Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gonna Keep The Old Girl... Mods for Longevity?

[BradyJ]

The old girl just turned over 100k... I've debated for a long time whether or not I was going to trade her in, but I've decided to keep her for another 100k (or two!). That mileage is just too good to pass along to someone else!



Most of my mods are shown in my sig... What I'm interested in are your thoughts on appropriate mods/upgrades with an eye toward reliability.



Currently on the list: Uprated brakes, some front end work, magHitec pans and diff covers, maybe some suspension upgrades... Anything else I should be thinking about?



Thx!

Brady

 

[rweis]

Have you replaced a VP44 yet? That should be on the list if not.



Now the following is my soap box, so take it with a grain of salt.



ALL AN-6 fuel lines (to AND from the VP44), Fuel coolers, VP44 blower, I see you have a RASP - did you plumb the return line back to the tank vent line?, cannister?



The VP44 is the weakest link I think, but the newer remans seem to be very good, and I think if you keep them cool and fed they will run really well. Longer than 100k @, not sure yet, but definite maybe.



Oh a Vulcan Draw Straw should be on the list too.



Now that you have it properly fed, anything else you want to do is fine.



Bob Weis

 

[GBrock]

Have you replaced a VP44 yet? That should be on the list if not.



Now the following is my soap box, so take it with a grain of salt.



ALL AN-6 fuel lines (to AND from the VP44), Fuel coolers, VP44 blower, I see you have a RASP - did you plumb the return line back to the tank vent line?, cannister?



The VP44 is the weakest link I think, but the newer remans seem to be very good, and I think if you keep them cool and fed they will run really well. Longer than 100k @, not sure yet, but definite maybe.



Oh a Vulcan Draw Straw should be on the list too.



Now that you have it properly fed, anything else you want to do is fine.



Bob Weis

Wait, are you telling me the VP-44 won't last past 100k? I have 154,000 on my truck and fuel pr still shows 12 PSI.



Just when I think I know these trucks I read that I still have a lot to learn. How much is one of these "newer reman" VP-44s?



Thus far I have replaced:

1) Water pump

2) Clutch

3) Power steering pump

4) Vaccum pump

5) Heater Core

6) Brakes... pkg brake twice

7) Track bar



All done in the last 20,000 miles... hardly a reliable truck if you ask me.

 

[Cummins724]

Wait, are you telling me the VP-44 won't last past 100k? I have 154,000 on my truck and fuel pr still shows 12 PSI.



Just when I think I know these trucks I read that I still have a lot to learn. How much is one of these "newer reman" VP-44s?

No... some vp44 pumps have lasted 200k or more. If the fuel flow is there... . you may see a long life, but may not. It's kinda the luck of the draw type of thing.

 

[16919]

Wait, are you telling me the VP-44 won't last past 100k? I have 154,000 on my truck and fuel pr still shows 12 PSI.



Just when I think I know these trucks I read that I still have a lot to learn. How much is one of these "newer reman" VP-44s?



Thus far I have replaced:

1) Water pump

2) Clutch

3) Power steering pump

4) Vaccum pump

5) Heater Core

6) Brakes... pkg brake twice

7) Track bar



All done in the last 20,000 miles... hardly a reliable truck if you ask me.

You don't think that over half of that might be attributed to running 39. 5 inch tall tires? Your truck is far from stock... . IMHO. Thats what makes it yours though, to each his own.

 

[ACoyle]

Moved to 24V Engine & Trans, as the subject matter seems more appropriate to that forum.



AC

 

[McLaughlin]

The old girl just turned over 100k... I've debated for a long time whether or not I was going to trade her in, but I've decided to keep her for another 100k (or two!). That mileage is just too good to pass along to someone else!



Most of my mods are shown in my sig... What I'm interested in are your thoughts on appropriate mods/upgrades with an eye toward reliability.



Currently on the list: Uprated brakes, some front end work, magHitec pans and diff covers, maybe some suspension upgrades... Anything else I should be thinking about?



Thx!

Brady

A lot of folks would suggest at least a fuel pressure gauge. Typically if the lift pump fails the injection pump fails soon after. If you keep good fuel pressure to the injection pump though it is less likely to fail. Unless you have a problem with the injection pump, I wouldn't just go and replace it.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Blacksheep has 510,000 mi with half of it pulling campers all across this great country of ours.

Just change the oil every 10,000 with Fleetguard filters and watch the fuel pressure gauge.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[BradyJ]

My lift pump and VP were swapped out under warranty at 69k. I intend to add a FP gauge (can't have too many of those), but I know the VP is getting plenty of fuel... when I unplug the return line from the RASP, I can shoot diesel about 20 feet across the driveway at 1500 rpm. There's enough fuel returning to the tank that I can't fill the truck up when it's idling...

 

[cdoolan]

Wait, are you telling me the VP-44 won't last past 100k? I have 154,000 on my truck and fuel pr still shows 12 PSI.



Just when I think I know these trucks I read that I still have a lot to learn. How much is one of these "newer reman" VP-44s?



Thus far I have replaced:

1) Water pump

2) Clutch

3) Power steering pump

4) Vaccum pump

5) Heater Core

6) Brakes... pkg brake twice

7) Track bar



All done in the last 20,000 miles... hardly a reliable truck if you ask me.

Did you replace the PS pump yourself? I believe that the pump is bad it has been cold here and the pump has been whiney. I went to start it the other day and no PS no brakes. Eventually is started working but would whine and also whined when I stepped on the brakes. Im hoping its not the vacuum pump too. What was your experience?



Chris

 

[SHobbs]

Coming up on 190,000 and so far all is well, gonna keep mine for a while longer. So far 1 L. P, 1 MAP sensor, 1 water pump, 1 APPS and 1 VP44. Front end was rebuilt in Nov. 06. Oil, filter as well as fuel filter changed every 6k. It has been said here before that regular maintanance is the key to longevity.