Newbie w/ some newbie Q's.

[J.Post]

I just recently purchased a 2001. 5 2500 SB 4x4 w/ an auto and 42,000 miles. It came w/ a 4" exhuast, and EGT, Boost, and transmission temp guages on the A pillar. It also has some sort of aftermarket stabilizer on the steering box and swaybar. What is it? I installed a K&N FIPK.

I also ordered an Edge Comp box recently but I'm a bit worried about the auto transmission. How will it hold up? I talked w/ ATS and they say anything over stock power will kill the auto. Is this true?

I've also read something about tapping something when installing the comp box. What does this mean?

I've been reading about issues w/ the lift pump and then the VP44 going. Can anyone eleborate on that?

The truck was appareantly used to pull a drag car trailer at the bumper and they seemed to have set it up pretty well. What else should I look for? How can you tell if the transmission was upgraded?

That's all the questions I have for now. Thanks for any input.



Btw. This is what I bought it to pull.



Jeff.

 

[Partyat33]

The aftermarket bracket on the steering box is probably one of Daren's stablizers. Good product.



As far as the auto transmission goes, be very very careful, sometimes you get lucky sometimes you don't. Tapping the pump wire 'may void your warranty' depends on who you ask. The VP 44's have failed but some have done very well, seems the earlier versions are more prone to failure.



Hope this helps a little, there is a wealth of information on this site, you can spend days and days reading and learning.





Dennis

 

[Joe G.]

Check the torque convertor for a drain plug. If there is one it ain't stock. If there is a drain plug and it's blue it may be a DTT TC. Other vendors use different colors.

 

[cumminspwr01]

You should put a fuel pressure gauge in as soon as possible. Especially before the comp box goes in. IMHO

 

[dpuckett]

there is a wealth of information on this site, you can spend days and days reading and learning.

I'll second that.



I'll also agree with the fuel pressure gauge idea. Good insurance, IMO, not that I've had much 24V experience. The VP44 injection pump is cooled by the fuel, and if the lift pump starves it of fuel, it can burn up. SOme have gone 500K; others fail at 30K. Just depends on the luck of the draw.



Daniel

 

[Horsepuller]

I just purchased a 2002 this month. I was worried about the lift pump and the VP44 too. I plan on installing a fuel pressure gauge as a precaution. But if you notice, most of the LP issues were with older models, like between '98-00. There was even a service bulliten for older models manufactured between these dates, it is here somewhere on this website if you want to look. Evenetually I will install a FASS or AirDog fuel system to avoid this problem and the worries associated with it. But I don't think it is a widespread problem.

 

[BillZ]

Auto After Engine Upgrade

You mentioned:



"I also ordered an Edge Comp box recently but I'm a bit worried about the auto transmission. How will it hold up? I talked w/ ATS and they say anything over stock power will kill the auto. Is this true?"



Not sure if anyone addressed that but I will share my experience. I did a minimal upgrade to my '96 Dodge (the TST #6 plate) and it did help my problem but it did contribute towards the eventual failure of my torque converter and OD clutches. So, from my experience what ATS said is true.



I think you're smart to have a transmission temp gauge. IF (I probably should say when) the transmission does fail - my suggestion is to look into changing over to a manual transmission. I looked at DTT and ATS and picked ATS. But it ain't cheap - I paid close to $6,000 at ATS in Denver. Since the install, I've had one complete failure of my first Triple-Loc converter and several smaller problems. So, nothing is perfect. Yes, ATS is standing behind their product and work. But gosh I think I should have looked into a manual transmission conversion before I spent my dough on a transmission replacement.



My experience with the ATS transmission might not be typical. But the transmission shifts EXTREMELY hard going into lockup and into OD. It's so hard it almost throws out my neck and you can hear the drive line banging from the shift. The Commander Box is of questionable value if you don't have an exhaust brake. My Commander Box was poorly installed (loose wiring connections) and even today we still have weird things happen with it. For example, last week the "lockup light" on the Command did not come on when it shifted into lockup.



Good luck - I hope this helps.



Bill