jpdodge150

Hello all, I'm in the process of buying my first 24v but 3rd cummins truck. This one is a 2002 Dodge 2500 Automatic 2wd with a 24v cummins of course. Truck is stock other than repair work with oem parts. Front end has been fully rebuilt, new transmission, new vp44 done by a good quality local shop, new oem a/c refrigerant system, new tires, new brakes and rotors with master, interior is immaculate. Truck is one owner by an older lady, who used the truck to haul her horse trailers to rodeo's and events.

Anyway, the question here comes when I asked if the lift pump had been replaced along with the vp44. The consignment man, who is good friends with the lady, said he could not find any records of it ever being replaced other than what was said, so he is going to have his diesel mechanic replace it, along with a new alternator, belt tensioner, and a transmission service. So I went on to say since he was going to be dropping the tank, if he could save the old unit for down the road when I decide to put in a better pump. Figured I would just modify the old one and have it ready. He immediately corrected me and went on to say that this pump is not in the tank and that it is mounted on the side of the engine block. The first thing that came to mind was maybe he thought it had the old style lift pump and I went on to correct him but he declined and he knows about the old mechanical lift pumps. He was not talking about the injection pump, and he said that it is an electric lift pump that's mounted to the side of the engine. He even gave me a cummins part number and swore that it is a fuel lift pump, not the injection pump, in the tank pump, or the fuel canister. He even said it is not aftermarket, and that it is a genuine cummins part.

I don't think I got the number right since I was having trouble getting it down on paper, but what I got down is a 990095, I think. It seems to be a cummins number but I didn't get anywhere with it. I found a comment on the net, that some newer 2002 dodge diesels, had a "updated" version lift pump. But that's all it said, nothing else. I could not find any more info about it. SO..... does ANYONE have any idea what this guy is looking at? I would go look myself but the truck is way out of my way and by the times I would get there after I close up my shop, the gates will be locked. So I have no way to look at it til next week after he gets back and I get back from vacation, which is when we're supposed to finalize the deal. What's the story about this so called "update"? If this is legit, is this set up any more reliable? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

torquefan

I believe that if you purchase a replacement pump from Dodge, you will get the updated unit that sits in the tank. If you buy a replacement pump from Cummins, you will get the one that mounts on the side of the engine. It is just like the original, but has had several revisions since they first came out. They are better than the original pumps, but still not an ideal setup. If you wanted to run with that pump, there are some improvements that can be made. Install a kit that mounts that pump down by the fuel tank, so it will not have to pull fuel as far. There are also kits available that replace all the banjo bolts in the system with better flowing bolts. Additionally, a fuel pressure gauge in the cab is pretty much a must.

jpdodge150

Thanks for the quick reply torquefan. So that explains a lot. I obviously learned something. In all honesty i'm scared of the fuel system issues in the 2.5 gens, but I just want something newer, nicer, and has already gone through what I like to call it's midlife crisis. I hear about the cons on the fuel system all the time, so the first thing i'm doing is as you said, put in a fuel gauge. I'm going to save up some money and redo the entire fuel system, but until then, the gauge is the best I can do. I know that it's the extra flow with the pressure that counts in the end, and a good water and filtration system is also key... Thanks again!

maxwellp

Mine is gone, was on the block. Now it is a AirDog 100, with a gauge. It saved me once, got a load of crap fuel. Started to plug the filter, but with the gauge you will know this.

jpdodge150

Been looking at the air dog systems, but now i'm thinking about the belt drive mechanical pumps. Just going to depend on how the piggy bank is when the time comes.

Pork

yep.. i'm pretty sure they all came with them mounted on the block... and then there was a TSB or something that if there was a problem with the VP44 the lift pump was automatically replaced/retrofitted to the in-tank setup. my first 02 was on the block, my second was on its 2nd VP, and the intank retrofit had been done.

Pork

IMO Airdog or FASS is worth the money, and better filtration. and if you get a sump you wont have to worry about 1/8 tank issues.

whiskers

I bought an '02 with a just new VP44 and lift pump. They put on an updated carter. I put in guages and found out it didn't put out more than 5psi. Don't worry about having him fix it. Just wait and put on a FASS , the pump only version is plenty for normal driver. Cost is around 2hundred. It puts out around 20 psi and you will have piece of mind.

jpdodge150

I would have told him not to worry to much about it, but they were already tearing into it. But I figure since i'm not paying for it, I won't lose much sleep over it. But either way I will be putting in a good setup at some point. But very first thing will be a gauge at the vp44 the rest will come when I get a penny or two stored up. I'm surprised that I never heard of the pumps coming mounted on the blocks. All I've ever heard of, were the crappy in tank lift pumps, never seen or heard a thing about the external pump.

Then again most my knowledge is on the 12v cummins. I never "played" with the 2nd gen 24v's much.

PS: I will always keep the truck at stock power. I rarely, if ever, ride my vehicles hard. I'm all about efficiency and mpg's. Maybe one day I'll have something just for tearing up the road. But for now, this is where I stand.

swordfish

To be honest, with some mods you will get better mpg's then a stock truck...
Better injectors, airdog, air filter and even a programmer will help you get better mileage out of your truck. Just a thought

swordfish

jpdodge150

Very true, the point I meant was i'm not all about gaining hp and doing dramatic mods. I like to keep my vehicles as stock as possible. But if I can do something for the better I would. I know that even with some light mods you will naturally gain some better fuel economy along with some hp. I already had a whole list of all around mods I wanted to do to my 12v, but wouldn't have been worth it with the 4.10's it's running. After I do the fuel system on the 24v I want to put in some good sticks that that will atomize the fuel better to help the combustion efficiency. Then whenever the vp44 dies, I'll be eyeing the BLUE CHIP SPECIAL X VP44 PUMP. Maybe even a header and turbo upgrade. All for mpg's.

dodgeguy71

Whatever you do, DON'T go with the intank pump! Mine was replaced and 30,000 miles or so later it went bye bye. Replaced it with a Glacier fuel boss and never looked back. Talked with the local and very busy Cummins/Diesel shop and he said I was lucky to get 30k out of the intank pump the dealer said was "better". He told me they replace the replacement intank pumps all the time with way less than what I got out of mine. Told me I was lucky to get that far!

As was said the original was on the side of the block, the intank is a "fix" if you can call it that.

93ctdfkw

when i put a 60 gallon tank in my truck i put 1/2" line, and a air dog. My truck has greqat fuel pressure and runs really good.

turbopuller5.9L

Knowing your fuel pressure is key. Having said that I Must put gauges in myself! Airdog or Fass would be my suggestion.

rebal

dont be scared of the system,The early trucks had tons of issues but most are gone the newer VPs are good pumps,if there from a quality rebuilder,and not to say some still dont have issues.
we have 4 vp truck 2 lost org. pumps 1 at 40k 1 at 160 ,1 has 220k and still going 1 at 150k still going.just make sure you put a fuel pres, gauge on to watch it and up grade the pump as soon as you can
good luck