Hello to all. First off, I can let you all know that this site was a big help right out of the gates. Very impressed by knowledge, information available, DIY, etc.

I have a couple quick questions. I just bought my 04' RAM 1500 Quad Cab Hemi 4x4 last week. It's got 122,000 miles on the odometer. I know - A LOT! Guy legitimately drove from job site to job site and as far as I know maintained the truck the entire time.

Now my question is this (are these):

1.) At 122,000 miles, can anyone think of any specific service I should be aware of?
2.) Any problems I should look out for?
3.) I am going to have a mechanic check out suspension and steering - anyone suggest any replacement parts which I should consider to improve handling/ride quality, etc.?
4.) Any tune up specific parts to help with fuel economy? What extent (and prices should I expect to pay) for tune ups?

Any and all additional information is welcomed and truly appreciated. I will upload pics soon. I want the truck cleaned up and detailed prior though...there are some nice Ram's on here!

Thanks
TC

 

don't worry about it. it's an '04 not an '84 122k miles is not a big deal on modern vehicles you just may want to use that high millage oil.

 

I would definatly change all the fluids in it, engine oil, tranny, transfer case, front and rear diff, coolant, and check everything else over really good.

 

I agree with jonny. That will at least insure that the current parts don't degrade quickly, if they are now, for fluid reasons. Pull your spark plugs, inspect air filter and replace if needed, get any OBDII error code info if any, and just go easy on it for at least a few weeks. I recommend Lucas oil to anyone, especially trucks with lots of miles. Not only does it reduce friction and thus heat, it actually conditions valves seals, which is an especially good thing to have done to yours given the miles.

 

First off I would change the Oil and use Valvoline high mileage, and a high mileage filter, change the diff. fluid, and the tranny fluid along with a new filter, change the ball joints and inspect the brakes and brake lines, possibly change that fluid too, check the wheel barings, get your brake sensors checked also mine went out right after I bought my truck at 68,000mi. Check the plugs make sure they are set to the correct gaps and look clean like they are suppose to. ZI'd also change the antifreeze flush and refill using the good stuff. Check your power steering fluid and check all of the moving components on the truck (drive shaft, joints, rotors, IDF, and so on) replace as needed. Also the plug wires and distributer cap might be checked.

Second I would get an exhaust system whole kit headers all the way back, go gibson or borla, it costs but it's worth it, get a bully power programmer and set it for gas mileage, with an airaid intake system. Check on your tire pressure and keep it good for gas mileage, also if you have stock tires at stock height, your gears should ratio3.92. Possibly look into a bed cover soft or hard i put mine on and got 2mi per gallon better, exspecially on the high way, but for intown use it won't make much off a difference. After that just have fun driving it and remember to take it easy on it for a while till you learn the truck once you have done these things just keep checking them and your truck should last you a while.

 

another thing id like to add is clean your throttle body!!!! a lot of these trucks start to idle bad and even turn off and stuff. its an easy fix. clean the throttle body, theres even a DIY for it. as mentioned before...id replace all the fluids. i use royal purple in everything and honestly i saw 2mpg gains out of changing all my fluids with royal purple. as for suspension as you said, for shocks id go with rancho's or bilsteins. and if you need balljoints get them from ebay! much better quality with grease fittings for a fraction of the price. and if your on here a lot theres a little bug going around, called the modding bug....and it hits hard!

 

when I bought my first Ram a 2002 (first year for the 1500)in 2004 it had 150,000 kilometers on it
(90,000 miles) Over the next 3 years I put another 200,000 KM on it for about 220,000 miles. Regular tune ups, synthetic oil, tires and brakes and one oil seal on the front axle later I sold it and realized after getting the new one (2005 1500 4x4 Laramie) how bad the front end was in the old one. Shocks, strutts and some other work but it cost me nothing to drive it for 3 years.