I own a 2006 Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins 325hp 610 torque (with OEM trailer tow package). It has a four speed 48RE automatic transmission and (I believe) a 4" stock exhaust system. I pull a 36 foot 15,000 pound gooseneck modified RV with it. I use a Tekonsha in-cab brake controller for the RV, adjusted to assit the truck in slowing or stopping. This stock truck pulls and stops my RV satisfactorily as equipped. Always looking to improve on a good thing, I would like to increase fuel economy, and raise power and torque, primarily for passing slower vehicles. At the same time, I want to keep the truck quiet as I like to listen to music cd's while on the road. I have been all over the internet, trying to figure out the 'best bang for the buck' simple and modest modifications I can make to the tow vehicle without risking damage to anything in the drive train of the truck. I have looked at dozens of intake systems, tuners, programmers, and exhaust systems (including exhaust brakes). It is all rather bewildering. Would just a tuner or programmer do what I want done, or need I also include a higher volume intake and/or exhaust system? I would appreciate any suggestions from those of you who have been down this road.

A BHAF on the Dodges usually sufice for an intake mod, changing the mufler helps the engine breathe a little better. There are several tuners for the Cummins, research them all and find the one that will work the best for the application you are going to apply it to. H&S is still working on their 5.9 tuner, so you might wait until they are done with R&D for that.

I own a 2006 Dodge 2500HD 5.9L Cummins 325hp 610 torque (with OEM trailer tow package). It has a four speed 48RE automatic transmission and (I believe) a 4" stock exhaust system. I pull a 36 foot 15,000 pound gooseneck modified RV with it. I use a Tekonsha in-cab brake controller for the RV, adjusted to assit the truck in slowing or stopping. This stock truck pulls and stops my RV satisfactorily as equipped. Always looking to improve on a good thing, I would like to increase fuel economy, and raise power and torque, primarily for passing slower vehicles. At the same time, I want to keep the truck quiet as I like to listen to music cd's while on the road. I have been all over the internet, trying to figure out the 'best bang for the buck' simple and modest modifications I can make to the tow vehicle without risking damage to anything in the drive train of the truck. I have looked at dozens of intake systems, tuners, programmers, and exhaust systems (including exhaust brakes). It is all rather bewildering. Would just a tuner or programmer do what I want done, or need I also include a higher volume intake and/or exhaust system? I would appreciate any suggestions from those of you who have been down this road.


You are in Luck. I have a 2006 CTD 2500 CTD.

For the 'tow/stock' crowd.... exhaust upgrades are not worth it you are already 4") A nice intake would be good (AFE) the intake elbow, is.... ok. (BANKS or AFE Bladerunner).

If you want an exhaust brake, PACBRAKE or BD or Banks.

Tuner, I would go with a SMARTY Jr. 35-100RW hp gains. regular SMARTY 40-200RWHP gains (but you need to build a trans if you plan to use full power on the 200HP setting)

TST is a nice Harness box, but it runs high EGT's

Edge Juice, also a harness box makes good power, and reasonable egt's

Banks, I don't have much information on, but they have been decent for some folks.

I also Have a 06 CR dodge.
I'd get a smarty jr
Gauges(Trans, boost,Pyro)
Pacbrake is awesome. Problem is your stock 48re will not take much more power safely.
Tranny upgrades are worthwhile.

One of our shop tow vehicles is a 2006 Dodge 3500 dually 4X4. We only use this truck to tow a 28 or 32' enclosed race trailer from home to across the eastern states. In stock form it did the job, but really struggled in the mountains. I didn't want to spend alot of money on the truck but I did want an improvement on it's towing abilities and mileage. I installed an S&B intake because I find they work great on everything and it did. I chose a Corsa exhaust system because I am sometimes driving this rig for 2 or 3 days straight and did not want a drone, it works great and is quiet in the cab.I wanted to install a programmer and from what I heard the Smarty was the best for Dodges, but being that I am a PPE dealer I thought I would try them out. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the truck drives and tows now - especially in the mountains, and the tuning from PPE was just as I expect from their Duramax programming, more power, better mileage, good EGT's, and the transmission works great. Hope this helps, we were sure happy with the results on our shop truck.

Your best mod would be to trade your CTD for a Duramax! :D

Thanks much for your detailed response. I have taken notes on all the suggestions you have made, and will do my homework.

I would go with a full 4" or 5" free flowing exhaust. The stock system has a cat and restrictive muffler, opening it up will help quite a bit. As far as the intake goes, look at S&B. They are one of the best on the market and cant be beat on pricing. I would then get a Smarty or Smarty Jr. Smarty makes the best programs on the market for Dodges. You will notice better power, shifting, and mileage with one. We have all the mentioned products on our site, please let me know if I can help with anything.

I would go with a full 4" or 5" free flowing exhaust. The stock system has a cat and restrictive muffler, opening it up will help quite a bit. As far as the intake goes, look at S&B. They are one of the best on the market and cant be beat on pricing. I would then get a Smarty or Smarty Jr. Smarty makes the best programs on the market for Dodges. You will notice better power, shifting, and mileage with one. We have all the mentioned products on our site, please let me know if I can help with anything.

Please go to www.cumminsforum.com (http://www.cumminsforum.com) and read my thread there--gerebear. I have laid out a tentative program there. I would appreciate your thoughts on the matter. Then we can PM to talk seriously about specific products and pricing.

I would go with a full 4" or 5" free flowing exhaust. The stock system has a cat and restrictive muffler, opening it up will help quite a bit. As far as the intake goes, look at S&B. They are one of the best on the market and cant be beat on pricing. I would then get a Smarty or Smarty Jr. Smarty makes the best programs on the market for Dodges. You will notice better power, shifting, and mileage with one. We have all the mentioned products on our site, please let me know if I can help with anything.

We are on the same page. I am looking seriously at an S&B stage 2 cold air dry filter intake, and also their aftermarket intake manifold. I have found a package deal on them from another source. I would appreciate a quote on that pair from you. I am also going to see if Banks will match prices on that pair of modifications.

I also Have a 06 CR dodge.
I'd get a smarty jr
Gauges(Trans, boost,Pyro)
Pacbrake is awesome. Problem is your stock 48re will not take much more power safely.
Tranny upgrades are worthwhile.

Based on input from several sources, I am seriously considering a Smarty Jr. I went to their web site, and understand that the Jr. does not have a way to monitor EGT's. Thus, my hesitation. You mentioned gauges. Tell me about that. Which manufacturer/supplier provides the best ones? Mounting instructions, locations? Hookups?

Based on input from several sources, I am seriously considering a Smarty Jr. I went to their web site, and understand that the Jr. does not have a way to monitor EGT's. Thus, my hesitation. You mentioned gauges. Tell me about that. Which manufacturer/supplier provides the best ones? Mounting instructions, locations? Hookups?

Oh, have you upgraded your transmission? If so, what did you do?

There are many options for gauges. I have read good things about Isspro and Autometer. Being a Dodge they have many that have white faces just like your truck.

Kevin

Auto Meter makes some of the best, most reliable gauges on the market. The Phantom II series match the Dodge gauge cluster pretty close.

Auto Meter makes some of the best, most reliable gauges on the market. The Phantom II series match the Dodge gauge cluster pretty close.

Unless Autometer has really gon after their QC , it would be the last gauge I would consider for my truck. After countless RMA's I finally GAVE my autometers away. Between pointers sticking, lightsintermittently working and packages lost.... my time is more valuable than spending it trying to get a product to work.Isspro on the other hand has been stellar. I even sent in a gauge for a minor repair, 5 years old. I expected to pay for repairs, somewhere around 80 bucks. But Isspro sent me a new gauge, sending unit and thermocouple. No questions asked, no favors, just their way of doing business, and all they do is gauges, so it's sink or swim with their business acumen. So they took it upon themselves to send out a new complete unit. That means a hellova lot to me. I work in retail so I appreciate expedient service. Hell, for that matter, I beta tested their performax series gauges and I am still running the beta units. They are that reliable, that even in beta format, they have gone the distance.Dannin/DiPricol. Another quality manufacturer. If I was not running Isspro, I would run DiPricol. Just a personal opinion, but their QC is top notch as well, and their service from what I hear is equal to Isspro.Maybe I just got bad gauges form Autometer, but after the 5th time.... My Dad always said, 'the first bite is free' and he was right. Isspro or Dipricol or none at all. Hell, even my old tech junky Hewitt Industries gauges are still in the shop in working condition. They were in service long before the Autometers and are still working to this day.