Mace

I’m absolutely gonna get a air ride hitch and convert the trailer for gooseneck. When I do tow it I’m gonna convert the back to dually as it will put less stress on just two tires. That’s why I want 3 axle not 2. Distribute the weight better.

I think it’s 3k pin weight. I’ve seen one truck the same as mine (still a dually) do it from La to NC. It’s doable. I have a trailer brake controller, exhaust brake, 3rd gen brakes and a 6 spd. That’s just the trailer. I’ll never haul it loaded with water or anything. It’ll be overweight for sure but a Dana 80 can do it. That’s the only thing I think is somewhat weak on our trucks is the frame. If I could sit my cab on a F450 frame I’d be so happy.

I have the 6 spd so I’m not changing anything that way. I’m buying a new 3 axle toyhauler that’s about 44’ long and 16k lbs. I’m gonna buy some extended Synergy rear sway bar links and the Timbrens as well just to make it as bullet proof as possible. I actually ended up reusing the oem blocks so I could use Timbrens, the taper is too excessive and no matter how you install it the pinion angle is too far off. That’s a mistake on my end I though it would correct this. The oem blocks made everything perfect again. Most likely crack the frame but the springs should be fine :)

And this is why I went to a flange.

It’s time to “spring” into action! 8 leaf 4000 lb pack 2 leaf 1150 lb overloads New shackles (All from Rockauto) I used 4” blocks from ProForm Fabrication (they’re also tapered to get the pinion angle straight too). I didn’t want the *** end to sit up super duper high so to compensate for the thicker pack I used slightly shorter blocks (my oem blocks are 4.5” tall). Old leaf pack is 2” thick and the new ones are 3-9/16“. The bolt by the fuel tank is not really an issue. Just cut it off flush with the hanger and you can drive it all the way in without hitting the tank. You can fish it out with a magnet and then put the new bolt in from the outside. I used locally made 5/8” ubolts and my old Barnes4wd top plates to keep the flip. For the eyelets I used 5/8”x 5” fine thread bolts with stover nuts. Removed the old bump stops since they do nothing now. My truck is a 2001, so it’s time for new springs. I can’t use airbags because unless it’s the c&c kit my gooseneck hitch interferes with the mounting plates. Also the c&c kit sits on the oem block pedestals and I don’t have those anymore now. Next up: Rebuilt NV5600 & clutch from LRG. Enjoy!

Timbo is a repackaged Williams Control. WC 131973/133284 is what they actually are.

Then I may be interested. If you know a tune that’ll make it run better I’m all ears.

I’m sure there’s a lot of trucks with more miles than me. I’m pretty happy with 25 years. Even if it dies tomorrow I’m pleased it went this long. I’m also sure things like the VP are built better today then when they came out.

I had the oem lift pump (in conjunction with the GDP Fuel Boss) until my ecm failed earlier this year. Now I’m rocking just an Airdog 100. I’m too nervous to program my truck just in the case the tuner fails and takes something else out. Although I’m curious to see it “woken up”. New trucks leave me in the dust and I’ve accepted it haha.

Luck mostly. We didn’t actually have to change over to ULSD for a couple years when it was introduced. When it was finally forced I ran used 15w40 (just the stuff from my oil changes) with every fill up (switched to 2 stroke oil after reading your article on it). Also, I never had the Carter lift pump fail like so many did in the beginning. By the time I switch it to the GDP Fuel Boss it just wouldn’t die. Also I have never run a tune either. I have Bosch 40 hp injectors but power wise it’s stock. That’s the key thing. P7100 are oil lubed and VP’s are with fuel. So mostly just luck.

I’m on my original rad @ 442k km. I change the coolant every 2 years with Cummins ELC. I wish these engines had a spin on water filter head like the 8.3 has (built into the engine). I’m also on my original VP44…ask me the secret to that ;)

Electric Vacuum Pump Conversion: I have deleted my OEM vacuum and power steering pump(s). Instead, I have modified it by replacing it with a midrange setup for steering assist; however, I still need vacuum in order to activate the HVAC controls and to activate my exhaust brake. Although the OEM factory pump never gave me any issues and supplied all the vacuum I needed to work, such as the HVAC and the exhaust brake, the OEM Power Steering did. I have replaced the OEM Power Steering Pump multiple times. In all cases, the pump would not maintain enough pressure and turning the wheels at a stop during idle was almost impossible. Compound that with the inevitable oil leak between both pumps, I figured there was a better system. So, this is where the "midrange" setup comes into play. The 24V ISB was used in multiple applications (not just Dodge). Even though they were not used in another pickup, they were used in midrange sized trucks like Freightliner FL60 &FL80, Ford 650 & 750, Kenworth 370, motor homes, bread trucks, etc, etc. It was the engine of its era. Trucks with vacuum controlled cruise should work also. This particular modification applies to my setup only; (the midrange setup for steering assist). My cruise is ECM controlled. I have the non CAD front axle, so my vacuum demand is limited. On SD applications, they use it to lock the front hubs and HVAC on their trucks. So I feel it should work on any of our vehicles. I used the same pump from the SuperDuty and 3rd Gen RAMS (same pump). I picked it up from Rock Auto along with a Mating Connector. I drilled 3 holes and mounted it on the fuse box cover, in an easy to service spot. For plumbing, it goes to a control manifold for the EB, and tees off into the OEM vacuum line on the firewall. I do not use a reservoir like FORD uses, but you could run one if you desire it. For power, it gets fused voltage from the PDC power stud, which is also the relay supply power (pin 30). The relay trigger is controlled by a fuse tap in one of the PDC fuses, that is hot only when the key is on, so it does not run all the time. The pump has an internal governor, so when it reaches its vacuum threshhold, it shuts off. If it is always running, you most likely have a leak that you need to repair first. View full Cummins article

Absolutely

It does well. I run my hvac and exhaust brake on it and it hasn’t let me down…yet. I just run the Dorman one too.