Ok, so I have a 1993 D250. I've been following a few threads on here, namely the thread by thrashingcows. I hope no one has asked my question already but I know this forum has a lot of knowledge to give. Anyway, this is my second 1st gen. My first was a W250 (some d-bag ran into it while it was parked). I didn't and don't have the skills needed to bring it back to life so I sold it to a guy that did. Both trucks have/had gauges on the top of the dash. EGT, boost and rpm I believe. I know what their purpose is but why did some trucks of the same year and model have them and others not? What does it mean for my truck? Was it set up more for towing in comparrison to the others? Also my current truck, the D250, has what looks to be factory air bags instead of a rear shackle on my rear leaf springs. Thrashingcows told me that he felt that would be a good thing, but I don't know how or why. Not that I'm disputing that, I just don't know and I'm curious about them. And the last thing, my W250 had lights above the cab and my D250 doesn't. Again, what is the significance of this if any at all.

If I had it to do all over again, I would have kept my W250 knowing I was going to buy another 250 and just converted my 2wd to 4wd. I probably would have kept the engine too even though the engines in both were fine. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks in advance guys.

 

Well first off thank you for following along on my build...and thank you for the kind words!

As for the gauges. The only factory gauge that came on top of the dash was an OEM Tach. Any and all other gauges, EGT, Boost etc are/were added my current or previous owners.

The frequency of seeing the gauges depends mainly on the owner, past and present. Many of us like to have them so you can monitor your motor, especially while pulling. But they can come in very handy when trying to diagnoses problems with your motor and drivetrain as well.

As for the rear airbags on your leaf springs. I believe that set up is a Kelderman air bag system. The benefit I believe is a smoother ride, and being able to adjust the ride height of the vehicle if loaded down with a trailer, or load.

The cab lights I believe were available as a factory option on most trucks, but were supposed to be standard on one ton trucks. I think I recall that the Factory one ton trucks are supposed to have additional roof lights, and tailgate lights, due to some federal transportation rule?

 

Hey TC, how is your build going? Ok, I know the DOT have regulations for lights on larger trucks, Kenworth, Peterbuilt etc, so I guess the lights are for DOT purposes more than anything? I work for a painting contractor all over the U.S. and I know our trucks that pull our trailers around are required to have a certain number of lights between the truck and trailer together.

Well, that takes care of the lights. Now the gauges inside, you said you thought they may have been put on by previous owners. My only issue with that is that the housing around all the gauges is the exact same color as my dash. Not even a little different in color. It was the same on my previous 1st gen too. Just 2 different color interiors. I'll see if I can upload a photo tomorrow. It'll be the first photo I've ever uploaded here so hopefully I wont have too much trouble. Funny thing is, half the time only 2 of the 3 gauges work at any given time. The boost always works but the egt and tach alternate between which one wants to work. Its rare that they're all going at once. Wiring is the bane of my existence I think. Haha! Fortunately neither my first truck or the one I have now have any serious issues with the wiring.

 

I forgot to mention, the housing with the gauges has a red and green light in the corners of the housing. In my old w250 I seem to remember that the green one would light up, but on my d250 I've never seen either one lit up.

 

Those housings are more then likely as old as the trucks themselves. My guess would be that they were a factory dealer accessory, and therefore made in the correct interior colours for the new trucks at that time.

 

On my truck the gauge package came with the banks power pak . as for the kelderman system on mine it improved the ride and levels a load but does not add any extra capacity. In my opinion it decreases the capacity because you lose the overload springs.

 

Now that you mention it, I think my first w250 said something about Banks on the gauges. My d250 isnt banks it isspro or something.

 

Anyway, at this point I may want to change them or at the very least fix the one I have. So, if I change the ones I have is there a preffered brand? Are they difficult? At this point I guess I could just follow the old wires. But do I need to remove the dash? Honestly wiring terrifies me. I always feel that one screw up with a wire and my truck will quit working. Can I re-use the wiring?

 

That's a Bank's dash pod. Any 2" gauge will fit in it. I paid pretty dearly for one last summer. It's a nice gauge pod.

It should be a 2 piece affair, with the top held on with two screws. Easy to work on the wiring and plumbing inside.

Usually the wiring and plumbing will come up the dash (in a loom) and up that leg hanging down the right side of the pod. You can drill though the dash too, if you wish.

Pulling the front of the dash off gets you access to the top of the dash if you need it. If you come up the leg as described above, you don't need to.

 

I would think that you probably just have some bad connections somewhere, that is why the gauges knock out from time to time. I would trace the wires back under the dash and see what's going on.

Make sure all your connections are good, and that the grounds are clean and tight. And no corrosion on any connections.

 

yes, sounds like a short. Double check the grounds.

Those dash pods are nice, and scarce. I have a 2 holer and wish I had a 3 or 4. Looks like the PO just painted it to match. I think they all started out black.

 

From Kelderman's website:

Adding a Kelderman Air Suspension 2-Stage suspension kit to your existing suspension will provide a level of comfort you thought was impossible. The Kelderman 2-Stage suspension is designed to improve the ride of your truck, loaded or unloaded. By loosening the rear spring shackle from the frame and attaching it to the air suspension, you've effectively provided yourself with a two-stage suspension system that smoothes the road. In this system, the bumps go through the air bag before transferring onto the leaf springs. This Kelderman suspension is NOT to be confused with just adding an air bag between the axle and the frame. This type of system is merely a helper for the springs to allow additional weight carrying capacity. It does nothing for the riding qualities of the vehicle and in many situations degrades the ride. You do not get additional load carrying capacity with the Kelderman 2-Stage suspension system, nor do you sacrifice capacity. The only thing you gain is ride comfort. If that's what you're after, the Kelderman 2-Stage suspension system is the perfect fit for you!

 

Yep, Kelderman is the bomb.............. and not cheap either.

 

So, I guess a 5th wheel is out of the question? Not that I need to pull a 5th wheel, ive never pulled a 5th wheel in my life. I just like to know what I can and can't do. Just in case it ever came up one day that I needed to pull one to help someone out. But I do notice a little smoother ride compared to my old w250. Its no Cadillac, but its pretty good. Besides, my truck should ride like a truck. Comfort is always welcome but people should know its a truck.

 

You can pull a 5th wheel with the kelderman, I have a 36 ft malard. It's great, I installed a dump valve so when you back up drain all the air quick. Then hook up air the system your off !