Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Well I'm bored, everyone else is making project threads and I don't feel like doing homework right now! So here we go.

July 26th, at about 7-8:00PM my dad and I set off for Nebraska. We didn't know exactly where we were headed, we just knew it was somewhere around Cody. Yeah, Google Map that shit. Better yet, I'll do it for you.

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps47ad072c.png

In other words, it was a long ass trip! We spent the night in Souix Falls (I think), slept a measly...3-4 hours and were back at it. We expected an alright shape truck. I mean, it had about 248,xxxmiles on it and the guy lived on what looked like a farm. Here are the pictures he sent me originally as well as one I found on the previous owner's Facebook page.

1995 Dodge Ram 2500 12 Valve Cummins


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http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psea7d4bea.jpg


http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps05972f45.jpg

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

If you ever need driveshaft work, send them to Proven Force. Is that a 2wd or 4x4?

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

From the looks and sound of it, the truck was pretty clean. The previous owners claimed it has all synthetic fluids, a rebuilt transmission a billet input shaft and a "different" or "better" torque converter (I forget his exact words). That sounded alright to me.

We get to Cody and call the guy up, he tells us to drive west out of town and we were to look for his newer white Chevy dually. He said it was take him a few minutes to get down his driveway. Alright, we headed out. After about 15 minutes we figured we went too far. Turned around and there he was.

Now shit you I not, this guy's driveway was 5-8+ miles long, easily! He later told us he had about 200,000 acres...maybe it was 400,000....I forget. Either way, he had a LOAD of land. We get to the truck, it looks alright. It's been repainted, the body work was okay but it's a truck.

We test drove her down the driveway and everything checked out. The four-wheel drive worked, it shifted smoothly and it didn't act stupid in any way. The only thing he said it needed was the front steering stabilizer and the steering gear box; all of that jazz. He has the parts ordered from BD Power and he said he would ship it to us (we've yet to see anything). We bought the bitch and made it home by about 11:00PM; what a trip..


This was a few weeks later. Yeah, I know..Colorado plates. According to this guy he bought the truck while he was living in or in Colorado for whatever reason. He then took it to New Mexico. I also believe he mentioned Texas. That was where he was originally from so maybe that's where the confusion comes from; know's, care's.


http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps56cd0ddf.jpg


Now my dad being who he is...just can't leave anything alone. Before you knew it, we were both buying new parts for it left and right. A new grill, headlights, bed liner, rear bumper, front bumper plastics, factory side molding and some stainless steel rocker covers. Oh! Fender flares too! Not the one's I would've liked but they weren't $5xx.


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http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps423397c3.jpg


Yeah, we threw a 3500 dually tailgate on it. We literally had it sitting in our back "shed" for the last 15 years. The story behind it pretty much goes like so; a guy screwed his up and needed one "yesterday" for a trip somewhere. So they banged the thing out to just have the guy go on his trip without it and blow the truck up. The fuuuu?

Whatever, I think it does the truck good as far a looks go. It just needs some white to make it look at home.

It didn't take long before I started to put it to work. Hauling a shell to the scrap yard!


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Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Of course there has to be some performance. Back when I actually had money I bought myself a "nice" Magnaflow exhaust..that wasn't all there. They literally took a piece out of the kit and figured it would work. lol This was over a month or two ago. Just today I received confirmation that they have sent me the piece of pipe I am missing. I've been running just a down-pipe and about 24-32" of pipe. The sound is starting to get a little annoying but I like it. :D


http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps4890b61b.jpg


I also yanked that lame-o silencer ring off of that little 'ol HX35doubleya'.

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psf363ef19.jpg


http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psa9a1afa1.jpg

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Here are a few pictures of me trying to get all crafty with taking pictures.


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Yes I get bored and yes I need a decent camera. Who doesn't?

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Hey, thanks! I will keep that in mind.

This truck 'tis a 4x4! That was one of the many reasons I decided on it. I do somewhat like the idea of having a manual trans. truck though. The auto. can be nice for some things though, too. :cheer: lol

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

12 valve FTW!!

If I was going to get any truck it would be one of these.

Now take the fuel plate out of that sucker and get some injectors!

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Diesel truck. :-!

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

LOL @ Prius repellant!

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Yes sir indeed. I looked at a few 24 Valves but after the main one I was looking at had the lift pump go out on me (on the way back to the dealership LOL), I set my sights on something different.

I always tell people that I see no point in not going straight for the "big" truck(s) as they call it. For me this is a minimum. If you're getting something to haul it had better haul and then some.

I'm not sure on the fuel plate. Maybe I'll get an aftermarket one. Or cut it. lol Same difference. Injectors probably aren't in my near future. Sometime this summer possibly if I'm working at a machine shop.

Good shit right there.

You like that?! lol Everyone get's a little chuckle out of it. Since having half of my exhaust gone I feel kind of like a tool with it there.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Looks pretty clean for the mileage. What was the point of the different gate?


Also what do these things go for? What'd you pick this beast up for?

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Thanks, I agree. She's up around 252,xxx now (I believe). The reason for the tailgate was because the original one was beat up and the handle/latch was all screwed up. Plus I like the three lights in the center. :D

These things book at around $7,000. I think we put up $6,400. I don't exactly remember though as it has been about two months since. The truck was advertised as a '96 too, plus all the little flaws with it.

It ended up being a nice rig. As of now it needs a nice set of tires and the front suspension/steering parts the PO told us he would ship to us.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Things look pretty deng clean to me. Very nice! What year is it?

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Thanks. I guess I could include that in the original post! It is a 1995.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Just snapped a few pictures. Forewarning; it's dirty!

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Even though I get flashed all the time, I love this new headlight setup. I have 55w 8000k HIDs in some eBay housings. The two put together make a world of difference. They just light up the road and woods. Mostly the highs, just as I was hoping.


http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psa3b6e183.jpg

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Oh! I dyno'd the truck on 9/11. It made 350HP @ 980lbs/ftTQ. It made me wish I had a 6-speed manual transmission. Oh the fun that could be had.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

One thing I like about Dodge is that the driveline are pretty easy to work on(tranny, F+R differential, etc.). One thing I hate about them is taking out the front wheel bearing when they havent been touched in a long time. They get seized pretty good. The engine feels pretty solid and picks speed up good. I'm not a big fan of the interior but that thing will haul almost anything!

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

I feel you on the front hub/wheel bearings. I put new pads and rotors on it...or tried to. I got the axle nuts off, but I didn't have the hub puller so I brought it to a friend's family shop. It was actually quite convenient; I worked in the building right next to them so it was perfect.

My transmission is a little finicky. It started giving me problems with shifting into over drive a few weeks ago. From what I was being told on the Cummins forums and my vague knowledge of automatic transmissions, I THINK it is the overdrive solenoid. I just threw a 10 ohm potentiometer in place of the TPS and it did the trick. During the process I found a switch under the dash. I believe it is a torque converter lock up switch. I now just use said switch when wanting to be in overdrive.

It does help with a little coal rolling ability too. ;) lol

Amen on the interior. If I was rich and didn't give a flying fawk I would swap it over to a 1998+. I love those setups. These cup holders are retarded especially. I've already spilled a LARGE Dr. Pepper from like...Taco John's all over my lap in this thing. I was PISSED. That's what you get for taking a corner while talking on the phone I guess. lol

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Mini-update:

Magnaflow FINALLY came through for me and sent out the 36" extension pipe that wasn't originally included in the kit pictured above. Saturday evening the girlfriend and I got everything jimmy rigged. There weren't hangers everywhere there should have been....soooo we used some chain in place.

I haven't any pictures as I really didn't care to show off the handy work holding that exhaust up. Here's a lame video of the sound inside the truck.

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps34785a0d.jpg

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

chain!!! you going to weld it the right way soon? other than that lookin good

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

It's like a more fine chain. Something used for old school bike locks. lol Maybe a little bit heavier. I may look for some hangers I can have welded on or bring it to Exhaust Pros. I really haven't gotten into welding much so I'd rather not burn through the pipe. lol

The rear hanger really needs to get fixed as it sits on nothing. Well actually it touches the spare tire. lol The kit was intended for a 1998-'02 or a 24 valve.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Sunday I went from buying a hitch, ball and some floor mats to completely cleaning it inside and out. Then I paid a visit to MAP Monday for something. The truck handled it'self quite well. I was impressed. It does need more umph though. Sadly..I don't think that's going to happen for awhile.

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psc2bd2cd5.jpg

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

I just spent the last.. 12 hours adding a few little details to the truck. I REALLY like how everything came out. I need to learn how to work with Plastidip though. This has only been my second time using it. Give me your opinions.


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Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

There it is.

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb9571619.jpg

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...psf4e96025.jpg

Let the fun begin.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Whatcha doin?

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Transmission took a crap?

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

I'm building it. Putting a whole load of money that should be going towards school but I don't want this happening again. We're talking "Stage 3" DTT rebuild kit or Goerend Master overhaul kit plus a billet input. Goerend high capacity pan, Goerend triple disc converter and some sort of aftermarket cooler w/fan.

I'm really up in the air on a flex plate. Many people have been fine with stock ones to 900+ HP, but some have broke them with less. OH, forgot to mention a shift kit of some sort and a gauge package. Specifically for the trans. temp., but the boost and pyro. will be added precaution.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Goerend FTW. He's like the Shep of Cummins Auto's

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

That's the feeling I got as well. I figured the guys on CumminsForum and such wouldn't get the reference though. lol Minus he hasn't decided he needs to move onto bigger and "better" things. lol A person has to do what they have to do though.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

It's a dodge, of course the transmission puked! Had to replace the one in my durango with under 80k on it.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Yeah, Chrysler didn't exactly know how to build a HD transmission. Then again, what company knows how to build an automatic for a diesel? Let alone one that will be making more power than it was designed to make and be beat on. lol

I understand on the Durango though. The instructor teaching the class in which I am doing this in was the transmission guy at the local Chrysler Center for over...gosh I don't even rememeber how long; MANY years anyway. He mentioned the plethora of Dakotas, Durangos and Rams he worked on. Among others.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Exactly what I was going to say. I'd rather have a cummins>duramax>powerstroke.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Any transmission attached to a 318 or 360 basically sucked. Whatever they used on the 318's seem worse, especially if you try to tow.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

I'd take a Duracrap for the Chevy part but I'd nearly want a Powerchoke first. Screw 'em both. lol I'll keep what I've got.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

One word...... Allison

Then for an engine a pre-egr common rail ISB would be the best combo.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

lol When I said no company knows how to make a decent transmission I wasn't kidding. Allisons are cute for a injector burning Duracrap but I don't think one would last long in my truck especially with my goals.

The only way I'd own a common rail would be with a P-Pump and a decent lift pump.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Decided to downgrade a little from what I had posted earlier. I went with the following; Goerend single disc TC with billet rear, full
Goerend Master Overhaul Kit, Goerend high capacity pan, Autometer gauge kit, Derale Atomic Remote Trans. cooler and a TransGo shift kit.

If this 47RH doesn't love me after this I don't know what will make it! lol

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

Here is a well needed update. With the lovely two days a week I get to work on this thing it has been a PITA to make any progress. I even went as far as taking the valve body home to work on. Any who, on to the nice clean product.


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All I have to do now is put the over drive unit on and essentially install it. There's minor details like running wires for my gauges (trans. temp, EGT & boost), along with making temporary trans. cooler lines. After the truck is moving I'll throw the little mods I've collected since it's been down on it. They're nothing major but they'll make it a little more fun to cruise around with. Hopefully this summer I'll have two jobs and be able to do a little with this as well as my other vehicles.

Re: Something that blows black!...kinda'.
 

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps8200b137.jpg

...aaaaaaaaaaaaand..

She's in!

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6a08e2e8.jpg

Not full of fluid or ready to drive but damn close. I need to install the TC to flex plate bolts, finish the kick down assembly and then stick the dipstick back in so I can fill it up. Then a test drive! Damn it's been too long!

Thanks for looking!