Hey I have a 2001 1500 ram. It's got the 5.2 v8 in it and a four speed automatic transmission. just yesterday I noticed the idle was a little rough so I looked under the hood and checked my fluid levels their right.When I'm at about 40 mph and in fourth gear at anywhere from 1100+rpms my entire cab and truck in general starts to shake and shudder, has this happened to anyone else? Any thing would help me out greatly!

 

mine does this after driving and coming to a stop it vibrates sometimes like that, but it dont do it all the time, its like the torque converter is out of balance or something, and I can feel it when Im stoping also and it feels like a warped rotor which I know mine are not warped. I have been wanting to post this question but wasnt real sure how to word it. lol I have the 2000 ram 1500 with the 5.2

 

Between 40-50 mph the torque converter locks up and goes into overdrive. If your in overdrive and cruising at 40 mph, you might feel a slight shudder before it kicks back down into gear. And by slight, I mean a SLIGHT shudder.

Have you checked the plenum gasket to ensure its not leaking? I know you said the fluids are good, but chances are the OEM plenum gasket might be leaking. You can take the air box assembly off and open the butterfly to the intake and see if you have oil pooling inside the intake manifold.

Could also be a torque converter issue. You should rule out the plenum issue first and foremost.

My plenum gasket was blown and I had pretty bad shudder from the engine, it's like a giant vacuum leak. Mine actually chugged while going up hills looking for power.

 

+1 on the plenum. It clogs the cat, ruins the o2's and power will be way down and can cause the shudder.

 

I posted a thread on this problem..it happened before I replaced the hughes plenum kit and it still does it! If you haven't repaired the plenum it most likely need the repair anyways but don't expect it to resolve the shudder issue..have you had any misfire codes like for the #8 cyl..if so I'd do a comp test and post your results..hope this helps...

 

Replacing or gutting the cat and installing new o2's most likely will. AFter a plenum fix.

 

Thanks for the help, My Idle has been real rough lately too, And My truck never runs like this! I don't have the $$ to start throwing parts at her and hoping it will resolve my issue, but you pointed me in a good direction!
I wanna check the gasket but I'm really unfamiliar with that, any advice for dis-assembly?
17 years old and making sure I do It right

 

Like I said it started before the plenum fix and still does it..I also replaced the cat and it still does it..With that said if your have an intermittent shudder that could very well be your cat failing which can be a result of bad o2 sensors, misfires and the common plenum issue..To check for a blown plenum gasket you should pull the TB and check for oil pooling inside the IM..I will be sitting on the valley plate..you'll know if it's blown..use a flashlight..let us know from there...

 

And you're 17 and know not to throw parts at it <----nice, cause that's how lots of people and bad mec's do it..

 

Don't know who you've been talking to but fixing the plenum, cat, removing it whatever isn't going to fix the common 40-50 mph at 1100 rps
shutter problem! Good luck with that theory..