right now im having alot of trouble deciding between the 12 valve and the 24valve. at first i really wanted to just stick with the 12valve, but i found a 24 valve truck thats in such nice shape that im having a hard time passing it up. heres the truck im looking at Cars for Sale: 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck in STROUDSBURG, PA 18360: Truck Details - 287013930 - AutoTrader.com

my main concern is the injection pump, the thing im really having trouble figuring out is if a good lift pump really fixed the problem. will throwing a good lift pump on really totally 100% fix all the problems associated with owning these truck? is there anything else to look out for on these? are they more powerful, better fuel economy then the 12 valve? if it were you, what would you prefer... o yea, and regardless its going to be a 5speed, i dont need to know about all the transmission issues.

what are the common mods for these, i really dont care if its fast, id just like to to smoke a little bit.

and heres the 12 valve im looking at, http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/1975157758.html
alot less truck for the same price(he said hel take 5,000), paint on the hood is chipping, cloth interior, crank windows, headliners saging, front tires are bald, but its in florida so i dont have to pay to have it shipped down, and i dont have to worry about the injection pump, its got a cold air intake, fuel plate, and just a cut off stock exhaust. the price is fair from what iv seen, i just can believe how much truck i can get for 5k with that one in PA.

 

i see this truck has lock in hubs that somebody put on.

 

Ive got a 12V and a 24V. Both are great trucks but they are completely different animals due to the differences in the fuel systems. The 12V is considered by most to be much more reliable.

The 24V runs better in the cold mainly due to the dynamic timing. I generally get better fuel milage from my 24V but dont quote me on that because there may be issues with the 12V.

To answer your question, putting a good lift pump on should greatly prolong the life of the VP-44 but its not a total "fix". That being said, its not like the 12V's P-7100 which is also called the "Million Mile Pump". The VP-44 can last a long time with adequate fuel pressure and cooling but you are going to have to replace it periodically. How long it lasts will really depend on the quality of the rebuild you get.

Another option you may not have considered is that you can buy a 24V and put a 12V pump on it. Its quite involved but far from impossible.

 

Despite the power limitations of a 24valve, VP44 engine, I like the idea of "on the fly" power adjusting. For the most part, it seems a 12V P-Pump is the same every day unless a mechanical adjustment is made. Where as a 24V VP44 can be adjust with the push of a button. Also with the computer you get such options as high idle, and 3 cyliner high idle warm up.

Seems to be a toss up between dependibility, drivability, and features.

 

thanks for the replies guys, iv got a much better idea of what to expect out of the vp44 now. i think im going to go for the 12valve, im still waiting on more pictures from both trucks, nothing is set in stone yet... the 24valve is definitly a nicer truck overall but its very far away and seems to good to be true, it may already need a pump. i like manual hubs, are their any problems related to the automatic setup vs manual hubs?

 

i like the manual better.

 

Both those trucks are pretty cheap and a VP-44 is just over a thousand bucks. Dont be scared of it just because its a 24V. Also, like I said before, you can essentially make a 24V a 12V by putting a P-7100 on it. The 24V in that ad does look like a nice machine.

I hope this helps you.

Good luck.

 

and it looks like its priced good

 

i would buy the 24V. 5speed S.O or 6speed H.O 3.55 or 4.10? with 3.55 you get better mileage probably same as 12V with same gear ratio. ---- Ext. cab is a plus. lockout hub another plus. What upgrades done to the 2000 mainly aftermarket lift pump? This is the truck I been looking. darn already purchased mine.

 

with the vp44s its real hit and miss as far as pump life i bought my pickup with 158k and my pump was replaced at 132k and at 162k it went out again and my buddys got a 2000 identical to mine 330k and it just now gone through the factory vp44 and he hotrods the **** out of it but keep 10psi to the vp44 at all times and theres no tellin how long it will last.