diesel "upgrades"

[Bikewanderer]

what's your trade?

 

[patrick_g]

I totally agree with CCOUGHRAN1. Banks stuff is way overpriced and conservative. That's why you don't see guys using it in the go fast crowd doing burnouts and "rolling coal". You see very, er, uh, white collar type guys with Banks stuff. The smarter cheaper hot rodder would have bought an edge system.

True, in general true BUT... anything that increases HP and or torque increases wear so we don't know till we actually check. Instead of guessing at the number of angels dancing on the head of a pin, I suggest using a magnifier and counting them.

Odds are the truck was not entered in the diesel drags BUT some hi perf wanna be with poor planning and research skills may have bought Banks as his approach to hot rodding.

It is easy and not that expensive to actually check instead of guessing at the condition. Some prefer the Ouija board, some the magic 8 ball, and others the most likely sounding scenario to be floated by them but actually checking is way less risky.

Pat

 

[hrcarver]

what's your trade?

07 f150 supercab 4x4 xlt 5.4 27k

 

[Ductape]

I would never be afraid of a truck with Banks products on them. Here is how I see it. Banks = high priced, high quality, but very conservative with regards to safety factors. If you are wanting to drag race your diesel truck, or even hot rod it, you would not purchase Banks equipment. You would go with a more aggressive company that will get more bang for your buck.

When I see a Banks equipped truck, I think of someone that is not afraid to spend $$$ on their truck, yet wants some modest gains in HP, mileage, etc. A retired guy pulling a fiver. Not some 20-30 year old blowing smoke and burning rubber in an 8k truck

My thoughts exactly !

 

[Soundguy]

any idea how big a house he was towing? and why he traded? did he trade up to something bigger / hevier.. or get out of the mobile house dragging bit and settle down to a .25 ac yard, and a yuppiemobile?

every bit of info you know helps the decision.

soundguy

 

[WH401]

I'd pass. While the truck could be perfectly fine with that programmer, buying a used truck that's been hopped up performance wise is like asking a hooker to be your wife. You don't know how she's been driven previously, and whether or not she's had all the proper checkups/maintenance. While the Allison is a good transmission, in stock form...any transmission from Ford, Chevy, or Dodge can easily be slipped or damaged from extra power.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'd pass. While the truck could be perfectly fine with that programmer, buying a used truck that's been hopped up performance wise is like asking a hooker to be your wife. You don't know how she's been driven previously, and whether or not she's had all the proper checkups/maintenance. While the Allison is a good transmission, in stock form...any transmission from Ford, Chevy, or Dodge can easily be slipped or damaged from extra power.

That is funny but true. I would skip like I said before. There are trucks out there, do not settle. I would also skip the 3/4 ton and look for a SRW 1 ton. The GM trucks of that era had a 8,800# GVWR and they weigh about 7,200# to 7,400# depending on cab and bed length. That only leaves you 1,400# or so for payload. Not enough. Yes, its got a diesel but in hauling a load they are not very good. You can get a F-250 of that era with a 10,000# GVWR or a SRW F-350 with 11,500# GVWR so they will handle a lot more pin/tongue load or just plain payload.

While the guys are right about the Banks stuff being mild its still a chip. GM will void the warranty. The Allison is a terrific tranny but the one thing it does not like is extra power. In stock for it will slip with too much power just like any tranny but its a lot less forgiving then the Ford Torque Shift or the newer Dodge stuff.

Chris

 

[hrcarver]

LOL, that's funny. My gut is telling me that too.

The chevy's claim like a 3500 lb payload in a 06 2500. I think gvw is 9200 or 9500? I thought fords where lacking in payload, better in towing capacity? I cant find a chart with the info on them. Anybody got one?

 

[Storm56]

I would also skip the 3/4 ton and look for a SRW 1 ton. The GM trucks of that era had a 8,800# GVWR and they weigh about 7,200# to 7,400# depending on cab and bed length. That only leaves you 1,400# or so for payload. Not enough. Yes, its got a diesel but in hauling a load they are not very good.

Chris

As stated previously I have a 2003 Chev D/max. You are wrong, gross is 9200, listed payload is I believe 3300 lbs. I have had 2 ton in it on more than one occassion and it handled the weight just fine. I also have a 2700 lb empty, as in no water, etc, 11 1/2 foot truck camper which it also handles fine. I did put on airbags to help with the camper and a rear swaybar because the weight is up high, but it handles it very well.

You obviously do no care for GM and that is fine, we all have our preferences, but your statement about a 1400 lb payload is completely incorrect and the comments on the tranny are also not accurate. The allison is without a doubt the BEST tranny in a diesel pu, just like the cummins is the BEST engine.

 

[Ken45101]

LOL, that's funny. My gut is telling me that too.

The chevy's claim like a 3500 lb payload in a 06 2500. I think gvw is 9200 or 9500? I thought fords where lacking in payload, better in towing capacity? I cant find a chart with the info on them. Anybody got one?

We had a F250 and the horse trailer was too much hitch weight. Went to a C3500, does great.

GM did send a notice to me that "upgrades" were not a good idea, that they could be too much for the truck. In my way of thinking, if it was easy and safe to do these chip upgrades, then GM, Ford, etc. would have done them. What manufacturer wouldn't want to sell a more powerful engine that only required reprogramming a chip?

The other consideration, with all these mods, how will it affect fuel economy?

Personally, unless I really, really needed the "upgrades", I wouldn't want them. YMMV.

Ken