I come to the forum for answers from people who know Ram Trucks.

I have a '99 Ram 4x4 quad cab SLT, 360 w/ 200,000 on it. The motor is getting tired. Compression is 100 across the board. I love the truck. One issue I have is the steering. some call it the DUI effect. Any fixes?

My other problem is whether to retire the truck & get a newer (2004-2006) with a 5.7 Hemi. I have heard about problems with buying a used Hemi, i.e. drop valves, head problems. Or I should just put a new engine in the old Ram.

I have nothing against the Hemi's. I have 2011 SLT quad cab w/ the 5.7 & I love it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

So let me get this straight: You love your current 99, have a 5.7 hemi already, but want to know if you should get another 5.7 hemi but aren't sure if it's a good idea.

Sounds to me like you've got to make up your own mind on what you want/need for your situation. If you love the truck so much and the rest of it is decent, rebuild or surf around for a JY motor and drop it in.

if you want to fix the steering issue, get someone to turn the wheel back and forth while you inspect everything. often on high mileage trucks the steering column bushing wears out: http://www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/

your steering box would probably benefit from an adjustment as well:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/s...ering-1164443/

 

^^ what he said...what are your plans for the truck?

 

Just replace steering bix with a redhead unit and make sure all other steering components dont have play in them. If your motor has 100 psi compression across the board then I would say its still got plenty of life in it. Check your plenum out for a blown gasket if its feelin slow or bogged down.

 

I use this truck for lawn care & plow truck. The plenum checked out fine. It's just getting tired. Thought about upgrading to a 2500 hemi but was told if it had ever overheated there could be issues with the valves & heads & not knowing the complete history of the vehicle can be a crap shoot. I could be just a little paranoid.

 

I would get rid of it and buy another hemi.

 

My parents 92 Dodge van with the 318/5.2 magnum has never even had a plenum gasket change and that thing still has ***** and runs great at 330,000 miles on it. Funny thing is the plenum gasket is probably blown on it! but it still runs great so there was never any reason to do any exploratory surgery to it, because if its not broke don't fix it!. Their 1984 LA 360 they gave me has 266,000 on it and that engine prior to being pulled and junking that van could take a stock 5.0 Mustang to school by a few car lengths up to 80mph!.

Point is, these mopar motors are tough and certainly are capable of outlasting the vehicle they're put into and the owners themselves.

How did you know the plenum gasket was fine? Mine was not obvious in the least of where it blew, in fact it didn't blow, it was in one piece but when I was inspecting it I noticed that the gaskets metal layers seperated and allowed leaks to pass through, but I changed it anyway and it made a difference in power!. A leak like that could certainly seal and un seal itself depending on the conditions and when its tested.

I think its safe to say that unless you know when the plenum gasket was replaced or have under 70,000 miles on the motor then just assume the plenum gasket is most certainly gone and a new one should be part of a routine tune up after 80,000-100,000 miles if engine is showing problems. After putting on new valve seals,plenum & intake gaskets and full tune up with new plugs,wires,cap & rotor my truck ran better & more responsive than any 2nd Gen Ram I was ever in when they were new or near new, and to think my truck was a powerful beast prior to those fixes.

 

ANY aluminum head engine will suffer head issues if it's ever significantly over-heated. The saving grace with the Hemi is that it's a pushrod engine so removing the heads is pretty simple (and takes about a fourth of the time as it would on the 4.7/3.7 OHC engines - been there, done that).

The Hemi heads seem to withstand mild over-heats better than the 4.7 V8. Seen/heard of a LOT of 4.7s being completely toast whereas the Hemi more often than not just needs a head gasket. I had a valve seat go on the 4.7 in my old Grand Cherokee after the engine overheated to only 230* when my radiator split a seam.

If you're going to buy a used Hemi, then pay for a leak-down or pull compression before you sign on the dotted line. Might cost you a couple bucks just to back out, but it may save you big $ down the line...