My 96 12v is not idling as high as it used to. A slight throttle bump like when backing will stall the engine. It is an auto tranny. Even idling in park, you can just tell it is a couple hundred rpm lower than it used to. Is there a throttle adjustment?

 

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/adj...d_Gen-Idle.htm

 

I had simular problem and followed the instructions in the provided link. However, I did not go to the higher idle speed indicated due to creap when stopped and less than smooth trans engagement when going into drive gear. Mine is set to about 500 RPM, but this sometimes requires a little bump on accerator during cold starts.

My big question is why does the idle seem to decrease over increased engine time??????

 

Wear on the adjustment bolt and/or linkage.

 

Thanks, the provided link pretty much sums it up. I will have many more questions to come, one of which is: Is it recommended to remove the plate on top of the pump and "turn it up" or will i start to break things from the extra power? Believe me, I'm tempted but with 460,000 miles, the conservative in me wants to leave it alone.

 

You can usually slide the plate fully forward, without breaking things. But eventually either the clutch will slip, or the auto trans will. These motors were de-tuned for the drivelines.
Some say running plateless is OK, others warn possible pump damage. Mine's in, but I ground it to a #100. http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...rofiles0ny.jpg
With your mileage, if it's an auto it's on borrowed time anyway.