benroberts3605

I was reading in diesel power on a guys 1st gen 12 valve that he fixed his killer dowl pin problem and I had know idea what he was talking about, I was wondering if someone could help me out on this one.

jentas

I just killed my kdp recently.
Basically, it is a dowel pin that was used when building the engine to line up the gear housing with the block. The kdp problem is that there is nothing to stop this dowel pin from wiggling itself loose and causing major damage.

At some point, the gear housing cover was fixed so that the dowel pin can't work itself out. I think every truck up until 2000 or 01' is subject to this problem, unless you have a newer one with the fixed cover. However, there is no way to tell if you have the fixed cover without removing it or finding someone with a kdp jig.

Here's the info for fixing it:
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Dowel_Pin/tab.htm

Silver R/T

here's some good reading
http://www.frybrid.com/1998%2059.htm
I've got 01 so I don't have to worry about it...I think.

Flatbed24v

if your not the reading type go onto YouTube and search for kdp and there is a guy that made a series of 4( I think) videos on taking the truck apart and fixing the kdp

rebel5422

take it from me dont sit around and think about doing it just do it my dropped the day after i ordered the kdp repair kit from tst i shouldnt have spent the month and a half thinking about it the kit is cheap and easy to install not that the tube of jb weld i used to fix my crack in the housing was expensive but i would rather have fixed it b4 it dropped my truck only had 230k on the clock and when i received the kit i put it in my brothers 4x4 that night he only had 200k on his and the pin was about halfway out already seriously would just do this and not think about it cause the cost to repair correctly after one drops is not cheap money better spent on go fast goodies or just extra tanks of fuel lol

klx650a2

I've talked to Wannadiesel who has killed MANY KDP's (68 and counting) and asked him about my truck. He said he does not waste his time with trucks that have a build date of 99 or newer, here is his quote:

"I've never seen a '00 with the old style gear case. I no longer waste my time on '00 trucks, or '99 trucks built in '99."

I sleep very well at night with this info.

Now IF you want to worry, worry about the POS lift pump and crappy VP44. Get a fuel pressure gauge if you do not have one. Nothing under 7 PSI at WOT.

BigErksG2

wannadiesel is a good guy, i would take his word

1-5-3-6-2-4

you don't have to order a kit to fix it. just get a new front seal. pull the cover. tap it back in. and stake the edge of the cover in 4 spots with a sharp punch. get some anerobic sealer (Locktite 515 or equivalent) for the cover. clean up parts, reinstall all.

Fishin2Deep4U

Just some info for the guys that supposedly have nothing to worry about.




This is an '02 that had the KDP. This is my dad's truck and I seen the case. It was the older design. The only way to know, to really know, is to pull the cover and check!

This is one of the "newer case" model years I keep hearing about that has had this issue. My '02 had an old style case as well as a buddies '01.5, an '01 that also lost the KDP and 2 '00 that also lost the KDP. I am getting good at swapping front ends.

Dave

Flatbed24v

does anyone have any pics of the old ( bad) front cover and the new ( good) front cover? Can you tell what you have just by looking or do you have to take everything off

Tate

Old vs. New case. I should mention that the old one is a 24v case, and the new is a 12v case. My old 12v case looks the same as the 24v case though.

FWIW, on my 12v, I just staked the hole like Luke did. No need to make a tab when this is faster and easier.

Fishin2Deep4U

I have never been able to tell the difference between the front case designs from a look on the outside. But removing the cover is a simple process and allows you to check all the bolts in the front of the case for tightness while you are in there. A new seal is recommended however.

I have seen a properly staked pin migrate out as well. So, I defer to the $1 tab as a rule now.

Dave

Russ Roth

Dave,

I'm glad to see you post. I knew about your Dad's '02 and nearly posted about it last night.

Fishin2Deep4U

I try to keep up with the KDP posts as I see them. While the old cases are more rare as the year gets newer, it's something worth checking. If my dad didn't have the warranty, it sure would have been an expensive bill for him.

Dave

benroberts3605

well it looks like i need to look into this, does anyone know a good place to get a kit a a reasonable price