Hey, i been a long time owner of a 2nd gen dakota, but decided it was time to move up with the big boys.

I got myself a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 4x4 with the 5.9 auto. Just had a few questions about it.

-What is an estimate mpg for this motor in this truck? My reading on the overhead stays between 8-9 is that about right?

-I got CEL p1491, something about a ac condenser fan. I did a little digging and found that its usually fuse 39 in my PDC, but fuse 39 in my truck is a spare. I checked the ac fan fuse and relay, and they both checked out.

-can you level out the truck by just cranking the torsion bars? ive seen guys say theyve boughten "leveling kits." what is the difference?

-Im looking to hook up two 10" subs under the rear seats and am looking for the best reccomended box. I looked at a few on ebay that look pretty sweet but just wondering what everyone here says.

-when cold the truck has a long crank time for starting. If i prime the fuel pump 2-3 times and leave it sit for a few seconds it isnt as bad. It IS a new fuel pump put in by the dealer. truck starts perfectly when warmed up.

All answers greatly appreciated! will have pics up soon. Thanks guys.

 

Start with a good tune up, I got an 02 w/ the 5.9 and I'm averaging between 13 &14mpg. As for the fuse, it's the 25amp one all the way on the end. I just had to replace mine last week. As for the torsion bar lift..https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-lift-diy.html

 

well i have heard that if you adjust your torsion bar to level your truck, your goin to have a very rough ride
as for the 2 10" subs, i was goin to purchase this custom box made by foxacoutstics.com but supposedly the machine that makes the enclosure is having some difficulties and will be up and running and making them again shortly

 

MPG's are gonna e about that for city life. Highway you may see up to 13-14mpg but that's it. The 5.9's are pigs for gas.

As for the sub box, most of theose ebay boxes get the job done, but the only bad thing is they are very shallow for mounting depth. the back part angles a bit and "nicer subs" will hit the magnet on that, so your limited to cheap-so-so subs for the most part. If your not looking for killer bass, then Ebay box is the way to go. Otherwise, FOX for using nicer subs that generally have larger magnets and require a deeper mounting depth.

Fuel issue. I would replace your fuel pressure regulator as the check valve may be bad in it and letting the fuel depressurize while sitting. I would make sure you don't have any fuel leaks. You can easily check this by checking the schrader valve for pressure when the truck is cold and NOT running. If fuel doesn't squirt out of the schrader valve, i would say replace the regulator on the fuel rail.

A/C condensor could be low on oil/refrig. If the compressor cycles constantly from that issue, it will set off a code/pop a fuse.
or it could be an inline sensor?

Now, there is a custom center sub/box with a 10" sub and amp for sale over in Dodge Talk classifieds. Very nice price too! I would check into it.

 

Most of my driving is stop and go, rural to city driving and I'm getting 13-14mpg. It's not gonna hurt to throw a set of plugs, wires and a cap and rotor on it. I was averaging about 10mpg untill I did my tune-up about 2wks ago. But I will agree with you, the 5.9s are pigs on gas. That's why Dodge stands for "Dammed Old Dependable Gas Eater".

 

alright thanks. a tune up is definatly in store for it.

-Dirtydog i will try that with the fuel rail thing thanks.

i checked fox acoustics and it looks like they dont make a dual 10' box for the quad cab. only the maga cab.

im pretty sure that none of my 25amp fuses have anything to do with my ac condenser but ill double check.

 

OKay, so i went out and checked that release valve on my fuel rail this morning while the truck had been sitting all night, and there was absolutely no pressure left there. I primed the fuel pump 3 times and checked it again and it squirted out fuel like it should.

So im definitely losing pressure from somewhere but i just need to figure out where.

I looked on the fuel rail for the pressure regulator but i dont see it. Is it on the fuelpump itself instead?

thanks for the help

 

That's a good question. I just went out and looked at mine and couldn't find it either. The online service manual shows it on the backside of the drivers side rail, but it also shows 2 cross-over lines. Mine only has one, and nothing on the back of the rail. I'll keep looking and let you know if I find anything.

 

From what I've found so far, apparently it's in the fuel tank, part of the fuel pump module.

 

They are usually on the drivers side fuel rail towards the back with a vacuum line on them..