Introduction

[Redrover]

Hey guys,

First off I'd like to say that, if I've put this in the wrong place, sorry mods!

Anyway, I'm a new member of the forums and (fairly) new owner of a 1st gen. I've been a Dodge guy my whole life, all my vehicles so far have been older Dodge pickups. I currently own a 1984 W250 (318, project/donor vehicle) an 88 D100 (3.9l, daily driver for years) and a 1992 W250 Cummins 12V Intercooled. I picked up the 92 W250 1st gen a couple years back, and got in on the road about a year ago. Being a Maine truck that'd been used as a dealerships plow vehicle, it had it's share of rust and issues. However, it had just over 55k original miles...which basically made my decision for me. I had to have it. Being the naive 20-something that I was (oh who am I kidding, still am), I figured "how much could be wrong?" And after a couple years of saving my pennies, I sent it into the shop for a once-over.

3 months, a laundry list and a real hefty bill later, I vowed never to use that phrase again...and to learn how to work on it. So far, I've kept both those promises to myself.

So on and so forth...on to the rig. 1992 W250 12V, intercooled. Basic 4-speed auto transmission (overdrive). Dana 60 Front, Dana 70 LS rear. 4:10 gears. NP205 transfer case. So far, the only Aftermarket goodies on it is the MBRP 4" stainless exhaust. Next week I'll be tearing the front end off the beast and doing the dowel pin fix (did some poking around on TDR and scared myself into it.).

That's about all I got for now, just wanted to introduce myself. Thanks guys!

Noah.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Welcome to the TDR Noah. Lots of good reading and how to on here and in the magazine. There was at one time a killer dowel pin kit floating around that you could borrow. Haven't seen it lately. Good luck with the 92. bg

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

First of all welcome aboard Noah. You will be able to get a lot of help with any questions you might have on your Cummins 1st gen.

As far as the KDP goes don't forget to address the 5 case bolts while you are in there. They have been known to cause as much damage as the KDP. I have seen the damage and can vouch for that. If you don't see what you need to do in the tech section just post your problem and someone will get back to you.

Bob

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome to TDR Redrover. You'll enjoy the site, well most of the time.

george

 

[Redrover]

Thanks guys, I've "lurked" quite a few forums and this one seems to have the best information on 1st gen tech out there. Every time I had a question, I eventually wound up getting the answer from TDR.

Bob: thanks for the tip, I read about the case bolts and was planning to take a look while I was there. Just ordered a KDP fix, gesr case gasket and serpentine belt (might as well, mines got a crack) from Geno's. Anything else I should poke around with while I'm there?

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I'm sure that others will probably disagree with what I am about to suggest as over kill but this is what I would do here goes:

1. If you can get the front seal from Cummins get it there it has everything you will need such as the seal driver and good directions.

2. I would replace the water pump. I have not heard anything bad about Gates Water pumps.

3. Remember the fan threads are left hand threads-turn right to loosen. There are suggestions in the tech topics.

4. Check the vibration damper while you have it off. Check the rubber seal to see if it's not seated there should be a how to in tech topics. If not let me know and I will look it up in my Dodge Service Manual.

Anything else on the front of the Cummins can be done with out tearing the front end apart.

Bob

 

[GHarman]

Welcome Aboard, Noah! If these Kind Folks on TDR can't help ya, there aint no help to be had:--)!
GregH

 

[Redrover]

That's EXACTLY what I wanted to know Bob. Thanks a lot.

Now I just need to decide if I want a new intake (ASA, PDR, home depot? 0_o), and what to do with the slight negative bend on my front leaf springs (probably looking at having them re-arched/Bilstein 5100s).


And how to fix my odometer.

And...Nevermind

 

[Philip]

The negative arch on the front springs is normal. Dodge made them flat when new. With age you see the negative arch. going cheap and trying to rearch doesn't work very good. The times I have seen members do that. They start looking for new springs not to long afterwards. They just sag back out. Alcan/Deaver/ rough country/ skyjacker all make replacement springs for our truck. Do this type of repair one time. Its not something you need to practice on. :-laf


The ODO problem is the plastic drive gears are broken inside the speedo head. Those items you can buy. Taking the speedo head apart isn't to hard. Just every thing is small. If you have big hands like mine. Those small parts are a pain.


Welcome to the website.

 

[Redrover]

Philip: Thanks for the heads up. What spring do you prefer? I want to do it right (hence the 5100's), I'm not a huge skyjacker fan, but I do want to pick that front end up a bit. Suspension seems to be like beer...everyone likes different stuff. As for the ODO, I've got some decent sized mitts, so this should be fun.

 

[Philip]

I have skyjacker myself. Fronts only. They ride good. There is side roll from them. You will need a front sway bar. You see the side roll pretty bad if you towing on a road with uneven surface. There is also some issues with skyjacker not sending the correct front spring eye bushings/bolts. Dodge changed the front spring eye size in 92 from what I can gather. The older trucks used 1/2" front spring eye bolts. The last two years went to 5/8" spring eye bolts. Skyjacker has known this for a couple of decades. You tell them a 92/93 model you most likely will get 1/2" hardware. Even if you tell them 5/8"s. When you call customer dumbies (Its not worth calling it support). All they are going to tell you is to remove the steel sleeve from the bushing and buy 5/8" bolts. If you think of going skyjacker order from the factory only. Tell them you will refuse shipment if 1/2 spring eye bushings are sent. Then open the box before the shipper leaves.

I'll let other members talk about the springs of their choice. I haven't delt with the other brands. Yet

 

[Redrover]

I had read about the skyjacker eye bushings. That's the main reason I wasn't going with them...that and they seem to be the Doritos of the lift market (pay for the package). Plenty of guys seem to like em though, I could be (frequently am!) Wrong hehe.

 

[DVolk]

Warning the front seal is not easy to put in with out getting caulkied and it goes in dry .

 

[Redrover]

Alright thanks Dvolk. Good to know. Guess the next thing I'm on to research is this so called "power screw"...almost seems too good to be true!

 

[Philip]

If you don't have a pryo and a boost gage. Go easy on that power screw. Melted pistons are not fun or cheap eather.

On that front seal. Look where it is mounted at. Do not install the seal to the same depth. Put it into a different spot. You don't want the seal on the same place. It could leak from the worn spot. Installing the seal. Set it straight on the front cover. Grab a hammer, a piece of 4x4 and drive it in.

 

[Redrover]

Very helpful. I'll be copy/pasting all this info onto a word document before I tear into the truck if you guys don't mind. Little easier to read (compared to a smartphone) while your hands are covered in grease.

Fuel pin 90 degree turn...power/fuel/smoke screw...yikes. this is some interesting stuff.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Philip: Thanks for the heads up. What spring do you prefer? I want to do it right (hence the 5100's), I'm not a huge skyjacker fan, but I do want to pick that front end up a bit. Suspension seems to be like beer...everyone likes different stuff. As for the ODO, I've got some decent sized mitts, so this should be fun.

ASA intake - Well worth it yes.

Springs: If you want good quality springs, Alcan. Info about half way down this thread on what mine look like: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...WARNING-LOTS-of-Pics!!?highlight=alcan+spring


Shocks: 5100s are great but a bit stiff no trailer!

Speedo: Contact Mystery Man here. He rebuilds them and doesn't charge an arm and a leg (Was like $50) and you don't have to worry about breaking tiny little plastic parts.

Robert

 

[Redrover]

Thanks for the information. I just installed 5100s on the front of my truck on Saturday (as well as a boost gauge and a 90* turn on the fuel pin), and I'm 90% sure they brought my front end up an inch or so. As for springs, Id already decided on Alcan based on your (and several other) reviews on them. I figure I can get a 2" lift just by replacing the springs with decent ones (mine are flat, rusty and have a nice little groove worn in em). Gonna need new bolts and shackles while I'm at it.