Is this worth it ..
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Is this worth it ..
Some of you may know my truck aint the greatest, but I love it nonetheless, so here's what I was thinking most recently...
All at once, get the hughes plenum kit, fastman and open air cleaner from mr.gasket/K&N? I lost where I just posted a thread about this, weird cuz I thought I just posted on it. Those are parts where there's nothing wrong with on my truck, but after I fix the water pump and heater core, I think this will be the upgrade I do. Just wondering if I ought to do the hughes thingy to prevent any damage, and if it will be a little boost of sorts to complement the fastman and air intake.
Also I would probably do a tune up with MSD Streetfire wires (8mm) NAPA or Summit cap and rotor, and the 3923 Plugs. Havn't seen that combo yet, would like to give it a go.
Ballparking about 500 total for everything, with me doing the installation.
What kind of suspension upgrades are noticeably effective on a 2wd? I want to throw some new rims on my truck, but the suspension is weird (replaced bj's, hopefully tie rod's and arms within the coming weeks). IDK how to explain it, but it goes over bumps like a tuner honda I guess is how to describe it. Kinda bouncey. It has been suggested it could be the control arm bushings. Sway bar wouldn't affect up and downward motion, correct? Wouldn't mind replacing (*upgrade?) it and tightening up the steering at the same time though.
Then rear gears for a 2wd truck? I would like to lift maybe 4-6 IN and add the 35's, but if it is too costly between mpg, gears, tires, etc. I am fine with the stock height, as I do not go mudding in a 2wd. From what I can think of, mine are the 3.55, but it is a 1996 Ram 2wd 360 SLT. Didn't come with the original manual, and I can't think of the VIN.
Exhaust; 1st) Gut Cat, run Dynomax muffler or Glasspack. 2a) With muffler, run 3 IN pipe and LT Headers 2b) With glasspack, stock manifold and 2.5 IN Pipe (don't want to wake the neighbors all the time). And the NGK o2 Sensors.
I'm gettin bored of bumping my threads, so if I sound repetitive, sorry, I just never know who may have passed my prior posts.
All at once, get the hughes plenum kit, fastman and open air cleaner from mr.gasket/K&N? I lost where I just posted a thread about this, weird cuz I thought I just posted on it. Those are parts where there's nothing wrong with on my truck, but after I fix the water pump and heater core, I think this will be the upgrade I do. Just wondering if I ought to do the hughes thingy to prevent any damage, and if it will be a little boost of sorts to complement the fastman and air intake.
Also I would probably do a tune up with MSD Streetfire wires (8mm) NAPA or Summit cap and rotor, and the 3923 Plugs. Havn't seen that combo yet, would like to give it a go.
Ballparking about 500 total for everything, with me doing the installation.
What kind of suspension upgrades are noticeably effective on a 2wd? I want to throw some new rims on my truck, but the suspension is weird (replaced bj's, hopefully tie rod's and arms within the coming weeks). IDK how to explain it, but it goes over bumps like a tuner honda I guess is how to describe it. Kinda bouncey. It has been suggested it could be the control arm bushings. Sway bar wouldn't affect up and downward motion, correct? Wouldn't mind replacing (*upgrade?) it and tightening up the steering at the same time though.
Then rear gears for a 2wd truck? I would like to lift maybe 4-6 IN and add the 35's, but if it is too costly between mpg, gears, tires, etc. I am fine with the stock height, as I do not go mudding in a 2wd. From what I can think of, mine are the 3.55, but it is a 1996 Ram 2wd 360 SLT. Didn't come with the original manual, and I can't think of the VIN.
Exhaust; 1st) Gut Cat, run Dynomax muffler or Glasspack. 2a) With muffler, run 3 IN pipe and LT Headers 2b) With glasspack, stock manifold and 2.5 IN Pipe (don't want to wake the neighbors all the time). And the NGK o2 Sensors.
I'm gettin bored of bumping my threads, so if I sound repetitive, sorry, I just never know who may have passed my prior posts.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: Is this worth it ..
ORIGINAL: kowboydmac
Some of you may know my truck aint the greatest, but I love it nonetheless, so here's what I was thinking most recently...
All at once, get the hughes plenum kit, fastman and open air cleaner from mr.gasket/K&N? I lost where I just posted a thread about this, weird cuz I thought I just posted on it. Those are parts where there's nothing wrong with on my truck, but after I fix the water pump and heater core, I think this will be the upgrade I do. Just wondering if I ought to do the hughes thingy to prevent any damage, and if it will be a little boost of sorts to complement the fastman and air intake.
Also I would probably do a tune up with MSD Streetfire wires (8mm) NAPA or Summit cap and rotor, and the 3923 Plugs. Havn't seen that combo yet, would like to give it a go.
Ballparking about 500 total for everything, with me doing the installation.
What kind of suspension upgrades are noticeably effective on a 2wd? I want to throw some new rims on my truck, but the suspension is weird (replaced bj's, hopefully tie rod's and arms within the coming weeks). IDK how to explain it, but it goes over bumps like a tuner honda I guess is how to describe it. Kinda bouncey. It has been suggested it could be the control arm bushings. Sway bar wouldn't affect up and downward motion, correct? Wouldn't mind replacing (*upgrade?) it and tightening up the steering at the same time though.
Then rear gears for a 2wd truck? I would like to lift maybe 4-6 IN and add the 35's, but if it is too costly between mpg, gears, tires, etc. I am fine with the stock height, as I do not go mudding in a 2wd. From what I can think of, mine are the 3.55, but it is a 1996 Ram 2wd 360 SLT. Didn't come with the original manual, and I can't think of the VIN.
Exhaust; 1st) Gut Cat, run Dynomax muffler or Glasspack. 2a) With muffler, run 3 IN pipe and LT Headers 2b) With glasspack, stock manifold and 2.5 IN Pipe (don't want to wake the neighbors all the time). And the NGK o2 Sensors.
I'm gettin bored of bumping my threads, so if I sound repetitive, sorry, I just never know who may have passed my prior posts.
Some of you may know my truck aint the greatest, but I love it nonetheless, so here's what I was thinking most recently...
All at once, get the hughes plenum kit, fastman and open air cleaner from mr.gasket/K&N? I lost where I just posted a thread about this, weird cuz I thought I just posted on it. Those are parts where there's nothing wrong with on my truck, but after I fix the water pump and heater core, I think this will be the upgrade I do. Just wondering if I ought to do the hughes thingy to prevent any damage, and if it will be a little boost of sorts to complement the fastman and air intake.
Also I would probably do a tune up with MSD Streetfire wires (8mm) NAPA or Summit cap and rotor, and the 3923 Plugs. Havn't seen that combo yet, would like to give it a go.
Ballparking about 500 total for everything, with me doing the installation.
What kind of suspension upgrades are noticeably effective on a 2wd? I want to throw some new rims on my truck, but the suspension is weird (replaced bj's, hopefully tie rod's and arms within the coming weeks). IDK how to explain it, but it goes over bumps like a tuner honda I guess is how to describe it. Kinda bouncey. It has been suggested it could be the control arm bushings. Sway bar wouldn't affect up and downward motion, correct? Wouldn't mind replacing (*upgrade?) it and tightening up the steering at the same time though.
Then rear gears for a 2wd truck? I would like to lift maybe 4-6 IN and add the 35's, but if it is too costly between mpg, gears, tires, etc. I am fine with the stock height, as I do not go mudding in a 2wd. From what I can think of, mine are the 3.55, but it is a 1996 Ram 2wd 360 SLT. Didn't come with the original manual, and I can't think of the VIN.
Exhaust; 1st) Gut Cat, run Dynomax muffler or Glasspack. 2a) With muffler, run 3 IN pipe and LT Headers 2b) With glasspack, stock manifold and 2.5 IN Pipe (don't want to wake the neighbors all the time). And the NGK o2 Sensors.
I'm gettin bored of bumping my threads, so if I sound repetitive, sorry, I just never know who may have passed my prior posts.
The Hughes Plenum Kit will help you in the future of NO plenum leaks, and our trucks are very dominant to leak in the plenum after id say 80k?? But there will be no gains if you do that unless your plenum is leaking really bad and your truck is pinging...
As for the wires, plugs, rotor, and cap, im sure that would be a nice touch for a tune up. Kinda sounds like a good combo. Maybe even a MSD 6A Ignition also???
As for the gears, if your worried about mpg wise a 4:10 ratio with a stock rim size would help you in town and if your driving is mostly 70 mph MAX and under youll see some gains there plus some extra power
. If you got 35's with new rims a nice 4:56 would be good to push the tires and try to maintain the mileage. If your going to throw some gears in there why not throw a locker in there also!!! Look at Auburn Differentials i heard they were very good!As the suspension i would have no clue on what to do... Better riding shocks? Try looking some stuff up about suspensions in the forum. I never really went there yet.
The Exhaust: Ive never thought of running any of that i just went with No Cats and dual Flowmaster 10 series but that is way to loud (to much trouble with cops) So to me a nice setup would be High Flow Cats (to avoid the whole illegal cat thingy) with Dual 3" Super 44's.
PS: if your going to tear it down and put a new plenum plate then maybe you could port your own intake manifold. You can find it in the DIY section in the forum.
Some other ideas while your there could be this in order:
Porting Manifold
Pair of Headers
Underdrive Pulleys
Dual Electric Fans (by DeRale)
Double Roller Timing Chain
1.7 Harland Sharp Roller Rockers.
SCT Tuner (At the end of your list!)
All that plus what your doing should wake your truck up a WHOLE LOT!
Hope my answers helped... Thnx!
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RE: Is this worth it ..
Yeah it helps when someone who has done it before gives me input. I browse through the posts for similiar threads, but like you said, havn't found much for 2wd suspension other than the control arm bushings. I think if someone was by the truck or in it when it went over bumps it would be easier to diagnose.
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RE: Is this worth it ..
Quick truck, 300hp? 310 tq? not sure what a stock 360 is rated. 15 mpg. Reliable. Moderate stuff. But I bought the truck with the intention of upgrading all the old stuff as a learning project too.
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RE: Is this worth it ..
As far as your suspension, a great set of Bilstien shocks, and a front kit from http://www.p-s-t.com/ will do wonders. I did the kit on mine and it worked out great. Front end fills solid, and smooth. Make sure your idler arm, and pitman arm are in good shape.
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RE: Is this worth it ..
Yeah I am going to replace the Arm's. I need help on that, I went with spicer ball joints, and they are fine, but for the Arm's can I get away with a basic set, or go ahead and drop 100 bucks for the moog arms?