amartinson

Yeah, don't get me wrong, I love my truck, but xp8103 was asking about potential problems so I was trying to give him some.

Like I said, several have had no problems with their autos, but several have. There are several aftermarket companies that make everything from torque converters to valve bodies to complete trannys that are a huge upgrade from stock. The way you describe your expected use, you may never have a problem, but I still think you should have a few bucks in reserve just in case. I wish I did when I had my $4000 rebuild unexpectedly. Luckily the dealership covered half because I was only at 41,000 miles. If I had it to do over, I would have put my $2000 towards an aftermarket trans instead.

xp8103

Thank for the note.
I read somewhere else about checking the trans while test driving. Start from a stop and tromp on the go-pedal. The trans should hook up and motivate with just a little turbo lag.
Are we close here.

I have actually found a good candidate in Upper Marlboro MD. It's a hike for me (500+ miles but I drove to Philly to get the Expedition) fortunately I have relatives in the Camden/Philly area which will make the trip dual-purpose.
2001 1-owner. 75,000 ex-cab 4WD atuo. 4-wheel ABS (does this make it a 2001.5??) Hard Tonneau. Tow package (does this mean tranny cooler?)

cumminsboy

All posts aside, I Love my truck, hands down, no

cumminsboy

questions asked.


P.S.- sorry for the screw up, computers don't like me.

zulusafari

Yes on the tranny cooler, not necessarily on the ABS. If it has 4-wheel DISC brakes, yes. Check for an under hood pad as well -- 01.5's don't have one. My 01 V-10 2500 was early, with disc/drum brakes and the hood pad. The brakes weren't nearly as good as my 01.5 3500, and that darn hood pad kept working/tearing away from its mounts, falling into everything. Not missed at all in my 3500. I didn't think there could be much difference between my 01 V-10 and the 01.5 Cummins, but I really love my 3500!!!!!!!!!

ta3834bbl

Lift pump prices..... Napa ( carter pump ) 179.00, MDI local diesel place 190.00, Mopar ( where my truck sits til I pay for it ) 350.00 , 240 for fuel filter and diagnostics+lift pump+labor= 724.00 for a lift pump at Dodge.

But, I love my truck! I just hope the VP44 doesn't die! 1500.00 - Dodge quoted me 2500 installed!

I have been driving my Dad's 2004 Lincoln LS while he's out of town and my truck is in the shop 350 miles away, but I would much rather be driving my truck!

xp8103

Are any of the lift pumps any better than any others? Is it a shade tree job or does it require special clamp bearings, fashigalis pliers and a wappity band to do?

jrs_dodge_diesel

As far as a direct replacement better than the current lift pump, no, none that I know of. There are other fuel systems that get rid of the lift pump. One system is called the FASS, another is the RASP. Lots of info here on those. The lift pump is easy to replace with a set of hand tools. The tricky part is reaching it (its mounted on rear of the block on the left side.

On the auto tranny issues, the 47RE that Dodge uses behind the Cummins is a weak link. The tranny in stock condition can just barely take the power that the Cummins puts out. People who tow real heavy or modify the Cummins for more power have more of the tranny failures. The 47RE was meant to go behind a big gas engine that develops its power at a higher RPM than does our Cummins diesel. You will find the 46RE the close cousin of the 47RE in the Dodges with gas engines. With the low speed high power diesel the 47RE runs close to the minumum operating pressures. Could Dodge have improved this tranny? Yes, but in their quest for saving pennies they didn't. They rather built the 48RE which is found in the 3rd gen Dodge/Cummins.

Hope this helps.

xp8103

Hi J.R.,
Thanks. I appreciate the note. I have no plans to tow heavy certainly save for my Coleman popup which is < 4000 loaded. At some point I am going to replace the popup with a slide in (probably in the 10' range). Same goes for off roading, or in my case lack of it.
And given the power increase of the Cummins over my current 4.6l Ford V8, I think I'll be satisfied.

amartinson

That's one of the things I really like about these trucks. It's FUN to pull stuff, instead of it being a chore. I used to lug up a hill pulling a two place snowmobile trailer with two sleds, now I don't even know it's back there. I've only pulled some medium sized loads (tractor and such) and it always leaves me looking like this:

xp8103

I will fully admit right up front that while the 4.6l modular V8 in my Expedition isn't a powerhouse, it actually surprised me when I started pulling my camper last year. Yes, I need to get out of OD often even on the slightest of hills. In fact, I don't use OD cept for plain flat or down hill. But it pulled thru the Berkshires and Adirondacks last year and I got 14mpg while doing it.
I have been in a situation or two where the engine barely had the goop to get started on a hill. It was in a campground and the grade was pretty steep. And I got a little stuck in the sand recently and the engine didn't have the nuts to spin the tires. But it doesn't pull badly. I just want MORE!!!

amartinson

Be carefull! Talk like that can cost you a lot of $$$ on this site!