If your just 16, don't run it hard. This will only put you into a tree. Sounds like you are pretty advanced at this age, be smart and learn as you go. I bought my '97 new in Aug of '96 at age 19. I only wish I was smarter then and took it easy, my truck would be in much better condition now.

 

Yeah I know, I just sit back and watch my friends that take theirs mudding, and race them. And then laugh when they all break. Mine never has.

But the op said
"i run it hard, babying it will just cause more problems in the long run."

That makes no sence. How is that possible?

 

When babying an engine it will cause carbon buildup that can cause damage to a motor, I would not say run it hard but if you open it up everyonce in awhile to "blow the carbon" it helps the motor run cleaner.

Or run some seafoam through it, I open my truck up quite a bit and race it at the dragstrip, never had a problem yet since I started driving it, I keep an eye on temps and pressure, and dont rag on it all the time. Seafoamed it today almost no smoke, my dads truck quite a bit more smoke he doesnt open it up as much.

However always being hard on the truck will cause rearends, trannys and other parts to fail prematurely

 

Have you checked compression?

 

Nice looking truck, Ryan.

 

Hey thanks man. I love it, just wish it wasnt such a dodge lol.

 

Mine was hovering at around 112.5 mpg. BUT, I put on a K&N cold air filter and also started using lucas oil fuel treatment every other fillup. Put on high performance plug wires and iridium plugs. Now getting a consistent, 15 mpg or just a hair less. Also pumped up tires with nitrogen. The tires keep their shape better and give you better tread contact with the road for a smoother ride. All of it seems to have helped!

 

if you do that, you don't really know if you used all your gas. Plus it is really bad for your fuel pressure system. The easiest way is to top off the tank, then drive it to 1/4, then top off. Divide the number of miles by the amount of gallons you put in (on the receipt).

THat is the best way. It is the most precise way of calculating.

 

I did as well ...thats why I switched to a 180 stat....