In searching for an exhaust brake and exhaust I have found out one thing, my truck shares components with only 1 other year, 2004 and it is not even all 2004... This is quite discouraging since I don't want to spend as much as I know it will cost and looking around on ebay I can find very cheap setups for 2004.5+...
Anyhow here are my questions:
1) What are the differences, if any, between the 2003-2004 and 2004.5+ turbos?
2) There is a small exhaust "elbow" right after the turbo that is where the exhaust brake would go, is this different in those years too?
3) The stock downpipe on the 2003 is 3.5" right?
4) Was there ever a stock 4" downpipe?
5) Most exhaust kits come with a downpipe, more particularly a 5" kit comes with a 4" downpipe, is this because that is the largest you can fit or for some other reason?
6) These aftermarket downpipes, do they replace that "elbow"?

My overall goal is to get a PacBrake 5" exhaust brake (since it is only a few more dollars on ebay), and I would like to get 5" exhaust (probably with a flow through muffler). I just don't want to spend the money on something that doesn't fit all together, and I have not found a full kit for something like this.
Any help would be appreciated, if you have a 2004.5 and are willing to take pictures of that area that may help considerably too (since I don't have access to one around here... dealership is quite a ways away).
Thanks in advance!
Chris

 

the turbo on the 03-04.4 is a bit different than the 04.5 and up trucks. 03-04.4 have a 3.5" downpipe, then go to 4" after the muffler. 04.5 and on are 4" from turbo to tail. the 5" kits you are talking about do come with a 4" downpipe since that is the only size you can attach to the turbo. the exhaust brake just replaces the downpipe. if you still need pics of mine just let me know and I can try and snap some tomorrow.

 

Thank you for the info! If it isn't too much trouble I would appreciate some pictures, there are some more specifics that I think I am missing...
What year is your truck? Do you have an engine brake on it? Thanks again!

 

04.5 and no exhaust brake.

I'll get some tomorrow

 

here are some pics for you. the main difference between the 03-04.4 turbo and the 04.5 and up is the compressor houseing and the electronic wastegate whereas the 03-04.4 has the pneumatic wastegate. the down pipe for your truck necks down to 3.5" diameter whereas the 04.5 and up is 4"

if you need any other pics just ask

[IMG]local://upfiles/7365/D3DD3DB2B3CE48419C5D10C6B18769F9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/7365/0E383F38D13049FB853D4278935CBD45.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thank you SOO much Drew.