My 1500 2WD 3.9L has stock 3.55 gears and a 42RE trans, according to the sticker in the glove box. I have an issue with lack of "get up and go" while at speed, as well as, a general lack of power. It also seems to shift to OD way too soon...~45mph. I have done the plenum plate/gasket and replaced pretty much everything except the innards of the block. i have good compression and the motor seems to be fine. Maybe just a product of a small motor??

That said, my next step was going to be replacing the cat and pre-cat O2 sensor. Would those two be a likely cause of my symptoms? I would think that 3.55's would be adequate for this truck.

Long term, it's getting a 5.9 and 46RE that I'm currently building...but that's all in the works. In the mean time, I want to be sure I have any drivetrain issues worked out. The tranny was rebuilt at ~106K, its got 152K now so I will assume all is ok there as I have no real shift/trans related issues.

Anything aside from the cat and O2 that would be worth checking?

 

Its supposed to shift into overdrive around 45 mph.... its a heavy truck for a v6...I would say that may explain the lack of "getup and go"...

 

o/d kicks in at the right speed 45-50

 

mine will actually kick in about 43mph ...I have a bad shudder in od only because of a mis So I have been paying attention to it and leaving the od off until its fixed...

 

Yeah, the six really was inadequate to the task for a full-sized truck....

 

Your problem lies in a lack of cylinders. It seems as though the factory forgot to install the back most pair of pistons. Why they would put a v6 as weak as the 3.9 in a fullsize truck boggles my mind

 

Cuz they're stupid. And I think it's stupid to offer 2 V8's.

 

cool. Thanks guys. I was kinda hoping that would be the consensus. I can deal with it a little while longer til the V8 is ready.

 

These were still the days of OPTIONS. Can you imagine, a manual transmission being offered in a full size truck??!?!! (or anything, really, for that matter...) I wish things were still that way.

 

wish mine came with a manual...