I was also wondering about if there were any differences between the PCM on a 4X4 and the PCM on another truck, same year, except a 2X4. I still have my old wrecked Ram that is the same year and everything, but I don't think it has the death flash. Would a swap work? Are the PCMs on these trucks particularly fragile?

 

Not entirely fragile. Well, they won't crack like eggs anyway. Or boil in minutes for that matter.

Take your air hat off, open the TB bores, and see if it's wet down on the bottom! Might need a flashlight. Not a fleshlight, the flAshlight.

 

Hahaha will do.

 

If it is in fact wet down there from the belly pan gasket leaking...a local buddy of mine is selling a modified kegger with the runners cut 2 inches and the throttle body bores enlarged for a bigger throttle body to fit without any interference at all. He's also fixed the belly pan issue with better gaskets and 'the right stuff' sealer. It's ready to bolt on with a performance boost and no more leakage, and he painted it black. He's looking for 130 shipped out of it.



Just some food for thought in case you're looking for a simple swap with little extra work involved and some added benefits.

 

lol!!!!

 

Got another question here, my little haynes manual says that I will need to take it to the dealer to update the vin number on it. Do I really need to do that? Will it work if I don't? How much does doing that cost?

 

i think the pcm is the same between 2wd and 4wd.
you don't have to have the VIN number updated unless you fail an emissions test or something like that.

just my opinion, but if your software update was 97 or something like that, i don't think you have death flash.

swapping the pcm is a quick and simple experiment. you can always swap it back. just be sure to disconnect the battery.

 

It worked!! I test drove it, and it feels great!! I definitely felt an increase in power! Thanks to all who helped me here!!

 

I thought the PCM kept track of the mileage too! Or is that on later full OBDII models?

 

I have no idea..