New Owner--Few Problems; fuel leak, no speedo, loose steering

[FSecosky]

Okay, so I am just getting into this truck. It is a '93 2wd 5sp, with unknown miles, somwhere over 123k, the last record was 3-4 years ago at 123k. Here are some problems I am encountering so far, I have searched the forum for some answers, but now I am just seeing if you guys can point me to the MOST helpful pages and suggest what you would do in my situation here.



1) Throttle Bracket on side of Engine Leaking: Where the throttle shaft attaches to the engine, fuel is dripping down the bracket when the truck is running. I have read some things about R&R of the pump--should I remove the pump to do this repair, what should I replace while I am doing this, what should I order, and where are the best instructions? I have just ordered a factory service manual... ALSO, what special tools do I really need?



2) The Odo/Speedo/Cruise does not work: I have read that this could be something to do with the VSS on the side of the transmission?



3) There is a LOT of play in the steering: The previous owner included in the sale a used 'steering gear' (?), it attaches at the bottom of the steering shaft. I am wary of spending the time to put this used unit on and not fixing the problem well. I was thinking of putting in the Borgstrum Shaft, and I even saw some aftermarket Gear to attach at the bottom of the shaft--all in all spending about $500 to fix this--but it should be tight for the life of the truck then?



4) Headlights: is there somewhere that sells upgraded headlights to replace those sealed beam lights with real bulbed units?



5) Best Exhaust system? Mine ends before the rear axle right now... might as well replace it all!



Any and all help/direction here is greatly appreciated! The first on my agenda is that speedo/odo/cruise situation...



Thanks!

Forrest Secosky

Raleigh, NC

'93 D250 5sp... . so far stock... but once all the maint issues are taken care of... it won't be long 'til------

'87 SpecE30 Racecar (the reason for the need of this diesel)

'03 Jetta tdi

 

[TKingsbury]

Hello there, and welcome.

3) You need to find out what in your steering is loose before you can fix it. Have a helper move the wheel back and forth a few inches while you look at all of the tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm, and steering shaft. If one of them is bad, you should see movement when it changes direction. My truck has a Borgeson shaft, and it is much tighter than the steering of a nearly identical truck that I drive from time to time.

4) If you want a headlight with a replaceable bulb, go to a Hella or equivalent. If you just want better light, I put Sylvania Siver Star lights in mine and like them alot. The light is very white compared to standard halogens.

That is all I have to offer, I'm sure someone else will chime in on the rest.

Travis. .

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Use some caution when upgrading your headlights... . the headlight switch will only take so much then it'll give you trouble. If in doubt, use a relay to upgrade into higher wattage lights.



The fuel leak you mention is a bit confusing... if the leak is in fact the throttle shaft, that is, the shaft that is mounted on the pump and controlled by the throttle linkage then you've just got a worn bushing and/or throttle shaft.

You can order the pump top fully rebuilt, with upgraded bushing and new shaft complete... . you just drop it in and go...



The most common item that would cause your speedo/odo etc issue is the VSS.

Look real close at the wiring/plug & socket... . also follow the wiring back to see if you have any sign of rubbing/wearing thru. If not you may need a new VSS.

Next, check the connection on the crank sensor. It has a wire leading down the front of the engine, behind the serpentine belt right up against the engine... you'll see the wire leading downward and the connector will be just above and to the right of the alternator pulley... check that connection to.



pb.....

 

[ARhine]

my favorite headlamp after trying lots of them is a plain old Wagner Halogen. They are cheap and have a much nicer beam than most of the fancy aftermarket ones I have tried.

I had the Hella conversion units in a Jeep Cherokee (takes the same headlight as these trucks) and hated them. The beam was poorly focused and had a dead spot right in your field of view. The wagners are much better. I know that Carquest carries the wagner ones locally anyway.

 

[tugboatphil]

Ditto Travis on the Silver Star headlights. I switched to them about 2 years ago. I got them at Wally World and they are still burning. Much better light for my quickly failing eyesight.

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Howdy Forest;

I have 93 D250 2WD with 360 transmission too.

I had the speedo sensing problem too. The problem was the yoke nut would not stay on and the sensor was not get the signal it needed. If the yoke nut is loose I reccomend dimpling the back of the nut with a hamer and punch to lock it down at the specified torque and then as a back up us a little locktight on the thread. If the yoke nut is not the problem, check the connector from the sensor and wiring up to the computer and cab. Occasionally I have heard the sensor is defective.



Regarding the steering slop, go with the Borgeson steering shaft. Much better and easy to install.



Regarding the headlights, I bought a set of diamond cut headlights off Ebay for $25 that use 135 W H4 lamps. They actually work really good.



The 4" exhaust I got from bully dog was pretty much a bolt up system. Once you install it take it to a local shop to weld up a few hangers though. You will know where to put them once you get into it. I ended up actually buying a cheap 70A arc welder ($100) to do the job. Handy tool to have around and used it for many other small jobs too! A good free flowing Exhaust made a significant difference and nice sound too! Get ready to rummmmmmble!

If, you do the exhaust you might as well do the air filter as well. Get a good one (NOT K&N, it works but does not filter very well, my turbo is still scored from that, and I'm looking at a new turbo soon... . Hello PDR!).

Good luck

Pete

 

[FSecosky]

Thanks for the exhaust info there. I do have a small 110V MIG welder that maybe I could use to fabricate some hangers. I saw those headlights on ebay and was wondering about them myself... I have not checked out the ones at Wal-Mart yet, I will see what those Sylvania's look like before I order the Ebay ones.



So, if my pump is leaking at the throttle shaft area (I have been reading more and more posts, and figure now I might be able to remove that myself now, my main concern was the timing thing, but it seems if you lock down the pump with the little screw and set the engine/pump at 12 o'clock or some other reference point, and maybe score the pump to gear cover to reference it when putting it back on... then maybe rotate it a bit... heh) Maybe I should just remove it and take it somewhere to have that new bushing, shaft, Gov Spring, seals, etc etc replaced... and maybe even tuned up a bit. How much am I looking at to get all this done once I remove it? GREENLEAF I have seen that you say you have some experience with this and rebuild them for people sometimes, what am I looking at as far as cost and turnaround time??