Dodge Ram - III

13

Comments

  • tredtred Member Posts: 1
    Here's a question about the ventilation system on
    the Ram. Anyone had similar experience?
    Q: Does the air stop flowing through the
    ventilation system when heavy load is placed on
    the engine (i.e. the engine is pulling a large
    vacuum due to the heavy loading)?

    Background: '98 Ram Quad 1500, 5.9L, Auto
    Last trip we took to Wyoming I had
    the cab full of people and the bed full of gear,
    so about 1000 lbs of payload, no trailer. Just
    about every time the truck was going up a steep
    grade at speed (~70mph) the air (A/C or vent)
    would stop flowing out the vents. This would
    occur no matter what speed the fan was set at.
    Once the truck crested the top of the grade and
    the engine was no longer laboring I would hear a
    flapper valve slap open or closed and the air
    flow would immediately return to normal.
    I just had the truck in for routine service and
    the Dodge dealer said this is normal behavior
    for this vehicle. Is this true?
  • warfishwarfish Member Posts: 117
    I had a '98 just like yours and now I have a '01 2500 QC Cummins, and neither one has ever done that. I tow a large fifth wheel and some of the driving is in the mountains so I'm pulling a big load. My personal opinion is your dealer doesn't know what he's talking about, but of course that's only an opinion based on my own experiences. Ken
  • firemandavefiremandave Member Posts: 58
    My guess is a vacuum leak somewhere. I had this problem once on my minivan. No problem with it on my '01 Cummins Ram.
  • barbellbarbell Member Posts: 15
    Anyone have a good feel for what the dealer installer Jacobs engine brake should cost? Am in process of ordering '01.5 diesel six speed. Dealer says $1250. Is this in the balpark?
  • biogeekbiogeek Member Posts: 2
    My Father-in-law has a 1998 Dodge Ram 2wd, 1/2 ton, extended cab, long bed (what a mouthful). He recently took it in when he heard noises coming from the rear end. The dealer replaced the "broken" differential. Has anyone heard of this before? The dealer said it should be fine now as long as he doesn't peel out and take off "hard" alot. Understand my father-in-law is NO speed demon.

    Any responses appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Garrick
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    the rear end...maybe defective parts being replaced and defective parts being installed. First time I heard that someone was advised not to take off hard. Man, these are trucks...you tow and haul, with a full load ain't no such thing as a "soft" takeoff with all that weight in the back. I'd be concerned if I were you...
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    there have been a couple of reports here of rear end lock ups....haven't seen any myself...dont' know many Dodge owners though.

    I would be very wary if the dealer told me not to take off hard.
  • abaltoabalto Member Posts: 22
    That questions and technical advice web site...

    I have also looked for a good Dodge web site to ask questions and technical advice, opinions, etc. The best site I have found is www.moparchat.com This site is clearly the best in quality, with over 60,000 posts! Good luck either way Trevor!
  • lurp316lurp316 Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2000 ram quid cab with 360, 2wd. How can i get better gas mileage?
  • geno7geno7 Member Posts: 10
    if the 2001.5's are arriving with tow hooks as standard equipment? I have seen some 3/4 & 1 tons, but didn't notice the tow hooks up front mounted to the frame. Last week a dealer swore they were standard equipment now & the new trucks on his lot had the tow hooks on them.
  • wwhite2wwhite2 Member Posts: 535
    I cant believe any dealer would say that .......well maybe i can . Remember you dont have to be of average intelligence to work for a dealer and they prove it over and over again
  • wildmanbakerwildmanbaker Member Posts: 65
    These rear ends are real heavy duty. There may be a problem with the carrier assembly spider gear shaft bore holes. Some have been mis-machined, 4-5 thousandths out of round. This allows the spider shaft to bounce around,and after many miles, can break the retaining pin, allowing the shaft to bang around. This can and does really tear thing up.

    Transmission problems: Check the throttle position sensor first ($30 item) on gas engines. If this is faulty, it can cause all kinds of trans problems, down shifts at steady speeds, dropping out of lock, ect.

    Good luck
    Wildman
  • davids1davids1 Member Posts: 411
    How do you check the throttle position sensor? Where is it located? Can I do this myself, or do I have to have a tech do it?

    Thanks
  • warfishwarfish Member Posts: 117
    A friend of mine had the reaa end break and lock up in his '96 ram 2500 while pulling away from a stop sign towing his 8000 lb fifth wheel. His truck has a different rear end than the 1500, however. The 1500 uses a Chrysler rear end and the 2500 & 3500 use a Dana.
  • wildmanbakerwildmanbaker Member Posts: 65
    The throttle position sensor in on intake butterfly, opposite side of the throttle cable/cruise cable hook-up. With the engine off, disconnect the TPS hook-up, connect on ohm meter the the two wires on the sensor. Operate the butterfly by hand while watching the meter. Look for smooth change of resistance through the range of travel. Any dead spots, no readings, or studdering, jumping up and down, would indicate a bad sensor. The TPS is basically a rheostat that is operated by the butterfly shaft, that feeds to the computer.

    Wildman
  • mohicanmohican Member Posts: 3
    I have a 410 on my 2001. Not happy with the ordered towing capacity of 13.8K that shrank to 11.8K but I am happy with the overall 16+ miles I get (empty) town and highway no matter how hard I pull away from the stops. I live in Florida with flat roads and recently went to Pennsylvania. In the hills and pressing the limits, I managed 15.5. The overall trip rated a respectable 17.5 keeping up with I95 East Coast speed limits that know one seems to respect.
  • warfishwarfish Member Posts: 117
    How many miles do you have on your truck?
    I have a 2001 2500 quad Cummins with auto and 3.54 gears with 5000 miles on the clock. I get 19 to 20 mpg running like you said, pushing the limits. Every time I take a trip it gets a little better. When I run 75 mph I'm turning just over 2k on the tach. Ken
  • wwhite2wwhite2 Member Posts: 535
    what happened to the tow capacity ?
  • durango508durango508 Member Posts: 37
    I traded a 99 reg cab 4x4(5.2L) for a 00 quad cab 2wd(5.9L) and really don't see much of a difference in mileage. In the 99 4x4 I would get about 14 around town and get maybe 15 in the 2000 qc 2wd. We get about 14 around town with my wifes 5.2L 2wd Durango also. I think I drive pretty conservatively for the most part.

    My mileage on the interstate isn't much better, especially around here, hilly in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I think for the most part we are driving the heaviest 1/2 ton pickup and there isn't much that make up for that especially with a 4x4 with a solid axle.

    I get a little of ping with my 5.9L but haven't noticed any with the 5.2L Durango. Both have about 15000 miles.

    The ping was the one thing about the Dodge that I worried about, haven't had too much to complain about. The Silverado/Sierra seems to have a shaking problem, especially in 2wd that can't seem to be fixed. Drove a couple of 2wd 2001 Silverados last week. One was real smooth and rode great, the other had a shimmy in the steering wheel at several speeds. Pretty dissappointing for a $30k truck. Didn't look too much at ford.

    Hope my rambling helped a little.

    Paul
  • xwrayxwray Member Posts: 60
    Does anyone know if there is a on-line source for discount Dodge truck parts?
  • captrccaptrc Member Posts: 11
    Capt R C Just cane back from dealer for oil change they put synthetic oil in because I asked for the best oil they had didn t know they were going to use synthetic my milage went down from 13 to 11 on my 2500 v 10 any comments on synthetic
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    Most peoplr report improvements in fuel economy after switching to synthetic oils.
  • davids1davids1 Member Posts: 411
    I need to remove the instrument panel bezel on my 99 Ram 1500 Quad to install a CD changer. The DODGERAM.COM website has a TSB that gives instructions on how to properly remove the bezel without breaking it. Apparently there a two hidden screws holding the bezel in place. If you try to just pry off the bezel (I could do this on my 97 ram) without removing the screws, the bezel will likely break. The problem is, the diagrams that are contained in the TSB are not very clear, and I cannot find the screws without prying this and that loose. Has anybody removed the bezel from a 1999, 2000 or 2001 ram successfully? If so, exactly where are these screws located. Thanks for any info.
  • jsayrejsayre Member Posts: 2
    apparently had water problem in fuel on 2001
    2500 ram, changed fuel filter, pumped fuel in
    system, but still wont start....air in lines?
    how do i bleed the air out of the lines do i
    take the lines loose at the injection pump or
    at the head? is there a site i can go to to pull
    down a service bulliten on how to bleed air out
    of system. thanks for any help i can get.....
  • 97rammer97rammer Member Posts: 1
    Jim(wildmanbaker)or anyone!,

    I got a 97 Ram 1500 5.9, Auto. Over the last months Its been slipping out of second gear;now almost completely. At about 10 MPH and if I give it very little load, I can feel and hear it go in, and then at 30 MPH it goes into third. Is there any kind of adjustment I could look at? Could the TPS do this? Or do you think a major O/H is warranted?
  • rlroach36rlroach36 Member Posts: 1
    I bought a 2000 slt reg. cab new in june sticker said it would 14 to 19 mpg on the highway which is 95% of what I drive now has 13k .tps checked trans. rebuilt. 4x4 ,only gets 12.8 at best. has 3.55gear 245 tires.5* says at 5k too soon to check mileage . not broke in at 10k . already changed to a syn. lube .5* said they checked it and got 17.4 mpg and only went 21.3 miles and now the door is closed on this issue. also have vanishing antifreeze that was fixed supposedly. I was told i was overfilling the tank so i did it like they did still 12.8 mpg.whats next?
  • pocahontaspocahontas Member Posts: 802
    If you're having problems with your Dodge Ram, or have insights to offer those with problems..., please visit our Dodge Ram problems discussion.

    Thanks for your participation. ;-)

    Pocahontas
    Host
    Pickups Message Board
  • dirtyonedirtyone Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2001 2500 Ram QC 24v Auto w/3.54 rear. Just installed 315/75/16 BFG T/A KO's. I do get rub on the lower a-arm at full lock. Fills the wheelwell nicely and tucks under the fenders to.They look great, but, man did they change the shift points of the trans. I had my wife pace me and it added about 5 mph to what the speedometer is showing. Fuel milage seems to suffering also, I have to fill up every 3-4 days instead of every 5-6 as before, but I expected that.Does anyone know if the electronics in the truck can be adjusted to get my shift points back in line and correct my speedometer error. Can anyone calculate my final gear ratio now, or what the formula is?
  • amoraamora Member Posts: 204
    gear ratio= rpm x tire diameter divided by mph x 336

    from AUTO MATH HANDBOOK by John Lawlor table 13, pg 93

    Regards,

    AMORA
    Design engineer class of 1984
  • amoraamora Member Posts: 204
    rpm= mph x gear ratio x 336 divided by tire diameter
  • markstoys1markstoys1 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 97' Ram 1500, 2wheel drive. truck was great for first 3 years but in the last 5 months is failing faster than I can put it together. Truck is well maintained and not abused. Fist I was stranded with a dead fuel pump, $530. Then I was stranded with what the dealer said was a Weak battery causing a computer problem, $230. Then I developed a growl in the rearend which just kept getting louder. Chrysler went for the parts I paid $350 labor. The steering column broke. While it was in for a new steering column I had them service the trany,(oil and filter). As I left the dealer the trany started slipping and then started whining when I put it into reverse. Truck is back at the dealer having the trany "analyzed". I have owned Chevy's, Fords and Datsuns and never had this much trouble. Where is the Ram Tough in these Rams?
  • fishweigelfishweigel Member Posts: 3
    If anyone is interested I just found a picture of the 2002 Ram crewcab. A variation of their concept powerwagon. With the new Hemi engines coming out as well, it looks like Dodge is back in the race for having an up-to-date pickup. The negative remarks I have read on this site about the quality of the workmanship is the only thing I am concerned about.

    http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b080100.htm
  • bcarwellbcarwell Member Posts: 10
    I traded in a 1990 dodge club-cab (5.2L) with 198K miles in on a 98 QCab sport (5.9L). The first 19K miles were great. Then the brakes wore out. My driving habits didn't change and I could go 50k between brake jobs (all freeway; little traffic) on the old truck. I know the 5.9L is heavier then the 5.2L but this shouldn't cause brakes to wear out 3 times as fast. The dealer sez the self-adjusters work fine.

    The 5.9 was pinging but I found a TSB that corrects it and all is good. I beleive it had the ignition wires moved.

    I got about 17mpg on the old truck and 14-15mpg on the new.

    I looked at fords and chevys but their seats stink. I am a big person (>300lbs) and both ford and chevy seats are not adequate. I have driven the dodge all day and feel great when I park it at night. The infinity sound sytem is superb. The truck handles so well it is easy to forget you are in a large heavy vehicle.

    The front end is just starting to bounce a little so it is past the time to replace the shocks. (22k). Tire wear is normal and even. The old truck got to 75k but the shocks were heavy-duty and of a higher quality.

    I have had excellent results with Bell Dodge (Phoenix, Az) service. There are always having specials on maintenance items and they are cheaper then QLube. Pluse, they can't BS me about not performing the service because they are the ones doing it and I keep a set of the records.

    So far the pluses far outweigh the minuses but we'll see as time goes on.

    Bob C
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    You would be better off to pay to have the rear brakes adjusted when you change the oil. The self adjusters work but poorly and intermittantly. Dodge even added this to there maintainence schedule. Another big factor here is that brake pads are no longer allowed to be made with asbestos which greatly reduced brake life. Dodge has also been notorious for using the smallest pads in the industry. This I understand is chaged withe the 2002 model which was introduced in chicago last week. They now have 4 wheel disks and the largest brakes in the industry. That also increased thier towing capacity.
  • chrydodjeep1chrydodjeep1 Member Posts: 13
    Yeah ! Congratulations Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth
    You did it, U Won ! Worldwide consumers have paid there hard earned money and you provided worldwide consumers with the worst Engineered vehicles on Earth...

    Got to hand it to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth you have Won beaten all your consumers.

    Wise old saying you can't read a book by its cover :O)
    Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth great looking vehicle unfortunately for the unsuspecting consumer even to date Transmission failure, head gasket failure , too many more serious problems Etc...
    Just read this Newsgroup 2% Satisfied , 98% Unsatisfied . Surf the internet U will find 100s of thousands of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle owners that are Big Losers. Telling there Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle Horror stories.

    Now that Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth consumers have read the book by owning one of the worst Engineered vehicles on Earth. Consumers worldwide learned a costly but valuable lesson.

    Now we have come to realize. Yes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth they are the Winners.

    Yep we the "Consumers of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicles are the BIG LOSERS" !

    Were losing vehicle trade in, Value its Awful.
    Quality Automobile Dealers don't want your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle offering 50% of Galves Trade in if in Mint Condition.
    Even Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth Dealers are offering 50% of Galves. Now we are driving around in a nearly worthless Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle and paying for Major repairs :O(
    Its not going to get any better cause Smart Consumers are not Buying a New or even thinking of buying a used Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle.

    We sure learned a Valuable Lesson > Never again buy Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicles. For those few Die Hards remember( Only a Fool Loses Twice )

    Rejoice fellow Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth vehicle consumers now it is our turn to Win.

    Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth your profits are gone, Stocks are dropping to an all time low Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth is just hanging on by a thread bankruptcy is near Hooray - Yeah !
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    Worldwide automotive consumers buy smart be a Winner don't become a Loser like the rest of us who owned or still own the worst engineered vehicles on Earth.
    Let Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth become the final Loser.
  • texaszachtexaszach Member Posts: 119
    Many thanks to the President of General Motors for the previous heartwarming message. And now back to our regularly scheduled program.........
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    You sound bitter. Sell your chrysler product that makes you feel this way. Very foolish to hold on to something so long as to make you this bitter.

    By the way the saying is "You can't jugde a book by it's cover".
  • bdimebdime Member Posts: 130
    Interested in platinum type spark plugs to replace current ones in my 95 Ram 2500./8L V10.
    Also a set of plug wires to go with Anyone now of a good aftermarket source and opinions? Thanks
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    moparchat and fritz rampage are both sites that specialize on mopar products. Try there.
  • bdimebdime Member Posts: 130
    Thanks for playing but I didn't find spark plugs there!
  • davids1davids1 Member Posts: 411
    Lots of discussion on plugs on moparchat.com. You may have to do some reading.
  • brett039brett039 Member Posts: 56
    I have a 99 2500 Quad, 4x4, Cummins, Auto, 3.54. I currently have 30K miles on it. I Tow a 6000 lbs trailer through KY hills in the summer. I change the engine oil every 4-6000 miles. I also change the trans fuid every 12K miles. So far (knocking on wood now) I haven't had any problems with the transmission. I have always towed with the OD "On" because the Cummins would be "Red-Lining" with it off at 65mph.

    I will now be towing an 8500 lbs trailer with my truck (instead of 6000 lbs) and was looking to increase the engines torque. But I'm concerned with the Auto transmission! I was looking at TST's "Valve Body Kit" for increasing the transmissions line pressure. Has anyone had any experience with this product? If so, did you change torque converter's too? Does it shift harder now? Any help/comments would be appreciated. Thanks!
  • davids1davids1 Member Posts: 411
    Brett:

    I too am interested in hearing what you might find out. I am looking to increase the durability of the auto in my 99 Ram 4x4 Quad. Is this kit the answer? Keep us posted.
  • mohicanmohican Member Posts: 3
    My 2001 4:10, 2500, Cummings had 3K miles on it when I made the trip to Philidelphia. The Towing ration was dropped by Dodge to compensate for the increased HP to 245 (still has the same overheat problem as previous models towing heavy loads), so I was told by my ***** mechanic. Also,TST had some good input on the tranny. I just towed my 10.5K, 5th, and got 9 mpg on flat road w/OD. Now, I find out that one shouldn't do that. The towing was in rush-hour traffic around Miami and the normally 2 hr trip took a little over 3 -- a possible reason for the gas mileage to be low. The truck manual states a varied load for the 1st 6K will break it in and now I have 8K and am now beginning to tow. So much for break-in. I am at the limits with the 5th-wheel and am looking for another truck that will tow what I have. Waiting until 2003 may be a little to late for me.
  • brett039brett039 Member Posts: 56
    Have a 99 2500 Ram w/Cummins, Auto, 4x4. Is there any way that I can modify the Auto Trans shifting points myself? Or do I have to have special equipment and take to dealership?

    Thanks!
  • bdimebdime Member Posts: 130
    This board is not as quick as my V10 is it?
  • lariat1lariat1 Member Posts: 461
    We are all happy with our Dodges and spend our time driving them instead of trying to justify our purchase of a particular brand of truck.
  • bigblocksrockbigblocksrock Member Posts: 2
    The only plug anyone should use for any Mopar product is Champions, they were designed for them. I use them in my truck and all my muscle cars.
  • bigblocksrockbigblocksrock Member Posts: 2
    I am ready to install new oversize tire on my truck and was wondering if anyone out there can give me some input on 285 75/16 over the stock ones. Do they turn the already underpowered 5.2 in my 4*4 Ram into road hazard? I should be able to compensate a little with the 3.91 gears I have, but am still slightly concerned. If anyone out there does have them do they have any pic's I can see before I purchase?
    Thanks
  • lwittorflwittorf Member Posts: 96
    http://powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi/here is a link to help you with tire size infro on your pu
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