Im really getting frustrated with this thing as Im still working 2 jobs, but thats what ya get with a cheap truck.

Porblem #1

So over the past week I have noticed a few broken studs in the front wheel now its gotten down to where there is just 3 holding on one wheel. (same side the u joint is going nuts on) The rear one the same side only has 3 also.

Now one of the issues is the truck is a 96 with 05 17s on it and not sure what lugs or studs to buy for it. So Im thinking 96 stud and a 05 lug? Please correct if wrong!

Problem #2

Another issue is its lost some power and Im thinking its cause of a spark plug or something going bad. When I come up to a hill it will kick down the transmission and the truck just does not have the power it used to.

The is no exhaust from where they come together about a foot after that so theres no cat or muffler. (I have not had the money to get the exhaust redone yet)

Problem #3

What the heck can I do about gas mileage in this thing? I think I got a 14 to 16 gallon tank cause 45 bucks and my truck is full, but I only get about 180 miles to the tank. So it averages out to 12.8 or something like that.

I would like to get close to 16 maybe more. I know its a 4x4 and 33s and Ill probably never seen that, but hey its a goal to try to get to.

Other the basics headers, k&n, and a programmer what do yall recommend for this? a gear change? I dont even know what gears or in it so Im going to guess say its factory.

 

fix the studs. get the correct lug nuts for your truck.

your plenum is blown fix it. simple as that. while youre in there do the timing chain, and kegger mod.

gas mileage is not the greatest on any of these trucks. 12.8 is pretty darn good. you have a 26 gallon tank btw. switching to efans, and a tune might net you 1 or 2 mpg's but thats it. be thankful you get what you get. i average 11-12 in the summer, and 7-9 in the winter.

 

Plenum is blown? So do I need a gasket or what?

 

read this

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

 

dont think its a 26 gallon though but plenum is good checked it out or it seemed that way. Now gotta figure out wheel issue....

 

the rams either came with a 26 gallon or a 35 gallon tank. or a 34 gallon tank on the cc/qc trucks. i have a 25 gallon tank in my truck, and takes around 100 bucks to fill.

 

I may get shunned for this but, engines need back pressure. Fix the exhaust. The excessive heat around the transmission is not good for it either. Stud thread is more than likely the same. Ask the parts guy for a 96 model stud and a 05 model stud and compare them. I bet there's not a difference other than maybe the splines where they press in the rotor.

 

these engines dont like back pressure. nor does any other v8. only thing that likes back pressure is those good ole 4 bangers!

 

Your plenum might not seem blown but 99.998% chance it is...all the 2nd gen rams will have this issue since its a factory defect...take off the throttle body itself and check it...


The studs i cant say much on cuz ive never broke one

Power wise...theres multiple things for this....best start its plenum, timing chain, and exhaust....

On xtreme 4x4 they did a fuel saving ram...with lots of weight reduction, dana 60 axles with 4.10 gears, manual hubs, efans and some other odds and ends they were able to pull about 17 mpgs and thats with a 5.2l.....thats the best they saw so be happy with what you are getting....

 

And to add to that on xtreme 4x4 those upgrades were about $2800.....so it takes money to save gas....