Newbies Guide to Excellence

[millco]

Welcome to you both! Now, let's see what we can do:

Originally Posted by siliconemaker

A newbie here, I've read alot of posts and am confused about all the talk about lift pumps, the need for fuel pressure guages and certain year models that are more prone to failure.
Would it be safe to say that no matter what year I purchase I should install a fuel pressure guage and consider getting an after market lift pump? How hard are they to install?

I would say yes to all the gauges! It is great to be able to know what is going on in there. If you have the gauges you don't need to worry about your lift pump very much until it proves to not be working correctly.
As far as how hard they are to install, that may be personal perspective. They will take several hours to install for most of us and do involve wiring, drilling for mounting and connecting fuel lines. If you can do a tune up on a gasser, a brake job, and like to do maintenance along those lines; you should have not too much trouble installing your own lift pump.

Originally Posted by JAKE98DODGE

im a newbee that just bought a diesel guzzling 12v. thought it was the tranny but it still works. had a well respected tranny shop check it out and they turned up the line pressure to make it hold better. i get 10mpg town 12mpg highway. its got a 4" exhaust air raid intake and filter a 100hp plate and doesnt smoke a bit. please help, i cant afford to drive my truck

Sorry to hear about your new truck. Finally, I get better mileage than someone! Seriously, I feel your pain. Make sure you check / change all your filters. Let us know what you find.
Around town you need to pedel her easy. The only thing that will hurt your mileage on the hwy (after you take off lightly!) is speed. How fast are you traveling? To make the best mileage you need to keep your rpm at 1,900 or under.......

__________________
06 3500 4x4 SLT 48RE Mega sized, Plus 2 micron fuel filter, Twin Frantz oil filters, Rokk CPS, BHAF, ARE shell, Well, it's up to 14+ MPG and of course there's a list of wants!
73 1210 2x4 Int'l - patiently waiting to become a Cummins! 76 Scout - looking for a 4BT!

[Patriotswilllose]

Hi All,
I'm new to this site and new to owning a diesel. Just bought a '96 2500 auto with 136k on it. Since I have not owned a diesel before, I'm wondering what maintenace I should do right away. Planning on changing oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and maybe air filter (doesn't say it needs it yet).
Anything else I should do immediately?

Also, I've read in a couple of places that the automatic transmission is not the sturdiest, anything I can do to minimize my chances of needing a new transmission down the road? Or is it just a case of whenever my time is up the transmission goes.

Thanks in advance, love this forum, so much info!

__________________
'96 2500 Auto, 2wd,club cab

[gooddodgetimes]

Hello need advice on 91 5.9. Quit running without notice. Have fuel to lift pump.
Will run for short time on starting fluid. Could this be fuel solenoid or something
else. Miss my truck.

[bubba5]

I have a pressure guage. Is there anyway to test the inj. pump?

[Crash14445]

I have a 2007 6.7 liter megacab that I just installed the juice with attitude into and am loving it. My question is what should the egt normally be. Just driving around town it jumps up to 900-1000 range, that seems way too hot for a five minute drive. Also the regen is a pain in the butt as it seems to regen all the time, is it okay to shut the truck off while in regen mode or should I wait till it's cycle is done

[Loco Offroad]

So, hi everyone! Not new to the diesel thing, just finally own my own. I have been a tech for many years at a few offroad shops etc and have done a tone of cool things to diesel trucks [sdhqoffroad.com for example]. I just bought the truck in my signature and I always like to read up on the vehicles I own and learn as much as I can. Ive noticed on these boards theres a TON of great info and a lotta knowledgeable members. The one thing I havent been able to find is a faq section. I have questions like what transmissions came in what trucks, what rear ends came in what trucks, which trucks got which gear ratios, etc etc etc. I expected there to be a page with info such as thins and I havent been able to find it. Can somebody please point me in the right direction, here or elsewhere? Thanks!

__________________
2000 2500 4x4 auto extended cab short bed. Edge EZ, 315x70x17s on 3rd gen steel wheels, and a very wet breather bottle.
Locooffroad.com

[dougs4x4]

Hey all I need to get advice on what mods to add to a 24v 1998.5, I am adding a new exhaust and am thinking 4" stainless-which brand or type works best? Also keeping in mind this truck is mainly for pulling my travel trailer, which mods should I go with (tuners/chips/programers) or other options, I like power, but I do not wanna be on the side of the rode broke down or burnt up. Thanks in advance for the help.

__________________
1998.5 2500 SLT quad Cab 4x4
24v 5.9 Stock (for now) 197,000 miles

[brf84500]

Hey guys, Im an automotive student and Im fairly familiar with rebuilding gas engines but I would like to try my hand at rebuilding a diesel. Could someone tell me the major differences in rebuilding a diesel? Is it common practice to replace cylinder sleeves as opposed to boring the cylinders as in gas engines? Do these even have sleeved cylinders or are they integrated into the block? Im probably thinking 5.9 cummins. Do diesel rebulds usually include new pistons?
How about heads? are valve guides and seats basically the same? Thanks, Brian

[bugsbunny549]

I bought a 2001 cummins about a month ago...
when I bought it the EGT sensor was working just fine
but suddenly it stopped working. We've re-wired it, and everything is hooked up....
any suggestions on why it suddenly stopped working?

[brez]

I have a 2000 dodge with a faulty fuel gauge sending unit . Anyone know where to get one reasonbly priced.

[envytruck]

Ok. I installed the fuel pressure gauge to monitor my fuel pressure. 99, 2500,24 vlve, turbo. Dead peddle more frequent.
no load cruising speed. 8 pounds
passing acceleration drops to 4 or 5 pounds
coasting 13 pounds
normal acceleration 8 pounds
idles at 13
floor it drops to zero.
Dead pedal occurs without in any acceleration range with no change in pressure. Seems random.
What next?

[millco]

Sorry to have missed you all for so long!
Sure is good to have you all here! Welcome!

I'll take the excuse of being a little busy lately... But here goes to answering your questions:

Originally Posted by Patriotswilllose

Hi All,
I'm new to this site and new to owning a diesel. Just bought a '96 2500 auto with 136k on it. Since I have not owned a diesel before, I'm wondering what maintenace I should do right away. Planning on changing oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and maybe air filter (doesn't say it needs it yet).
Anything else I should do immediately?

Also, I've read in a couple of places that the automatic transmission is not the sturdiest, anything I can do to minimize my chances of needing a new transmission down the road? Or is it just a case of whenever my time is up the transmission goes.

Thanks in advance, love this forum, so much info!

You list the basic maint needed! Just check her over real well to find what else is needed. Have you considered getting the Killer Dowel Pin done? Can you ask the previous owner if it was already done?
As far as the trans, don't abuse it. Change the fluid and filter with quality as needed and if you want: look into some upgrade parts for it. It really isn't a weak trans at all. They take a lot of abuse before giving up.