Hi, I just bought my first diesel P/U; a 1999 4x4 2500. I'm not sure why I bought the truck but it is X condition with a perfect body. I guess i need something to do now that my twins are on there way to college and dropped RC racing ( I drive like crap).
I love the P/U and I have a ton of questions. I won't bore you with them all now but here are a few:
Is it worth it to put a set of disc brakes on the rear? If yes, MFG? DIY?
How important is it to use fuel addtitive? I can get fuel that is not low sulphur.
I just bought a used set of 295/70/17 tires and rims. They come from a 3rd gen dodge. The center caps that came with them work on the front but not on the rear. I had to use the ones that came with my truck. Is it the drum brake setup?

Thanks for now

Russell

 

Is it auto or manual trans 12 valve or 24 valve? you didn't mention it so I have to razz you about it lol
your brakes questions I have no idea. Mine came with disc on all 4 your fuel questions I can help
If you can get regular diesel fuel then that's a plus. but are you using off road fuel? if so that is a hefty fine if you get caught. additives is a good idea you never know what kinda fuel your getting. if additive have been added. A guy on here got me hooked on 2 cycle oil in the tank I think I added to much oil once and clogged my fuel filter (JOKING) but i did put the hole qt in 32 gal tank lol.
as far as that goes I'm sure sroundtree007 will help you out on that subject.
So do you know anything about your truck since its a 99 you most likely has a VP44 injection pump if the lift pump goes out it trash the IP . Do you have any gauges egt/pyro boost, trans temp? if not get them. go for a fuel pressure gauge also its the pressure between the lift pump and the IP. It just about give you a heads up on your lift pump going out and might save the IP plus it looks cool! Get some injectors and other good stuff. get some goodies under the hood and then send us pics

 

thanks a bunch
Here goes:
187,000
I does have a K&N air filter
Auto Tran, rebuilt 5k ago still und warranty
24 valve.
i have fuel additiive and will use.
Only stock gauges, can i get a set on your rec, where is it gest to mount them? where is the best place to get them?
I have heard about the fuel pump. I need to ask the prior owner if it has been replaced. He bought it new and is a diesel mechanic.
What is the IP?
If it goes, just get a rebuilt one or can a new type be used?
Be specific about other mod's and thanks for your time. it is appreciated.

Russell

 

Use about 1 ounce per gallon of 2 stroke oil when filling up. This help keep your vp44 lubricated. If your living in the northern half of the country you may need to put some anti gel additive to keep your fuel from gelling in really cold temps. As far as guages go the best place to mount them is either on the dash or a pillar. There are a bunch of place to get the guages. check the site sponsers. Check your fuel filter regularly. I would go more then 15 k on it. As far as brakes go all of mine are disc. Fill out your signature with your truck info and it will help others in the future to answer your questions. Welcome to the site!!!!

 

Ip is short for injection pump
I am not sure about posting the info of the place you can get them on this page so i will message that to you. jsut make sure you tell him your from dodge forum and Pizzo sent you OK
A rebuilt one will be fine. I use rebuilds all the time when they go.
And don't get discuraged (spelling error) about the VP 44 pump 99.9% of the time its not its fault its the lift pump goes bad then shorts the IP of fuel that it needs.
I've seen some good running rigs with Vp44 pumps

 

Pokey,

On a stock truck, with no power mods or anything of that nature, the best investment you can make on a VP44 powered truck is a fuel pressure gauge.

The lift pump tends to be the weak link and when it goes out, it takes your expensive injection pump (VP44) with it.

If I was to do one thing, that would be what I'd do first.

Otherwise,as scrountree stated, 1 oz of 2 stroke oil (non-synthetic, TCW-3) per gallon fuel is good. I use the cheapy stuff from Wally World in the blue, 1 gal bottle. For the life of me I can't remember the name of it right now.

 

Pokey,
On your year of truck the axle with drum brake is a few inches longer then on the disc brake trucks. If you really want to use the center covers from the newer trucks it can be done you just have to cut the center out of the rear covers so the axle fits through them. As far as mods go, first make sure your truck has the retro fit kit done on the lift pump or some other lift pump installed. Second, some good mods to do to a stock truck is air intake and bigger exhaust.

 

First, i truly appreciate all your advice. You have opened the door for many questions but here are two more.
Do you use 2 cycle oil because of the cost over specific diesel fuel additives?
help me understand a kit for the pump, cost, MFG.

and thanks again and i love this truck and i'm old.

russell

 

The 2 stroke oil's ONLY purpose is to provide extra lubrication for the injection pump. It does a much better job than some of the additives out there do, mainly because they are intended as cetane improvers, anti-gel agents, cleaners, etc... 2 stroke oil does one thing, lubricates. And yes, it's MUCH cheaper.

The reason to use the 2 stroke is due to the lower sulphur content in the new ULSD fuels. What happens is that all the seals (including the diaphragm) in the pump became infused with the sulphur in the older LSD fuels. Now, with the ULSD it has almost a "drying" effect on those seals as that sulphur is pulled out of the seals. This dries and cracks them and causes pump failures. The older 12V's and VP44 powered 24V's are the main ones affected by this due to them running those older fuels before.

A fuel pressure kit is nothing more than a gauge with a sender unit that you place either in the cap of filter housing or on the inlet fitting of the VP44, simply allowing you to monitor the fuel pressure going to the VP44.

The VP44 NEEDS to have pressure between 10 - 20 psi to prevent damage. Low fuel pressure is the biggest killer of that pump.

 

The lift pump retro fit kit is from Mopar and it takes the lift pump off the side of the engine an puts a pump in the tank. It normally is right around $340.00-365.00 for the kit, you'd have to call the dealer with your vin to get part number. If you don't want to get a retro kit you can go with a BD Power Lift Pump kit (OEM Bypass) part #BD1050230 you can find it for real close to $250-300 depending on what website you go to. A good way to see if you have the stock pump on the side of your engine is follow the fuel line out of the filter housing backwards and a few inches away from the filter housing there will be a pump a few inches long by a 1-2 inches wide with three bolts on the top and that is the lift pump if it is just the 3 bolts with maybe a an inch tall adapter on it then it already has the retro kit installed. Hope that helps