Last week I purchased a 2001 2500 4x4 5.9L with 19k miles. After a couple of test rides in which it seemed to drive very much like new, I bought it. Now after driving it around for a week in all kinds of traffic situations, I am finding that while the truck seems to accelerate from a stop very smoothly and get up to highway speed relatively quickly, mid-speed driving (i.e. driving in traffic) seems to be labored. While travelling between 40 and 50 mph, if you give it a little gas it seems to be lugging, bogging down so to speak, until you kick the pedal until it downshifts.

My '96 was seemingly much more free running and I feel that there is something not right. I can go back to the dealer as I have a 90 day warranty, but before he tells me that there is nothing wrong with it, I'd like to get some of your opinions about what you guys think could cause this behavior.

Thanks in advance.


amajamar

 

take it out of OD when you go around town and you'll see its probably much better. the dodge engineers decided it was in our best interests to have the motor up shift in OD by 35~40 mph. idiots! try it and let us know.

as for performance setups... there are many to really wake up your motor.

 

Was that a change that was done between '96 and '01? My '96 didn't have that problem. I never had to keep the OD off while in traffic on the highway. I'll give it a try.

 

I dont know when they added the change, all I know is mine will be in OD at about 35~40 mph... If you have bigger tires with stock gearing it'll be even worse...

 

Could it be that its a 3/4 ton with the 5.9?

 

it's the death flash program dodge did to improve gas mileage.. it really just hurt it. they did it to all the 2001's. one way to check is look at your computer for a yellow piece of labeling or tape of some kind. that is how the designated it. most of the aftermarket programmers will clear that. factory dtc's i think they call it.

 

Someone mentioned on here before about the early 2nd gen rams having the H verses the E trans that the later ones have. I thing it was for the earlier computer style OB?. Not sure which year it changed. I'm thinking 96-97 range.

Someone that knows more on this might could shed some light.