Chasing a dream

After getting the rentals returned and settled in, it has been wonderful to relax and do nothing all morning.

I dropped my buggy off with @rcalexander105 who also pulled my camper from his house to the campground cause I would never be able to place the camper with the Uhaul. Thanks a ton homie!

I’m waiting to be able to get the buggy over to @WARRIORWELDING for some needed attention while in town.

As for the truck, we are discussing a brand new complete drop in. New turbo, water pump, injectors, all of it. That means having a warranty and knowing the full history of the engine from that point forward.
@Croatan_Kid get your note pad out and send me engine options and cost to swap. I would not be opposed to you doing it.
 
Last time I checked GM has the best deal and warranty on long blocks. Just gotta add your fuel system, turbo and accessories.

Order fuel and air parts from Lincoln Diesel Specialities.

One thing to consider, and you need to do some research on before buying an engine, the 4500/5500 trucks used a special engine block with ears cast on them to bolt to the truck frame. I can't remember what years used them and what didn't but I know the info is out there on dieselplace.com or duramaxdiesels.com
 
Last edited:
CarolinaHD said:
Order fuel parts from S&S or Flux Diesel.
Click to expand...
Fixed it for you. LDS has fallen off SEVERELY in the injector department. Mine haze constantly. They used to resell S&S stuff as "their" brand, but got found out and cut off. Ideally, S&S SAC00 injectors for long life and reliability. Flux makes amazing products as well, but they're more for the guys who want a clean, haze free idle while running a 300%+ set of injectors :D

If you want a complete motor, DHD has a good reputation as well as LinCo Diesel. For what a GM motor would cost, they could probably build you one with some serious beef to it. It's going to be expensive either way though...
 
For what a motor would cost, I imagine you could buy another truck and sell the broke one you got and come out ahead.
 
jeepinmatt said:
For what a motor would cost, I imagine you could buy another truck and sell the broke one you got and come out ahead.
Click to expand...
Or break somewhat even and call it all a learning experience and up grade. I'm in a similar boat. Fix something to get the amount equivalent to the repair bill or sale and use toward a more suitable replacement. Breaking even means I have the same situation with no improvement in performance for the intended job. Sold repaired is a net zero due to cost of repair. Sold as is means I get a little pocket money to choose a different direction. My difference is I'm not dependent on the vehicle. Your stuck unless you can fund the difference.

Your struggle is would a upgrade or different truck improve your end use in terms of performance, savings, or reliability.

Giving the amount of tinkering you've done. The towing character. Miles on remaining drivetrain and your surprise at the rental performance I might would entertain investing if your set to go another full year or more.
 
We don’t have another year in us. We still want to travel but not like we’ve done. We are looking for land in Western NC and East TN.
We want a base station to call home but still be able to go out 2-4 months at a time with the truck.

I am looking at other truck options and stuff.
 
77GreenMachine said:
We don’t have another year in us. We still want to travel but not like we’ve done. We are looking for land in Western NC and East TN.
We want a base station to call home but still be able to go out 2-4 months at a time with the truck.

I am looking at other truck options and stuff.
Click to expand...
Make said land have a hookup for other campers lol 😂
 
Alright so next move is get the truck from Sophia to Kernersville at Pure Diesel where they will truly diagnose what has happened and then discuss what we do next.

Everything I read says that I have a hole in the piston or a cracked piston as the symptoms line up perfectly. But there’s also a slight hope that it’s just an injector. I’ve read that sometimes it can break the hold down or something, and since they are under the valve covers that’s what pressurizes the crank case and pushes oil everywhere. I don’t have high hopes for that scenario but we shall see.
 
Can you do a contribution test while it's still running?
 
77GreenMachine said:
Alright so next move is get the truck from Sophia to Kernersville at Pure Diesel where they will truly diagnose what has happened and then discuss what we do next.

Everything I read says that I have a hole in the piston or a cracked piston as the symptoms line up perfectly. But there’s also a slight hope that it’s just an injector. I’ve read that sometimes it can break the hold down or something, and since they are under the valve covers that’s what pressurizes the crank case and pushes oil everywhere. I don’t have high hopes for that scenario but we shall see.
Click to expand...
Line up a trailer and we'll get it over there (and the buggy to Drew).
 
77GreenMachine said:
Will do!

Soon as Drew is ready for the buggy it can go over there.
Click to expand...
I get couple jobs done and another outa my shop I'll find the work table again and be ready.
 
shawn said:
Can you do a contribution test while it's still running?
Click to expand...

That's a Ford thing. You check balance rates at idle on a Dmax. Above 170 degrees coolant temp +/- 4 in park/neutral and +/-6 in drive with your foot on the brake. A compression test will also tell a LOT about what's going on!
 
77GreenMachine said:
We don’t have another year in us. We still want to travel but not like we’ve done. We are looking for land in Western NC and East TN.
We want a base station to call home but still be able to go out 2-4 months at a time with the truck.

I am looking at other truck options and stuff.
Click to expand...
I don’t know what part of East TN you’re looking at, but I’m in Johnson City, straight up 26 from Asheville. Holler if you’re in the area and need someone to show you around. Or if you need a place to park something I’ve got 10 acres here. Hope this all works out for you guys! I’m jealous of your courage to put everything on the line to chase your dreams.
 
Me and @rcalexander105 dropped the truck off at Pure Diesel today. Every time I have this hope of "Maybe it's just an injector" I am deflated by the amount of oil coming out of the exhaust. I do not expect good news from them sometime next week.

If you're up for some good laughs and like a podcast, I was actually able to sit down and record and episode with Jason from Wheeling, Wine & Whiskey while at Trail Hero which is out now.

IMG_3938.jpeg
 
Could be an injector and a crapped out turbo. Still not out of the realm of possibilities!
 
No racing this weekend weather didn’t  cooperate.  Going to be for sale soon,  Ex Dick Trickle ramp truck  mounted on a 2000 FL 70 freightliner. Mechanically ready to go anywhere, truck bed has surface rust only. $22,000
 
Back
Top