so all the problems ive had with my truck ive found the most help here. thanks so much to everyone.

i had a 98 dodge ram 1500 4x4 a couple years ago it was perfect.. didnt realize it till i sold it bought a mustang and i have this truck.. its a 2000 1500 4x4 couple inch lift..
its been a living nightmare. but ive fixed most issues.
i did spark plugs.. put double platnum in it. is that good? or should i get copper?

new ignition wires. new battery new TV cable. new oil 10- 40.

the issue is.. before and after all of this.. it has barely any power it has issues with hills. like im talking going 25 up a hill in a 50 mph zone.. and its floored. and when im going about 30 or so and i floor it it drops into first i think. and it just red lines. it dosent shift until i let off the gas. that's why i replaced the TV cable. any help would be GREATLY appreciated. thanks

also my 4wd works... i think but the light dosent come on. and the only way i think it works because 4 low has alot of torque.. it feels like 4 low.

 

Check this thread out completely as it relates to the lost power aspect.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html

Ditch the platinum plugs. Stock plugs are gravy.


Get a Haynes manual and check out the DIY/FAQ subforum for the threads containing links for the free Factory Service Manual and Parts Manual.

ps. since you've been mooching here for some time, please add your truck info to signature area.

 

as far as the no 4x4 light thing, common problem with the front CAD, you are actually experiencing 2wd lo

 

sorry im alright with mechanical stuff.. but mind explaing what CAD is?

 

so copper plugs, and tommorow ill check if my cat is bad.. ill probably do the plugs this weekend. along with checking and possibly doing a tranny flush.

 

sounds to me like the symptoms of a bad governor pressure soleniod and sensor in the tranny.... if the truck lags in shifting and requires you to flutter the gas to get it to shift at times the screen in the solenoid is likely plugging up... there is a DIY in the DIY section on how to clean it... or you can replace it. Its recommended to replace the sensor when the solenoid is replaced because its difficult to tell which has failed... you can search "governor pressure solenoid" for lots of threads on the subject. Its a very common issue I've had it myself... you may have codes pointing to it even though there wont be a check engine light. (FYI the stuff to repair it is about $200 at the dealer or Napa... or about $100 online.) You'll need 5 quarts of ATF+4 to replace what comes out when you drop the pan.... but its easy to do, It was the first time I touched a tranny.

 

CAD is Central Axle Disconnect. its a vacuum motor on the passenger side of the front axle that disengages in 2wd, and engages in 4wd. There is a vacuum switch on the tcase that is supposed to supply vacuum to the correct side of the actuator.... vacuum leaks are rather common. Verify you are getting vacuum to the outboard port in 2wd, with the engine running. (at the cad) Inboard port in 4wd.

Sounds a lot like a plugged cat to me..... probably due to blown plenum. Fix that first, and see if you still have tranny issues.

 

ok so i took out the first o2 sensor to see if the cat was cloged. i noticed no difrence exept it burning EXTREMLY rich. and loud as hell. and it was pulsing.. like it wouldnt idle steady and gassing it seemed like a 15 year old trying to learn how to drive a clutch. soo any sugestions.. i still have the double platnum plugs i am going to put em in tommorow b4 work to see if that helps at all.

 

If you're going to swap plugs out hoping for a fix, go for the cheap *** Champion copper truck plugs. Our stock ignitions are designed for them.

4WD with no light? CAD ain't workin' right. Probably vacuum related as others have pointed out.

Shifting problem: Check that TV cable alignment. If it's dead-nuts on, it's time to drop the pan as someone else suggested, maybe throw a filter and governor pressure solenoid at it.

Report back after checking/correcting those things.

 

If 4wd works but no light, then its due to disconnected line. On mine, it runs from the CAD box on the front axle, goes over the engine cross member to be plugged in near bottom of radiator on passenger side.

I just discovered this as I was reconnecting things from the Body lift. 4wd worked but no light in the dash.