I have a 99 3.9 4x4 dakota and when I go up steep hills it chatters. Or when its first driven sometimes it does it. It has been doin it since I got the truck and even my 93 did this as well. What causes it and what can I do to fix it? Any suggestions will help.

 

Engine chatter is not good. It most likely will be an internal engine problem.
But if it is more like a pinging sound, it may be pre-detention. Try swapping out the spark plugs to autolites 3923's.

 

thanks Ill be sure to try it and let you know.