So I have had my '02 dodge ram 1500 for about 4-5 months now. So far the truck runs good. I bought the truck from a private party so I don't know how well he took care of it. He did give me receipts that the tranny was rebuilt just over 20k miles ago with upgraded parts. The rear diff was also rebuilt and changed to 3.92.

I did the magnet test for the plenum and it seems it still has the OEM. I just purchased the Hughes Engine plenum replacement with the 180 tstat. I won't get it till next tuesday but I was thinking if anyone has any other recommendations of stuff to replace while I do the plenum. The vehicle is not my daily driver so it can sit for a while if needed.

 

Water pump, timing chain and gears. You are going to be RIGHT THERE. Might just as well.

 

+1, check your dizzy cap and rotor too, might as well do that or replace them as you'll never have better access to it as you will soon.


Also, only the rear diff? Front should have been done too....

 

How hard is it to do timing chain? I have changed a water pump in a 5.2 before, i'm pretty sure a 5.9 is no different. I was planning on getting the dist cap and rotor as well but that stuff i can get from a local store.

I was thinking about doing the chain but I have never done something like that before I have been reading around but they don't really give clear instructions on how to remove the chain or put the new one on. i know it is important to line up the keyhole and not get it "out of time".

as far as the differentials go. the receipt says the rear diff was rebuilt and re-geared to 3.92 to match the front. I don't know if that meant the front was done before at a different time or what.

 

The timing set is just taking some more bolts out. You make a note of where the old timing set is in relation to the new one, match the new one up, pull old off, slide new one.

 

do you recommend the one from hughes engines or any NAPA or autozone, orielly parts?

 

Cloyes, or Crane double roller. I got the SA gear set from advance, and it also seems to be working just fine. Order online, or have one of your parts stores get it for you.

 

Pretty much any double roller set for a Magnum.

 

Thanks, o-reilly online says the store down the street has some cloyes double roller set for 35 bucks. and i just found a good write up on the web.

 

^Lucky.

It's close to $50 where I live.