JAG1

Check see if the glove box switch is working sometimes those leave the light on and can't tell because it is shut.. How old are those batteries anyhow? I know they loose voltage thru the dirt built up across the top of the battery so I keep mine clean around the posts too.

How many miles on injectors?

I turn that little drain nozzle once in awhile and drain any water out resting on the filter bottom.

Both my trucks have a large water separating filter before the lift pump, So it can't chop the water into little droplets. They have clear bowls so you can see when to drain, but most important, It helps the smaller factory filter last longer by not having to do all the work.

I added extra grounds in case AC voltages spiked while on long out of state trips. Besides, not having much faith in Dodge electrical from owning a first gen for the last 20 years. I don't want to stir a pot here but, I know good grounds are added protectiont too. I added an ECM ground instead of only thru the engine block. Don't ask me how I shorted it out.. All went back to normal after disconnecting batteries for half hour

Hey Michael Nelson you are an electronics guy...... If the ECM is getting so tough to find... soon the only ones available will be the 2400 dollar ones... What makes it difficult about diagnosing what's wrong and soldering in new components? I'm wondering also, do you think the ECM might be manufactured with a deliberate weak points in which acts like fuses to protect the rest of the circuitry? Therefore most likely places to find the problem making most failures a likely point for repairs? Remember when I accidently shorted my ECM and had all kinds of weird things happening to the gauges, where crazy and they all went away after unhooking the batteries? What causes it to correct itself like that? T.I.A.

That's more likely the injector retaining nut. You can see them half buried around each injector on your old ones. Make sure you put small amount of grease on ea tip (under the copper sealing washer) so you won't loose the washer when you drop them in place. To pull the old ones just cut 1'' pcv pipe the right length with a washer on top and screw right size threaded nut down on top. I found an old lug nut that fit perfect and pulls them out very nicely. Thanks to Mike this suggestion was great cause you can't return malled up injectors been chewed with pliers. Don't try turning them they need to come straight out.

Good thing your not doing that around Michael Nelsons' place... he'd be there in a jiffy with the county fire truck

Yep that's what happens when you own a 1st and 2nd gen for years. Knowing what to look for is a big plus when you stay with the same trucks.

Dang I wish it was a 4x4, because I would not be able to get out of my road in winters. That's the only problem living out of the way in the foothills. Taking up the garbage each week the tractor is only two wheel rear drive and makes it only halfway in snow.

Yes, me too. It's not like him to not call for 3 business days plus over the weekend too. The day before he went to the Doc, over a week ago today, he called on the weekend and I visited him and picked up my injectors on Sunday when he was closed. He's a good guy to let me do that.

Eric at Vulcan Performance went to the Docs last week. His assistant, Barbara, said that he is not going to do any return calls after he gets back so I would have to wait. It's been 3 days now and has not called. I need an injection pump for my work truck and he knows how badly I need one. Especially after looking at used trucks on line and the one I saw today they are over priced or are worse yet with the amount of repairs needed. I'm thankful my 1st gen is in such great shape after looking. Please pray for Eric and Barbara... she might be his wife not sure, but, he ALWAYS calls me back over the 10 yrs I've been dealing with such a great guy. BTW, He has changed his Business name to Performance Supply Company. Thank you.

You guys are right. It's junk. What gets me is how people can take some green horn young guy that would become excited about the paint job and new tires and steal from the guy. I bet they'd be laughing about it when it left the lot.. It's beyond me and am angry about people like that. I've always been a Crusader against dishonesty. Always felt this way.. In 2004 I was supposed to build a home for the owner of this dealership since I had worked for his brother many times before. I'm glad I never got to build it. It wasn't like you needed hip waiters... more like neck waiters.

Basically the truck is a beautifully detailed piece of junk. Wouldn't get up over 50 mph Tie rods rusted with no grease BJ's worn Track bar sloppy as slush Steering box shot Pitman arm shot Bad brakes Emergency brake didn't work Trans needed complete overhaul Valve covers leaking Transfere case and transmission leaking Oil filter looked like it was on there for years Heater not pushing much air Guy wanted 8,000 w/o the bed because I have my own flatbed So when all fixed would be over 16 grand I figured.

Trying to get insurance on it right now for the day and bring it up the road to run some pressure tests and diagnosis. I will give you an update later.

Just called the guy and he told me the truck does not go into overdrive on the transmission. Should I stay away?

No dripley they don't. It was my mistake when I thought it was a 24 valve truck. I was mistaking for a long time that only the 24 valve trucks have a red badge under the Dodge Ram Badge on the doors. Wasn't till I looked it up on the website I saw it is a 1996 truck. It just looks so clean and upholstery not torn either.

Thank you..... I think it might make a good work truck. I just don't like going thru all the fuel system upgrades required with gauges and all. One good thing Is PGE took off the utility body for the next truck so easy working the fuel system and I have my own utility body that fits right on there from my first gen.

I've realized that part of doing business is accepting whats available. Such as the nearly impossible 2nd gen 5 spd Trans on a fair priced truck. I found a very clean 2nd gen one ton dually, nearly perfect, it is priced right but, has the automatic trans. My question is... do the one tons come with a better built trans? More reliable? It has 177 K miles. It's a 1996.... are the front end problems the same as the 2002 trucks with trac bar and tie rods and BJs'? I might add, it was a power company truck so it was regularly maintained and will check fluids, and how she runs in the morning.

Michael I think that you are a whole lot safer in the truck. I have studied lots of wrecks and the folks in the little cars don't fair well at all. Most are fatalities while the pickup driver has minor injuries. It's sad but true. I personally would not like to see MoparMom traveling in a small car. As far as income I don't think Mike worked a whole lot anyways. If it wasn't for the occasional truck to work on I think Mike would be fishin' mostl the time. Besides getting a lot of rest in between the 12 hour driving days is good and then work on the trucks in between assures good quality work. Just my humble opinion.

I hear that.. I dumped it down my water supply tank when new to RVing. Never did that again.

Your a red neck if you dump RV antifreeze down your beer

. Very nice idea going to Dripleys' place and showing us a picture. That's cool

Eric doesn't have the equipment to do that. He knows the people he orders from and they are all top notch since he himself knows what to look for. I've been to his place 4 times... spent most of a day a couple times. He is honest as they come

Actually I was referring to the excavation contractors I have known over the years. They all are doing well.