Howdy All,

I've a 5.9L 1999 Dodge Ram Sport Quad Cab. It's seen better days, but it definitely still goes and rarely gives me any problems. I'm at a point where I am considering getting a new car (fuel economy), but I'm rather attached to my truck as simple as she is. Plus, I live in New Brunswick where the winters are pretty deadly. So... I've decided to keep my truck.

With that said, it has 220k KM's on it and is definitely at it's mid-age crisis in my opinion. Heck, she honestly doesn't feel like she has much power when I have it on the throttle. So... with that in mind... I'm looking at not "restoring" her, but renewing her.

So my question is, how should I tackle this? I'm trying to think of what I all need to do... I've thoughts of what I want to do with the engine. At first I was thinking should I buy a new one? But then I came across a posting where someone had a "tired" engine and they suggested pulling it, taking it to a machine shop, getting it bored to .030 and buying a stoker (or I believe). Again, this is a bit of new territory for me. I have done a lot of work on vehicles before, but never something like this. I have torn apart my motorcycle and rebuilt it. But... again, this is new territory with an engine I don't know a WHOLE lot about.

I'm thinking of rebuilding I guess, with performance parts. Again, this would be my winter/fun/camping vehicle. Next I'm thinking about the suspension... Heck, I think the stuff under the truck has NEVER been touched. I've been toying with the idea of lifting the truck, though not much, and re-doing the suspension system in the truck. Maybe even cleaning up the underside and lining it with something? I'm sure there is _SOME_ rust under there.

Anyways... I'm sure y'all get the idea. I don't mind sinking money into this truck if I can get her to last another 10 years or so. I have no intentions of selling it. What are some thoughts? What should I tackle? What order? How should I look to do? I've got a friend at a bodyshop place, but the painting of the truck is one of the last things on my list.

Thoughts? Just toss them out, help give me some ideas and direction. Thanks. Oh, and no, I don't really want to buy a new truck!

Chad.

 

I would do a compression check, you probably still have a strong foundation to build on. once verified, work on air flow, exhaust, plenum, tune up stuff, fluids, SCT, etc...it's probably not your motor but the stuff bolted to it that is tired. oh, and big welcome to Dodgeforum!!!

 

Crap, I spend a half hour typing a nice, detailed response.... and my browser decides to go back a page, and its all gone...... that is frustrating. (and hopefully, fixed now.... disabled that particular keyboard shortcut.....)

Anyway..... What would you REALLY like to do?

Fix what's there? These engines are pretty reliable, heads are a tad weak, but, if they aren't giving you any problems........ that's good.

Rebuild? Can be expensive... depending on how berserk you want to get.

Stroker? VERY expensive. Check out Matty675's 408 build thread. LOTS of great information there.

How much can you do yourself? How much do you WANT to do yourself?

 

I think the "WANT" to do myself is a VERY good question. I love to tinker and have fun, but at some point I'll probably look around at it all and just say, "Son of a ..."

I will look at that thread a bit later tonight, just about to go out on the boat with the GF, but I will read it and write my thoughts here.

What do I _WANT_ to do... Well... Like you said, it could be the BOLT on parts that are tired. So I guess I'll either find a place to do a compression test or learn how to do it myself. I want to have an engine with some power. I've heard of changing gears as well. I've 33x12.5's on the truck right now and the whole beast seems a bit sluggish. I've read up on the plenum gasket and I'm more than sure THAT is an issue as well. As for the heads... I think I might even see a crack, definitely heat worn (or so it looks).

But despite all that, I didn't really answer WHAT I want to do with it. I want to either rebuild or replace the motor. I feel that needs to be done. I want to tidy up the entire engine compartment. Once that is done, I feel I'd want to move onto the other things mentioned - intake, exhaust, then suspension. I want the body to last... I want the truck to last. Hell, I want to have fun with it! It's paid for, so might as well make it work for me!

Chad.

PS. Thanks for the welcome!!!

 

You should be able to buy/rent a compression gauge from the local parts store.... maybe....

Doing the test is easy, just pull all the plugs out, prop the throttle all the way open, screw the gauge into the spark plug hole on number 1, crank the engine 5 or 6 times, and write down the number. Repeat for the rest of the cylinders.

Then, drop a spoonful of oil down the spark plug hole, and repeat the test on each cylinder. Write down those numbers as well. (if the compression is significantly different on the 'wet' test, that indicates rings are getting bad.)

All should be over 100 pounds. (100 is min, 150 is great, more than that is fantastic.) All cylinders should be within 25% of each other.

Do that test first, and see what the numbers tell you. (and then tell us. )

 

HeyYou,

Thanks for the direct input! I am deploying to the field for a week of training/instructing come Tuesday until Saturday, but when I come back I'll pick up a compression tester (hopefully rent). So... I'll resurrect this threat come either Saturday or Sunday with the numbers and I'm HOPING they are all above 100 because I get the idea that might make this a whole lot easier.

Again, thanks for the help! Hopefully others chime in with other thoughts WRT other parts of the truck. But yep, definitely want to focus on the engine before the rest.

Chad.

 

We'll be here.

Have fun in the field.

 

Lucked out, there is a Princess Auto in Halifax! So I picked up the compression guage! With luck, maybe I'll be able to do the tests on Monday evening!

 

HeyYou,

Thanks for the heads up on Matty's thread. Read the whole thing - wow - that is a WHOLE lot of info and a lot of things over my head. I'm not swayed or worried, but there is a whole lot more to this all than I had originally understood. No worries though, I'll know those numbers come next weekend and with the help/advice of others I'll push on!

 

Clue us in when ya have 'em. Can decide from there where ya wanna take it next.

Are we having fun yet?