I have a 98.5 with a few things in it, but I am in the middle of my tranny swap right now. I needed a truck to pull my trailer so I used my dads 97 12v. It has 140k on it and is an automatic. First thing I noticed is the truck idles real low...around 600 rpm. But what really puzzled me is going about 70 up a hill my friends gas powered ford could keep up to speed pulling similar weight were the dodge would really drop down in mph. My 24v never bogs down with my trailer. It is not heavy at all...3k lbs maybe.

The 12V dodest have any problem getting the trailer moving if its flat, it just really has a tough time going up hills and holding it's speed. I would think that you shouldnt even be able to notice the trailer back there.

Is this normal for this truck?

 

Truck is an auto,

so it has the 180 HP pump, if it is stock, towing 3K lbs? it shouldnt even feel that trailer back there. I would suggest trying to check the fuel filter on the truck, when was the last time that it was changed? Also the timing may have slipped on the truck, which would cause the performance loss as well. Idle can be adjusted with a 10mm wrench on a screw that is behind the injection pump, My truck used to idle at 450RPMS with AC on, it idles right at bout 650 right now with AC on.

Im assuming the truck is totally stock, no plate changes, no plate or AFC housing alterations or movement. If you wanna get a little more beef out of that ram, gauge it up first with a boost, pyro, and trans temp and push that plate forward. That will free up 30 or so horses on it..

Your baselines also are with an EZ Edge, how are you going to compare a stock ram with one that has already been bombed like yours? I have no basis with an auto tranny, but these are some suggestions for it.

Your circumstances do not seem normal at all. Perhaps a fuel filter change or an airfilter change are the most basic things you can do. If it still does that with the changed filters, perhaps, timing adjustment or a plate adjustment should help..

Tx

 

Yes it is stock

well I know the comparison between my truck and his is not fair, but like you stated 3k lbs with a stock 12v you should still not even be able to feel and to me the truck was having a tough time with it

is checking timing hard?

also how do I tell if the plate is out of adjustment?

 

dont feel bad, my 95 wont even pull a 6% grade in 5th with a 1200 lb trailer behind it. Soon that will change

 

I have the same problem with my 95 auto. I can tow about 7500 lbs with my 20 ft goose neck and it really gives the truck a workout. It is bad enough towing the trailer empty. I do not think it would tow anything near what it is rated with the 4:10 gears I have. I will be anxious to see what the fix is.

 

Bunches of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

A diesel mechanic buddy of mine whose '95 runs perfectly with many power mods goes out of his way on every trip to Calif to try Cuesta.
He still hasn't been able to get past 3rd gear, ticks him off to no end.
He's pulling 12k though and can sail right up the south bound Grapevine.
Don't know what it is with the Cuesta Grade

 

Timing..

is an issue that is beyond me right now, i dont understand it yet much like twin turbos... (im workin on it though). The fuel plate is under teh AFC housing, the AFC housing is the lil dealy with the starwheel on top of the injection pump of the truck. The starwheel is basically a "fine adjust" for smoke ans so forth. Ill explain it like this, the looser the AFC the faster the turbo spool up and more smoke you are gonna get on the low end. Tighten it and its just the opposite. The plate being in stock position, is centered or really close to it. There are some screws you have to remove to get to the plate though, the two bolts that hold the Fuel shutdown solenoid are 8MM, and there is a third one behind the injection pump that can be a pickle to remove if you have big hands or forearms.. you almost need to be a contortionist... The regular screws can be rusted in our tough, if it is stock then it has a "breakoff screw" which i know nothing about. My truck was not stock when i got it and it isnt, But i removed the screws with alot of WD40, and a strong screwdriver and a claw hammer to whack the grooves to turn them. First time is the hardest, second and third will actually be leisurely, which it is for me. Just a point of advise, have a magnetic tip screwdriver for removal of screws, or plate screws if you must, and the 8mm would be nice to have magnetic too, but i dont know if they make that. Push the plate towards the front of the engine and you should get some more power out of it.

Being that you have an auto, i dont know anything bout them. so i cannot help you, maybe you need a governers spring kit or something else.. Im sorry im learnin in that aspect, but if anything, well u have some instructions here for plate adjustment... Thanks!

Tx

 

turn some fuel to 'em, stock 12v's pretty much suck in my opinion. I could not tolerate trying to use my truck the way I do if it wasn't turned up, to me it just seems dangerous trying to drive on the roads these days w/out enough power to move a load around pretty snappy if need be, & from what I've read you fellas aren't pulling near the weight I do. I had a 95' auto reg. cab dually, & I had a really mild Banks plate in the pump & it was a horse on the interstate, it took a min' or so, but after the slushbox found O.D. she pulled pretty darn good, & it was geared 3:55, slide your plate or buy aftermarket & your problem should be solved, good luck, Dusty

 

is there a how-to on installing a fuel plate? I sent northslope a PM about getting one of his plates. I am goping to try that with a BHAF and see how she runs

 

In addition to the plate you should be looking at 3k or 4k governer springs. They will allow you to have some extended fueling.

 

You did good my friend

His plates are AWESOME!! i just gave you in my last post here somewhat of an explanation how to do it, But the TST website has better instructions. Just re read what i put above and get an idea, and finish it off with the tst plate adjustment or instalation instructions.. Ill find a link and post it for ya

Here ya go... enjoy!

http://www.dieselpage.com/tstpk.htm

Tx

 

Dusty..

was your plate similar to the one i just put up on my photo gallery? Its a good plate, just somewhat restrictive, compared to a zero or a 100, have no basis with a 10 but ill buy one eventually... Thanks for your help... BTW, what number or close to is that? i thought it was a five or six, but i now see that i was wrong....

Tx