Recent Content by petersonj

I can't help with a shop, but I would look for a drivetrain / differential repair shop - not a general repair shop that does drivetrain / differential work. You want a professional. - John

Yup. My original OEM steering box was 4 1/4 turns stop to stop (October, 2001 build). My brother-in-law's '02 (May, 2002 build) was a faster ratio - just over 3 turns stop to stop. Might have been in preparation for the next generation truck. My current steering gear box (a new Borgeson...

Are you referring to this on the same MSRP sheet? Both places show the 6.7 I6 Cummins HO Turbo Diesel Engine. Doesn't make sense to me. Almost sounds like a person could pay twice for the diesel. - John

@JeepBuilder , good job doing doing a thorough flush of the fuel system using the lift pump. A few years ago, a friend of mine who owns a truck repair shop in Colorado, had a customer who experienced an identical situation ending up with a fuel tank full of gasoline in a VP44 truck. I drained...

Thanks for the correction. - John

I would try again in 4wd low range and select 2nd gear manually. The converter should lock up and stay locked up. If it does, your issue is resolved. You may even be able to use 3rd gear manually. - John

What temperature is "sky rockets"? - John

And you WILL keep us posted on how that trucks performs, right!? New truck owners have certain obligations, you know. - John

That would be the SCOT seal (self contained oil transfer). Fancy name for a self contained seal, but a good concept. The inside of the seal is static and latches onto the axle tube. The outside of the seal is also static and latches onto the hub. Sounds like everything went well. - John

I personally like a bigger margin of safety when it comes to towing on long downgrades - especially when towing at maximum weights or slightly higher, as in the OP's case. Also, kudos to the OP for knowing his rig and asking for advice regarding doing something that he has never experienced...

Please let us know which type of seal you get. I know that some day I will have to replace mine. - John

That depends on which kind of seal it is. Us old guys are used to always lubricating the lip of the seal where all of the action is, but things have changed some over the years. There are three types of seals out there that I am aware of. * The old fashion simple seal - the outer edge is a...

Traveling via Lusk, Wyoming through Casper and then down to Rifle, Colorado will definitely keep you out of the high mountain passes. That would be a good route for you. Less traffic as well. - John

You sound like you have a good idea of what you are getting into. You understand the shortcomings of a stock 48RE transmission for heavy towing in the mountains. Personally, I would not tow what you are going to tow in the mountains. There will be no margin of safety with your rig for the...

The photo below shows a close-up view of the "rag joint" reference on an OEM style steering shaft. It refers to the flexible part of the joint that dampens impulses to the steering wheel. If the flexible part is worn out, sounds or clunks could be transferred to the steering wheel. You...