My truck is a '97 1500 4x4 5 speed (and 3.55 with LSD if it matters). It feels like it uses about 1/3 of it's power just getting over its own driveline resistance in order to go. I have to rev higher than you would expect to pull away from a stop and once I'm running I have to be a little deeper in throttle to keep it going. I don't think it is a brake problem. It rolls and coasts okay. I'm suspecting something in the drivetrain is too tight or bound up.

Could some of you comment if you've had this and what is the approach to go about identifying what the issue is? There are a lot of parts between the flywheel and the ground (tranny, xfer case, u-joints on shafts, ring & pinion, differential, axle). I'm not sure where to start. How can you know if something is too tight or bound up?

(BTW, no engine codes. I don't think I have any engine issues or clutch problems. Engine starts easily first time/every time. Compression checks are all good. No oil or coolant leaks. The clutch has been redone twice already (second time with a new flywheel). FWIW, I am leaking transfer case fluid at the companion flange, but I don't think that has anything to do with this.)

Any experiences or thoughts? Help a brother out!

 

Maybe its just a 'low power' problem with the engine? When is the last time you had a tune up? Checked the plenum? How old are the O2 sensors? Does the problem start right way, at cold start up? Or does it sorta 'come on' as the engine warms?

 

Yeah, mine always seems the same way. It will move, but she has her moods. I have wanted about 100 more hp since I got in 16 years ago. There's lots of little things to help it breath better and sometimes I'm really surprised while othertimes I have to open the door and see if I'm still rolling forward. Like Dodge told me back in '02, "it's a small engine in a big truck." Whatever.

Does this feel like a recent development or did you just get the truck and are wondering what you can do?

 

I'm with both of you on the low power in a big truck. I'm pretty sure that I don't have anything bad going on in the engine and clutch, though. I have the aluminum plenum and the O2 sensors are not too old (<10000 miles).

There are the bad days and the less bad days, but it's not like something I can attach to humidity or air temperature or engine temp. I've done all the typical things like new MPS, new purge valve (making sure that isn't effectively a vacuum leak), and I replace cap/rotor/wires every once in a while. That seems to help a little, but not much.

For a long time, I've blamed this on clutch chatter. But, after having two clutches and a Dodge owner/mechanic talk with me about it, I now think he's right. Something is tight.

I've had this truck since '98. It has never been a powerhouse, but it seems that it is becoming more and more of a handful to drive.

 

How is the transmission fluid level?
Is the catalytic converter original? if the motor can't breathe then it'll bog.
I recently fixed an exhaust leak at the manifold and felt like I gained a fair amount of ponies out of the deal.