02 Ram 2500 cummins H.O.

[morerunner]

Hello all. I decided to join the fullsize club again. I recently sold my defender and purchased a 2002 Ram 2500, QCSB with the H.O. cummins and 6spd. I have put an intake and exhaust on it and got the bed line-x'd but that's it so far. Many more mods planned. I think a shell will be next. Here are some pics.

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[morerunner]

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[sdwhip]

That's a clean 02, nice find. I joined the Cummins crowd last week as well and bought a 2011 crew cab. What are your plans for the truck?

 

[morerunner]

Thanks sdwhipkey. I plan on a shell, bumpers, sliders, winch, CB, BFG A/T's, maybe some black wheels, and lockers.

My plan is basically to make it a expo/daily driver/good gas mileage rig. No lift planned since it already has good clearance and fits 33's perfect.

So far I have been getting 19 mpg combined and about 22.5 hwy, but that was before the exhaust and intake.

What are you planning for yours?

 

[sdwhip]

My plans are pretty much the same as yours. As soon as I get the shell from my last truck sold I will get on for this one. The mods you mentioned are all that I have planned. I wish I was getting your mileage but all the emissions stuff is holding me back. I've only got about 700 miles on it so far so I've got about 20-30 thousand miles until it starts to get better. I know I can delete all the emissions but not at the expense of loosing my warranty so for now it stays.

 

[Halligan]

Sweet Ram. I had an '01 like yours except it was green and had the 5.9 gasser. Very stout rig's.

I once visited Emeral Isle when I took my old fifth wheel camper down to see a buddy stationed at Camp Lejune. I stayed at a nice camp ground right as you crossed over the bridge.

Heres my old set up at Emerald Isle. '04 Ram Cummins/Wildcat fiver

 

[my1stcummins]

Dang these Cummins are taking over:victory:

Nice rig BTW! A 6spd would be great for mileage and maximizing the Cummins' power band.

I am sure that you are aware of the potential problems with the injection pump on that rig. You would be wise to add a supplemental lift pump to help prolong the life of the VP44. I believe there are a few years that had an issue with a pin coming lose in the front end of the engine and possible causing damage.

Looking forward to seeing this truck evolve.

A great resource is the www.cumminsforum.com
:smiley_drive:

 

[Halligan]

The pin issue My1stcummins is talking about is the killer dowel pin aka the KDP. The good news is that really only affected the 12 valve Cummins so your in good shape with your 24 valve.

As for the Injection pump My1stcummins is correct. If the lift pump fails and starves the injection pump, the very expensive injection pump will die on you. For piece of mind I would add a fuel pressure gauge to your truck to keep and eye on the health of your lift pump(s).

 

[m12a]

... The good news is that really only affected the 12 valve Cummins so your in good shape with your 24 valve.

Actually it's possible to get a KDP all the way up into the 2001 trucks... I've heard of a single 2002 truck that had it as well. It's less common, but they're out there!

Either way, nice truck morerunner! Definitely, definitely upgrade the lift pump and get a fuel pressure gauge like Halligan mentioned. Once you do, it should be a very reliable rig (provided no damage was already done to the VP44) and I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[morerunner]

Thanks all. I am on cumminsforum as well and looking into the lift pump. I've also heard of the pin. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to at least check it. Halligan, nice set up. This a nice area. Only bad thing I suppose is the salt air. Everything rusts. I'm planning a trip up to Cape Hatteras to camp leaving this Thursday. First trip with the truck since I drove it from IL. I miss Utah though.

I have done some in depth searching for a rear bumper with a tire carrier but have found nothing. Does anyone know of someone that makes one? Just checking before I look into getting one fabricated.

 

[ExpoMike]

Nice truck. I just joined the full size Cummins clan with my '97 2500 and just added a Four Wheel Camper to it.

As for a rear bumper/tire carrier, I have to welcome you to the non existant aftermarket support. Seems just 2nd Gen'ers don't get any lovin' out there. Limited suspension stuff, a few front bumpers, no rock sliders or skid plates and I think I recall one rear bumper but no tire carrier. I really had thought there was a bigger aftermarket for 2nd gens but it seems '03 and up are the only Ram trucks that get the lovin...

Oh well... guess we'll have to do things the hard way.

 

[m12a]

Yeah, I've never seen an aftermarket bumper with tire carrier... I know I've seen replacement tailgates that hold a spare, but I'm not sure if they were custom fabbed or not. I think you're gonna have to go the custom route for that one.

 

[morerunner]

I just found one company that makes them.

http://www.aluminess.com/index.htm

They are aluminum and according to their price list, it looks like they only offer the rear bumper. Nice looking though.

 

[ExpoMike]

That's right, I do remember seeing that one but at almost $2400, I'll be building my own.

Actually I already have a plan. I picked up a Hummer H2 swing out and will fab a bumper that will allow me to use that. Should be a nice, heavy duty swing out.

 

[morerunner]

2400 is pretty expensive. Please post some pictures with your bumper build when it happens.