Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Newbie with a few easy questions

[pholt]

I just bought a 2001 2500 4x4 Auto. Beautiful and perfect in every way. I bought the truck because it has never towed anything besides a lawn mower. It has 102k on the clock and could pass for new. It has a banks computer and 4" exhaust. I am going to tow my rock crawler with it and a few of my cars. The most it will ever haul is 10k, most of the time about 5k. The transmission fluid is red as it was new. Is there anything I can do to protect this automatic transmission, since it is the weak link?

What is too much for this truck?

I am currently ordering pyro, boost, and transmission temp gauges.



Thank You



Paul Holt

 

[BillGotthelf]

Put in an egt gauge, fuel pressure gauge and Get a valve body from one of the trans vendors-I would suggest DTT because they seem to have higher line pressures which will help the lockup TC live. If you want to spend the money get an aftermarket TC from DTT-you won't believe the difference.

 

[barbwire]

I like that line you put under your sig

good advise in any crowd!

 

[pholt]

Comments and one more question

Thanks for the help. Why a fuel pressure gauge? Just wondering.



I will probably go ahead and order that valve body.



I have a Winnebago Vectra Pusher with a cummins and I love it, but I have the Allison World Fully electronic transmission in it, boy I wish my truck had it.



I have had them all in my motorhomes, Cummins, Cat, International and even a detriot. The Cat is by far the most powerfull but the Cummins has be the most reliable, though I like Ford I had to buy a Dodge.



Now I bought this truck to do some short term camping, I want this truck to be able to idle, for example overnight do I just need to bump the idle past 1000 and it should be fine? The cummins dealer told me not to let the motor home idle for more than 15 minutes, because the poor fuel combstion and the fact the radiator is SO big in my rig that it can damn near sludge the oil??



Paul

 

[thejeepdude]

fuel pressure gauge - this is the most important gauge you can have on a 24V. This is because the lift pump is prone to failure. While this is a cheap part, when it goes out it will starve your VP44 and coupld potentially cause it to fail, which is NOT cheap! It's basically just good insurance.



extended idling - folks say this is bad, but personally I think if you use the right preventative measures, you'll never have a problem. In extremely cold temperatures I would say it's probably a bad idea, but if it's warm enough to walk around outside without a jacket on, then it's probably warm enough to idle your truck. I've read in more than one place, including Cummins documentation, that indicates 140 degrees as the magic number. I've idled my truck all night long with the A/C on while I was sleeping in the cab more than once with no problem. I've also let it idle for hours while I use the power inverter so the batteries don't go dead. Just make sure if you do let it idle for a long time, you take it for a good drive before you shut 'er down. That will make sure that any sludge that started to build up will be flushed out and not caked onto your valves. If you want to be extra safe or try it in cold temps, get a high-idler. However, I have noticed that engaging the parking brake and putting the transmission in gear while it's idling raises the temps enough for my peace of mind, which stands to reason since it burn nearly twice as much fuel in gear than in neutral/park.

 

[bmoeller]

The lift pumps (supplys fuel to the fuel injection pump) are prone to failure. When that happens the fuel injection pump (VP-44) isn't far behind. The VP-44 is lubed/cooled by fuel only, not oil like the earlier P-7100 pumps.



Nice sig and truck!

 

[JFinke]

Put an exhaust brake on it and turn it on to keep it warm during extended idling periods. Jake

 

[pholt]

Ok, sounds good to me I need a fuel pressure gauge, do they make a 4 pod pillar? for pyro,boost,fuel,trand temp. Or is there another option?

Thanks again for all the help



Paul

 

[willyslover]

remote mount the transmission temp on a steering wheel shroud pod and use a three pillar for the others. . all the engine gauges together

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by pholt

Ok, sounds good to me I need a fuel pressure gauge, do they make a 4 pod pillar? for pyro,boost,fuel,trand temp. Or is there another option?

Thanks again for all the help



Paul

Here's how I did my 4 gauges. I prefer this to the full pillar for visibility reasons. In the pic the dash gauges seem far away, but that's because the pic is taken from outside the door. In reality, I think they are more in line-of-site without being in the way than the pillar gauges are.

 

[fj40dave]

I have a '01... . have been loaded to 17,500 before - pulls/hauls like a mule!

Had the LP fail just after I got the truck.

This list has educated me on the importance of the Fuel Pressur - so this week I'm putting in the FP Gauge!

Auto transmission: Geno's Double Deep Pan keeps my transmission COOL! I do like the idea of the Valve Body upgrade though... . gonna haveta make that happen later this Spring...

Dave

 

[pholt]

ok, last question. How to you know when the lift pump goes south? So I know what to watch for.

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by pholt

ok, last question. How to you know when the lift pump goes south? So I know what to watch for.

Install a fuel pressure gauge. If your lift pump drops below about 6psi at full throttle, you probably have issues. When I installed my gauge it was at about 6psi at idle, and dropped to zero if I gave it more than half throttle. I have no idea how long it ran like that, but I had the lift pump replaced under warranty (at 99. 9K mi) and it's been at 14. 5psi idle, and never drops below 7psi at full throttle. Once I ditch my 275's and put my EDM's in, I'll be adding a pusher or at least relocating the pump closer to the tank.

 

[pholt]

Thanks guys I will be getting a fuel pressure gauge too. This was well worth the $35. 00 to join.



Thanks Again



Paul