The first thing I think of when someone reports random misfires and losing power uphill is a clogged cat -- since I've been there. FWIW, here are my suggestions:

1. Check the intake for oil, etc. Replace the belly pan gasket and plate as needed.
2. Go to a muffler shop and have the cat pressure tested. Replace as necessary.
3. Replace both O2 senors. They should be replaced every 50-60K miles regardless of throwing a code or not.
4. Follow the spark plug wire routing per the TSB and be certain to use dielectric grease on all electrical connections.

 

thanks guys.. i pulled the 02 sensor before the cat and it didnt make any sort of a noticable difference.. im gonna go run out to the auto parts store and pick up some new plugs.. the dont seem to great i just checked them.. and its a shame cuz i spent over $6 per plug for some good ones.. cables should be fine they are 8.2mm taylor cables. lets hope for the best.. thank you again to everyone for the helpful advice

 

i whacked the cat yesterday (it was actually the first thing i did).. didnt hear anything rattling inside.. i took my throttle body off and looked down into the intake manifold.. i looked a bit greasy but not horrible.. is this plenum gasket a hard task to conquer? may be a good idea? im also considering cuttin the cat out and punching a hole clean through it

 

You'll need to clean off the top of the engine (compressed air) before removing the intake lest you get sand and dirt in the lifter gallery. I don't know your experience level, so I would say that if you proceed deliberately and slowly, 3 - 4 hours. You'll need a set of intake gaskets, new bolts for the belly pan, the belly pan gasket, some RTV for the corners of the intake, and new intake bolts (due to bolt stretch). Also get threadlock for the belly pan bolts and a new gasket for the throttle body where it mates to the intake.

 

i was just listing some of the more common thread topics, with the cat being one of them. since it is talked about so much on here, that is what a lot of people would think first after hearing the symptoms.
i'd say more like 6 hours if you have never done it before and don't have any help. now that i've done it, i bet i could do it again in 3.

 

I wasn't knocking you, I was trying to provide support. As for the amount of time, it was a "shot in the dark". Hell, I can have the power steering pump out in 25 minutes but a noob would most likely be at it for close to an hour.

 

i know that, i was just trying to clarify.

and my estimate on repair time is always a lot shorter then it ends up being. my truck has been down for a few days for the plenum because i put about 2 hours into it before it got dark (and cold) the first day. about 45 minutes the second day because i said screw it and went fishing. about 2 hours the third day (it started raining) and about 1 1/2 hours today. i'm almost done.

i take a little longer because i am a little obsessive compulsive about making sure all of the bolts are at the proper torque and double/triple checking to make sure i didn't forget anything.

 

A-men. I always get everything assembled and then start second guessing myself. "Did I install that bolt? I don't remember torquing that."

 

Look in the purple link in my signature.
It is a good idea to do, because lots of people ask "Is my plenum gasket blown?" It doesnt matter how many miles on your truck or how you drive it, twelve times out of ten, if you have a 1994-2001 Dodge Ram with a Magnum engine, your plenum gasket is blown and needs to be replaced with an APS Precision or Hughes plate.

 

heres an update for you... i pulled each individual plug.. 2 plugs (both the second to the farthest back on both sides.. i forget the actually cylinder #'s) were totally melted at the contacts.. i also have a crackling noise when under load.. talked to my local mechanic and showed him the plugs.. he said possible valve spring cracked.. going to check tomorrow and see.. maybe if the exhaust valve springs are cracked its heating up and not allowing the cylinder to release and cool.. causin the plugs to fry. he said hed never seen anything like it before, just takin a shot in the dark from what i brought him