I currently have a 93 Dodge diesel dually.

I am in the market to move up to a 2001, 2002 or 2003.

Need input as to which year has had the least problems with regard to engine, trans ,etc

Has there been a change in the engine and/or transmission in the 3 different years of trucks?

Would appreciate any input regarding this.Thanks....

 

well the 24 Valve VP 44 Engine would be in the 2001-2002 trucks, and then the 2003 would have the Common Rail set up for fuel. The VP44 trucks would probably have problems with the Lift Pump and Injector Pump sometime down the road. I don't think there is too many things wrong with the 03+ trucks though, but i could be wrong.

 

2003+ is the new body style. 98.5-2001 had 53 block issues. 98.5-2002 has injection pump issues.

 

Thanks for the info.

Don't understand some of the the terminology being used.

Please explain things like common rail, etc.

Thanks

 

I'm assuming your 93 uses the 7300 inline pump (I think its called). It's a mechanically driven pump. Very reliable from what I've heard.

The same pump is used through '98 models (12 valvers).

The 98.5 went to the 24 valve engine, and used the VP-77. It's an electronically controlled rotary pump (somebody correct me where I'm wrong). It puts pressure on the diesel fuel (variable pressure depending on the signal it receives) supplying fuel to mechanically controlled injectors (springs in these injectors are defeated at some fuel pressure and allow a pressure dependant amount of fuel to 'pop' through the injectors, same injectors as 12 valvers) & the VP-77 also uses diesel fuel for cooling purposes.

Due to the VP-77's cooling method, it's life expectancy is dependant on a nominally functioning lift pump. The OEM carter lift pump, well let's just say, it isn't the stoutest pump possible for the job, and it's location is not ideal for it's application. It can die slowly, and during the process, damage can be done to the VP. A fuel gauge will let you know when the fuel pressure it too low and countermeasures can be taken to extend the life of the VP.

Common rail started on the '03 models. I don't know what kind of pump, or mechanism is used to create the pressure. But there is a common rail (it's basically a fuel supply tube) that supplies pressurized diesel fuel to all the injectors. Each injector is electronically signal controlled to deliver fuel as required. The pressure on the fuel is much higher than previous engines.

There's probably a lot not quite right with that (somebody correct me), but that is my current understanding.

- JyRO

 

The '89 to '93's used a different pump, VE I believe. '94 to '98 used the p7100. '98.5 to '02 used the VP44. '03+ used common rail. I don't know, everyone says how the VP dies due to low fuel pressure from the lift pump etc. and that keeping an eye on the fuel pressure will keep the pump alive. However, according to some diesel specialists that make injection pumps (I forgot the name), they said it had to do with the internals of the vp44, which just wasn't designed very well. They said the VP will pretty much die at a certain point regardless of fuel pressure. For some people it may be 250k miles. But they don't last as long as the good 'ole mechanical pumps.