I'm new to the site and new to dodges and diesels, I just baught a 90 D250 diesel non intercooled truck for towing. Its a single cab long bed 2wd auto. I baught it just for towing out 2 offroad vehicles to the desert and offroad spots. I have looked alittle online and havent really found any aftermarket parts for these trucks but I know they have to be out there. I'm towing about 8,000 pounds and want just alittle more power and to get alittle more reliability out of the truck. what upgrades would you guys suggest I do? I'm going to be putting bullydogs 4" exhaust system on it and would like to do an intercooler. I'm also looking to put a boost gauge and a tach in. I am also interested in a aftermarket front bumper for it also just incase I need to pull it out or anything else. any suggestions?

 

look at my signature under this post. I tow a 30' travel trailer with mine and these mods have kept me happy. Only thing I'm missing is the gauges. Boost and pyrometer are a must if you're increasing fuel and pulling alot. Only reason I don't have gauges yet is I don't pull often and my budget isn't there yet. But fueling mods are cheap/free and easy if a wrench fits your hand well. I hear that an intercooler from a 2000 or so powerstroke ford is the best intercooler, I think they are all aluminum. Someone else will chime in about this soon.

This was my first diesel truck, and as I'm more comfortable with gas engines, I was intimidated by the diesel at first. But I decided to try and do some of the things I read about on this (great) site and realized these things are simpler than most gas engines. But they are definitely different. You got a good truck and you will soon see why these people like them so much.

 

this site seamed to have the best info out there on these trucks, thats why I joined. I'm kinda the same way, I know gas motors very well but not too much about diesels. you have any info on how you do those mods?

 

I would recommend a EGT and trans temp gauge before any other gauges... followed up with a fuel pressure gauge. Then anything else that you "like". Those three are priority one in my opinion.

Your going to need to check if it has the dealer optional transmission cooler under the bed. If it does not, I can just about guarantee you'll need something like it. It would be under the bed on the drivers side of the truck, fan and thermostat on it.

 

Check the stickies, good info in there. And there are several free power upgrade mods you will want to do if they have not been done already

 

Yep, the stickies are where I learned how to do my mods and can explain them to you better than I can. The tech articles have some good stuff in them too.

 

Not much aftermarket stuff out there, to look at the catalogs you'd think Dodge started making pickups in 1994.

I would suggest that you make getting a better torque converter a high priority.

 

Yeah they are getting harder to find upgrades for. There's a company that advertises on ebay that has some parts. I found them when looking for the 3200 spring. But as far as upgrades, torque converters, shift kits and tranny upgrades, and some other parts are still available if you look around on the net. Keep an eye on this forum and you will find out whats available.

 

i go through dynomite diesel they have some stuff or they will tell you where you can get stuff i really dont have a problem finding stuff for my truck performance wise but idk thats just me

 

If you're into towing, you will not regret the diesel. It will take some getting used to, but you will soon be converted. Seems everyone I know who has gone with a diesel pickup is hooked for life.

The stock torque converters are sloppy. This will slow you down on the hills and cut into the MPG a little. I know it does on my 96. Once you learn how to drive it and keep it locked up, you'll be fine.

 

90 didn't have lockup yet

 

so are the transmissions a weak point in the drivetrains on these?

 

In stock form, the autos are good to about 200K mi, in my experience. The convertors are the weak link, in that they dont transfer power very well. New convertor in my W250 made a night and day difference in power transfer.

I'd recommend a pyromter and tranny temp gauge, then fuel pressure gauge after that. Boost is nice, but not necessary; same for the tach. With the nonIC truck, you can tune the pump to get close to 300hp with the stock injectors, provided you have the airflow to burn the fuel, and a convertor to transfer it.