This may not be a revelation to anyone but when I was out fixing the windshield wipers on my 3.9L 1991 D-150 (the usual poly bushing issue) I changed my oil and added a quart of Lucas oil treatment in place of a quart of regular oil and man did it make a difference. I had the normal lifter noise when I first started up and thats been eliminated almost completely.

Its been an eventful few days with this truck, I use it almost daily but a few days ago I was turning off the highway into my drive when I blew a drivers side front tire. No damage but the highways around here are narrow two lanes with no shoulder and its very hilly and curvy so I lucked out. And what do you know, the spare tire was good and held air. I ended up putting two new tires on the front and in the process eliminated a vibration I had from an apparent bulge in the tire that didnt go flat. I tried to push it because the old tires were cracking but still had good tread...not a great move on my part.

I also did the wing window tightening fix (much quieter now), put the spare back under the truck, and put in an ash tray that was missing that I found at a pick and pull (same color and everything).

Next up, replacing the valve cover gaskets that are leaking like a sieve, replacing the rusted out and holey muffler (all of the exhaust pipe is good, it just rusted out the muffler), and changing the differential oil (going to add some Lucas there too).

But I have a question on the radio. I have the stock Chrysler radio that works intermittently and mostly it just doesnt work....as in no clock, no radio, and no power. It will just come on spontaneously and I have checked the ground which seems okay, the wiring harness is seated and all of the fuses seem to be okay. Any ideas?

 

mine did the radio thing too... mine was the ignition switch system. the actual switch on the bottom of the column by the fuse panel was worn out and not registering that the key was on but would still start and run the truck just not any accessories. ie: radio, blower motor and such. I replaced mine and I also replaced the lock cylinder on the column because you could move the key back and forth almost half an inch and was a problem. the connecting rod was fine though. after I did that it worked like a charm.

 

Thanks Grant, that may be it too. I have three D-150s and the ignition key to my 1990 works on this 1991 (though it wont work on the door locks) so its obviously worn. I will have to check that out.