New to me 01 ram 5.9 gas, need advice

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Lilhuey007

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Bethlehem PA
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9 magnum gas
First time ram owner. I recently got this 01 ram 5.9 Laramie gas with 200k miles on it. It looks well taken care of. I will only haul yard waste and garage sale finds in it a couple of times a year. It will not tow anything. I do not offroad. I do not want to lift it or put crazy big tires on it. Any basic things I should upgrade for daily commuter (20 miles city)? I was thinking leveling kit and backup camera. 4981CDA2-327B-4B37-99B5-C23C143F7140.jpeg
 

RodeoRam

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My 2001 360 is growing old with my dad now, but after 330k miles, I've seen a thing or two.

Well, you didn't mention anything about the dash falling apart so I assume yours has already been replaced.

I wish the paint on mine looked as good as yours, and unless that is a new grille, I am curious how it looks so good. The "chrome" on mine wrinkled up and peeled off in the wind.

How about a foot of heater hose on the A/C condenser box drain to prevent dirt from being blown into it and eventually plugging the drain? I don't mind my feet getting wet in the shower but not when I'm driving, but that's just me.

The bottoms of the doors are known to rust out. I wonder if some Fluid Film on the inside of the doors might prevent that?

Take a look at the throttle body valve. If it's caked with carbon, some SeaFoam will clean it up. If you pour a little into the TB while it's running, you'll have smoke rings floating throughout the neighborhood, but it's supposed to clean the upper engine carbon deposits. Not too much, or you'll choke the engine out. Wait until the engine is off to wipe off the carbon with the rag.
 
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Lilhuey007

Lilhuey007

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2001
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5.9 magnum gas
Thanks, I think I might have the dreaded plenum gasket issue. I hear a whine like a vacuum leak. I might start with pvc valve, if not my mechanic buddy owes me a big favor. While we are tearing it down, anything else stick I should replace? Water pump, ac condenser, thermostat, belts. I might upgrade throttle body, maybe new injectors.
If he took as good of maintence in the engube/ trans as he did the exterior, I do t think I itllneed much. Only rust was the two dime spots or original fender
127F28AC-FF1D-413E-BB1E-E8780BD6562C.jpegE9B60D62-5369-461F-AD64-EDBC9F6FCE9C.jpeg
 

Phillyrube

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Just something I do, but get a bottle of Ospho rust treatment. Put it in a spray bottle. Wear a mask and goggles. Climb underneath and spray all the rust. When dry, hit it with black Rust-Oleum. Doesn't need to be heavy since the Ospho is a protectant.
 

GTyankee

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Bounce the truck at the rear, see how those shock absorbers feel

Nice truck !
 
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Lilhuey007

Lilhuey007

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Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9 magnum gas
Thanks for the tip, should I mask off anything before I start spraying rustolium? Anything I could hurt?
 
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Lilhuey007

Lilhuey007

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Mar 27, 2022
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Location
Bethlehem PA
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9 magnum gas
My 2001 360 is growing old with my dad now, but after 330k miles, I've seen a thing or two.

Well, you didn't mention anything about the dash falling apart so I assume yours has already been replaced.

I wish the paint on mine looked as good as yours, and unless that is a new grille, I am curious how it looks so good. The "chrome" on mine wrinkled up and peeled off in the wind.

How about a foot of heater hose on the A/C condenser box drain to prevent dirt from being blown into it and eventually plugging the drain? I don't mind my feet getting wet in the shower but not when I'm driving, but that's just me.

The bottoms of the doors are known to rust out. I wonder if some Fluid Film on the inside of the doors might prevent that?

Take a look at the throttle body valve. If it's caked with carbon, some SeaFoam will clean it up. If you pour a little into the TB while it's running, you'll have smoke rings floating throughout the neighborhood, but it's supposed to clean the upper engine carbon deposits. Not too much, or you'll choke the engine out. Wait until the engine is off to wipe off the carbon with the rag.
CDC944F6-11C1-4D1D-9FA3-42B73204BB9F.jpeg472E93FD-8859-485D-A4E1-07CE8306F4F2.jpeg
Not perfect grille or top of truck but for 240k miles, nothing touch up paint can’t fix. I’m gonna spray grill inserts black
 

Spike95

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5.9
I will second the suggestion of adding some hose to the a/c drain. I found a 90 degree bent one that fit on it, but any hose will help, especially if you aim it down.

If your dash is in good condition, consider yourself lucky, and proceed with caution if you decide to open it up for any reason.

When I did my plenum repair, I also replaced the water pump and timing chain set. Seemed like the natural time to do it while I already had things apart.

Is it a 2WD or 4WD? I couldn’t tell for sure by your pics.
 
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Lilhuey007

Lilhuey007

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Location
Bethlehem PA
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9 magnum gas
I will second the suggestion of adding some hose to the a/c drain. I found a 90 degree bent one that fit on it, but any hose will help, especially if you aim it down.

If your dash is in good condition, consider yourself lucky, and proceed with caution if you decide to open it up for any reason.

When I did my plenum repair, I also replaced the water pump and timing chain set. Seemed like the natural time to do it while I already had things apart.

Is it a 2WD or 4WD? I couldn’t tell for sure by your pics.
It’s a 4wd
 
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