Ok. Just since the start of 08 I have had a 96 Z71 ext. cab, not a bad truck, an 02 z71, 327 was weak, wouldn't pull ****, the truck was kind of sissy like to me, then I traded it for an 07 F150 Quad cab 5.8 triton, 4x4, That truck ran and pulled great, but most of the body felt plastic like. Real flimsy. I then bought an 02 dakota quad cab v6, good truck but to small for me, just sold it, bought an 89 blazer k5 4x4, that was worn out, got rid of it after two weeks, after putting a ton of cash into it and it was still a POS. So I found this 98 quad cab couple of days ago 318 at, 4x4 with 234k. I bought the truck for well under 3k. It is in great shape, laramie, leather interior, it has some issues, but I can easily say hands down.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST TRUCK I HAVE EVER OWNED. IT JUST FEELS LIKE A TRUCK. REAL MANLY, REAL WELL BUILT AND HAS A WICKED SOUNDING EXHAUST NOTE.

I am proud to be a RAM owner!

 

Sad you got the 318... you would have been much happier with a 360

But I'm glad you've found your place in the Mopar world. Now protect that investment. I forget if the plenum was an issue with the 318 but I know it was an issue with the 360. Look into it. Also scan the tranny over and perform the regular maintenance.

Extra insurance never killed anyone.

 

I am glad you are really liking your Ram, but just a quick correction... Ford does not offer a 5.8L V8 in their F150s. You must mean the 5.4L V8.

Just letting you know. Welcome to the forums!

EDIT: Yep, the plenum was/is an issue for all 1994-2001 Rams, regardless of engine.

 

The plenum is an issue with both V8's and the V6. They all have a similar intake (V8's are identical).

 

Good to see another Ram saved from the scrap yard.
Start listing those problems and we'll see what you're working with.

Give these a read and you'll learn a lot about your truck.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-ram-faqs-143/
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...diy-links.html

 

I've listed a few of the issues already so I won't double post. I hope to get the wiper motor issue fixed today. You guys keep talking about the plenum, what will I notice if mine is bad.

 

Take off the air box, and look down the TB with the flaps open. If you see oil, its bad.

 

Yep, any oil means that it's leaking.
You'll notice spark knock, weakness in the power department and crap mileage (below 12mpg if your tire/gears are set up correctly).

 

My intake has a minor coat of oil, no pooling. So its not bad bad yet. But it does need to be done soon. Im just putting it off as long as possible because its a big job.

 

Mine looked like it just had a coat of oil when I looked through the throttle body. It wasn't until I took the throttle body off that I saw the puddle.
It isn't really a big job either, you can get it done in a day if you don't do the kegger mod.