ok, i have done a ton of research on the 12V Cummings thinking that i should buy an older truck but with a hell for stout motor. well now i get to thinking that i would like to find a truck with a nice interior and not have to mess with buying a truck that is 10+ years old.

so i am thinking about a 24V. i have read all about the VP44 and its problems and the 53 block. what else do i need to watch for? how do you start bombing a 24V? is the VP44 enough of a reason to not buy a 24V? what kind of power numbers can i get from a 24V? What is the best Year?

i am having a hard time finding a 12V 98, so i am looking at some 24V's

THANKS A TON!!

 

Don't let the VP44 keep you from buying a 24V. The VP44 dies(typically) due to lack of fuel pressure from a poorly designed fuel pump. Their are many aftermarket kits available that remedy this problem ie, FASS, Air dog, Vulcan, Scotty's and more. Just make sure the fuel system is upgraded before you do any power adders. How much horsepower a 24V can make depends on how deep your pockets are!
In my opinion I think you should look for an 01.5 truck or an 02. It would be rare to have a 53 block in this year range and you get rear disk brakes. Eric

 

thanks. i am going to look at an 01 today. it has 166k and has not had the lift pump or the VP replaced yet. any sure fire ways to tell if its on its way out?

 

Best year is 2002 with 4 disk brakes, most people think.
VP44 as a show stopper? Not for me. This is the ONLY major problem I have read about on these trucks. Just about any "stalled", "stranded", "died" or whatever else issue is answered "replaced VP44, ouch thats expensive but running like a champ again!". Compare that to glow plugs, injectors, head gaskets etc. etc. on Pstrokes and D-maxes. A 12v is nice but in my opinion is not quite is flexible as the 24v. Would I like a 12v? Yes. What do I have? A 24v. Do I regret it? Absolutely not!!! I love it. And, you can have extra power (and fuel consumption) when you need it only, not at all times.
-P

 

I'm here to say it - you're thinking wisely about this one. My 12V was doing great until about one physical year ago, and it seems the bottom has dropped out with (mostly truck not engine) issues that have really taken their toll on my wallet this year. There DOES come a point of dimishing marginal returns, and when physcial age begins to deteriorate these truck, you are going to know it!

I would also suggest an 01.5 or 02 as the rear disks would be one feature I would REALLY appreciate on my truck. Keep in mind 5 and 6-speed units tend to fare better overall, but since it's a known thing they can also be pricey as well. Install a fuel pressure gauge (do a search for info) and monitor it, and consider a fuel system upgrade to preserve your VP-44. Just my $.02 but I'd leaving Bombing for a while until you baseline your new truck and have it sorted out. Good luck in your search...

 

I hear those "cummings" arent very easy to find parts for

 

Those (cummings) engines are hard and expensive to get parts for cause those are the ones that are used in the ferd conversions

 

Thanks for the info I'm in the same boat. Looking for a 6 speed if possible but yes I will agree that they get pricey. Found a 2002 w/ 74k for $22K!!

 

thanks guys, now i just found a deal on a PSD and a CTD for about the same price....what to go with..

 

well thats wouldnt even be a dilemna for me

unless its one of the 7.3L powerstrokes. That 6.0 is crap