I have a 83 MB 300SD with 50K on WVO and am "thinking truck" ... older trucks ... because they're easier to work on. I'm thinking "Cummins" for the in-line six. I figure if I can find the lift pump, then I can shoot everything in from there. That's how it works on the MB, anyway.

I've never played with the Dodge's before but I found this picture. Don't know the year but am encouraged that it's an electrical pump because it's easier to turn on and off if I want to use a separate lift pump. It looks like the thing is right around the fender well by the steering column, close to the engine, less purge time. At least that's the theory.



Can anyone tell me what year(s) this truck might be?
Are lift pumps on other years similarly electric and similarly situated?
Would anyone like to share pics of their system so I can see where to start on the Dodges?

I'm also thinking a 1985 Chevy 6.2L. Any Dodge people are welcome to opine on the benefits of the Cummins.

Appreciate any help.

Mike Goodman
High Point, NC

I didn't see the pic when I inserted. Any ideas what went wrong? Also, the pic was too big and my photo-editor is messing up.

Here's the pic's. URL:

http://media.photobucket.com/i...abop/blue-filter.jpg

Mike Goodman
High Point, NC

The older Dodges (<98.5) are all mechanical lift pumps and IPs. 94-98.5 are the best years. Go here to see pics of how I did mine:
http://www.burnveg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28
The dodge will give you more power and torque and last far longer than a Chevy. And the IP is much stronger to handle VO better. The IP is a bosch inline which is very similar to your mercedes.

Great post, great pics off the other forum. You mentioned 94-98.5 ... this vehicle has a system already. Care to offer an opinion?

I think the guy just went up from $4500 in tha past 2 months (which doesn't make sense). He never responded to my inquiries, then, and Id driven the MB to Iowa (you should have seen the cubies stacked in the car) and could have run by and towed the MB home.

Seems like a long way to go for a vehicle, but if the system is complete, then I can modify it as you indicated. Or would you go for $4000 and start from scratch?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...t=387&standard=false

Mike Goodman
High Point, NC

Meaning $4000 on another vehicle and start from scratch.

Mike Goodman
High Point, NC

quote:

Originally posted by SWMSGoodman:
Or would you go for $4000 and start from scratch?

From the link, I can't tell if the system on it is any good. Most likely it needs completely redone, which could be more work than starting from scratch. Whether the truck is worth the price depends totally on condition which I can't evaluate from pictures alone.

Interesting that it looks like the VO tank is an aquarium? Glass could be fragile and bad. (I haven't seen any plastic tanks that clear.)

Yeah ... I thought the fish tank was weird. But these trucks are going for about $6K if they're any good, right?

Mike Goodman
High Point, NC

http://media.photobucket.com/i...abop/blue-filter.jpg

SunWizard, get your point, but if this is not the typical lift pump, what's it off of?

Mike Goodman
High Point, NC

just saw the post..
that's a holley blue fuel pump..definitely after market.
the factory pump is hard to see on the engine..find the fuel filter housing on the engine..the pump is below and to rear of the truck..atleast that's where it is on my '99..

if you're going to run vegie..I agree with the other poster..94-98.5 with a 'P' pump for an injector pump. some people remove the VP44 in the 98.5-02 models and replace it with a 'P' pump. not easy but possible. personally I like the later model quad cab. this is the one with 4 doors. the rear door open in a suicide fashion( pivot in in the rear).

-dkenny

ps its the after market pump I currently have on my truck..in the next couple of weeks I'll be replace the VP44 with another one and going to an Air Dog setup

SunWizard, I found this truck:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...jsp?car_id=265053521

I'd asked:
Is this one of the early 98's, the one with 175 HP or 215 HP?

He sent additional pics which show nameplate as the 180 HP 5.9L, not the larger engine. Does this mean it fits into the 94-98.5 years you mentioned?

He writes.
"This has a 6 cylinder 12 valve Cummins Diesel ... The reason this truck for sale is we purchased an 2001 Dodge Cummins Long Bed with 4 wheel drive.

I believe the farm to have worked a farm. From the looks of it, not a bad thing. I like farmers. In fact, he's a poultry farmer, like my in-laws. That's probably a good sign. Anyone that has a website like this http://www.cooperfarms.com/ should have taken care of the vehicle.

Updated profile name from SWMSGoodman to MikeGoodman59

quote:

Originally posted by SWMSGoodman:
http://media.photobucket.com/i...abop/blue-filter.jpg

SunWizard, get your point, but if this is not the typical lift pump, what's it off of?

Thats probably a replacement pump on a 99-2003 model which has an electric lift pump that often fails taking out the expensive IP with it.

quote:

Originally posted by SWMSGoodman:
He writes.
"This has a 6 cylinder 12 valve Cummins Diesel

Thats what you want, its <98.5

quote:

Originally posted by SWMSGoodman:
Yeah ... I thought the fish tank was weird. But these trucks are going for about $6K if they're any good, right?

Totally depends on condition and miles. A 2wd model usually goes for much less than a 4wd. I just helped a friend find a nice 4wd one for $5000.

quote:

Totally depends on condition and miles. A 2wd model usually goes for much less than a 4wd. I just helped a friend find a nice 4wd one for $5000.

Sunwizard: What was the year of the 4WD? $7K sounds too much. Says he's turned down friends for $6K+ (Would you?) I'm not a good read on these kinds of things, maybe you can "read minds?"

This one has 140K miles. Three owners. The first one towed a trailer Michigan to Arizona. Fifth wheel removed.

Second owner had it a short while and supposedly altered a cam(?) in the IP to get greater power (as if 180 HP isn't enough). Do you know anything about that?

This guy got it for his kid but that he undid what was done to the IP. Can that be done without having compromised the IP? After 34K miles the kid wants a 4WD. Sound fishy?

Says he had tranny serviced but can't recall - didn't offer detailed records. Also, this guy says it has "one drip" after it shuts down. His mechanic says no big deal. Owner claims he would have fixed it "if ..."

Agreed to meet me in Dayton, have the thing looked at. Says the AC doesn't blow "ice cold" in the heat. Don't know about that. Said he'd go half on any brakes needed.

Kind of talking myself out of it; sounds like I could find something closer to home. Any thoughts?

Oh, where do you physically tie into the fuel system? I'm guessing it's just shy of the lift pump. My original post was about that. Is it accessed under the hood or under the truck? Any pics on that? Appreciate all the help.

quote:

Originally posted by SWMSGoodman:

quote:

Totally depends on condition and miles. A 2wd model usually goes for much less than a 4wd. I just helped a friend find a nice 4wd one for $5000.

Sunwizard: What was the year of the 4WD?

It was a 96.

quote:

$7K sounds too much.

I agree.

quote:

Second owner had it a short while and supposedly altered a cam(?) in the IP to get greater power (as if 180 HP isn't enough). Do you know anything about that?

Yes it was probably a plate that gives more fuel at lower RPMs.

quote:

This guy got it for his kid but that he undid what was done to the IP. Can that be done without having compromised the IP?

Yes.

quote:

After 34K miles the kid wants a 4WD. Sound fishy?

Not surprising, a 4wd is far better, I wouldn't ever get one without it unless you never touch dirt.

quote:

Agreed to meet me in Dayton, have the thing looked at. Says the AC doesn't blow "ice cold" in the heat. Don't know about that. Said he'd go half on any brakes needed.

Kind of talking myself out of it; sounds like I could find something closer to home. Any thoughts?

I agree, they are easy to find, I see 3-5 per week for sale within 100 miles of me, and all of them seem better deals than that one.

quote:

Originally posted by SWMSGoodman:
Oh, where do you physically tie into the fuel system? I'm guessing it's just shy of the lift pump. My original post was about that. Is it accessed under the hood or under the truck? Any pics on that?

No pics since you can't even see most of the places. D2 supply and return is under the truck, on the frame rail near where I put my valves. You tie into many places, before and after the lift pump, and just before the IP, and the IP and injector returns. See the diagram in my truck thread, then locate the lines and cut wherever you like for the places shown.

Thanks, Sun Wizard ... say, (and I understand this goes out to others) if you can't get a Dodge (and they're not all that popular down here), then how about a really solidly maintained 1989 4WD F250. Probably 190K.

The good: No computers. No rust, new IP, new (and tight) clutch and friction plate, recently replaced brakes all around. $2500 but will try to get to $2250.

Drives out really solidly at highway, turns tight, no drips in 20 minutes of sitting and watching. not quite "disposable" but more truck than the price suggests. I just wonder if it's as good a candidate as the Cummins, probably not, but the IP is right there. And the lift pump is under the passenger's side bottom. Haven't scoped out the returns and all that, but they've done bunches of these.

The bad: AC compressor needs replacement but I have a shop in mind and winter's coming on. Driver's side seat a little ripped, but I have a shop. Paint needs work, one fender pulled slightly, but I work with a high school that does body for paint+20%. I sense "good things" from the current driver.

[Lost out on a Ranger with Mazda ... shoot! I know ... apples and oranges.]

SunWizard - hope I didn't put you off with the F-250 comment.
What do you think of the 1992 shown here:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/1346696517.html