffler. sound was awesome seemed to have quite a difference in power. i was left with four feet of pipe so i sold it to a coworker for $40 and ended with a $15 total cost. it was DEFINENTLY worth the money!

 

Thanks plowhand and cowmilker for the info! I'll definitely talk with RubberDuck and Rosewood when the time comes to do some work!

Unfortunately my furnace took a dump last week and i just dropped $5K for a new furnace, A/C and water heater, so the budget for my truck has just been shot! Add the new tires and alignment I just had to drop on it for close to $1K, and I'm really hurting!

I drove the truck around more lately, and 3rd gear is still crunching unless I take my time when shifting up from 2nd. I know I need to replace the clutch and flywheel soon, but what are my chances of fixing this grinding if I install a new clutch/flywheel combo and decent fluid? Obviously rebuilding the tranny is a little out of my budget right now.

I'm still considering the Stage I injector rebuild and downpipe, but funds are now quite limited, and my main priority is to keep the truck enjoyable to drive, which severely limits any money spent on "fun" stuff like gauges, exhast, chip, etc.

Any suggestions will help!

Thanks!

 

if it is just 3rd it may be a syncro problem i just had to have my trans rebuilt all new syncros sliders shift forks and 3 new gears for 500 plus tax. find a shop that just does standards and if you take it out of the truck that will run you less money. is your clutch slipping? you may not even have a problem with the clutch if its just the grind into 3rd

 

while you have your trans out change your up pipe donuts....even if they dont need it just as a pre-maintenence

 

great idea ron reps sent