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Just give Ryan a call at Blue top he is a stand up guy and will walk you through any questions you have. His business has really taken off and he was able to walk away from his 90k+ a year job a month ago to focus on his business full time now. I will miss working with him, he made the days go by faster, he is a comical character all the time. BTW he actually builds some gears and components for Redhead lol. They work together on some things, they contract out some things to him. He told me a while back he appreciated me throwing his name out there and sending him business. I pass this on to you guys for supporting Blue collar America!!!! He is a one man show, he does it all..........for now. Heck you may wind up with another site sponsor out of the call. He drives a 94 cummins 4x4 dually reg cab 5 speed with a home built dump bed.

They break the OD housing where it bolts to the main case, not back where the transfer case attaches. I see it probably 9 or 10 times a year. Matter of fact, I have one in the shop right now that I suspect of a cracked OD housing. It happens on the 3rd Gens because of the much larger 271 transfer case hanging off of it. It won't happen under normal use, typically, but if you ever lose a u-joint or carrier bearing, it will shake the back of the transfer case hard enough that the OD housing will crack, break, or even break an attaching bolt or two in some cases. I don't bother with that flimsy mount thing that someone came up with. I bought one once, but was quite unimpressed. I sent it back. Good u-joint maintenance is your friend... There are actually 6 studs holding the transfer case to the OD housing, but it won't break there. In fact most 3rd Gens have the transfer case corroded on there so badly, they can be quite difficult to separate. The break point is further forward, where the OD housing bolts to the case.

Told my son he would drive me to the cemetery in the 02 on my last trip. He tells it better be running good or he is going to call ahead and have them dig a bigger hole. Me, just to get the last jab in, it will be running top notch even if it kills me. AAAHHHH HA HAAAAAAA!!!!!

If it wasn't for this site, I probably would of sold the truck by now and not been any better of with other junk out there. I was ready to change the vp 3-4 years ago do to my surge but discovered other issues that contributed to that surge, like ac noise and injectors. Every once in a while I still get that very faint surge but nothing like before. So between all the things I learned here is a big part of the reason I still have my truck. That and it's paid for.

Anybody point me in the direction for a digital manual? Im not used to basing things off of hours, so the concept of what use and abuse is, is new to me. Paid 11400 for it. Or i should say will... guy wouldn't go any lower then that. Has auxiliary hydraulic hookups and mounting brackets for a backhoe attachment. Came with a regular bucket no teeth. Like i said gave me tire chains also. I think he said he had a spare tire but i forgot to ask. I dunno if it has removable skid plates. When i flipped the cab up i wanted to wash it. It wasn't terrible, just not clean. These are all the pics i have for now..

My real estate career is taking off. Decided to get a more appropriate vehicle for driving for real estate sales. I was driving a lot of miles on the diesel truck. So I got a Dodge Magnum R/T 2005. Has the Hemi in it. I'll get a pic up soon. But it's kind of a sleeper rig. 345 hp. Very comfortable. 5 speed automatic transmission. A lot more creature comforts than I am used to. After a week I am really pleased with it. Getting over 20 mpg average combined city/hiway driving. Has that system that cuts down to 4 cylinders when cruising. Still figuring out all the features. Dual exhaust...has a bit of a rumble to it. Wouldn't mind a bit more. ?

Not sure what kind of help this will be but here goes. This I know, you have to get that fuel pressure up if you are going run it that hard. Does your AD not have a pressure regulator on it? My 165 does. The symptoms point to a VP but with no codes for the VP it does raise questions. I just went thru a fairly long bout of APPS codes, dead pedal, and engine surging mostly noticeable at idle but still present at speed and only visible on the scan gauge. Fast forward about 2 years and the issues were still present and on top of that I had started to get MAP codes on top of the APPS codes. I had already put a new Timbo apps and it did not fix anything. So one weekend I decide to put my old MAP sensor in and broke it in the process. So I put the old back in. Since that day I have not had one issue of dead pedal or surging or apps codes. That has been 3 months ago. I was however still getting 236 and 237 codes. I did replace the MAP sensor and now only see an occasional 237 code. I guess where I am going with this is the issue might be in the wiring. I am pretty well convinced mine is. I do not have a clue how this is all related other than the MAP APPS ECT IAT and oil pressure switch share the same ground. One bad sensor on the ground can make other stuff act up. Sorry for the ramble but hope it helps some anyhow. Others here are much more versed in the electrical things than I so lets see what they have to say. AC noise can and will contribute to this also as mentioned above.

We'll be done learning when we're dead

You were in the average ball park price range for that machine since he threw in a set of tire chains for the hours. That model is about the most common one around, they are everywhere and were built for a long time so parts are easily available. Another thing that could be leaking behind the wheels are the chain case access covers. One needs to check and adjust the chain tension every so often as well. Wouldn't hurt to check it when you get a chance also a good time to check the oil in the chain cases too, this is one area that is vastly overlooked on these machines.

From what I can tell the bad diaphragm causes hard starts and erratic idle. We run a lot of wmo on the old diesel junkers. Works fine in older mechanical fuel delivery engines and heui but the vp44 doesn't like it and after a while exhibits the hard start and erratic idle symptoms. I think it may be due to the wmo being too thick. We usually try to dilute it but sometimes not enough I guess. Still learning how to make the wmo work. The money we've saved on fuel is a lot though. Totally justifies the problems that comes with it. I put a 375 gallon tank in the back of my 99 24v, filled it up from a waste oil source without even filtering it and made a 4k mile round trip to the east coast and back from here to NM about 3 years ago. Didn't take enough fuel filters with me so paying $30 at the auto parts stores along the way was a little more painful than the $9 price we pay here on our fleet account but otherwise the trip was very low budget. I have since added a couple more large spin on filters down on the frame before the factory filter and pump and another electric pump to help push through them. The spin ons are even cheaper at about $3 each. As far as the head gasket jobs go, it varies depending on how far the customer wants to go. Most of the guys around here want to chance just replacing the gasket without sending the head out to a machine shop unless they've overheated it or other problems become evident during the head gasket job. Mostly farm trucks or guys on low budgets. About $300 in parts and about $900 labor. The price can change a lot if the customer wants to do more but we aren't aware of any failures on the ones we've done so far.

Here's an operators / maintenance manual for an 853. Should be very similar. I'll keep looking for a service manual. http://www.ci.moraine.oh.us/pdf/Streets/Bobcat Operator Manual.pdf Pretty soon you'll be wondering how you ever lived without it!!

Nope. All I got to do is turn off the Quadzilla and watch it all change up. The timing drops back down to minor 13* to 14* at 65 MPH EGT's rise up another 100*F and boost rises almost 2-3 pounds. No VP44 issues just tuning the engine for better MPG's. Here really soon I might release my Quadzilla tune for others. When the Quadzilla crosses over my 165*F warm up limit while cruising I find myself lifting my foot off the throttle before of the surge of timing that brings on more power. GPH flow rates drop and MPG rises. When I've had one trip now down and back from Ontario, OR and on a 1/4 tank fuel for over 270 miles. Not bad. As for the lopey idle and stalling, I thought the same thing being I've already changed 3 sets of injectors. Being the VP44 was still under warranty. Now after the valve lash it all changed again now very smooth idle, no more lope at idle, stalling non-existant like previous.

Don't worry... I'll post up the rebuild.This isn't my first steering box rodeo...

I don't see the 471 being a good choice for the secondary you have. You will already be at the limit of the set with the 63/68 and spool up will be slower due to loss of heat through two turbines. I know you are just wanting to play, not discouraging that. I'd suggest using a gta4202 or a s475 with a smaller turbine.

They are there. Just gotta hunt through all their stuff.

I'm still an 8 track man, myself

Thank you... I've even added Mopar1973Man.Com to Google Business Listing for map and contact information to hopefully help the passing person. Just doing a search for "Diesel Mechanic near Me"... Now if you do a search for "Mopar1973Man" you'll bring up a full business listing. Then right here on the site people are placing information in the 911 Contact database... https://mopar1973man.com/cummins/911-support.html/contacts/ So I'm trying to give all the traveller the best chance at getting help.

If anyone has been on a long trip and suffered a breakdown, how did you get the truck back home to your shop? I'd like to hear what you did? Very important topic for some folks in my opinion. And I never been able yet to get it back home yet. But here is what we’ve gone through. Wife says we are getting pretty good at getting un-stranded. First of all being stranded is not fun (usually) and can be very expensive. I'm still cry'n & whin'n over the last time we were stranded. We’ve been stranded several times but last time we got stranded we got taken advantage, big time. Not only time wise, but we were lied to and final costs were just under $3,000 worth and total time was 3 weeks 2 days. We’re retired and towing wives 9,000 trailer around, so time of being stranded isn’t that big of deal. We’re towing our motel room with us so to speak. But you don’t know where you might get stranded. We've also spent a 4 days in a yard of a trans/radiator repair shop, overlooking a scenic sewer pond and overly friendly dog with about 10 pounds of grease on it. Being stranded is also challenge. Before the last breakdown, I knew nothing about these pick-ups. That’s why we bought one in 2005 in the first place. . They are supposed to last forever, so why bother learning about them My idea of not having to know anything these trucks has changed 100 percent. Now the more my hood “salutes” in the up position the more I learn. Here is info that might help. Communications… (most important) (phone) T-mobile does not have as good coverage as their maps say they do. We’ve talked to lots of “full time” RVers and now have t-mobile and Verizon, as they are best if you need nationwide coverage. We now each have a phone plan but with different carriers, and price only about $8.00 more a month than what we were paying for one carrier with both phones on plan. Now very seldom both of us don’t have coverage. (getting parts and shipments overnighted to you) UPS or Fedex stores but small places Mom and Pop places are best to get parts shipped to you. Just someplace with an address that won’t mind getting a shipment or two for you. ( wifi) Somewhere near Souix Falls the ABS light goes off. It’s Sat afternoon, Dodge dealer said I’ll have to wait till Monday. I got on-line (TDR) with the wifi hot spot and found what to check. Found elec connection right above diff came loose. Couple Zip ties from Ace hardware and good to go. (computer) Now days I’m even more prepared and hopefully don’t get separated from my money as quick. To help me, everything I find and learn I save to my computer. You may not have internet where you break down at, but I can still look at computer without any internet. I have lots of info saved, maybe too much. Recently I renamed my saved files and have files broken down into sections like the Dodge manual is set up. And yes, I carry the manuals with me. 02 - Suspension 09 - Engine 15 - 21-Transmission 03 - Rear Axle 10 - Lubrication 16 - Drive Shafts 22-Wheels & Tires 05 - Brakes 11 - Exhaust 17 - 23-Body 06 - Clutch 12 - 18 - Performance 24-Heat A/C 07 - Cooling 13 - Frame & Bumpers 19-Steering 25-Emissions 08 - Electrical 14 - Fuel 20- 26-Miscellaneous Example…if I save an article that main focus is “fuel” I start my file name with “14”, see above, section 14 is fuel. If I were to save this posting I would probably save it under section 26 which is “miscellaneous”. So I would copy to word file and name as “26 ideas for major breakdown”. For me saved info so much easier to find, especially after you get lots of files saved. Mechanics…used to be a turbo diesel shop on about every corner. Not anymore. Some are listed under “diesel repair” some under “auto repair” depends on the area you are stuck at I think. Start by asking locals…But be careful, one time we ended up at a “good mechanic” that was recommended and I think he was a good mechanic, but for gas. He installed a new fuel module, But he installed the gas model. It worked for maybe ¼ tank, then wouldn't suck fuel anymore. This 1st mechanic felt so bad he loaned us his car for the day, so we could get our truck to another shop that knew something about diesels. That “one” day car loan turned out to be 3 weeks! Reason was the other 2 “diesel” mechanics weren’t so good either. Save all your old parts! The second mechanic noticed the “gas” fuel module and wanted $250.00 for a "big line" replacement module, we drove back to the first mechanic and fished our old fuel module out of his trash dumpster. The 2nd mechanic was taking forever. Our pick up was parked for several days in between about a dozen farm tractors and gigantic irrigation pumps, and no work being done. They were taking care of their “bread and butter” accounts first. Not what they called "winter visitors" code words for we don't care when you want it. We went looking for other mechanic’s and ended up at a shopping center (that had wifi) asking locals that had 2nd gens for recommendations. Yuma does not have very many 2nd gens compared to Ford and I wonder if heat has something to do with it? Also Dodge needs to put larger badges on their diesels. I don’t like “stocking” people when they are parking to see what badge they have, gas or diesel. Dealers---We have not found a dealer yet that either doesn’t have the time or wants me to pay for his “admission cost” of them pulling codes (usually around a hundred dollar bill). So they are our last resort. Lots of time their mechanics are kids that were in diapers when our 2nd gen were made. That doesn’t bother me as much as most of these kids don’t care about the quality of their work. And more times than not, their knowledge is lacking and just want to throw parts at it. So we avoid dealers. Rv parks are great resource for mobile mechanics--- many have mechanic’s info on a board or ask management. ---Some mobile mechanics are very good. Problem is you really don’t know until your wallet is flattened So if they have a cards on the wall, pick with the one with the oldest looking service truck. If you can get their address, google up their address on a map program. Pick the one with most junk in their yard. They know how to put stuff together. We disregard the reviews on yelp type reviews. Brother and sisters, aunts and uncles can make anybody’s reviews look good. ---Other info---Many web sites have what they call “911” or need help now type thing. Post what your problem is and maybe you might luck out and get help. But be very careful of who’s advice you take. Confirm all advice you get. That is where your saved files come in handy. On the Cummins web site under “state” listings they have the “pres” of the state. Ask them if they answer who they would call or do. My “go to” sites are (and in this order) Moparman, TDR then cummins web site. I have contact info of a retired Cummins engineer that eats and sleeps cummins, but communication is a problem with him. Him and his wife full time RV and usually are at some campground without any communication. He always writes back but again communication very important. When they are in town, doing laundry and decide to give a call a week later. Also might help you of what to bring, there are lots of postings about what to carry in your “just in case” tool box for repairs on the road. Usually being broke down sucks, but here is a fun example…In Waitsburg WA smoke started coming out from under the hood. If lifted the hood, and remember I don’t know much about these trucks. I asked at the grocery store “who might be able to fix it”. Cashier asked where I was broke down at. We gave cashier my Mom in law’s address. Then we stopped by the post office and by the time we got back to my Mom in laws place, some guy was already in her driveway. (News travel fast in small towns) he had big chrome stacks coming out of his bed and jacked up so high one would need a ladder to get in. Took him about 5 min to say our ac compressor was bound up and pulley wasn’t moving at all and the pulley melted the belt. And I would have to get new ac compressor out of Spokane or maybe Walla Walla if we were lucky. Then he banged with his fist real hard near the radiator, pointing out a decal that I never noticed before. The decal had the belt routing for “ac and without ac”. He called local garage for the belt with “no ac” in order to bypass compressor, but they didn’t have one. He hangs up the phone and says, “one more angle to try”. He called his girlfriend that was working in Walla Walla. He had her pick up the belt on her way home to Waitsburg. Later that night during diner, we hear our truck start and there he was all smiles. I asked “how much” is said $25.00 for changing belt and the price of the new belt. Anyways wife gives him $200.00 for all his troubles and big tip IMO. My Mom in law called him for years after that to do her auto work. When he pulls out of her driveway, he puts about 10 tons of smoke in the air and waving good by. Mom in law is staring at all the smoke through her kitchen window and innocently says “I hope that $200 dollars is enough to get his truck fixed, see all that smoke, something is wrong”

I'm special

still working on the project, but it is on hold. My position was eliminated at work and I'm on the hunt for work and doing a lot of woodworking to help pay bills right now instead of playing truck.