So I just picked up my first 4X4, an 89 Dodge Ram. I'm trying to find some general specs for the truck but am having no luck in doing so. Also, on the valve cover, there is a sticker that reads "317". I thought the engine was supposed to be a 318 in these? Are there any problems I should look out for with this truck? It has a 4 SPD manual(which I would like to upgrade to the 5 SPD) and was originally used as an Oregon Forest Service truck before the previous owner got it. Any info will be much appreciated!

 

Not sure what the 317 sticker is for. It should either be a 318 or a 360 if it's a V8. Problems to look out for? Well it's over 15 years old, so expect things to die. My 86 seems to go through alternators most frequently. I recommend putting in an aftermarket voltage meter to keep an eye out on it. If the truck is a 4x4 then the designation is a Power Ram or W150. I could be wrong but I think the 100 went away back in the '70s. 'D' denotes a 2wd, as does just the Ram name without 'Power'.
What other info were you looking for?

 

Sorry for the somewhat broad question, I was tired when I wrote it. I am really just looking for any major problems I should be looking out for that are particular to this truck, I know things are bound to break on any vehicle. Also, were these equiped with TBI? I haven't opened the hood yet other than to check the oil before I purchased it, but I hear the later of the first gens were not carbed but had TBI? I have a warning light that says "Maintenece Required", can I hook up a code reader to determine what maintence it needs?

 

I'm going to guess that the service light is on a mileage counter and that every 60k or 90k it turns on. Mom's 92 Accord had a little thing on the dash that changed from green to yellow to red over a period of miles and you'd stick a key in a slot next to it to reset it. An ex's 93 B2600 4x4 has a 60k mile interval or so light that turns on, to turn it off you unplug a wire from one terminal and put it on another, repeat every 60k or so. The best I think you'll be able to do for pulling codes is counting blinking lights and looking up the resulting number, but you'll have to ask somebody else about how to do that.

I think that by 89 the 318 had gone to fuel injection.

 

The D 100 was produced in the late 1980'S as I have a 87 in the driveway. I don't konw about the 89'S but the 87 has a light that comes on around every 45'000 or 50'000 miles to check engine. Yours has throttle body injection. [sm=patriot.gif]

 

Thanks fella's.