Vintage RAM.... what to do?
I cannot believe how long I've been away from this forum but it seems like just yesterday. In 2003 I agonized over diesel v gas and would the Dodge 48RE tow heavy. I can surely say that now I KNOW...
Forum Discussion
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:Don, my '04 OEM lift pump was still going strong at 14 years and 216K. Me Again, my '04 had none of the issues you mentioned.Me Again wrote:
You mean by simplictiy, it is NOT simple to resolve 47RE transmission gear hunting, lift pump failures, APPS isuues, head pedal and other VP-44 failures? LOL after owning a 24V for 14 years. I did replace my failed VP-44 myself.
Lift pump is an easy fix install an Air-Dog pump. The 2004's built before 01/02/2005 had the lift pump on the left side of the engine block. After 01/02/2005 the pump was moved from the engine block to inside the fuel tank ending the failures. Dodge was told by the pump manufacture that the lift pump had to be with-in three feet of the fuel tank or it would not last. Dodge decided they knew better (they didn't).
As for the injector pump again starting in 2003 the Cummins was running the CP3 not the VP-44. When I sold my 2004 with 150K+ it was still running the stock O.E. CP3 injector pump. However I added Opti-Lube to EVERY tank of fuel since the injection pump was not designed to run ULSD. Add some kind of good additive to increase the lubrication of the fuel and your pump will be happy and have a long life. https://opti-lube.com/
The 48RE is what was in the 2004 trucks not the 47RE but they had there issues too. If you kept the oil and filter changed they were fine if not 100K would be tops for it. There are tons of builders making beefed up 48RE's so not an issue there.
I don't know what you mean by APPS or head pedal. But I think you are confusing the 2004 with the 2002 or 2nd Gen trucks.
Don
