Hello,

I’m brand new to the Dodge world with my ’95 1500 5.2L, Auto 2WD, Laramie SLT--stock.

First and foremost, I’m definitely a reader and a researcher. I will be spending a LOT of time learning how to enhance the overall performance of my truck with all the different kinds of aftermarket parts that I find others suggest throughout the forum.

However—I feel that a lot of the “original” power that I’m sure this truck had at one time is no more. For a V8, I expected a LOT more power stock.

With a 318 under the hood, I know this thing has a great motor, but where have all the original horses gone?

For instance, with an ATV in the bed and an ATV trailing behind (heavy Can-Ams), I’m having trouble climbing hills (paved). The truck is in great running order and hasn’t been abused. It “makes it” up these hills, but it seems to be working really hard for a V8.

Is there a checklist of things I can go over by myself or with my local mechanic to ensure that everything is proper under the hood before I start sinking some money into aftermarket performance for this thing?

In other words, how do I reawaken the beast that I know this thing once was?

Thanks in advance!

X

 

Don't tow in overdrive.

Check your plenum. Pull the air box off of the throttle body, crack the throttles wide open, and have a look down there. See any oil? Time to pull the manifold. (this is a standard problem on these trucks.)

How do your plugs/wires/cap/rotor look?

 

Gotcha... I always hit the O/D Off button each time I'm pulling my rides.

Today I put a K&N air filter in it to replace stock. Tomorrow morning getting Flowmasters put on.

So, I'll pull the air box off and take a look down the throttle body "after" I give it full throttle or "while" somebody else is standing on the pedal to look for the oil that you mention? Is this splattered oil or standing oil somewhere in the bottom? Sorry for the stupid question, just trying to be thorough.

All right, so probably need to pull and replace the manifold so that all the cylinders are getting the right mixture, correct?

Thanks in advance!

- X

 

Oil could manifest itself in many forms. On mine, I could see pools of fresh oil at the bottom of the plenum, along with some that had obviously been there for a while, and was 'well done'.

To fix this, get the hughes, or APS plenum kit, along with gaskets, and new intake bolts. (you cannot reuse the intake bolts.) Yank the intake, pull the belly pan, throw it away...... clean everything up good, put on the aluminum plate from the company of your choice, bolt it back together, don't worry about it again.

If you are feeling really ambitious, you could do the kegger mod while you have it off. Involves cutting the runner openings back, and removing the wall in the manifold. Provided you have one..... they changed the manifold at some point, not sure when. If you do a search in the FAQ section, should find some good information there.

 

Thanks Hey You... I'll try each of the items you've suggested. I think I'll have to use the search function on this forum and a little bit of Google to understand all of what you're saying, but that's half the fun, right? Ha!

Anyway, thank you so much for the comments and I'll post back once I've got some more 'pep' under the hood.

Regards,

- X

 

So, after getting a tune up----new plugs, wires, dist. cap and rotor, I could definitely tell a difference. I put some "Gummout" in the gas tank and cleaned the injectors.

While the truck was getting the tune up, the mechanic looked it over and made sure my radiator and all was good.... He noticed that my Kickdown Linkage had been broken for some time.

OMG!!! After getting the part replaced.... Geezus!!! It's like I'm driving a whole new truck. Wow, now I can't keep my foot out of it!!!! I love this thing... I plan to do some more upgrades like a better TB and some headers. Now that I know this thing just needed some TLC, I'm so happy to start putting some money into it.

Thanks!
- X

 

For a better TB, check out The Fastman, unless you want to bore one out yourself.

I haven't heard one complaint yet about his stuff.