Hey Guys. New member. The info on this site has been invaluable. Thank you all, especially Mr. Moderator, for your advice. Here is my story.

2006 Black Dak Quad Cab 4.7 HO Laramie. Purchased at 36,500, 500 out of warranty Off-lease from DCFS. All (great) records maintained at original purchase dealership Now has 38,000.

Originally noticed vibration after driving in stop-and-go rush hour traffic. Pulled on the tie-rod ends, obviously warn, seller replaced them. This helped, but still has a problem. Seemed it was coming from the back of the truck, but hard to pinpoint.

Discovered TSB 05-002-06.The original TSB (different #) had been performedat 8000 miles. With 05-002-06, you have to look at the axle #'s printed on the endof the axle (visible with the drum still on the vehicle) If the axle # does not have an M printed on it, you have the wrong axles and need the TSB. The TSB replaced the axle half shafts, drums and shoe kit. This solved my vibration issue. I went in with so much ammunition that the local dealer did the work under warranty with a $100 deductible (which the seller has also covered).

Ride in the vehicle still sucks though. Discovered busted sway bar end links, replaced $120 pr. Much better....but shocks really seem to suck, no motion control at all, very happy to hear about new Rancho RS5000 series now available.

The engine does have the (light) diesel sound on cold start-up, but goes away fairly quickly. I don't know what that sound is, it is very disturbing, but it seems that lots of HO's make that noise, and no-one really has a good explaination of what the (alleged) problem is, so I'm not gonna worry about it. I saw the guys video that had it REALLY bad, and had a diagnosis of "rod knock". Lets hope thats not it. Someone else said it was tight piston pins. I'm hoping an AMS Oil change will help.

The idle is a bit rough, not too bad....replaced plugs with new OE platinums, no change. Gonna try the Autolites (can I get a ruling on there application in an HO please). Also thinking of replacing the PCV valve (or whatever the real name for it is). It gets 16mpg average.

Thanks for reading, and for your continued support and advice.

[IMG]local://upfiles/91563/08D96685A5B44040B307F547879FCB10.jpg[/IMG]

 

welcome to the site-

 

Nice looking truck man. Glad you are a part of DF now

 

welcome to the site and thanks for the info! I have an '07 so I think the "M" axle issue was solved, but I will look. Thanks again for the info!

 

Nice truck - the body colored grill (sport appearance pkg) is the icing.
Now you need the blackout headlights.

Get used to the ride. I hope the new shocks will help. I traded in an '02 for this one that rode 100% better with 120k miles on the original shocks.
Dodge did not improve a thing with the suspension/steering redesign in '05.

[IMG]local://upfiles/38406/36D17FE2A2D0499CA196C82B4B414F67.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks for the encouragement Edsham. I do enjoy the HO power. Much better than the 3.0 Flexfuel in the '00 Ranger (see avatar). I do have to say that that little ranger was the $h!t. Drove the p!$$ out of it and it never complained. You are right. The truck is getting used to me, and the suspension is tightening....Lots of new commponents = harsh ride, parts need to "settle". You all know it's true

 

Does anyone else with the HO notice the cool sound the engine makes while shifting at max RPM. Semi-Hemi design I guess. I'm going to pull the 3 foot muffler and pretend it's a Ferrari withmad crackle...
P.S. I'm starting to love the truck..even with gas prices.

 

You do know the HO needs 93 octane to make the extra hp, right?
I wonder if the ticking is caused by lower octane/cylinder detonation?
I've never noticed it in either of my non-HO 4.7's, but my brother's hemi ticks all the time.
(see the Ram section if you want to read about ticking motors).

Anyway, welcome to the Forum.
Remember half of us are shade tree mechanics, another half believe we know what we are talking about,
and the third half are critics.


[IMG]local://upfiles/38406/E079FB8203B04197B66AF2004FA890DB.jpg[/IMG]