New guy

[WhiteS]

Hello all…

I have been lurking around this forum for the last few weeks in an attempt to educate myself on my “new to me” 93 350 xcab 4x4. I purchased it in California, drove it to Texas and it currently has 227000 miles on it.

The previous owners did some up grades and they listed as follows.

1. fuel pump replaced and prime handle set at halfway

2. Turbo waste gate set at max boost (?)

3. Air filter box Swiss cheesed w/ K&N

4. Injector pump modified and turned up for more fuel and pressure(his words)

5. 235 hp injectors

6. Trans. Rebuilt 4/05 has rv torque converter, shift fit, 3 coolers, and Heavy duty flex plate.

7. Leaf springs added and re-arched 2” rear, 4” front. Front shock mounts lowered.

8. 4 core radiator.

9. Gauges, pyro, rpm, temp

Other various repairs have been made recently to the vehicle, common stuff.



Although, I don’t have any comparison, I believe the trans. downshifts too soon. As soon as I release the gas pedal a little it down shifts.

The throttle valve cable adjustment does not seem to help. The steering is looser than I like. I have bought a Borgeson shaft and was wondering if I should replace the steering box while I am at it. It runs like a “scalded ape” but the previous owner suggested that I remove the water separator because it leaks air and causes rough idle and power loss. It does not idle rough and I have no comparison on power. It blows no significant smoke, which I prefer. Any idea how to confirm some of the items listed above? Any ideas on the shifting issue?



So far all I have learned has been from you folks, but I have to say it is a lot of info to take in at once. Thank god it is not a newer model. All in all, it’s a great truck. But, I wish it were a four door and more after market parts were still available. I appreciate all the help so far and am looking forward to perusing this forum. I will have pictures as soon as I have the running boards installed and, uh…. wash it.

Thanks again

SWhite

sTw

 

[dpuckett]

Welcome to the TDR

PSC makes a stering box upgrade for our trucks- GREAT improvement over stock, even a stock reman.



235hp injectors- makes me a little leery, never heard of them, but hey, who knows.



Where is the pyrometer probe located? If not already there, put it in the manifold, a litlte rearward of center (See TST's site- they have good instructions.



Your turbo doesnt have a wastegate in stock form. Not to say it hasnt been upgraded.....



Keep an eye on that K&N- sometimes in fine dust/ offroad/ agricultural environments, they have been known not to filter as well as I'd like.



The downshifting sounds like a TPS issue. Lots of threads on that.



I wouldnt worry about the water seperator. I have heard of that in the 6. 9 Fords, but never a Dodge CTD. If it idles ok, runs well, and you can live with it, that's all that matters.



WElcome to the TDR. Best $35 you'll ever spend.



Daniel

 

[JLEONARD]

Welcome aboard the luney bin.

 fuel pump replaced and prime handle set at halfway

What does this mean? Someone please splain it to me.



Yes the TPS needs to be adjusted. I've done a few 2nd gens by following the proceedure in the book. It always works.

Oh... you DO have a manual don't you? If not get one.

I never heard of the seperator causing a problem... assuming it's installed correctly.

Have fun.

 

[1stgen4evr]

The fwd imposes a greater load on the steering box and there are plenty of post on that (broken frame/bracket) (death wobble) but you may only have a problem with the "pot joint" at the end of the steering shaft as it goes into the steering box. The Borgsen shaft will eliminate that prob. However the parts to replace the innards of the pot joint are cheap. Have someone turn the steering wheel (a little left and right) with the engine off. Note the amount of slack at the pot joint.



As Jay mentions, the TPS probably needs adjusting. They DO get to the point that you have to replace them. But it generally controls the up/down shift. and resetting it usually works.



Welcome to the group.



James

 

[DBF]

Hello all…

6. Trans. Rebuilt 4/05 has rv torque converter, shift fit, 3 coolers, and Heavy duty flex plate.



9. Gauges, pyro, rpm, temp

#6 - should read "shift kit" vice "shift fit". It's a means of controlling the internals of the auto trans so it can use the increased power now coming from the hefty torque converter. Sounds like you have an excellent towing machine.



#9 - I don't see a "Boost" gage. You do need one of these, it's a good tool for watching how the intake side is performing.



Welcome to the mob... . good to have you here.



Regards, DBF

 

[WhiteS]

Thanks all...

My apologies on spelling and trying to describe the truck.



The guages are ISSPRO boost, temperature, and RPM. If they are installed correctly remains to be seen. I will check the placement of the sensor. The steering box bracket has been replaced.

I don't know what the previous owner means by fuel prime set halfway. I thought maybe you guys might shed some light. Is there a way to check what brand and hp my injectors are. Possibly something stamped into side of things. Any reccomendations on manuals, or will Chiltons suffice? What would a turbo with waste gate look like? I will do a search on the TPS. It is driving me crazy at middle range speeds. Thanks for the comments and help. It is very much appreciated.

Steven

 

[TWorline]

Welcome to TDR! My truck had a shift fit too, then I had to replace the transmission.

 

[PToombs]

Welcome to the Club! If your in the east or middle of the country come to SOP in october, we'll overload you with info!

 

[pepecat]

well If I were to guess what fuel prime set halfway means, smoke screw screwed in enough to make the fuel pin stay at least half way down?

 

[Moab4x4]

Chiltons no, Dodge truck manual yes. cost ~ 90 and worth every penny.



Fuel pump prime handle?? Could he be talking about the lift pump on the side of the block. I know the hand priming handle can sit against the block or it can be stuck out halfway where it is easier to grab. But I wouldn't call that a BOMB. He just wouldn't have tucked it back in after priming. ????



OOPS! on second look, the lever tucks up against the pump where you can't see it, Not down on the block.



Downshifting. The throttle body cable will control the traditional 3-2 downshift, but the computer controls the OD on/off. That is the TPS adjustment they are talking about.



Welcome

 

[JLEONARD]

Moab4x4 thanks for that explanation.

I guess mine's at halfway too... actually I never knew that lil sucker could fold up.

 

[WhiteS]

Thanks Moab for your input... but here is a curve ball that may have something to do with it all.

I went to S. Texas this weekend to scatter some lead. On the way down my speedo read 70 mph. Others in my group speedos pegged 63 mph(my tires 235/85, theirs stock). On the way home my speedo 80, my wifes car 70. For every 9 miles driven, 10 miles registered on the odometer.

Any ideas?

Is that truck manual sourced from the dealer?

 

[Moab4x4]

Missing ratio converter?

On the transfer case, where the VSS is screwed on, is there a ratio adapter? Sounds like it went south and PO just took it out of the system. If I remember right, when I did that, my Speedo read fast too. If I remember wrong, the ratio could be the wrong one. Mine needed to be 1. 33:1.

New adapters available at Dealer or speedometer repair shops.

Paychk has a picture of his on this thread:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122225

Mine is a different shape, but same function.

Ken

 

[dpuckett]

Sounds like you need a speedo adaptor. Speedometer Service in Colorado Springs CO can make them for any ratio you need.



If you have a 4x4, your adaptor will be an offset with the VSs facing the same direction as it would coming out of the t-case.



If 4x2, you will have either no adaptor (Mom's auto), or the adaptor will have a 90deg bend for clearance between the transmission and crossmember.



The adaptor ratios will be different for different gearing.



-DP

 

[WhiteS]

What would cause me to need an adapter? The PO had transmission work done... rebuild, shift kit, etc. ) Would a shift kit affect ratios? The truck is a 4x4, with 235/85/16.

 

[RedRamAndy]

Manuals

Hello WhiteS, I'm a new guy too and love it here. My head spins with all the good advice to absorb. I just wish my clock and wallet would let me do all this stuff.

MANUALS: Watch E-bay or buy from a shop. What you want is the Factory Service Manuals. I'm not positive about '93, but bet there will be two books you need. I have an '89 and found the big service manual that cavers all the Ram trucks, and bought a reprint of the Diesel Supplement manual as well there. With shipping, got the both for well under the advertised retail prices. These books have it all and are a very good read. I always look back through TDR before doing anything though, because there's always tips and tricks you'll find helpful.

Glad to have you!