I just purchased a 1995 12v and I need to know what problems to expect and what to look for as far as commonly replaced parts. I am only familiar with the 24v VP44 trucks! Thanks in advance.

Josh

 

call Jim Jessup at 812-873-7618 (he works on 12v and 24v) everyday. He retired from Cummins and knows these engines like the back of his hand. He will tell you that the 97 12v was the best. If you live anywhere close to SE Indiana I would make an appointment with him. It will come alive after his gets done and it will be set up correct and at a fair price.

 

I would suggest doing a search on the KDP and reading up on that, it is the first thing to fix. One of the common things that need to be replaced are the starter contacts which are best purchased from Foster Truck. Beyond that, I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the fuel system in other words, where the prefilter screen, heater, LP, filter, and IP are. You should also know where the shutdown solenoid is so that you know how to get your truck home if it ever dies.

If the truck is from Florida, I doubt you would have rust problems but it is worth looking at your brake and fuel lines(both the metal and rubber lines usually need to be replaced at some point).

Since you already have an '01, I suspect that you know all about the front ends on these trucks.

 

Jim knows cummins probably better than the back of his hands Whenever you look in a cummins service book and you see someones hands on something, they're Jims. Only problem is your in florida

I 2nd everything dartmouth 12v just said, I have a 95 as well and just bought a service manual off of ebay for like $20 and it has all kinds of good info in it. Congrats on the truck and good luck

 

The lack of power on a stock 95 auto is a problem... But thats easy to fix

Check fuel filter and for a timing cover leak as well as a vacuum pump oil leak, they do not seem like much but the previous owner of my truck did not fix them for a long time and the oil ate away the transmission lines and coated my truck with a black suet that won't come off. I had to replace the front two lines at it was $310... So just a small oil leak can create bad things down the road.

 

Thanks for the tips. I had some time today to look it over and the Starter needs to be replaced. Looks like I'll be getting those starter contacts and looking into the KDP fix. after that it will be LP and gauges! Then I'll have to figure out how to wake up this DOG. Its a 160 P-pump!

 

shouldn't really have to worrie about he LP on a 12v thats a 24v thing
you will also be running more fuel presure you'll need a 0-60 gauge.

 

thats great news since the fuel system gave me the biggest head ache on my '01. This truck will be used primarily for sled pulls, tug of war and local mud bogs. I will be beating on it pretty good and I want to get these things ironed out and start to understand the 12v first. So far this is what i've got on the checklist before I start the build-up...

1) KDP
2) Starter & Contacts
3) Pair of Optima Batteries
4) Check all steel lines brake and fuel (I'll be making my own big line kit)
5) Change Air, Oil & Fuel Filters along with fluids
6) Check vaccum lines and pump for leaks.
7) Figure out how to turn the fuel up on this DOG!
8) ?
9) ?
10) ?

 

I think you are on the right track
I made myself a checklist before I started doin mine.
Don;t forget gauges, and there are alot of free mods you can do with a 12v
like the 3gsk washermod, you can grind your own fuel plate, starwheel adjustment. smoke screw. There is alot to do with P- Pump lots a fuel. I love it

 

If you'd prefer someone local to Tampa area to do honest, professional work, Call Todd Struck out in Withlacoochee...don't have his number handy, but information can find him. He was the Cummins guru at the local Dodge store for years and got sick of the political BS and did his own thing...he has a strong following in the area there. He sells and installs Goehrend (sp.?) stuff and knows all the little things about the 'Dodge' part of your rig as well!!

Brian