First impressions

[Gomez]

Picked up my "new to me" truck on friday. Oo. ('93 250 4X4 3. 54 completely stock) I worked it plenty hard this weekend. It pulled pretty good, but I think I'm used to the power of my 2000 3500 with the edge comp. I had my foot to the floor trying to make the hills at at least 50 mph, pulling about 6 tons of hay on a gooseneck trailer. I'll be ordering boost and egt gauges tomorrow to get a baseline and start "bombing":-laf I'm shooting for at least 300 hp. Can this be achieved with the stock turbo? What is a good injector for towing? I live in North N. M. /So Co. so it is uphill both ways. I'm concerned about high egt temps. I want to keep this truck for a long time.



As far as the driving impressions, I loved the tank like feel of the ride, it reminded me of a '70's model ford 4X4. It swallowed up pavement and rutted dirt road with ease. Loved the low end grunt of the cummins in 4 lo, made it easy to manuever while turning and backing. I have no complaints for now, this is a solid truck for the money I spent. (I should have bought one a long time ago).



Fuel mileage was not what I expected, about 14. 5 mpg. Is this what I should expect while towing? I have not run this truck empty, probably never will, but what mpg can I expect?

 

[MMeier]

14. 5 pulling 12k sounds darn good for your neck of the woods. Look into Red Oak diesel for injectors, have a set in my '93 and like them very much. Don't smoke that bad. I also just put on a Super B turbo on mine and a full 4 " exhaust with a see through muffy. 300 HP at the wheels may be a bit touchy to acheive and still be able to pull 12k in your thin air, but 250-275 shold be real easy. I take you know how to turn up the pump and such? Oh yeah , post a pic or two of your beast !!

 

[Gomez]

Yes, I know about the free power of turning up the pump. I'll be happy with 275 hp as long as the torque comes on real low. I live at 5300 ft elevation and regularly tow over 10,500 ft. So I know that mileage and egt. will be affected. I'm looking for a combination that will allow my truck to last a long time and pull with the newer trucks.



I loved the tank like ride, it reminded me of a '70's model Ford 4X4. It ate up pavement and rutted dirt road with no problems. Liked the low end grunt in 4 lo while turning and backing. I should have bought one a long time ago.



MMier, how do you like your PJ GN trailer? I had one and when loaded heavy, it would rub the tires against the floorboards.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, 14. 5 mpg pulling that load is pretty good. That will go down the more fuel you give it. At that altitude I would figure 11 is going to be the max and still roll along. Power takes fuel and that will drop the mileage.



Injectors will help a lot, a fuel pin will get more fuel, and you will need a better turbo without doubt. The 300 HP is relatively easy to achieve and still be driveable. Just nee to apply all the things we learved on the 2nd and 3rd gen trucks and the 1st gens will perform quite well.

 

[GHarman]

Gomez, Dont forget the KDP fix, if it hasnt been done already. I have a 91. 5, "Old Ugly"! If you are going to really go after the mods, take the time to inspect your cam and lobes. We found (a Cummins Mechanic) a chip out of one cam lobe during a routine pan gasket replacement. It would be well worth your time to keep from putting alot of outside muscle and $$$$ on an engine that could have a bad heart. Make sure the Heart is strong, first! GregH

 

[MMeier]

Yes, I know about the free power of turning up the pump. I'll be happy with 275 hp as long as the torque comes on real low. I live at 5300 ft elevation and regularly tow over 10,500 ft. So I know that mileage and egt. will be affected. I'm looking for a combination that will allow my truck to last a long time and pull with the newer trucks.



I loved the tank like ride, it reminded me of a '70's model Ford 4X4. It ate up pavement and rutted dirt road with no problems. Liked the low end grunt in 4 lo while turning and backing. I should have bought one a long time ago.



MMier, how do you like your PJ GN trailer? I had one and when loaded heavy, it would rub the tires against the floorboards.

I liked it very much, hauled everything from 48' hi cube containers and tanks, to oil field equipment and the like. Sold it back about 4 months ago, went and took on a full time gig with the county, fuel, insurance went up... rates went down, was time to get the heck out! IF I get back into it again, will definitely consider another.