Hey Guys, I just picked up a 2003 Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab SLT with the 5.7L. The truck is in immaculate condition with 86k miles. I was wondering what type of preventive maintenance I should do right away to keep it in tip top shape. I was thinking of having the tranny flushed, and the differential fluids changed. I have read about the dreaded lsd retaining clip issues, and was wondering if I should have that inspected while getting the differential fluids changed? And what steps to take whether they are still intact, or falling apart. Thanks in advance!

 

It depends how much you want to throw at it, definitely worth looking at and replacing if they look bad (or cleaning where applicable)
- Spark plugs/wires, throttle body cleaning, pcv valve clean or replace, air filter and oil change, along with your tranny and diff fluids you could do the coolant system too.

Some other sensor type stuff that may or may not need replace soon
- O2 sensors, EGR valve, IAT(can also be cleaned)

Here is a link to maintenance schedules for our 3rd gens
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...nce-specs.html

You can see where you might fall in there and what you might want to do. Balljoints would probably be higher on my list of other mechanical type stuff, the OEM ones are non-greasable and known to fail prematurely. Then maybe if you just want to keep spending money, brakes and rotors, suspension system the list goes on and on, but that should get you started.

 

Thanks for the info. I don't want to spend any money, but I do want to address the stuff that could help preventing failure to something major in the long run which could cost me a lot of money.

 

Do you have any history, i.e. whether the valvesprings were replaced at all? Major weak point on some 03's. That being said, 129,000+ mi on my 03 and no spring failure yet.

 

Sorry, but you're going to need to spend money. Plugs, PCV valve, tranny and diff service. You likely don't have LSD. Most 4x4s don't have it.

 

Just confused where you get most 4x4s don't have LSD. All mine I owned have had them and they were all 4x4s. Just curious that is all.
As for checking maintenance you can go to dodge.com click on the owners tab create an account and then log in to it. You put your vin number in it and it will give you maintenance records if they have been reported plus you can look up what maintenance you need to do by putting in your mileage. Pretty neat info on there.

 

I bought it from a dealer so unfortunately I do not.

I had planned on a tranny flush and differential service so like I said I'm not opposed on spending money on things that will prevent catastrophic failure. How often are you supposed to replace plugs, and what is the pcv valve? I believe I do have LSD. I looked in the glove box, and there was something about anti-spin or something. I'll have to see what it says again.

I'll give that a shot, thanks!

Also, I forgot to mention, this is a secondary vehicle and will only get about 5k miles a year put on it so I may not even have it still by the time it rolls over to 100k miles.

 

Here's the service history from the Dodge website. Looks like it has everything up until now pretty much.

DateService DealerService DescriptionOdometer
01-19-2005Eversole Motors IncSteering wheel12630

01-06-2006Eversole Motors IncSheet metal work20779

07-25-2006Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of La Crossea/c & Heater25778

07-31-2006Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of La Crossea/c & Heater,A/C service (recvry/rechrg)25961

09-26-2006Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of La Crosse27321

09-02-2008Adamson Motors Incemission controls,Steering hoses45346

04-07-2009Adamson Motors Incwheels & tires,Sheet metal work,Paint/Finish,Sheet metal work50043

01-13-2010Adamson Motors Incwheels & tires,scheduled Maintenance,Check fluid levels,Lube/oil/filter56051

04-08-2011Adamson Motors Incwheels & tires,scheduled Maintenance,Check fluid levels,Lube/oil/filter,Insp/replace belts/tensioners,Chk/Add/Rplc coolant66806

08-04-2011Adamson Motors Incvehicle Inspection(s),Lube/oil/filter69479

12-15-2011Adamson Motors Incvehicle Inspection(s),Insp/replace belts/tensioners,Chk/Add/Rplc coolant,Bulbs73432

05-31-2012Adamson Motors Incvehicle Inspection(s),Lube/oil/filter,Shop supplies76667

08-03-2012Adamson Motors Incvehicle Inspection(s),Lube/oil/filter78644

10-08-2012Adamson Motors Incvehicle Inspection(s),Lube/oil/filter82370

 

ehhh.... looks to me like mostly oil changes and fluid top offs.

 

Yeah, that's how it looks...

So I think for now I am going to have a tranny flush, coolant, and the differential fluids changed.

I'm also going to change the plugs, and plug wires, air filter, and clean the throttle body. I think I am going to buy the MSD ignition wires:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...ion_10211565-p

Any thoughts on these? Or can I get away with the cheap Autolite ones?