Mod list??

[bkokotovic]

Does anyone have, or is willing to put up somewhere a list of modifications that a newbie should make to their truck?



I'm talking about two different categories:

1- basic drivability. Things like a low restriction air filter... anything relatively basic to increase drivability and longevity.

2- Performance mods. Things like aftermarket bolt-ons (injectors, modding the pump... ).



Just a thought. It's difficult to jump right into modifications right away without knowing where to start.



Thanks for the help.

 

[Dkevdog]

You first need to let us know what year and engine you have. Do you tow or haul heavy? Boy you are gonna get TON of opinions here, every one of 'em will be different. First thing I would do is get a good set of guages. That isn't something we argue about here. Gotta know what's going on in that power plant! Beyond that... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .



Kev

 

[Case500D]

Welcome!

Welcome to TDR,



You are sure to get all kinds of ideas about truck modifications. If your truck is an '89-'91. 5 then it will be handled a little bit different than if it was an intercooled '91. 5-'93. I would start out with some type of less restictive air filter such as a K&N. Before doing much else, I would add boost and pyrometer guages (transmission temp is good with and auto too). With those two guages you can better tell what is going inside your Cummins and keep it from melting down a piston. Depending what year again, a new exhaust housing for the turbo is a good idea. My turbo has a 21 cn housing and I have a 16 cm housing in inventory to put on it. Check out Dave Fritz's website http://www.dodgeram.org/ to identify your turbo. If you have a non-intercooled truck an intercooler would be a good add on. Injectors and pump timing will also give you a nice improvement. Generally, I think an improved timing of 1. 35mm to 1. 5mm is best. What type of transmission do you have and do you tow much with your truck? I am sure other guys will jump in here, but I hope I gave you an idea of what to start with. Good Luck!



Jeremy

 

[bkokotovic]

1990

The truck I bought last month is a 1990 regular cab 250 with the 5-speed manual. It is not intercooled.



As it turns out, this truck has become my daily transportation (wife killed the other car). I have some background in turbochargers (used to race all-wheel-drive talons).



The truck sees primarily highway driving. The plan is to build up the truck to last as long as possible. I will be towing a single car trailer, but not much. I would also like to take the truck off-road eventually. This would constitute some type of suspension lift and new tires.



Tha gauges are definitely a great start, though. Keep the ideas rollin'.



Just wait until the wife sees the list of planned mods. She's gonna a) love it b) kick me out to the garage. What do you think?



Does anyone have a website that has a list of mods? If not, I'll try to get one together with the list I'll compile from you guys. I also intend to get a page to show my truck in it's current state, and progress.

 

[JLEONARD]

Yes, welcome. I am a new member as well, and have owned my early 91 for about 6 months.

All I have done so far is K & N filter replacement. It does make a difference. Gauges are next as everyone suggests, but I will follow this thread to see what the experienced ones say.

I use mine as a daily driver, can't beat the 24 mpg I get. I don't tow, and when I haul it's usually not heavy stuff.

I am interested in mods that will not seriously affect mileage, so I don't want to go too crazy.

So thanks in advance to all.

 

[paccool]

Look at the signatures. You can get a pretty good idea as to what has been done to the trucks.



Rule of thumb as to what gets done first - probably the things that are free or cheap;

Turn the pump up

Air cleaner

gauges



THEN---

injectors!!!!



There are lots of other things I'm sure you will want to do, depends on how the truck is presently set up.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I started "BOMB"ing within 10,000 miles of it's purchase - I bought it new. I agree with guages as a first step. After that here is what I did. I let it breath K&N air filter, 14cm turbo and 3. 5 in Banks exhaust. At 70,000 I had the Power Shop install a set of BD "Power injectors" - now we can feel and see real power gains. A local muffler shop cleaned up the exhaust between the down pipe and the tail pipe (still 3. 5 in). Last spring Wentland Diesel installed a new performance pump, 60lb exhaust springs, a BD exhaust brake and improved exhaust flow by turning the 2 90s into 2 45s on the down pipe.

I am happy with what I've got and how the truck runs especially when I tow but will continue to look for other improvements.

Happy Trails

Bob

 

[Matt S]

In case you haven't already heard this

Don't buy the Power Wagon injectors for you truck. They are smaller than you current ones. There are differences in intercooled and non-intercooled 1st Gens. If you are looking for some real power, you will need to get an intercooler. It isn't necessarily your first purchase but it is necessary for more serious fueling. I would also recommend a set of guages before you play with the fuel as little adjustments mean a big difference in heat without an intercooler.

 

[CToney]

Since you have an early truck without an intercooler, a 21. 5 cm housing, and with larger injectors the easiest thing to do is to make some pump adjustments as the pumps are not maxed out yet. Check this out on the TST website under VE pump adjustments. Your injectors should be alright as long as your truck doesn't have over 100000 miles or more. It might not be a bad idea to get them pop tested for preassure and spray pattern if the truck has closer to 200000 mi on it for sure. Improving airflow helps. A alot of guys either straight pipe or put on a free flowing muffler or a mandrel bent exhaust system. A K&N air filter works along with a few holes in the airbox. To really optimize your power you could go to a 16cm or other smaller housing and add an intercooler as well as a later style radiator. Timing is important as being set more advanced than stock will show improvements. Also use good quality oil and filters. I run synthetic in everthing except the engine in the summer. I also use nothing but fleetguard filters, both fuel and oil. I find the price is the best and so is the quality. Even the latest filter to fit the 24v works on our trucks and filters the best LF 3959.

Hope this helped and good luck. and ps most performance mods help milage so you can tell the little lady you're being economical.



CR Toney

 

[BigFun]

Welcome New Friend!



Yep, you'll get tons of free advice here. Most are worth reading! You've found the right place for the right truck.



Follow this link to a list of mods and the order to be performed: http://www.dieselram.com/reviews/properorder.htm. It's a Good Read. For yourself, get a factory manual and become familiar with it, Real Familiar. Best reading for your truck you'll ever do. Make it required reading.



Start slow. It get's your wallet used to the new cash flow. Pretty soon you'll be BOMBed like the rest of us.



Enjoy your new truck and all the joy that comes with being a MEMBER of the TDR: one of the greatest organizations around!



BF

 

[AlK]

Here is a list of the stock turbo housings that the first gen trucks came with:



89-91. 5 had 18. 5 housings WH1 turbo

91. 5-92 had 21 housings WH1 turbo

93 went back to the 18. 5 WH1 turbo

 

[bkokotovic]

Lookin' forward to a long life

Great ideas fellas'. Just what I was looking for. I want this truck to last a very long time, so I will be conservative (at first). What I have found out so far is that the previous owner installed a 3. 5" exhaust. The pipe stops about mid-way back on the frame. That's the extent of the exhaust. Other then that, nothing else.



I want to maintain the manual transmisssion. Any suggestions on clutches?



Thanks for all of the ideas.

B

 

[Matt S]

I've heard some great things from South Bend Clutch but I don't have a problem with my stock clutch with 130,000 miles. Our clutch is pretty stout in stock form.