Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New to diesel world and looking for advise.

[CVanco]

I am new to the TDR club and Diesel truck world. I have owned my 99' 2500 quad cab automatic for only two weeks and love the diesel so far. My plans are pulling a 30' camper that I purchased last fall. So my truck is a daily driver and I want to pull the 8000lbs camper this summer. What are some of the best mods I can do to increase my performance for pulling and help out my fuel mileage. The truck is stock right now, but I will have 4" exhaust put on this weekend. I plan on having valve body work on transmission soon and an Edge juice w monitor installed. Is the j-hook that I read about any count? I understand it increases boost, but will it help or hurt mileage? Does anyone know how I can get specs for a 99 dodge 24v. such as turbo type, fuel tank size, and all that good to know but really useless information? Looking forward to a meet and greet sometime in the Lancaster/Columbus Oh area.

 

[EBung]

Your truck has a elbow on the turbo and shouldn't need a j-hook. I would make sure you have a way to control convertor lock-up whether it be a switch or a controller.

 

[DCreed]

Ebungs right, add to that you should... kill the KDP, address the lift pump, get some injectors(RV275ish), inspect/clean radiator and IC, check the brake line over the rear axle for rust. Also a BHAF. and remove the check valve in the auto trans cooling line, an aftermarket transcooler and deep pan. Genos sells the shop manuals.

 

[KevinSmith]

Check for 53 block, Kdp, prev synthenic oil use, fuel pressure gauge, etc



I basically have the same truck and I have put on:



fuel pressure gauge @ $100, special-x injection pump $1900, holley lift pump $160, muffler cut out, Holset hx35 turbo $300(used off of an H. O. truck), Bd +40hp injectors $100(slightly used from a friend that was upgrading again), Bung & transmission temp gauge $100, Pyrometer $150, K&N filter (would recommend AEM Bruteforce instead), Changed to synthetic oil @ 100K.



My last trip to Reno I averaged 75-80mph and 21. 3mpg hand calc. I tow 35' office trailers in the summer with an e-z lift hitch and all I watch is the transmission temp, pyro, fuel pressure gauges. I've never had an issue with needing more power. When I travel in Ore at 65 my mileage in about 24mpg. Remember you don't need more power, you need more efficiancy. Air - if it cant breath it uses more fuel. Ergo I put on filter and increase the turbo slightly (HY30 was stock). Then for better exhalation and to assist the larger turbo I cut out the muffler. Better fuel pressure was accomplished with slightly larger injectors and a better injector pump (the original one was damaged because the prev owner didn't have a fuel pressure gauge and the lift pump was bad). The pyro keeps me from melting my turbo while towing, fuel pressure gauge warns me of a B. O. lift pump, and transmission temp gauge lets me know if my mods are hurting the truck more than helping me. The only chip I might put on the truck is a Mileage Max type because I really don't need all the power I have.

 

[Joe Mc]

CVanco - How many miles on the 99? I ask cause my (also all stock - at the time except for the first things added were tri-pod on A piller gauges: Fuel psi, Trans Temp, combo Boost/Pyro and a Mag Hytech DD pan- I purchased truck with 75k miles) the trans started to go out around 139k. Was shifting a bit odd, so I dropped the pan to R&R filter & fluid and it showed black debris in the bottom pan, after R&R fluid & filter, adjust the bands (per Dodge 2500 & 3500 Shop Manual almost the best $$$ spent) I drove it for a week and dropped the pan to look at it, just as much black debris. So I had it DDT'ed, and after a few thousand miles I added injectors and a Edge Comp. They were OK for a while, then I "needed MORE" which ended up being a HTT Quick Diesel 64/14 turbo, Mach 5 sticks and a Glacier Diesel Products Walbro LP, GFS-392, big lines, draw straw, and spin on fuel filter. Whole different animal - 20# fuel pressure at any throttle position and any Edge Copm setting, and the power is great - although a little more would always be better - "Scat, darn BOMB bugs!" suckers keep trying to bite me when I ain't looking. Just remember, stock lift pumps are sure VP killers, stock auto is the weak link - so get you some gauges, better LP, then the trans and . . . BOMBS awayyyyyy!!!!! Enjoy your truck, what color is it?

 

[CVanco]

95,000 miles so far

Joe Mc, I bought the truck two weeks ago with 93,000 miles on it. I figured I couldn't go wrong there! IT has NO rust under the doors or rockers. Under the truck looks spotless. I am new here to the diesel trucks so I am still learning all the lingo, like DDT's and KDP. Not sure what all that stuff means. My truck is white with a cow pusher on the front(full brush guard), which is coming off and being sold. I also have a white fiberglass topper that I am thinking about selling and getting a tonnue cover. Maybe I should post these items in classified. Anyways, I still havent checked my fuel mileage.

EBung, I have friend with 24v 02' model diesel and has j-hook, Is mine different that his? Does anyone know what turbo I have its stock (99 Dodge 2500 24v turbo diesel auto)?

 

[DCreed]

you have an HX35 turbo. To help us this forum has a search feature. You'll find it near the top of the page in the tool bar. click on search and follow promts, should help. Welcome to TDR!

 

[KevinSmith]

There is a silver tag riveted to the turbo houseing that will tell you for sure what you have. It is only about 3/4x 1" and the print is fairly small. A small wire brush will clean it up and a flash light/inspection mirror should allow you to read what it says.

 

[CVanco]

OK Thanks Guys! I was installing my 4" exhaust yesterday and was looking for a stamp on the turbo, didn't notice a tag, but I will look again. Now that I know its on a tag and not stamped in the cast of the metal! Thanks again!

 

[DGerth]

Rule #1: Gauges

Rule #2 Gauges

If in doubt, Refer to rule #1!

FUEL PRESSURE, Then the rest of the stuff.

dg

 

[Joe Mc]

Cvanco - sounds like a good find. Good luck with it - and like DGerth said rules # 1 & 2 are an absolute MUST. First thing I did when I got mine bone stock w/75k on it, 3 LPs later I was happy I didn't loose a VP, knock on wood still on the stock VP, comp box wire has been tapped since install (go big or stay at home - I've always been told and if it's going to break might as well have fun doing it) it's pushing 525 hp and a wee bit of fuel on the stock original VP (did I knock on wood yet, yep 3 times so I should be good???) anyway have fun and get yourself some gauges. . . .

 

[CVanco]

gauges?

Well guys, my plan is to get a set of gauges and a perfomance module or whatever you call it. SO my use of the truck is daily driver plus haul a 30' camper (8000lbs. full). I want to keep the best fuel mileage as possible so if an upgrade gives more performance but lesss mileage I dont want it. not sure thats going to happen.

So my question would be what is your guys opinion on a computer module, remmeber the only thing I have so far is 4" exhaust.

My first thought is Edge juice with attitude monitor so that cures the gauge issue AND I get a module. Is this what I really want? Is there other modules on the market and buy the gauges seperate?

 

[DCreed]

I couldn't say enough about the Quadzilla Adrenaline as it is all most 2nd gen owners are looking for and then some. Mileage/power/guages/options/protection and an actively on going program of factory support. I only wish it had been available long ago. The juice is by no means a bad choice but I think the Quad will go down as the "must have" VP44 box.
P. S. No, I dont work for or make a dime from sales of this product, but for the money it is hands down the best box going IMHO.

 

[CVanco]

DCreed, Thanks for the input. I only have a few questions. You say "must have VP44 box. Is that something I have to purchase with the quadzilla adrenaline? VP means vaccuum pump right? Told you I was new to the diesel truck. Hey also what is IMHO?

 

[DCreed]

Sorry, got caught up in the lingo! A VP44 is the injection pump in the trucks from 98. 5 to 02 and is used as a classification by members here. IMHO means: In My Humble Opinion. Most posts here pointed to a fuel guage first because that is the #1 problem on these trucks, fuel pressure/supply to the injection pump. The originals were known to fail at stock power levels and thus many aftermarket fixes are now available. I run a FASS 150 and many folks like the Airdog,Glacier,ect. You need to maintain NO LESS than 5psi to the injection pump inlet and 12-15psi is comfortable. Feel free to browse the FAQ. at the top of this forum, lots of good info!! Hope this helps!