Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) P Pump the 24 valve?

[rekabeka]

I have a 2000 Ram and am going on the third, yes, the third VP44 pump! Anybody know a good shop to do a "P" pump conversion on a 24 valve. Couldn't be any more expensive than 2 or 3 VP units. Also should be more reliable. Any thoughts? I know Shied and others sell kits for this project.

Dave at -- email address removed --

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Lawrence at DD and I have experience with the issues caused by this conversion. Leaky lines, computer unhappiness, etc. Overall, if I had one, I would rather carry a spare lift pump and VP44. Problems usually come, these days, from lift pump problems, poor quality VP44 rebuilding, bad fuel/filtration.

 

[rekabeka]

I guess it all depends on just who does the conversion, the fellow who has never done one or a shop that does them every day or every week? From what I can read and determine, the P7100 and the 24 valve Cummins are the best of both worlds. I'm just looking for better reliability. When the VP44 fails (and all 3 have been electrical, not a lift pump problem), it is almost instant, at least in my cases, and the thought of carrying around a $1200.00 spare and having to change it out in the middle of nowhere doesn't make good sense. I might be better off to find a really low mileage or remanufactured 12 valve and sell the 24 valve minus the transmission and transfer case. At 160k I shouldn't be replacing injector pumps!

 

[cerberusiam]

More likely it depends on who is building the VP-44's, or, problems with the truck electrical system. Sourcing a quality rebuild may solve all your problems.

 

[JR]

The problem is likely where your buying them from, more often than not the "bargain" VP's at $800-900 have a used FPCM on them. As long as it passes the bench test your getting someone elses unit with unknown miles/hours. It is paramount you buy a pump with new electronics.
Most of the issues that plagued the early VP44 have long been solved. Better materials/soldering in the FPCM, upgraded steel bushing/housing, its just a matter of figuring out who builds them right. Much cheaper and easier than doing a P Pump swap.

 

[Road Dog]

I went with a Bosch remanufactured pump which is better than the original. Sure it was $1,800 but I expect to to outlast me.

 

[rekabeka]

All the VP44 pumps have come straight from the Dodge dealership and installed by that same dealership. Where do they source their pumps? Don't they come right from a Dodge parts warehouse?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Try bluechipdiesel.com

 

[gtwitch]

Ditto BlueChip

gtwitch in wyoming

 

[SAndreasen]

All the VP44 pumps have come straight from the Dodge dealership and installed by that same dealership. Where do they source their pumps? Don't they come right from a Dodge parts warehouse?

Most likely they get em from The cheapest place they can nothing against dodge parts but that's what most oems do

 

[cerberusiam]

All the VP44 pumps have come straight from the Dodge dealership and installed by that same dealership. Where do they source their pumps? Don't they come right from a Dodge parts warehouse?

That would be the greatest chance of why you have had so many failures. Cheapest source and supplier on anything that old since the pump is no longer built.

 

[monkeyman]

P pumping my 24 valve was the best thing I ever did! by putting a check valve in fuel line so fuel cant go backwards I don't even touch pedal to start, I blocked off check engine light so no issues
not hard to do if you get right parts, billet timing cover I think is a must, get your P pump benched first, if your injectors are old they will work for a while, don't use stainless fuel injector lines, get adjustable timing gear for pump. If you have an automatic get the bracket from crazy carl that lets you use your present throttle and cruise cables TPS and Bell crank to work just like you had VP.
A Cummins engineer once told me the VP was never designed for such a large engine
Rick