New comer needs advice

[txnotny]

Just joined and also jusr bought my 1st desiel, 1999 2500 5.9 with 145k ext cab 2wd, I love the truck but have some questions, I currenty drive it some and on the highway i get 20+ MPG both from the overheard meter and with a manual figuring, It runs strong and as far as i know is all stock expect for thr BHAF i installed, Should i prusue more MPG ofr be happy with wha i have, If i pursue then what is the best next step.Thanks from Texas

[98whitelightnin]

Welcome to the Fam, where you at in Tx? I would love to get 20mpg out of my 98 but if your like most you want more. My grandpa put on a propane kit and has hit 23 on the highway with his 01.5 2wd 6 speed. You could probably get a little bigger injector and get better mileage out of it, maybe an rv275 or up to a 75hp injector set.

[txnotny]

i currently live in Killeen texas (Ft Hood), was a auto shop owner for years did alot of preformance on gas only, still have shop and am looking forward to maxing out mileage on this beast, only owned it 3 weeks and love it, bought it in corsacana thats for the post and info

[Mopar1973Man]

What your fuel pressure like idle and WOT (@ highway speed)?Any error codes?Basically you need to insure your fuel system is top notch...

[JOHNFAK]

My grandpa put on a propane kit and has hit 23 on the highway with his 01.5 2wd 6 speed.

Thats probably the best comment I have heard on any diesel forum - period God I loved that

[98whitelightnin]

I dont guess I get it?:cookoo:Nevermind, he has hit 23 mpg since, not 23 people.

[JOHNFAK]

I dont guess I get it? Nevermind, he has hit 23 mpg since, not 23 people.

ha ha - no but thats funny too No just wish my grandpa would even look at a diesel - or anything apart from a buick ........ forget about installing a proprane kit !!! What a guy !! Tell him Im putting twins on soon (shhhh)

[98whitelightnin]

My grandpa has always used diesel, even way back when they werent cool. He has a 78 or so 4 door chevy dually that he took the 454 out of and put a perkins (4 cyl?) diesel out of a combine in it back in the early 80's. I believe he destroyed the frame pulling to heavy or something so then he got an new 82 ford f-250 with 6.9 diesel. He has never thrown anything away until just a few weeks ago when he started taking junk off to the scrap iron yard. He has always had a diesel and I remember when he got his edge ez on his 01, I was at work and I get a message on my phone from him saying "I got one, bye". He is definalty a one of a kind character. He just put a mbrp 4 inch exhaust on last year and then the propane kit. He is 79 yrs old.

[txnotny]

What your fuel pressure like idle and WOT (@ highway speed)? Any error codes? Basically you need to insure your fuel system is top notch...

i have no idea to these questions as i dont have any gages yet, No error codes or at least no lights.

[dripley]

WOT is wide open throttle. A critical fuel pressure measurement. 10 psi min but 14 psi is much better. You dont have to have a CEL lit to have trouble codes. A fuel pressure gauge is something you need to invest in, especially if you are running a stock lift pump.And welcome to the family, by the way.

[Mopar1973Man]

i have no idea to these questions as i dont have any gages yet, No error codes or at least no lights.

Ok your going to need a fuel pressure gauge for sure... Watch the video and you'll see how to test fuel pressure. The center gauge is fuel pressure. In this video I was idling at 17.5 PSI and WOT at 15 PSI. Good numbers.

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=grl72Up-8T0

As for error codes many of them will not trip the light. Check engine light is not a good way to judge you condition. Most error codes are silent and don't trip the light. So grab a OBDII code reader and check it out...

[Gunsablazin]

My grandpa has always used diesel, even way back when they werent cool. He has a 78 or so 4 door chevy dually that he took the 454 out of and put a perkins (4 cyl?) diesel out of a combine in it back in the early 80's. I believe he destroyed the frame pulling to heavy or something so then he got an new 82 ford f-250 with 6.9 diesel. He has never thrown anything away until just a few weeks ago when he started taking junk off to the scrap iron yard. He has always had a diesel and I remember when he got his edge ez on his 01, I was at work and I get a message on my phone from him saying "I got one, bye". He is definalty a one of a kind character. He just put a mbrp 4 inch exhaust on last year and then the propane kit. He is 79 yrs old.

Your grand dad is awesome! Old diesel guys are fun to talk to, especially the ones that are in to modding their trucks.

When you get a fuel pressure gauge don't bother getting an electronic gauge. The mechanical ones respond quicker to pressure changes. Also, don't do like I did and waste your money on a gauge isolator. The isolator is a little canistor that keeps you from running diesel all the way to the back of the gauge. The isolator is natorious for causing incorrect pressure readings - like mine - and from what we've gathered there aren't any problems associated with just running straight diesel into the cab. The risk of fire isn't a problem with diesel like it would be with gasoline.

Whatever you do, just make sure you get a pressure gauge on there and watch it. The VP44 injection pump is a decent pump that will live a fairly long life IF you ensure that it has enough pressure. Unlike the previous 12 valve trucks and the newer cummins trucks, ours will not run for long when (when is the optimal word) the lift pump dies. Most of us here have upgraded to some kind of aftermarket lift pump, like airdog or fass. This is in hopes of feeding our pumps with adequate pressure... plus the aftermarket pumps will supply you with enough fuel to make some power! Another great benefit of an aftermarket lift pump is the addition of a spin on fuel filter and a water/air seperator. The AD150 is a pump that continuously filters the fuel - whether it's being used by the engine or not.

Just thought I'd share what others shared with me when I first got my DD cummins.