Good afternoon everyone! Been a long time since I have posted on the forum!
I have been out of the diesel world for a while, but I bought a camper and the gas beasts suck---literally suck gas lol. At any rate, I just got an 04 quad cab, long bed, 4x4, 2500. It has an AFE cold air kit, and the exhaust looks like a bolt on turbo back 4" (there is no delete pipes just a small muffler). When I turn the key on the lift pump just hammers. It's loud enough at an idle I can hear it cycle. Truck runs fine though, any thoughts?? Also if it's dying like I think it might be, what to replace with? I might do a small programmer but the truck will be pulling a camper most of its life so nothing crazy....

 

Before the experts here can help you, you have to do some homework. Your truck came stock with a canister mounted lift pump (where the fuel filter is located). While it is possible that you still have the stock pump, it is most likely that it has been replaced, retrofitted to an in-tank pump or upgraded to an aftermarket pump of some kind.

I'm no expert. But, my canister mounted pump failed at 72k miles. When it failed it gave no warning whatsoever - no noise, no intermittent sputtering. It just quit in the middle of left turn and wouldn't start again. I had mine retrofitted to the in-tank version which I believe was introduced in 2005.

So, first identify what you have. Then, determine if the noise you are hearing is a sign of impending failure. If so, knowing what you have will be instrumental in getting the appropriate advice for replacement or upgrade.

 

Ok I really feel like a newbie again. There is no lift pump on the filter housing. I do believe what I'm hearing is an electric vacuum pump on passenger firewall.... I took a pic but can't figure how to post from iPhone. Anyhow banjo fitting to hose is all that's there. The plug from the original lift pump goes to a relay on the firewall then back to tank... Sorry guys.... Now do I need to monitor fuel pressure with this 5.9 like I did with my 98? Does the in tank pump push enough fuel to support a small programmer? This truck needs gauges bad lol just don't know which ones I need?

 

 

Your pic looks a lot like mine after the in-tank upgrade. If the wire goes to the tank, then that's another clue. I assume you would see if a third-party pump (e.g. Airdog) was installed. An in-tank pump should support a mild programmer. If your noise is coming from under the dash and the lift pump is in the tank, I doubt that the lift pump is your issue. Experts need to chime in here.

 

The in-tank pump works much better than the original canister pump and easily supports a programmer. It is very advisable to monitor fuel pressure at the inlet banjo of the high pressure pump. With that you can monitor your fuel filter restriction or any other fuel feed fault. I have a 3 gauge "A" pillar mount that looks factory provided. The other two gauges I installed are EGT and turbo boost. I would also like to have a oil temp gauge, but have no idea where to mount it. The EGT and boost gauge is particularly useful for monitoring engine loading and throttle setting for fuel economy purposes.

 

perfect!! Thanks guys!