On our week+plus camping trip to PA, we took the second row seat and turned it around facing the third row seat. This in turn gave ZERO leg room, but the boys took of their shoes and laid their feet onto the other seat. So, this made a nice [____] shape for the two seats. We left the fourth row seat alone since it's bolted to the floor.

Mostly every Dodge Truck and Van owner use Autolite plugs. Those Champion plugs are J-U-N-K. I spent over $300 getting the Champion plugs out when they fused to the engine head. Three of the plugs broke off (sheard the metal of the plug off and snapped out). A good shop needed to use some special equipment and an easy-out tool to remove them. SO, if you have Champion plugs in there, use caution. The Autolites are easy to change, clean or look at. Changing the plugs is easy with the dog-house off and a good socket set with a universal. If it's too tight to reach the front plugs, take the front tires off to access the plugs. Each socket set has different lengths for the socket extension bar.

If you do find time to change the plugs, clean the IAC. There is a sticky in this Ram Van fourm that will really help. There is a crankcase breather mod that will help restore or keep the mpg from going bad in this froum too. Just do a search for my ID of Stev and the search word of crankcase.

Peace!

Stev

 

Well guys,

I just got back from our camping trip this weekend,and the results were mixed.The van seemed to pull okay,but not great(better w/OD off),but the engine was running very hot on friday afternoon.The temp gauge was pointing right through the 0 in 210 on the gauge,and I turned the AC off to help.When I shut the OD off,and got on the throttle heavy the clutch fan would kick in,and the van would cool off pretty good,but it rarely went below the 210 notch on the gauge,and often was above 210 like I said.I am not sure if it was at 220,225,230,240,or higher as there is no numbers beyond 210* until it gets to 260*.It never boiled over though,and the van still had power.Where would you guys start?Coolant flush,new lower temp thermostat,new clutch fan? Also without going under the van can you gus tell me if it has an auxilary trans cooler?If not what is the best brand,and place to get one?Should it have a seperate fan for it?How about a deeper finned aluminum transmission pan? I plan to get the tranny flushed ,and filled with synthetic fluid soon.I worry that the van got this hot(granted on a very hot day)on a short trip with only smaller hills,and we have a trip planned for Upstate NY in early July that we will encounter many larger hills,and the chances are it will be hot.Any ideas about getting more power out of the 5.2 litre?What is the concensus on towing with the OD off all the time?Aside from burning more gas,how bad is it for the engine/tranny?I only go about 60-65mph on the interstate while towing anyway.Thanks in advance.


Chris
01 Ram Wagon 2500 8 passenger
79 Mazda RX-7 GS
74 Mazda RE/PU

 

bump

 

Hey Guys,

Another bump here.I was just on the phone with Summit racing asking about the Roadmaster suspension system they sell,and it only listed it for ram vans in the 1500 designation.The guy told me the RAS-MKIIXXF part number fits my 2500 van as well,so I wil probably order that soon.The other question I had for him was about a deeper transmission pan with fins,and I had no idea what transmission was in my van.He looked it up,and said it is a 44RE,and that there is no deep,finned pan available for it.Does this sound like the right transmission,and are there really no pans available for them?Thanks in advance.

Chris

 

Chris,

There are deep pans available on the interent. However, you need to take some measurements first for installiantion and clearance too. Look half way down this page for the deep cast pan or the BD performace super deep tranny pan. http://www.redrider.us/518_parts.htm If you do get a deeper pan, check to see if you need a loooonger dipstick assembly too.

Are you sure you have the 44RE tranny or do you have the 46RE tranny? I've only known the 46RE for the Dodge Ram Vans. The 44RE are forthe Dakota trucks, Jeep Wranglers and the Jeep Grand Cherokees.

As for the temps,my2001 Ram Van/Wagon 12-passengerB2500 stays around 190~210 for normal driving. While towing, it tends to stay the same unless the road grade increases for a long period of time. It's actually peaked around 220 then.Once I nearly pegged the needle on an extreme grade lasting 1-1/2 miles and was on the road towing in the mountains for three hours. I pulled over and let the engine idle for 10 mins. Once the temps dropped back to 210, I kept going without it raising again.

I use ATF+3 with Lubegard and 10W30 for towing. For daily driving, I use 5W30 for the fuel savings.

Stev

 

Thanks Stev,

I don't know what tranny I have in the van,but the guy at Summit says it is the 44RE.I really don't know,and I have not had any luck figuring out the right answer to that question.I hadn't thought ofthe longer dipstick,but that makes sense now that I think of it.

My van usually runs around 190 or so these few weeks I have owned it while driving unloaded,and it went to the "0" in 210 past the mark a bit while towing up some grades in the heat of the day.I will flush out the radiator,and change the coolant soon,and flush the tranny fluid,and run some either ATF+3,or synthetic fluid in it.

What are your thoughts on running with the OD off while towing in grades?

Thanks again,I appreciate your input.

Chris

 

Chris,

Towing with themp gauge at the "0" in the 210 number isn't bad at all. I would assume this to be a near normal temp while towing.

So, what is the weight of the trailer being towed loaded? Is it a trailer or a Travel Trailer camper of some kind?

Yes, you can flush the tranny and use ATF+3 with Lubegard or go completely synthetic with ATF+4. Once you go ATF+4 in the tranny, don't go back.

I had checked with my other Dodge Ram Van/Wagon guys today. The 46RE is the only trans you have for your generation-2 van in a B2500 or B3500. The 44RE was NEVER used in the vans.

How is the tranny oil cooler on the van? It's located in the bottom of the radiator tank. Two lines run from that tank to the tranny. If you flush the radiator, remember to only use DISTILLED water and a good mix of glycol. Using tap water will use up the protectant inhibitors in the glycol coolant and cause premature failures of the cooling system that flows the glycol.

If the radiator has any sludge, I would highly recommend a flush. Not a power flush, but the easy home garage type.
- With a cold engine, drain the cooling system fluid and over flow reservoir.
- Make a 50/50 mixture of 50% distlled water and 50% distilled vinegar. (NOTE: Do NOT use regular vinegar.)
- Pour 50/50 mixture into the radiator. Make sure it fills fully.
- Run engine until it reaches the first warm indicator on the temp gauge and then shut down the engine.
- Wait 10~15 mins.
- Drain the cooling system fluid and over flow reservoir.
- If the draining flushes the sludge out and becomes clear, refill with the normal distilled water and glycol mix.
- If the draining flushes the sludge out and has more sludge, repeat from the second step.

Distilled water is about $0.70/gallon at Wal*Mart locally here. Distilled vinegar is cheap too.

This flush works great and is by far an excellent flush method. It you take thevehicle into a garage, you will pay many times over the cost of a flush and not a good one either.

Peace!

Stev

 

Thanks again Stev,

The trailer that we tow is a 2001 Jayco 23' hybrid travel trailer that weighs in at approx 5,000lbs loaded,and has a pretty big frontal surface area.It isn't super heavy,but you know it is there with the van.

Should I bring it to a shop like a quick lube place to have the tranny flushed,as I am not sure I have the equipment to handle this sort of job?

I think my van may have another tranny cooler as well,but I am not sure.I followed one of the tranny lines toward the front,and it disappears between the radiator,and A/C condensor,and then goes into the bottom tank of the tranny.The other line runs directly to the bottom tank of the radiator.I can't see where the line goes when it goes between the condensor,and radiator,but I assume it is to a loop,or cooler of some sort.

I always use Distilled water,or pre-mixed coolant in all my vehicles,as I don't trust the well water we have in a coolant system(I do drink it though).When I do the flush with the vinegar,and water should I run the engine with the cap off,or on for that warm up before draining again?Would I be smart to put a lower temp thermostat in the van for the summer towing season? How about replacing the water pump?Wait until it fails,or replace now(the van has 100k on it,and I don't know the history of these parts)?I think I will go out,and buy a set of plugs,wires,cap,rotor,distilled water,and vinegar today,and get busy.


Chris
01 Ram Wagon 2500 8 passenger
79 Mazda RX-7 GS
74 Mazda RE/PU
01 Jayco Kiwi 23B HTT

 

Well, that's a little heavy and the frontal area isn't any help for you. Keep those wheel bearings lube really well on the Jayco. The less drag the better. The wheels need to be free wheeling easily, but not sloppy loose if you repace the bearings yourself.

As for the Ram Van performance for towing and daily driving, you will need to clean the IAC from time-to-time. Check out this link here too; https://dodgeforum.com/m_525409/tm.htm

Another boost for keep the performance and good fuel economy is to do the crankcase breather mod. This mod will keep the oil film and oil from coating the air-filter. https://dodgeforum.com/m_525412/tm.htm

One time I too took my vehicle into one of those "quick lube" type of places and the quality of the flush was sub-par and expensive. AND they didn't have the ATF+3 nor ATF+4 on hand. So I had brough my own. I would take it to a tranny shop. However, that's in some ways like saying take it to the dealer! Do you know of a good and reliable tranny show in your area? One that will just do a fluide flush, filter change and clean the screen? And will they do the basic adjustments of the bands to the manufactures specs? And finally, to put in the "correct" ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluid?

Yes, starting in our 2001 year and later for the B2500 and B3500 V8's, the extra tranny cooler was added. It is located in the very spot you have described. My Hayes Rapair Manual #30065 shows an illustrated picture of it's placement. It's not a large air-side cooler, but it may provide some added cooling benefit.

That is very smart using the distilled water and premix. As for the radiator cap, always leave it on when cycling the engine and the cooling loop. You will need the pressure to help assist the flush too. Once the 10~15 mins passes and the temp is low enough to take the cap off to drain, you should be all right.

So, are you a member of www.rv.net as well? My id there is "stev in niagara" as in Niagara Falls.

Peace!

Stev

 

Thanks Stev,

I will try the AIC cleaning when I am in there.I have a friend at work whose brother owns a transmission shop,and I think I can trust his work,so I will contact him about it real soon.

The camper is pretty big,and slightly heavy(okay it is heavy).I have not even looked at the wheel bearings in the time I have owned it since new in 2001,and I plan on doing that before our trip to Lake George in July(if I can ever find some time).I also want to really inspect the tires bofre the trip as well,as they are original equipment,and if they are like the rest of the camper they are peices of junk I am sure.

I bought a set of wires,cap,rotor,and Autolite plugs yesterday,but didn't have the time to install them,as I had the boys all day(4 year old,and 10 month old),but hopefully during the week I will get a chance.

I appreciate all your help,and yes I am a member of RV.net after you reccomended it in a previous message I joined.I have the same username on there,as it is the only one i use on any forum now.

Thanks again
Chris
01 Ram Wagon 2500 8 pass 5.2 litre V8
79 Mazda RX-7 GS PICS HERE--> http://web.mac.com/cdirado/iWeb/Dira...da%20RX-7.html
74 Mazda RE/PU
01 Jayco Kiwi 23B hybrid travel trailer