OK, i think my truck is an early 99 but for some reason I keep coming back to the fact that it seems like a latter model. I know I'm probably wrong but I just want someone to prove me straight. The truck build date was Sep 98 and Engine build date of Oct 98. BUT, I've heard that the e99 have the emblem on the front fender, mine is on the door. My truck compressor wheel doesn't look like the wicked wheel which is what supposedly came on the e99. Does anyone have a picture of both the stock and wicked wheel next to each other to note the difference. I'm pretty sure, almost deff its an e99 but i just want someone to tell me that.

Now also, what drawbacks are there to the e99? I think i've heard they have different hpop's and turbo size. Does anyone know all the differences? When I start upgrading my truck farther, are there any changes I have to make to the e99 for more power. I thought I've heard someone say they need new sticks. Are the e99's sticks difference? Anything you know is appreciated.

 

Yep, your an early bird. My build date is 11/98 and my badges are on the door.

Some differences between Early 99 and 99.5

Credit to Chase aka superduty4x4, Ron aka Ron's Power Stroke and in Bold credit to Jet aka SolidGround

Early 99 has a wicked wheel in it from the factory. And much smaller turbo (spools faster, though)

The early99 has 120cc(AB code) injectors and the late99-03 has 140cc(AD code) injectors.

The early99 has 2" intake plenums. The late99-03 has 3" intake plenums.

The early99 has a 15* swash plate HPOP. The late99-03 has a 17* swash plate HPOP.

The early99 has one glow plug relay. The late99-03 has one glow plug relay and one air intake heater relay side by side (along with early '99 CA models) . Both relays are on the passenger side of the fuel bowl toward the front of the truck.

The early99 has a totally different air intake that is not inter changeable with the late99-03 (except for DRW trucks) . But you can put the late99 air cleaner assembly in the early99 truck. The only three afterarket air filters that work on the early99 are the AFE stage 2, the AIS and the KWIKK 6637.

The early99 track rod has smaller mounting bolts than the late99-03. (except for DRW trucks)

The early99 has shallower rotors than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 has shorter hub-bearings than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 front axle U bolts are square where they go over the spring pack. The late99 U bolts are round. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 has a different pitman arm than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)

The early99 does not have the AIH like the late99-03. (except CA model)

The early99 does not have the automatic transmission fluid cooler in the radiator.

The early99 has no indicator light showing that "cruise" is on. Late99-03 has a cruise light that will come on when you set the cruise control. The early99 has the light in the dash already. A newer PCM(Yes it will plug in and will run better too) must be used to make the cruise light illuminate. It is a green light on the right side edge, half way up.

 

The AIH that is in the turbo right before it splits into two and goes into the heads? I have that. I deleted it now, but i did have it before.

So basically i'm an e99. Now, what about upgrades? Any one know, or done it to their e99

 

No, you're NOT an E99.

Badges on the doors, standard compressor wheel (not stepped-blade), and an AIH.

You have a 99.5 truck.

 

door badges dont mean a thing my e99 has door badges

aih is def a 99.5 feature

lets see a pic of ur turbo wheel

i have a e 99 and engine and truck both have build dates of 10/98

 

I missed that. Only Cali model E 99's had AIH. That's odd, I've never heard of a Sept 98, late 99.

 

maybe it was updated to late 99 turbo set up??

 

Here's what the two wheels look like. The late has all the same size vanes, the early has large & small vanes:

 

What's the PCM code?

 

If your spider is 2" and not 3", it's an E99.

E99 can be upgraded easily, it's just when you start looking at turbo options you are limited, or like me and many others, upgrade to the later model setup.
I got good power out of my stock setup with tuning. If my "new" injectors were working right it could have been a lot better, but now I've got a 38R with better nozzles and I imagine I'm pushing 400hp with it now.

 

Cali early's do not have an AIH.
Sounds to me like someone did a late model turbo swap on an early bird. My 10/98 born early bird has door badges... you CAN'T rely on the door badges to determine early v. late. Build date is the only way to be sure as ANYTHING else can be changed.

 

Great list!! Thanks for sharing. When you say "except for DRW trucks", does that mean an early 99 DRW has the stuff the late 99-03 has? For example, does "The early99 has a different pitman arm than the late99-03. (except DRW trucks)" mean the pitman arm on the e99 DRW are the same as the 99-03 models, or that the 99-03 DRW models have the same pitman arm as the e99? I get confused easily!!!

 

I'm not sure how the DRW differences shake out for sure... those were added by a member who lost his life roughly one year ago (RIP Jet).

 

Well fellows, i just got back from chasing deer with no luck. I'ma try to get some pictures of the turbo wheel sunday. As well as an old picture of the AIH which is somewhere. This is one confusing truck unless the owner before me did in fact change some things around. Do the turbo's that are on the later 99's and on have a diff Garrett # then those of the e99? Trucks not a CA model either I think. The carfax said it was from PA, but I know real way of knowing.

 

turbo r totally diffrent from e99 to 99.5