CudaDude

thanks for that. Guess I shoulda just googled it.

I guess while I'm there checking the waste gate I might as well check the boots too. Seems like I remember seeing a write up for a homemade tester with a pvc cap tapped with a air chuck fitting. Does anyone have a link to it? Thanks

Thanks... Is there a procedure to test the waste gate?

Thanks for the info. Any recommendations on tuners? Would like something that's pretty much plug and play, I don't really have the time to create custom tunes and do much experimenting and I'm not looking to add a crazy amount of power.

Yea... I've got a boost sensor in the glove box, just haven't gotten around to replacing it yet. (figured I'd start there) If I try to add a tuner and find out that I am not currently running a factory tune what would happen? Would it just not accept the new (a/m) tuner?

when I get on it, it throws a p0234 (overboost code). Some smoke, not alot. Performance wise though, it does not feel like it's got a tuner.

Is there a way to tell if my truck has an A/M tune? I'm pretty sure it's still stock, but not 100% sure. I'm getting to the point where I want to do a few mods to get a little more power out of the truck and I figured I would start with a tuner. However, I'm not sure if it already has one on it. I assume that to add a tuner I need to be at stock. Correct? I called the local dealer to see about having the ECM reflashed to make sure it's a factory tune and he said they can do it, but warned me that there is a chance it might burn up the ECM... Definitely don't want to do that. TIA

Got it!!! Cranked on it for 20-30 seconds and it fired up. Thanks

Finally got around to changing the fuel filter this morning and now truck won't start. Followed this procedure. http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/00fuel_filter.htm, but I didn't fill the filter housing with fuel when I put the new filter in, instead I've bumped the starter several times to let the lift pump push air out of the system. I did have the filter out for an extended amount of time while I cleaned the filter cap. Don't know if that allowed an abnormal amount of air in the system. I tried bleeding air from the schrader valve on the VP44 and got a little air at first but now it's a steady stream of fuel, but still no start. Guess the next thing to try would be opening up the injector lines? Do I just loosen them where they enter the head? loosen all at once, or one at a time? I haven't cranked on it for very long (5-10 seconds) at a time. Should I just crank for 20 or 30 seconds to see if it starts before I mess with the injector lines? Hopefully one day I'll have enough knowledge about these trucks to help someone else, until then, thanks for all the help you all provide.

Was out doing some running around this morning and had to jump out in to some traffic and get down on the right pedal. I was thinking I had a stock truck but happened to look in right rearview mirror and noticed some (not a lot) of black smoke. Is this normal on a stock truck or is that an indication that there is a programmer on the truck? Also, once I was in the flow of traffic I noticed the MIL was on. I pulled the code when I got to work and it's a P0234 which I read could be MAP sensor, stuck WG or an actual overboost condition caused by a programmer. Is there a way for me to know if there is a programmer installed? Also, I called Dodge to price a MAP sensor and he said on a diesel it's a turbo boost sensor. Is that correct? Thanks in advance.

So, other than grinding of that ball joint stud if you had factory wheels was the rest bolt in with no other mods needed?

I can't seem to find anything definitive on this... I've read some that say the 4th gen steering linkage that Dodge sells is a direct bolt in on a 2002 and some that say it's not. I found a couple posts in other forums where they said it rubbed the factory 16" wheels on 01-02s but a little grinding to care of that. Anyone know for sure? I know there are a/m options out there for these trucks but I've got a buddy at a Dodge dealership that can get me employee pricing so I'd like to find something from Dodge. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the advice. I'll look into fuel pressure gauges asap. First I'll need to find a little more discreet gauge pod than what was on the a pillar, although I don't see a lot of room for gauges elsewhere. Couple more questions- I'm going to replace the old foggy headlamps but looks like I need to remove the batteries in order to get to the back of them. Is there anything I should be aware of when disconnecting/reconnecting the batteries, like ECM re learn? Any recommendations on a reasonably priced quiet exhaust system? The PO did remove the muffler but left a resonator and I'd like to quiet it down. Figured I'd go ahead and just run a complete new system.

New guy here, first time diesel owner. Somebody traded in a 02 2500 6spd 4x4 at work with 163k. It was going to be wholesaled so I got a pretty good deal on it. I've been reading everything I can trying to familiarize myself with the truck, but I do have some questions. It appears to be completely stock with the exception of a boost gauge that was mounted in one of those pillar pods. I didn't care for the location of it, so I removed it and currently have no boost gauge. Since the truck had no boost gauge from the factory and my plans, at least for the foreseeable future is to keep it stock, is it okay to not have a boost gauge. I'm not heavy footed and have no plans to haul or pull much more than some dirt in the bed or a small camper. 2 stoke oil. I've read numerous things on how these trucks benefit from adding 2stoke (1oz to 1 gal of fuel?). How critical is that ratio? I filled up yesterday (35 gal tank) and added 1 qt of 2stroke (not quite 1oz to 1 gal). I added the oil first and then fueled up so it would mix well. This is one of those really ignorant questions, as I don't know of any other way. But I'll ask anyway. On future fill ups, will adding the 2stroke after filling with fuel be okay? So I'll know how much oil to add. Will it mix good on it's own? Idle. Where should these trucks idle? Mine was about 850 rpm but within about 20 miles of adding the 2stroke it jumped up to 950-1000 rpm. That okay? Temp. So far the temp gauge stays just a little below the 190* mark. I guess around 180-185*. I couldn't find it, but I think I remember reading somewhere that these trucks run best with the temp no less than 200 or 205 (can't quite remember). Should I replace the tstat with something higher? If so, any particular brands you recommend. OEM the best? I guess that's it for now. Thanks in advance for responses. I'm sure I'll have many more questions down the road.