Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need mechanic recommend for VP44 replacement. SE Idaho

[IdahoJim]

Got the new pump installed. (Blue Chip Premium model with the new computer board). Truck runs great. Picked up 1 1/2mpg on the freeway. With the tappet cover install, and cam sensor, the whole job took me 6 hours. Had a few sore muscles this morning, but not bad for a 67 year old guy...LOL. Next up is the seal kit for the vaccuum pump, and a new PS pump. I'll probably replace the drive gear while I'm doing the vaccuum pump. Got 286,379 miles on that original vaccuum pump and power steering pump....amazes me it still works. I think I'm going to do the
transmission this winter, too. Any suggestions in that regard gratefully accepted. transmission still works fine, but I've noticed I'm leaking some fluid....probably at the input shaft. Is it worth just doing a torque converter? Or, should I bite the cash bullet and just replace the whole thing?
I appreciate all the help and suggestions on this job.
Jim

 

[KATOOM]

Glad you got it worked out. The fact that you picked up a couple mpg is an indication that the timing piston/sleeve was worn out and wasnt achieving proper fuel timing. So hopefully you're feeding this new pump with ample fuel pressure and volume so that doesnt happen again. Might want to consider running some 2-stroke or other fuel lubrication in the tank to help this older style fuel system from the newer diesel fuels.

As for the transmission, well thats more up to what you do with your truck and the HP over stock and the weight you tow. You can get away with a lot if you're not asking for a lot from the truck but if you want something rock solid then you may want to explore some custom builds. Other auto transmission guys may have better opinions and suggestions for ya though.....

 

[IdahoJim]

Yup...got 10-15 on the fuel pressure. I would think I must be doing things right on caring for the injector pump, seeing as I got 286,364 miles out of the original...LOL On the transmission...I go lots of places miles off the hiway, but don't tow any really heavy loads anymore, though I used to tow a tractor around before I retired. I'll probably just buy a transmission locally, but wanted a few opinions on the custom units.
Thanks for the input.
Jim

 

[MMatula]

I need to replace my injection pump on my 1999 Dodge with just over 100,000 miles. Where did you purchase your injection pump from?

 

[IdahoJim]

I bought the Premium model from Blue Chip Diesel. They offer 3 different levels of rebuild. The premium is the middle of the 3. Their website is here: https://www.bluechipdiesel.com/index.html

 

[IdahoJim]

Well, I became my own recommended mechanic...LOL. I had a rebuilt transmission installed ,locally. Billet torque converter, and a shift kit included. got the truck back Thursday. On Friday, I pulled
the vaccuum pump, and power steering pump. Put new vanes in the VP, and new seals and o-rings, installed a new Borgesen PS pump while I was in there. I noticed the steering gearbox
was leaking pretty bad at the input shaft, so Saturday I pulled that and put in a reman from Auto Zone (lifetime warranty). Today I installed new injectors. While trying to get the truck started,
the batteries puked, so back to AZ for some new Duralast Golds...the last ones lasted 6 years, but the warranty when I bought them was for 8 , so I get 25% of my original purchase price
back...Cool! Got the new batteries installed tonight, and took the truck for a 10 mile spin....steers like when it was new! There was a lot of play in the old steering box's input shaft bearing. I
should be good to go for a few years. It was a lot of work for a guy 67 years old....especially considering I don't have a hoist.
I bought a new dash top from Genos (mine's all cracked), along with a new heater core and AC evaporator. I'm going to take it to a local body shop to have all that done. I have a nasty 2"
scratch in the passenger door, so I'll get that repaired while it's in there. Also bought a new driver side seat cushion, and seat covers for both sides. All-up I'll have spent about $9-10,000,
but will have a solid reliable truck again.....much better than spending $60,000+ for a new one. I appreciate all the help and suggestions along the way.
Jim

 

[SAndreasen]

Cool I'm sending mine into the body shop to get a new fender and hood and get a new headliner installed also going to order a new set of tow mirrors because mine are shake like crazy cheap eBay pos I'm sure

 

[JR]

Jim, I need to show the wife your post, she gets on my case when I spend a fraction of that on my rig :-laf

Actually I should be good to go for a while. Yesterday I had to make a 600 mile run in my 19 year old truck to recover her 4 year old SUV when something in the AWD system went haywire, making it completely undrivable. Bad thing is this is the 2nd time this has happened, the first time the dealership found a spot in the wiring harness that had rubbed through on a sharp corner of the body....new vehicles are nice but the operating systems can be more of a crutch than anything.

Days like yesterday make me appreciate the simplicity of my truck.