I am looking at buying a 24V 98 ext.cab 4x4 with 6sp (retro fitted). My dilema is- I like most things about truck except it is bombed. (PO says dyno'd 525 & 1100) It has Edge Comp, big injectors, 6" in box twin stacks. I need a vehicle to pull light 5th wheel 4-5 times, same with boat added behind. Is it realistic to think I can detune this sucker to make it calm & quiet for elder use. PO has pulled lighter 16' bumper pull. He has done everything "right" in so far as lift pump, ex.man, DSP? tabbed, etc. Extended cabs & standards trans. are rare around here. Help!! from those you know

 

If your worried about noise then just throw a muffler on it and call it good. If he's smart and got gauges in it then you shouldn't have a problem. Just turn the comp down and that'll help a great deal with EGT's. It also depends on what turbo(s) he has on there. With 526hp you could pull a house and not even know it. I say get it.

 

I have a Master Sgt. to answer to, I can deal with the noise & exhaust issue, it is the idea of reliability with that much HP. He has documented 60,000 Kil (40,000 miles) in its present tune. I am new to diesel, I just recall when road racing motorcyles, a hundred years ago, they didn't run the streets to well. This diesel is pretty calm until you push the go pedal. Yes he has all the gauges for EGT, fuel pres. and so on. I can slowly do most maintenance and lighter repairs, so that doesn't shake me. I am encouraged, I think I'll give it a try to see if we can come to $ agreement. I thank you.

 

Reliability at that power level ain't to big of a deal. Especially if the guy was intelligent about building it. Meaning he studded and o-ringed the head, put a good clutch in, had a nice turbo(s) on there, etc. It sounds like the guy knew what he was doing. If the price is right I wouldn't hesitate buying it. These engines are very tough.

 

dont worry about the truck just the pesky VP44 you'll have.

 

More than likely the guy has taken better care of the truck than say a guy who bought and drove it for the same amount of miles. The guy sounds like he's pretty educated with regards to these trucks. I would almost bet he was a memeber here or on some other diesel truck site. Just make sure to check out the normal stuff with regards to the early year trucks.. i.e. #53 block.

 

This truck should/could be useable.

1) Ditch the stacks. A Sooted up 5er gets old. It's easy to make a regular exhaust quiet.
2) Go down to smaller injectors-- say a Mach 1.6 or Mach 2.

It's safe to assume that this thing is NOT on the original VP44, so reliability should be a lot better than the original 1998 24Vs.

Check fuel pressure and (as Mike noted) look for a 53 block, which you'll want to avoid if possible.

jh

 

I would say that the truck would be ok but you shouldn't have to pay anything over blue book for it.
No one should expect to sell a modded truck for more, the majority of buyers just don't care.

 

I also wouldn't worry about the mods. From what I've seen most people who have a bombed truck (including me), know how to use the power thier truck is making, but they don't abuse it. Most people who built the truck up themselves take alot better care of the truck and do better maintnance than some with stock trucks.