Last night I came home with a new toy to replace my 96 Ranger XLT..
I got an 02 Ram 1500 4x4, 5.9 engine, auto, 4 door crew cab, 20 inch wheels (ugly in my opinion).... just about every option that was available at the time it was bought new... 50k miles.

So far, I'm VERY happy with it, but I have a couple questions:

First off, the gas mileage is WAY worse than I expected.. so far I'm getting 12 mpg.. any way to improve this? exhaust/intake/spark plugs/voodoo/rain dances/etc? I'm open to suggestions!! and I've been VERY easy on the gas...

Second... I didn't get a remote for it from the dealer I bought it from... I see remotes on ebay for about 10-12 bucks each, but I need to know how to program it to my truck... how easy/hard is that?

finally... where is a good place to get some running boards/nerf bars for the sides to help make entry a little easier for my wife and other passengers? I don't want to spend a ton of money... it seems like I can get them from Summit for about 200 bucks or so... where else?

Thanks all!!

And this isn't my only Mopar.. .I've got a 71 Dodge Dart that I'm restoring in my garage... I recently installed a new 360, rebuilt 904 trans, 8 3/4" rear end, etc etc etc

I'm a Mopar guy at heart, even though I had a Ford

Here's a picture of my new ride

[IMG]local://upfiles/14146/BE06FA4A4CED47219A21F38226D301B1.jpg[/IMG]

 

Nice ride, I would suggest a tune up.

 

Thanks.... the display is indicating it's time for a service....

Any thoughts on the keyless entry remote?

 

Keyless entry: Supposedly Dodge has to program them and that will run you $40. ALSO, you have to buy a remote for your year and model vehicle (02 Ram) or it won't work supposedly. My Ram was used and the guy lost it too. Instead of getting a new remote though, I'm just gonna buy an alarm system. No point in paying twice when I need a system anyways.

 

if you buy a remote off ebay it tells you how to program it in your owners manual. really easy, i bought my remote off ebay and it took 30 seconds to program it. very easy instructions, save yourself $40 from the dealer.

 

I've got to take it back to them for a service and detail anyways.. so I'll see if they can throw in the remote that they didn't give me with the truck. I'm hoping that the service might help the gas mileage ... <fingers crossed> ... we'll see

Just ordered some tube style steps (nerf bars) for it from ebay... that'll make it easier for my wife to get up in it

I noticed that Summit Racing has a catback exhaust kit for it that splits into dual exits for about 135 bucks... I'm considering that, but I doubt it will help the gas mileage, it would be more for the sound than anything.

Can a new computer chip help the gas mileage?

 

Me an you have some stuff in common! I just bought a 2002 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 last week. My first Dodge ever, I've always been a Ford guy, still am. I do love this Dodge. Mine has only 18,000 miles on it. Loaded like yours, everything! Anyway, I've only gone through one tank of gas so far, but am getting only about 11 mpg. Mine can't need a tune up because it only has 18000 miles on it. If you find something to better the mileage, let me know. Anyway, just thought I would leave you a thread.

 

Funny... I've been driving a 96 Ranger supercab 2wd since I bought it used in '98... 105k miles and still going. I just needed something bigger. Love my Ford, but I'm a Mopar guy at heart My first car was a 73 Duster (17 years ago), and I'm also restoring a 71 Dart right now

 

Actually the mileage that you guys are getting is within the specifications from daimler chrysler. unfortunately with the price of gas in todays world...that mileage SUCKS! i had a 1994 with a 5.2 with some mods and i only got about 10 in town and 12 on the highway. i replaced it with an 02 v6 5spd