deployed Marine looking for input

[DuramaxUSMC]

I am a Marine in Afghanistan for the next few months, and I'm looking to get my Dads 2005 Duramx LLY(he passed away a year ago and she never uses it but a few times a year) cb/lb with 75k miles on it. I was looking to spend about $8-9k on the truck in upgrades. I was thinking a 6" procomp MX-6 lift, the Banks big hoss bundle, 18" XD Hoss wheels with 35" tires. Its mostly going to be a project for me to learn from mechanically as I have a 75 Stingray that needs tons of work but I want to get my hands dirty with this project before I tackle that one. This truck will mostly be a street queen, though she will tow and haul a few times a year.

What does everyone think of these upgrades? Any ideas? will this kill my mpg, will it help it? will it help/hurt the longevity of the truck? I'm over here through the winter so I have a few months to sort this out. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Semper Fi

 

[ku 808]

I would skip the banks and go EFI live exhaust and intake and build your trans then you should be good for awhile

 

[blk smoke lb7]

I would skip the banks and go EFI live exhaust and intake and build your trans then you should be good for awhile

Everything he said + add a lift pump,the lift will hurt mpg and performance

 

[blk smoke lb7]

Btw :welcome9: This is an awesome site you'll love it :hug:

 

[Bonestock]

EFI, Fass 150 lift pump, MBRP 5" exhaust, EPR Twins, and of course built Trans. This may push you over the budget but the lift can wait right?:roflmao:

 

[red1977]

like every one else says. EFi live, exhaust, lift pump, tranny. I left mine stock hight and just put on some nice wheels and tires and like it. I would also like to thank you for your service and every thing you do for us.

 

[Texas Chevy]

Efi live, built trans, lift pump, gauges, exhaust. If it's a street queen no point in the lift. Use the money to Make it fast. Welcome and Semper Fi.

 

[Texas Chevy]

One more thing. Everything you could want for the truck the vendors on here are have and are very helpful.

 

[TeaBagger2006]

just get an lbz

cc/lb look really nice lifted 8"+. in all honesty i only saw a 1mpg. drop in my fuel economy. i would usually get 510 miles per tank now im down to an average of 480+
per tank.
im running 37x14x20 wheels. this is with a ppe canned tuna tune (225)

all you need is a built trans, GOOD EFI tune, a cool exhaust (stack), lift pump,and since its one of them lly's an intake.

 

[SgtKilroy]

Trans, EFI Live, and a lift pump minimum. Skip the Banks. It won't be enough when the HP bug bites you!
Welcome!

 

[JoshH]

Welcome to DuramaxDiesels :welcome8:

The lift and wheels/tires will hurt your MPG, and the Banks stuff will help a little. You'll probably end up with a little bit worse economy than you were getting before the lift. The only thing the mods you list may be hard on is steering/suspension parts (ball joints, front wheel bearings, etc). Like everyone else has said here, Banks isn't really the best bang for your buck, but they make a very high quality product. In my experience, their products work, and they have excellent customer support. I personally wouldn't use their tuner (simply because I don't think they're worth the money), but their intakes, exhausts, intercoolers, and the like are all top notch. If you aren't looking for all out power, there is nothing wrong with Banks. It really just depends on what you're plans are.

 

[DuramaxUSMC]

Thank you all for your replies. It seems you all like the EFI, lift pump and exhaust idea. I'll have to do some research on the prices. I definitely want to put the lift on it though, I want to be able to fit the bigger tires, and I don't like how low the truck looks bc of how long it is. It will be mostly a street queen, but it will be hauling boats and trailers a several times a year as I help out my family with stuff at the lake. Also, I can't do stacks because I will be hauling loads of mulch and dirt as I help my mother get the house ready for the summer and winter.
I understand the trans upgrades would be for the increased power? but how would I address the increased wear on the suspension parts? What does the lift pump help with, and what kind of gains are we talking with the EFI and lift pump?
Also, if my mpg losses are only 1-2 mpg thats no big deal because the truck currently gets around 17-19 and the jeep I have averages 15 so its pretty much a wash.
lastly, thanks for all your input and continued input, its nice to read about all this stuff and it helps take the mind off everything over here...and its fun to look ahead to some projects.

 

[ku 808]

A good EFI tuner can wake up your truck big time and get you great MPG lift pump is so you dont run out of fuel under full throttle trans is a must watch out you mite get the bug building these trucks can and has gotton addicting for me started out small then snow balls I cant wait to build my motor once you feel the power watch out.:thumb:

 

[DuramaxUSMC]

Just to add to what I just posted, after some research (which is of course limited by time and big brother over here) its going to be about $4500 for the wheels, tires, and lift kit. those are things I really want simply for the look of it. Call me stupid for wanting it, but its what I want. I also understand the logic of a pump and EFI for more fuel and the twin turbo, exhaust, and intake for more air flow...and guages to watch it all. However, how would all this effect the longevity of the engine? I will come back from this deployment with a little change in my pocket, but I don't make much outside of deployment and can't afford to always be fixing this truck...nor do I feel mechanically skilled enough to do it all myself.

 

[TeaBagger2006]

Lift:cognito 7-9 ntbd kit (nice high quality lift) for the wear on steering parts I suggest you get cognito braces and sleeves and moog parts

Lift pump & efi: the lift pump supplies the cp3 with more fuel, it basically helps your injection pump. With out the lift pump you will be limited on how much power you can make. And as far as efi, plenty of reputable tuners that can make you a tune that suits you...a good efi tune is hard to beat.

You can have a nice 400+ hp daily driver with all the mods mentioned in this thread

 

[ku 808]

Thank you for your service and welcome :angel:

 

[dirty-b]

Welcome to the site! :thumb:

 

[thneill]

:welcome4: and thank you

 

[DuramaxUSMC]

So I have had some time to do some research today, and it looks like I'd be spending $4600 with an EFI live tune, 5" exhaust, intercooler and intake and fuel pump. Any idea what kind of power gains I would be looking at? I'm guessing it would warrant a trans upgrade (already has the Allison 6 speed). Whats a good one? because some of the ones I was looking at were $2-3k and they seemed a bit excessive. Also, I was thinking this would be a pretty powerful and quick/fast set up...thoughts? I heard the suggestion of twin turbos, but I worry that would cut down on the longevity of the engine, which is very important to me...or would these upgrades in themselves kill the engine life?

I'm out for a few days, time to go to "work" I look forward to reading all your replies. Thanks for all your input.

 

[dirty-b]

Any "upgrades" you do will make your truck less reliable. A trany will need to be built with anything over a 90hp tune no matter what tuner you go with. Tranys are not cheep, and you get what you pay for. Mike L is said to be the best at tranys, but other guys do them also. I think your truck if stock only has a 5 speed.