One of the first signs the pump is going bad is when the truck is fully warmed up and you try to start it back up after shutdown it is really hard to start. After a while it gets worse and then it soon won't start at all. My take on yout truck is 1. Do you have an automatic? Bigger lines to the injectors make it hard to idle with an auto and are not worth it to a normal street hot rod. 2. A FASS or AirDog or glacier diesel gear driven pump will all save your injection pump IF you get a new one. 3. Get a fuel pressure guage! A fuel pressure guage is the most basic need on your truck before you do anything else! As you're finding out - vp44's are expensive. 4. Ask yourself if a "performance" vp44 replacement is worth it. They usually last 20,000 miles tops. There is some upgraded vp44's that use newer electronics (made by the vp44 manufacturer Bosch) THAT HAVE FULL WARRANTY and electronics that were originally made for fed-ex that is an upgrade that will last longer than a stock pump and is good for around 40 horses with your setup. 5. Upgraded fuel pickup and line tank to new lift (AirDog, Fass, Glacier etc) (Vulcan has really good kit for the lines) will do you way more good than injection lines that are bigger. Others have made 800 horses with the stock injector lines. Also add your trans to sig thanks and good luck!