When I first start it up in the morning, it smokes bad and idles rough. After a minute or so the smoke mostly goes away, but never completely. When you take off down the road it runs smooth but still smokes just a little. When it idles at a stop sign, it's still rough no matter cold or warm. The smoke is gray. The truck will idle forever and not get hot or lose water. There's a little bit of hesitation, but no real power loss. The smoke when you first start it up will choke a mosquito though.

Welcome to the site.

now your problem.
You prob need new glow plugs,and new injectors for starters.
The IP may need retiming as well,and/or new timing chain depending on milage.
the IP is suspect as well,but change plugs and inj first.
While you'r at that, do a compression test,as low compression could cause these symptoms as well

Search the stickies,lots of info there.

also change fuel filter

i also forgot to say that it doesn't burn any oil or coolant and never overheats do you think this would be caused if i had bad compression

Yea, Diesels need good compression because without it you get incomplete burn. They are a little more testy about it than a gasser, in my experience. I was working on an old CAT d2 with my dad and the compression in #2 was bad, the whole thing ran crappy. Like what was said above, "easy stuff" first. New plugs and injectors and when you have them off compression test it. If you fill out your sig the guys on here can help you out more.

One question... When you are really getting on it (wide open throttle) does it smokeworsen or get better? If it gets worse it could be a turbo issue, or a really bad air filter. Smoke like that is caused by low airflow and/or incomplete burn if I am not mistaken. Good luck

Ryan

my guess is injectors/glows. mine does similar things but not as bad. Im replacing them Wednesday.

I have the exact same year truck with REBUILT injectors , new bosch glows, completely rebuilt motor and does the SAME EXACT THING. Actually I have a thread running too but with little movement. Prior to the rebuild it was doing the same exact thing. I'm going with a rebuilt injection pump unit from ebay (one year warranty).

But I get the same smoke - crazy smoke at idle (unburned diesel) - not so much as speed with good power, misses like a gasser at idle etc... I'll keep you posted on the rebuilt injector pump.

i also forgot to say that it doesn't burn any oil or coolant and never overheats do you think this would be caused if i had bad compression If the bad compression would be caused by leaking valves it wont burn oil. Comp Testing gives peace of mind and rules it in or out as possible cause.
You may want to check for power and/or bad terminals and wires at all the glowers as well.

Just an update on my truck (same year etc..) My IP had no advance while being tested! Take your pump out and have it tested ($175) or just get a rebuilt pump with a warranty. I'll have my pump back later this week. Hopefully my gremlins will all be cured!

Hmmmm, my IP might be going out too I guess. It starts just fine in warmer weather but sucks once it starts hitting the 40 degree temps. I am replacing my glow plugs now and hopefully that will work.