1991 W-250 and new to the forum

[dshockley]

Hello guys.



Last weekend I finally bought my first diesel. My dad and I had been looking for an old body style ram for about a year for him to use around the farm. Last week we found two within an hour and with less than 50,000 miles. Dad bought the first one, and I couldn't pass up the second. Mine is a 1991 W-250 Diesel-Auto. I have kept up with most things cummins sine 1994, but know little about the changes made before then so I have a few questions.



* Other than lacking the late 91 introduction of the intercooler, what other short comings may this truck have compared to its peers?



* Was the "killer pin" an issue on this early truck and if so, who can tell me the best way to fix it?



* And finally, if I gave you $2500 and told you that I wanted a very drivable, reliable diesel truck with a little added punch and as long as I was satisfied you could keep the left over what would you do? I have been looking at the Banks Stinger plus to add the intercooler and have read a little about adding a 16" turbo. What do you guys think?



Thanks for your replies in advance,

Dan

 

[dshockley]

Picture of the new truck

With just over 49,000 miles, this truck is immaculate!!

 

[AlK]

Dan,

Congratulations on your truck, that is one fine looking first gen.



It is possible that the kdp can be problem on the first gen trucks. I have not done anything on mine and I have owned it since 1992. However, one of these days I will tackle the job, it does not appear to be to difficult. Take a look at the following post, one of the guys has done the fix.

http://dieselram.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=next_topic;f=4;t=000143;go=older



With $2,500 you can really make this truck rock.

I have no personal experience with the Banks, so I am not in a position to comment, although, I have read in posts, that you can get a lot more for your buck by not going with Banks.



I have spent approx. $850 on the following modifications to my truck

1) Pyro & Boost Gauges

2) switched from the 21cm2 turbo housing to a 16cm2

3) Bosch Injectors (PowerWagons)

4) advanced the injection pump timing to 1. 4

5) increase the max rpm setting to 2900

with the following results:

Stock:

Max HP 157. 1 @ 2480 rpm

Max torque 362. 6 @ 2000 rpm

After Modifications:

Max HP 220. 2 @ 2780 rpm

Max torque 478. 9 @ 1880 rpm



If you want more power out of your truck the gauges are a must. In your case being an automatic you may even want to consider a gauge for the transmission.

It is my understanding that for the non-intercooled trucks like yours you are better off getting Lucas (POD's or Prince of Darkness injectors. ) as the PowerWagons will not do much for your truck.

As far as the turbo housings go you can go to the 12, 14 or 16 depending on your usage. For towing the 16 is the better choice.



After the above changes you may want to open up the exhaust by going to a larger exhaust system, flow through muffler or no muffler. The stock exhaust is very restrictive over the rear axle and around the transfer case. In addition an air filter that flows more air will also help.



For good expert advice and parts I would recommend Piers Harry at Piers Diesel Research Inc.

http://www.piersdiesel.com/

Good luck,

Al

 

[paccool]

Al has pretty much covered things. I would put the BHAF and larger exhaust right toward the top of things to do. Gotta have those gauges before bombing very much.



Oh yea, NICE TRUCK!! and welcome to the site. Lots of help here, don't be afraid to ask. Also do a search for some of the things you are considering.

 

[JFitzgerald]

Welcome, I'm in IL too. Sweet looking truck! AlK and paccool have already listed the mods. One of the great features of the first gens is that a lot of the mods are free. The pump can be tweaked without having to pay someone or buying an electronic box. You should be able to keep most of that $2500 and still end up with a strong-running truck.



Pump adjustment info

 

[dshockley]

Thanks, Banks, and Trans

Well, the main reason that I had zeroed in on the Stinger plus was because it includes an intercooler. Is there another source (other than the junk yard) for an intercooler? This is the first mod that I would like to make. Does any body have any experience with Banks?



What about transmission mods? I have not seen much information about them, their stock strength or their modification potential.



I appreciate the comments on my truck and the information that you all have provided. I can already tell that this will be a valuable asset.



Dan

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Welcome to the TDR and the Diesel experience. You will find a lot of good advice and great people to go along with that advice. As far as added "punch" goes I would add the intercooler whether it be Banks or junk yard. I would be careful about purchases in your region due to salt used in the winter. as faar as upgrares go I would take the route suggested by Alk.

1 Guages

2 Intercooler

3 Let her breath air in and air out. I personally have used K&N plus swiss cheese air box and 3. 5 inch exhaust.

4 14cm2 or 16cm2 turbo

5 PW injectors.

6 Pump timing & tweaking.



Once again welcome and good luck.

Happy trails

Bob

 

[dshockley]

Bob,



What was your experience with Banks? I saw that in your signature line, you had added the Banks power pack.



Thanks for your reply,



Dan

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Hi Dan

My experience with Banks was positive. When I first installed the Power Pack I discussed replacing my inter-cooler with a Banks inter-cooler since theirs flowed better - they told me mine was fine but I might want to consider theirs if I towed heavily in the mountains. I do tow in the mountains with the stock inter-cooler and my CTD loves altitude. Now all that is left of the Banks Powerpack is the K&N, the tail pipe over the rear diff and the 14cm2 turbo. The seat of the pants feel with Banks was very noticeable but I doubt the HP claims by Banks.



I would strongly consider Banks inter-cooler but everything else can be found and or done quite a bit cheaper. There are excellent sources for info, parts and advice or this forum so don't be afraid to ask.



Happy trails

Bob

 

[rwinslow]

Very nice looking rig. The previous posts have had great information and advice -wanted to add an additonal $. 02 worth from my own early 91 experience:

1) Install the new thermostat and verify that the coolant and radiator looks in good shape - these units were a little weak in the radiator cooling capacity and the newer version thermostat does a much better job of evenly controlling temperature on my rig.

2) If 4WD, check the front axle universal joints - the factory ones were not greasable and they will do some funny stuff to your steering when they start to fail. NAPA sells greasable front axle U-joints.

3) Consider a Borgeson steering shaft modification if not already performed.

4) Verify that your differential(s) and transfer case (if you have one) vent lines are not plugged by a collection of dust / mud, etc. (This seems to be a bit of a problem with my 91, even after routing the vent hoses to different locations, utilizing synthetic gear lubes, etc. - it may be something that is unique to my driving conditions and the area that I live in. )

 

[Tim1]

dowell pin

dan, very nice truck. I did the dowell pin on my 92 to ease my mind. The pin was only out about maybe 1\8" and may have never moved more. It moved back in with a tap of the hammer and the tab is a bit different than the later models as ours has a small bend in it. Its it not a bad job to change it. My engine has 110,000 miles on it. The thing that surprised me was that the bolts that hold the inner housing on were a bit more than finger tight, so I blue locktighted all of them including tab bolt. I've read on her of one fella having a problem on a first gen truck which prompted me to do mine. For the money, guages and the POD injectors may be a good choice as well as the 16 turbine housing. Hope this helps and good luck and welcome. Tim

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Dan, I take it you have a "early 91" which is a non intercooled truck, which is what I have. 1st point of interest is that most likely you have a 9mm injector head (91. 5 and up 12Vs have 7mm) so when you get some PODs you will need the adapters(PODS kick butt ) Down side of the 9mm head is the they have been know to crack at the injectors. Up side of the early 91s is they have higher compression than the 91. 5s. What I did to bomb my truck is

1st get a good set of gauges,(stay away from banks, their gauges suck).

2nd get a K & N air filter or BHAF .

3rd get a 4" exhaust system (there is a recent post on this).

4th get a Banks intercooler, The intercoolers are great, but a bit pricey.

5th get a 16cm turbo if you are just towing and daily driving or a 14cm if you want to drag race (see Piers)

6th get a set of Prince Of Darkness (lucus injectors) from Piers .

7th adjust valves, set pump timing & tweak it to control smoke

8th after blowing up your transmission, get a bombed automatic.



Welcome and remember,

CAUTION,BOMBING IS CONTAGIOUS AND UNCONTROLABLE

Kyle