Well after a long time of looking for the right one, I've finally become a Dodge Owner. It's a 1999 Ram Quad Cab 4x4 Sport with the 5.9 360 and a 3 inch lift. It took a while to find the right one in the right color but I finally did for the right price. It runs and drives good and it hasjust about everything I could askfor in a truck. It has about 92600 miles on it and when I first got it a couple of weeks agoI averaged about 14-15mpg and then I changed the oil with Pennzoil Platinum synthetic and it's up to 16-17mpg. I'm pretty happy with that, being what it is and all. It also has a K&N air intake, so that probably helps out too.




I am taking it in to my local mechanic on Thursday to get a good tune up done, because I don't know exactly what all has been done to it, so I figure it needs one even though it runs and drives good. The main thing I am having done is getting the transmission fluid drained and changed and having the bands adjusted. I was hoping someone could let me know on anything else that for sure needs to be checked and/or changed with this mileage particularly for this truck. I would really appreciate any help. Thanks a lot.

 

Pull the plugs and check them. They can tell you alot of whats going on inside. Are the ignition wires original? They'll say Mopar. If so, change them and the cap and rotor too. Test the coolant. Don't just LOOK at it; use a tester. Flush and change if needed. Belt? inspect/change. Rear end oil-drain/refill. Remove the throttle body and clean it OFF the engine so the crap doesn't wash down into the engine.you'll also do a much better job. And pull the Idle Air Control valve out of the TB and clean it too.
All stuff you can do yourself if so inclined and want to save money. And you'll get to know your new friend. Which, BTW, looks great and decent mileage too! If all this stuff was replaced (major tune up) it would cost well over $100 keeping it OEM. Add more for upgrades, (different plugs, wires etc,) and bend over if the shop does it.
WC

 

Man that truck looks really good, that color pops. (I just got an '01 Sport 2X that's intense blue.)
What kind of exhaust is on her?

 

Thanks a lot man. I really don't have a whole lot of time between school and work (and I'm not much of a mechanic) to really do a big tune up. I know how to check some minor things, but some stuff is just a little over my head and so I'm just going to let my mechanic take care of it. He's good and reasonably priced so It will be nice to have someone who really knows what they're doing to give it a once over, at least for now with it being new. I want to know for sure that everything is good on it and if it's not to get it changed. Thanks a lot for the suggestions, I'm going to add a couple of those that I didn't already have on my list.

 

Thanks man. It took a while to find one in this color in good shape and within the right price range. The yellow Dodges have always been my favorite, although the intense blue is nice as well. As for the exhaust, I'm not sure of the brand of muffler, but it has duals out from it. It has a really low rumble to it, but not very loud. I'm probably going to eventually change it out for something a little more aggressive sounding.

 

That's a sweet truck dude. Hope you like it

 

Thanks, I love it. I've been wanting one like this for a long time and I finally found one. Hopefully I'll have many good miles with it.

 

That's awesome, I'm happy for you finding the truck you really wanted. You might wanna get wider wheels. Those tires look like 295 or even 305s which is a lot of tire for 7" rims. Or just get a new set of 285 or 265s on there which are alot cheaper. Stock size is 245 btw. As far as tune-up, it sounds like you're getting amazing mileage for a lifted truck with big tires! I'm a little skeptical if that's truly accurate. Do you have a overhead computer or did you hand calculate it? Anyway, if that's truly the mileage, then a tune-up is not in order. Go ahead and have it all checked out, but it's running tip top to get that mileage. After-market mufflers are typically stamped with the brand name, if you're wondering. Also, keep an ear out for detonation or pinging and an eye on the oil level. Common problem is to lose the intake pan gasket and oil loss and bad pinging will occur. But again, with your mpg, that's highly unlikely right now. Just food for thought. Also with the sythetic oil, you may notice some drips or leaks because it doesn't clog up like dino oil does. Now, go enjoy your new baby!

 

Not all mufflers have logos...

i have flowmaster 40 and mine doesnt have a flowmaster stamp anywhere.

 

Well, that's why I said "typically" not "always". All the mufflers I've seen have it, including my delta 50. It says "flowmaster" down the middle.