We just bought an '02 Dmax/Allison combo, black crew cab dually, 4wd, LS, 40k miles, running boards, 90 gal. chrome auxilary tank, bedliner, rear air ride. Anyway, we got it to pull trailers for our collector cars, and we are considering some mods. I say "considering" because we do NOT want to lose durability, and don't won't our mileage to totally go down the drain.


What are the best overall mod(s) going right now? How about "the best bang for our buck" mod? We're not into racing it, but it will be tugging on a 45ft enclosed gooseneck. I'm new to this diesel modding stuff, but I've read about simple "plug in" boxes, to beefing up trannies, and everything in between.


Come on, fellas, learn me...

Want "0" tranny problems.......go SunCoast! (http://www.suncoastconverters.com) You won't need "the package" just something that won't let go. For power, the best deal going is the EDGE/Attitude setup.


Change the dope and replace with fresh GM syn. A cover may help if you're towing heavy. I would get a fuel lift pump/filter system to help out with the mileage and possible injector failures. Get the bilstien shocks ....and ...er... well, that's about it. Just enjoy the truck.


My .02


Burner------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Oh yeah, you have cabin filters. You may want to change them pretty soon.

do what i did, become a sponge. search read, search read, search read. if your reading something and have a question, do a search, chances are soemone has already asked it. this site is like its own encyclopedia! i still consider myself a 'noob' to diesels, i bought my 02' in march. since then iv tried to become as familer as possible with every aspect of the duramax/allison combo. iv owned gasser chevys all my life so it was a bit of a change, but one worth making and one id make again in heartbeat.


as far as mods go, make sure you fully understand what your changing, how it works and what it does. be it adding or deleting items from the truck. make sure you dot your i's and cross your t's, remember your messing with $30,000+ if you just begin to plug and play something very bad is going to happen eventually.(for me it was tierods in a 4wd launch w/juice on crack mode http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif) do yourself a favor and get the juice/attitude combo asap. i got mine 2 or 3 weeks ago. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif< is about the best way to describe it... first post, so id like to thank everyone for the wealth of knowledge you've made available to all of us!

Ok, so this "juice/attitude" thing...got a link & price? Also, at what point are we gonna have to upgrade the tranny?

First "mod" I would do is start at the front bumper and work towards the back, replace every fluid and filter you come too. Since not knowing the history of it, this way your safe. As far as mods go for pulling, I started using a VA box that I got from www.kennedydiesel.com (http://www.kennedydiesel.com) and it pulls my camper much better then my Juice does. It does not come with gauges, but to be honest, that sucker never gets hot. I can plant my foot to the floor up hill pullin 12k and it never gets over 1200... Of course, gauges are highly recommeded anytime your pulling with enhancements. 45' is a bigun, depending on weight, that will vary your mileage.. As far as trans goes, for towing, a simple Transgo kit and quality single disk converter will do you well.

I agree with Eric on the tranny.


If your looking for excellent towing performance and don't intend to go Nucking Futs with power then I think the Juice/attitude is a great setup. It gives you power....which is great for towing but it includes the gauges that can monitor more than any other type of gauge installation.


That is important when your hauling a 40 something trailer up a grade. I think gauges are important even if you don't add power......but the juice is a real nice bonus!!


I'm sure Eric is right that other programs may give you better pulling performance but for a "work" truck I think the Juice/Attitude is the best and simpliest total package.

I agree, the best all around box that is somewhat all inclusive would be the Juice/attitude combo..

One of my best mods is the JK headlight booster kit. The cheapest mod that I have would be the Fumoto Valve. JK can set yo up with the Attitude/Juice.


http://www.kennedydiesel.com/

The trailer is gonna weigh probably in the 16k-18k range when loaded...so am I gonna need to beef up the tranny before doing anything else? And the Juice/Attitude is the best for pulling?

You'll find all sort's of preferences. I like the Banks 6-Gun because of the built in safety features that Automatically turn down the power when reaching dangerous level. Just my comfort level. The TTS setup though has caught my eye. I also think Trans mods are good but after that do the exhaust. What you pick will be a personal preference. They all outperform the factory system. Good luck and Welcome.

I found that the VA tunes run a bit cooler with similar performance to the Juice. If you do beef the trans. John has a sweet 125 VA that runs very cool. The smaller tunes also work well with weight and run cooler than the Juice. The booster Bassin mentioned is also a must have in my opinion. Happy shopping!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

Motovet - how many different tunes are there for the VA boxes?

Visit Johns web sight to see the current available tunes. I have tried them all in towing situations and empty and they all are very good tunes with cooler EGT's across the board. The 150+/200+ are custom tunes for modded trans. ONLY and John also has a 125 tune available that is perfect for towing with a modded trans as it runs very strong yet stays cool.

I can second Motovets claims on the VA box. That 125 tune is simply awesome for towing, but like mentioned, an upgraded trans is sweet. I havent pulled any mega grades but rarely go the VA 125 over 1200 when towing 12k. the 200+ tune makes a wicked drag truck with the camper on the backhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif... she does get a little warm thoughhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


IMO, if your looking for a towing box, get the VA, if you want an all around box, get the Edge

I've seen the dyno graphs for these tunes on the Van Aaken Web site but no mention of this 125 tune you guys are talking about. Is this an exclusive tune to Mr. Kennedy?


50 - 70 bhp (http://www.vanaaken.com/usa/dyno%20graphs/duramax/50_70-Graph.jpg) (Towing)
70 - 110 bhp (http://www.vanaaken.com/usa/dyno%20graphs/duramax/70_110-Graph.jpg) (Standard Road)
70 - 150 bhp (http://www.vanaaken.com/usa/dyno%20graphs/duramax/70_150-Graph.jpg) (Extreme Road)
90 - 150 bhp (http://www.vanaaken.com/usa/dyno%20graphs/duramax/90_150-Graph.jpg) (Extreme Road)


I really find myself leaning toward one if the VA boxes over the other 2 more well known offerings. Any quirkyness or code setting issues encountered with the VA boxes?

I dont think the 125 is released, Motovet and myself are the onlyones that have used it to my knowledge. We did some Beta testing on it and both agree its a super tow box.. No quirks at all with it and hardly any smoke

Motovet / DmaxalliTech; Is the 125 part of another tune box like the others (70-150 / 90-150)? Any word on when it might be available to the masses?


Thanks for the info by the way! http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big%20Smile.gifEdited by: EMSi

it would be nice if youcould get a 1 VA box that was adjustable like..............0-50-70-90-125-150-200+ or so...... it would cover the board.

it would be nice if youcould get a 1 VA box that was adjustable like..............0-50-70-90-125-150-200+ or so...... it would cover the board.





Now that would be a full-meal-deal! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

EMSi, give JK a call and see if he is releasing it. Last I talked to him about it, we both agreed it is a good tune. Just a word of caution... You will need to have a trans done before using it IMO

Thanks for the heads-up on the tranny. Thats why I was kinda hoping It came with a selectable power level that would let me bump my performance but give me some time get enough of my magic beans together to upgrade the Allison.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

The 125 is a tune that we just kinda made tyring to take the revised 150 down to 110. I'll be looking to list it shortly as an aggressive tow unit.

Towing is ALL I'm concerned with, next to reliability of course! And we live here in the Ozark Mountains, so it's better to err on the safe side concerning reliability, and I like the sound of "cooler running". I had a '91 crew cab dually, 454 w/Paxton supercharger on it, with a HD 4-speed coupled to a gear splitter, and heat was a ball buster on that thing...couldn't keep mufflers on it, even when running a true dual system! It would fly, but was one thirsty SOB...


dmaxalliTech: what are we talking as far as "trans mods" if I go with the VA125 system, once it's available? Rough "guesstimate" on prices for the tranny mods, the VA125, and anything else you guys would recommend (guages? exhaust?)??


Thanks for ALL of the help! I'm liking this truck more every time I drive it...

Boost and pyro gauges as a must have and an exhaust would fall under the highly recommended. Makes it a lot easier to fully utilize any power uprades when the 6600 can breathe FREELY http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif

I think you will find two favorite selectable tunes with the ability to go stock in slippery conditions is all you will ever need.Once you find what you like you will tend to set it and forget it. I currently have my VA stacked with the Attitude to retain my monitor and use exclusively the VA with the Juice on 0. So with 7 possible settings I now use 2 and can go stock if it gets slick. That 125 is definately a great tow tune with some trans. work. The 70-110 would be a fine choice for the stock trans. also.

I would like to see a 0 - 90 - 125 - 150 selectable unit. What's the main difference other than power between the 125 to the 150 - egt's mainly?

I just hopped over to KD and checked out the 70/110...not too shabby! So, for now, could we *settle* for the 70/110, and leave the tranny alone, and still be able to tug our 16k-18k trailer? If so, that would be a good "starter" box for us since we just got the truck, and on down the road we could throw a good tranny and the 125 or bigger system at it.


So, I guess my questions are: will the 70/110 with a 16k-18k trailer work with the stock tranny? will we need to do an exhaust upgrade as well? Got a recommendation on exhaust? Again, all I'm concerned with is TOWING, not a drag race...(our race cars are in the trailer!)Edited by: Chevy454

I did a quick update on the site Thursday aft.

As far as tranny goes, I think using the 125 tune you will be fine with just a Transgo kit and a quality single disk convertor. I would use gauges anytime your adding performance especially when towing. Yes, the box runs cool, but you cant rely on that all the time.


You can figure 2500 range +/- a few for a trans upgrade. Variable will include what your stock clutches look like and type of fluid, 2 or 4 wheel drive etc.


IMO, an exhaust usually dont help egt's much.. mostly just makes more noise.

Sorry, me again...


So, does the 70/110 require tranny mods? I've got too many projects right now to tear into a tranny, but if that's what it takes, that's what it takes...


Thanks again for ALL the help fellas!

I think the 70-110 will be safe for a stock trans

I will add though a trans. upgrade goes a long way in putting ANY extra power to the ground when pulling heavy loads. The difference is noticeable and also allows you to go bigger and pull the way you WANT to......cha-ching! I can be financially irresponsible at times though....