General 99 Ram thread
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Whole truck
In conclusion, I am excited and I hope this works out. Sounds like it will be spring before anything happens though.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Three axle ratios for the Ram: 3.21, 3.55, 3.92.
I think 3.55 is pretty common. Based on feel I'd say either 3.21 or 3.55.
I think 3.55 is pretty common. Based on feel I'd say either 3.21 or 3.55.
Re: Caprice engine swap?
Update: He is ready now. We will work something out for next week.kevm14 wrote:In conclusion, I am excited and I hope this works out. Sounds like it will be spring before anything happens though.
General 99 Ram thread
Moving posts from my Caprice replacement thread since I actually own this now.
Re: General 99 Ram thread
Ian in the back on the way home. I didn't have to move the seat as much as I did. I guess this is technically a 6 passenger vehicle. Which is kind of funny.
It's a Dodge so the low washer fluid light came on while I was driving it back home today. Seemingly every Dodge minivan seemed to have that light on. I guess I will find out if it is just low.
More thoughts from the drive home:
- Cruise control works but it actually had to go to 3rd gear on some of the steeper hills on Rt 2. Single taps of accel seem to be more like 2 mph jumps rather than the 1 mph I am used to on my GMs.
- The ride is comfortable and in general it is way better than the Ranger (full stop, really) on the highway.
- The audio system is not terrible. It is definitely better than the Ranger (I can probably stop saying this). It has CD and cassette which I think I mentioned before. All of the speakers have been replaced.
- I reset the average MPG on the way home and when I got home it was over 18. Way too early to see what this gets on the highway but I was thinking more like 16 so 18 would be, well, almost as good as the Ranger.
- The tight fan clutch actually (finally) loosened up somewhere on my drive. It just stays locked FAR longer than I am used to and far longer than it probably should. But since it did loosen up, I may not put this at the top of my list to fix.
- The gearing seems to match the 3.55 option but I will have to check again. It is definitely not the 3.21. The picture above seems to indicate 2000 rpm @ 70 mph. According to math, the 3.55 gearing gives 1952 rpm @ 70 so I'd say that is a match if the tach is accurate. The speedo is close, if a tad low. This would be a tow in 3rd gear deal, especially with the weak 42RE trans.
- Speaking of trans, it shifts alright. It is fairly smooth but doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence, either. The 2-3 shift is a little soft and reminds me a little of the Ranger. It was rebuilt at 105k in 2013 so it would be a reasonable (if optimistic) assessment that it should last longer than the OEM since the shop would have had access to all kinds of aftermarket improved parts. That was a $2,000 job and had a 2/24k warranty. I will post the service history that I have separately.
- It has the bigger 245/75-16s which are pretty meaty for a 2WD truck. I will have zero issue finding replacements in this size (Tirerack has 65 options)
- The 318 doesn't have as much torque on the lower end as I expected but does seem to have enough power if you give it some RPMs.
- I was alright with the steering, since I am used to B-body steering. The handling is fairly lazy and so are the brakes. It is not a sports truck.
- The oil pressure gauge seems real unlike the fake ones in some cars, like my Ranger or 94-95 Impala SS.
Adam will have to tell me what rust encapsulator he likes so I can treat this sooner rather than later.
At this point, the only thing I could see keeping me from a successful inspection is a vertical crack in the driver's side mirror. It is hard to notice unless you really look at it. I did just receive the passenger one so maybe I'll do both. And a fog light is out. I think I will take it through inspection as it sits though and I should be alright. I will need to register and insure it first. I do have a title.
- Cruise control works but it actually had to go to 3rd gear on some of the steeper hills on Rt 2. Single taps of accel seem to be more like 2 mph jumps rather than the 1 mph I am used to on my GMs.
- The ride is comfortable and in general it is way better than the Ranger (full stop, really) on the highway.
- The audio system is not terrible. It is definitely better than the Ranger (I can probably stop saying this). It has CD and cassette which I think I mentioned before. All of the speakers have been replaced.
- I reset the average MPG on the way home and when I got home it was over 18. Way too early to see what this gets on the highway but I was thinking more like 16 so 18 would be, well, almost as good as the Ranger.
- The tight fan clutch actually (finally) loosened up somewhere on my drive. It just stays locked FAR longer than I am used to and far longer than it probably should. But since it did loosen up, I may not put this at the top of my list to fix.
- The gearing seems to match the 3.55 option but I will have to check again. It is definitely not the 3.21. The picture above seems to indicate 2000 rpm @ 70 mph. According to math, the 3.55 gearing gives 1952 rpm @ 70 so I'd say that is a match if the tach is accurate. The speedo is close, if a tad low. This would be a tow in 3rd gear deal, especially with the weak 42RE trans.
- Speaking of trans, it shifts alright. It is fairly smooth but doesn't give me a whole lot of confidence, either. The 2-3 shift is a little soft and reminds me a little of the Ranger. It was rebuilt at 105k in 2013 so it would be a reasonable (if optimistic) assessment that it should last longer than the OEM since the shop would have had access to all kinds of aftermarket improved parts. That was a $2,000 job and had a 2/24k warranty. I will post the service history that I have separately.
- It has the bigger 245/75-16s which are pretty meaty for a 2WD truck. I will have zero issue finding replacements in this size (Tirerack has 65 options)
- The 318 doesn't have as much torque on the lower end as I expected but does seem to have enough power if you give it some RPMs.
- I was alright with the steering, since I am used to B-body steering. The handling is fairly lazy and so are the brakes. It is not a sports truck.
- The oil pressure gauge seems real unlike the fake ones in some cars, like my Ranger or 94-95 Impala SS.
Adam will have to tell me what rust encapsulator he likes so I can treat this sooner rather than later.
At this point, the only thing I could see keeping me from a successful inspection is a vertical crack in the driver's side mirror. It is hard to notice unless you really look at it. I did just receive the passenger one so maybe I'll do both. And a fog light is out. I think I will take it through inspection as it sits though and I should be alright. I will need to register and insure it first. I do have a title.
Re: General 99 Ram thread
Registration history:
Florida Motor Vehicle department seemingly from new until my uncle bought it in 2005 with 40k. However, it bounced between Granby, CT and Sanford, FL residency. He got it at a Nissan dealer almost exactly 11 years ago on 12/22/05.
Florida Motor Vehicle department seemingly from new until my uncle bought it in 2005 with 40k. However, it bounced between Granby, CT and Sanford, FL residency. He got it at a Nissan dealer almost exactly 11 years ago on 12/22/05.
Re: General 99 Ram thread
I will build this at my convenience and try to stick things in order.
- Rear center high mount stop light gasket, $8 - Nov 2005
- New speakers, Panasonic CJDA6910 6X9" and Pioneer TSG1340R 5-1/4" - Jan 2006
- Receipt for what I think is 23 replacement door push pins (from the speaker replacement) - Jan 2006
- Flat tire repair, $25 - March 2006
- Rear brake shoes, drums turned - July 2006 @ 52k
- Water pump (new), thermostat, serp belt and tensioner, fan clutch, trans fluid and filter, $923,22 - June 2008
- Plugs, wires, cap, rotor - Oct 2008 @ 79k
- Wiper blades, $21 - Nov 2008
- PCV valve - Nov 2008
- New tires (says Mastercraft and it has Fuzions now) and alignment - June 2009 @ 79k
- Rear brake hose and a brake line (probably rear), tire rotation, $276.98 - May 2011 @ 90k
- Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, $458.02 - April 2013 @ 102k
- Transmission full rebuild, $2242 parts & labor - July 2013 @ 105k
- Front rotors, pads, wheel bearings and inner seals - Sept 2013 @ 105k
- Water pump #2 - Nov 2013 @ ?
- New front calipers - April 2014 @ 107k
- New tires, Fuzion SUV - May 2014 @ 108k (so they only have 10k on them and aren't even that old - score)
- Pitman arm replacement, $145 parts & labor - June 2014 @ 109k
- Upper and lower balljoints (It's a Dodge!!), front shocks, $679 parts & labor - June 2014 @ 109k
- New Bosch battery from Pep Boys - July 2014
- Oil change (there were others but this was the last) - Oct 2015 @ 117k (so it is due by time)
There is a stack of papers yet to go through. Obviously he maintained it well by the looks of it.
- Rear center high mount stop light gasket, $8 - Nov 2005
- New speakers, Panasonic CJDA6910 6X9" and Pioneer TSG1340R 5-1/4" - Jan 2006
- Receipt for what I think is 23 replacement door push pins (from the speaker replacement) - Jan 2006
- Flat tire repair, $25 - March 2006
- Rear brake shoes, drums turned - July 2006 @ 52k
- Water pump (new), thermostat, serp belt and tensioner, fan clutch, trans fluid and filter, $923,22 - June 2008
- Plugs, wires, cap, rotor - Oct 2008 @ 79k
- Wiper blades, $21 - Nov 2008
- PCV valve - Nov 2008
- New tires (says Mastercraft and it has Fuzions now) and alignment - June 2009 @ 79k
- Rear brake hose and a brake line (probably rear), tire rotation, $276.98 - May 2011 @ 90k
- Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, $458.02 - April 2013 @ 102k
- Transmission full rebuild, $2242 parts & labor - July 2013 @ 105k
- Front rotors, pads, wheel bearings and inner seals - Sept 2013 @ 105k
- Water pump #2 - Nov 2013 @ ?
- New front calipers - April 2014 @ 107k
- New tires, Fuzion SUV - May 2014 @ 108k (so they only have 10k on them and aren't even that old - score)
- Pitman arm replacement, $145 parts & labor - June 2014 @ 109k
- Upper and lower balljoints (It's a Dodge!!), front shocks, $679 parts & labor - June 2014 @ 109k
- New Bosch battery from Pep Boys - July 2014
- Oil change (there were others but this was the last) - Oct 2015 @ 117k (so it is due by time)
There is a stack of papers yet to go through. Obviously he maintained it well by the looks of it.
Last edited by kevm14 on Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Added the remaining service history (bolded)
Reason: Added the remaining service history (bolded)
Re: General 99 Ram thread
Truck was built in Mexico. That's a place...
The door jamb sticker says it is supposed to have 225/75-16XL tires. It has 245/75-16. Maybe that is why the speedo is slightly low - it may have read high stock and the larger (optional) tires corrected it. I will have to check the odometer. Gives a little more ground clearance and obviously looks a little meatier. They wanted the original tires at 41 psi. I did 37 on the larger tires. They need to be rotated. Getting a little feathering on the outside tread on the fronts.
I filled the windshield washer fluid and the light went out. Yay.
More specs, info and stuff from the owner's manual:
- The extended cab is called Quad Cab, at least in this model year
- The door locks auto lock at 15 mph but that can be disabled
- The horn can be programmed to chirp when the doors are locked with the remote. It is disabled currently.
- I was right about the cruise. Accel goes up in 2 mph increments when tapped as I mentioned. But Coast goes down in 1 mph increments. This is strange and I don't understand why it is this way.
- The compass may need to be recalibrated and set for southern new england zone. You have to drive in circles or something. I will see if that awakens it.
- There was an optional 10 disc CD changer. Generally, this truck appears to have almost all options.
- Here's a weird one: manual says it will not go into OD if the truck is started at -5F or below and it will not go into OD until ambient temp has risen to approx 2F.
- It does have limited slip.
- It may only have rear ABS. 4 wheel ABS was optional. I think I found the unit and it looks like 1 channel only. Come on!! Fuck sake...
- All 1/2 tons are 6,400 lb gross.
- All trucks can tow at least 2,000 lbs though trailer brakes are recommended for over 1,000 lbs
- The rear bumper is classified as a Class III hitch. Interesting.
- The truck has a separate hitch that may be Class IV as it is rated for 5,000 lbs or up to 10,000 with weight distribution.
- Max tongue weight is 700 lbs
- Official tow rating of this truck (affected by engine, 1/2 ton, 2WD, quad cab and transmission) is 7,600 lbs with a max 12,500 gross combined weight. This includes a (ahem) 150 lb allowance for the driver.
- They recommend synthetic 75W-140 axle lube for frequent towing
- I checked the oil and it is at least 1/2 way up. This is reasonable.
- Lots of weird stuff in the maintenance section. Too much even for me to list. 10W-30 is recommended unless below 0F but I will probably use a semi-synthetic high mile 5W-30 which will be good for all temps.
- The 5.9L has a required PCV and O2 sensor change interval.
- The manual says the front ball joints are non-greasable. Oy. These have been replaced so I will see if they are greasable or not.
- For trans fluid, the manual says "Dextron III" or Mopar ATF+3 7176. It is called Dexron not Dextron. They recommend the ATF+3 stuff anyway.
- 26 gallon tank. Would have been 35 if it was a long bed. I do think I still would have preferred a long bed.
- 5 quarts engine oil
- 20 quarts coolant. This is more than my Caprice and now my fleet's largest coolant capacity.
- Engine is listed as 8.9:1 compression. I thought I saw a higher number elsewhere. 87 octane ought to present zero issues at least.
Trans cooler is behind the A/C condenser. I guess we know how Chrysler feels about cold A/C.
2-3 shift is a little soft, a little sloppy like the Ranger.
The torque really comes on at like 3,000 rpm which is not reached in normal driving.
The roof may just clear my garage by a matter of 2 inches. If I drive it on ramps, I probably need to be forward of the garage door opener.
Generally I enjoy driving the truck in the time I have. It's kind of hard to beat a big 3 1/2 ton. It feels large and wide. The seats are flat and slippery which further diminishes the feel of handling (there wasn't any to begin with). The turning circle isn't terrible for what it is, so that's something.
The door jamb sticker says it is supposed to have 225/75-16XL tires. It has 245/75-16. Maybe that is why the speedo is slightly low - it may have read high stock and the larger (optional) tires corrected it. I will have to check the odometer. Gives a little more ground clearance and obviously looks a little meatier. They wanted the original tires at 41 psi. I did 37 on the larger tires. They need to be rotated. Getting a little feathering on the outside tread on the fronts.
I filled the windshield washer fluid and the light went out. Yay.
More specs, info and stuff from the owner's manual:
- The extended cab is called Quad Cab, at least in this model year
- The door locks auto lock at 15 mph but that can be disabled
- The horn can be programmed to chirp when the doors are locked with the remote. It is disabled currently.
- I was right about the cruise. Accel goes up in 2 mph increments when tapped as I mentioned. But Coast goes down in 1 mph increments. This is strange and I don't understand why it is this way.
- The compass may need to be recalibrated and set for southern new england zone. You have to drive in circles or something. I will see if that awakens it.
- There was an optional 10 disc CD changer. Generally, this truck appears to have almost all options.
- Here's a weird one: manual says it will not go into OD if the truck is started at -5F or below and it will not go into OD until ambient temp has risen to approx 2F.
- It does have limited slip.
- All 1/2 tons are 6,400 lb gross.
- All trucks can tow at least 2,000 lbs though trailer brakes are recommended for over 1,000 lbs
- The rear bumper is classified as a Class III hitch. Interesting.
- The truck has a separate hitch that may be Class IV as it is rated for 5,000 lbs or up to 10,000 with weight distribution.
- Max tongue weight is 700 lbs
- Official tow rating of this truck (affected by engine, 1/2 ton, 2WD, quad cab and transmission) is 7,600 lbs with a max 12,500 gross combined weight. This includes a (ahem) 150 lb allowance for the driver.
- They recommend synthetic 75W-140 axle lube for frequent towing
- I checked the oil and it is at least 1/2 way up. This is reasonable.
- Lots of weird stuff in the maintenance section. Too much even for me to list. 10W-30 is recommended unless below 0F but I will probably use a semi-synthetic high mile 5W-30 which will be good for all temps.
- The 5.9L has a required PCV and O2 sensor change interval.
- The manual says the front ball joints are non-greasable. Oy. These have been replaced so I will see if they are greasable or not.
- For trans fluid, the manual says "Dextron III" or Mopar ATF+3 7176. It is called Dexron not Dextron. They recommend the ATF+3 stuff anyway.
- 26 gallon tank. Would have been 35 if it was a long bed. I do think I still would have preferred a long bed.
- 5 quarts engine oil
- 20 quarts coolant. This is more than my Caprice and now my fleet's largest coolant capacity.
- Engine is listed as 8.9:1 compression. I thought I saw a higher number elsewhere. 87 octane ought to present zero issues at least.
Trans cooler is behind the A/C condenser. I guess we know how Chrysler feels about cold A/C.
The torque really comes on at like 3,000 rpm which is not reached in normal driving.
The roof may just clear my garage by a matter of 2 inches. If I drive it on ramps, I probably need to be forward of the garage door opener.
Generally I enjoy driving the truck in the time I have. It's kind of hard to beat a big 3 1/2 ton. It feels large and wide. The seats are flat and slippery which further diminishes the feel of handling (there wasn't any to begin with). The turning circle isn't terrible for what it is, so that's something.
Re: General 99 Ram thread
Translation - We can't spell trans fluid because it really doesn't matter. Your transmission is going to die so don't even waste the money changing the fluid. That is like 50 bucks you could have put towards your new transmission. You will have the fluid changed when you get that new transmission anyway.- For trans fluid, the manual says "Dextron III" or Mopar ATF+3 7176. It is called Dexron not Dextron. They recommend the ATF+3 stuff anyway.
P.S. They will even give you new trans fluid if you decide to have this junk rebuilt too!
Also:
It isn't?The torque really comes on at like 3,000 rpm which is not reached in normal driving.