I have been looking for a truck for a couple of months now. I have limited my self to find a 12V because of the known problems of the 24V fuel system. There are several 24V around but all the reading I have done has scared the hell out of me, so I have not bought one.

Is this a big of a problem as I think it is?

Is there an aftermarket pump and lift pump out there that last longer?

The truck I buy will have to last me the next 5 to 7 years and I don't want somthing that will cost me $2,500.00 every year to 2 years.

And as for the option of buying new or a slightly used 2003, well my money tree out back just doesn't produce

 

I think the problems with the VP44 appear more amplified here in the forums than they really are. You don't hear much about the ones that aren't having a problem. There are plenty of high milage VP's around. The 98.5 and 99 trucks had the most problems. Monitoring L/P pressure, keeping clean filters, and supplementing fuel lubricity are the best things to do. Performance mods may also require an upgrade to improve fuel supply. That's about all that can be done.

I'd just go with whatever model feels right for you, be it a 12 valve, or a 24. Just as long as it's a Cummins.


Boyd.

 

Mine has 100 K, just replaced the LP original VP is still good.

 

180,000 still oringinal lp and 44. 12 psi idle - 8 psi wot.

 

Getting close to 135,000 on the original VP, but still very antsy about the wire tap. I want some insurance money on hand when I do tap it.....

Matt

 

dctoner:

As of right now, I know of no "aftermarket" VP-44 fuel
pumps that are offered. In fact, Bosch (the company
that makes the VP-44) now has "certified" certain Bosch
Fuel Injection Shops to repair the VP-44's instead of
completely replacing them as they had done up until
late last year. To my knowledge, each of the authorized
Bosch Fuel Shops have purchased a Bosch Test Stand
or "Flow Bench" to diagnose, repair and properly "flow"
the VP-44 Pumps. I also heard that Bosch is going to
reduce the number of "new" pumps they manafacture
because of the repair shops starting up.

I also know of no "aftermarket" lift pump either.
What the guys with "BOMBED" trucks have been
doing is to install the "pusher" pumps (PE, Holley,
Carter, FASS) to increase the fuel pressure which
goes down with the addition of the fueling boxes,
injectors etc. Cummins and Dodge have both told
me that the "cutoff" should be no lower than 8lbs.
at any given time, however some guys say no lower
than 5lbs.

Like you, I have heard of more failures than success
stories with both the VP-44 and the lift pumps.
Personally, I have already replaced one (1) lift pump
on my 2002 Dodge CTD and it only has 30,000 miles
on it! I own both a 1996 Dodge CTD 12 valve and a
2002 Dodge CTD 24 valve and IMO the fuel system
on the 96' 12 valve beats the 02' 24 valve by a LONG
SHOT!! I have over 230,000 miles on the 12 valve
and have never had one problem with that fuel system!!
It still has the original lift pump and fuel heater!!
I don't even think you can compare the P7100 Fuel
Pump (12 valve) to the VP-44 (24 valve)!! That P7100
is cooled by oil and fuel where the VP-44 is cooled by
ONLY fuel!!

If I were recommending one to you I would definitely
tell you to go with the 12 valve Dodge CTD!!

Good luck!

---------
John_P

 

I think I heard that Piers was doing something with the Vp44 now.
http://www.piersdiesel.com/DodgeProducts.htm

 

Battering Ram has a new high performance VP pump that is built to the same specs as the Bosch remans and will give you more power to boot. Regardless of wether or not you are stock. Drop him a line and he can give you more info.

 

I bought a 96 w/84k on it, that I've put another 25k on with no problems. I had a 98.5(30k when I got it) that had 125k on when I sold it. I put a lp on it at about 80k another one about 115k. I've got a 01 that I put one on about 65k, just put another one on, w/inj. pump, at 103k.

 

Its now looking like the FASS system will go a LONG way to making your VP44 last much, much longer....and you can get rid of that pesky lift pump.

Just replaced my original LP...truck has well under 50k...

http://www.dieselpp.com/

 

Thanks for all the info. I will be using the truck I get for mostly a daily driver except for the camping months that I will pull an 8K 5ver so I will have moderate mods. too much power and speed has alway got me in trouble in the past

I think I will wait and find the old reliable 12v.

these trucks are like gambling you press your luck with just about any year you pick. lets see KDP, VP44, 53 block. The cummins is a great engine but hopefully these PIA high $ problems will come to an end.

thanks again

 

Wildcatdiesel.com sells banjo kits that allow better flow. The company advertises on this site.
george

 

They also sell their max flow kit which I have yet to hear a bad thing about.

 

Now your talking...get yourself a good 1st Gen and don't worry about those pesky problems!

 

1st Gen trucks are even harder to find around here

There is a fair mix of all three brands but the owners of the dodges just don't give them up too often

Have to play the waiting game