'09 5.7 with 107,000 miles - how slow should I go?

[JBrookz]

Howdy,

I picked up my 2009 back in early 2013, and I've already racked quite a bit of miles on it. I've personally put about 65,000 miles on her, and a good 50,000 of that is all highway spent on cruise control between 65 - 75 MPH.

Unfortunately, I had an episode where the transmission tossed a bearing in third gear - so I replaced the transmission. I'm not entirely sure what triggered this, as I never tow anything. It finally went out when I floored it on the highway to do a pass around a few trailers since they were blocking me from my exit. The "new" transmission has 30,000 miles on it with a lifetime warranty from the dealer.

I like to have fun in this truck from time-to-time. A 50 - 80 pull or maybe some, just to wake the engine up a bit and hear that sound. But now, with the stock engine having a decent amount of miles, what should I watch out for to help avoid any catastrophic failure in the engine? Anytime I give it gas, the engine performs VERY well. This truck has never seen anything less than 89 octane since I've owned it, oil is changed on the dot at 5,000 miles, and all other fluids are handled on time also. Plugs just changed at 98,000 miles by dealer.

I want to buy a tuner for it, but I fear it may be too late to enjoy it.
I currently have a Flowmaster true-dual setup w/ custom x pipe, Vararam intake, and a few other goodies on the truck.

Any help is appreciated.

Maybe I'll just trade it in for a new one.

 

[Goatman91]

100k on engines now a days is really nothing. You seem like you keep up with maintenance well. Adding a tuner really won't hurt it in my opinion. Like anything else though know your trucks limit.

 

[john55]

I've got an '09 Ram 5.7 w/234k in the shop right now, it broke a connecting rod, and trashed the block, otherwise, it would've went quite a few miles yet, cylinder bores, ring end gaps, valves still look decent yet, timing chain was getting loose though.

Keep up on your maintenance and these Rams should last a long time...

 

[pickupman66]

I have an 09 with 115k on her. I get a bit of valve tap on startup but that is it. I use the Hemi power regularly but dont mash on her 100%. just no need to for me. I have had to replace a coil on mine as well as both front bearings.

 

[JBrookz]

I have an 09 with 115k on her. I get a bit of valve tap on startup but that is it. I use the Hemi power regularly but dont mash on her 100%. just no need to for me. I have had to replace a coil on mine as well as both front bearings.

Thanks for the info guys.

And yeah, @pickupman66, I've had to replace a lot in the last 15,000 miles. I got sway bars and controls arms while the truck was still under warranty (thank god, bill came to $4,000). I've replaced both front wheel bearings, all 4 rotors/pads, a radio, front/back struts. Basically, it's a new truck minus the motor!

A good friend of mine is the service manager at our Dodge Dealership around here, so I'm lucky to only pay $30/hr labor when I need it + cost + 5% on parts now that I'm out of warranty. He tells me everytime to get rid of it while I still break even on my loan, but apparently they're seeing more & more of the 8 speeds and Eco Diesels roll through their service department.

 

[JBrookz]

I've got an '09 Ram 5.7 w/234k in the shop right now, it broke a connecting rod, and trashed the block, otherwise, it would've went quite a few miles yet, cylinder bores, ring end gaps, valves still look decent yet, timing chain was getting loose though.

Keep up on your maintenance and these Rams should last a long time...

I'm not too mechanically savvy, what causes a connecting rod to break? And wow, 234k.. I thought I had a lot of miles. Factory transmission?

 

[jsteinm1]

I've got an '09 Ram 5.7 w/234k in the shop right now, it broke a connecting rod, and trashed the block, otherwise, it would've went quite a few miles yet, cylinder bores, ring end gaps, valves still look decent yet, timing chain was getting loose though.

Keep up on your maintenance and these Rams should last a long time...

WOW thats a lot of miles in 5-6 years. I'm fortunate to only do about 10k/year, so I'll probably be upgrading before I ever reach 100k

I'm not too mechanically savvy, what causes a connecting rod to break? And wow, 234k.. I thought I had a lot of miles. Factory transmission?

Lot's of stress on the connecting rod, so it breaks just from the stress of the engine after it gets so old.

 

[john55]

it spun a rod bearing, and the previous owner just kept driving it, So ...I got a fixer- Upper, just wish the block wasn't windowed...

 

[Evil_Ed]

Thanks for the info guys.

And yeah, @pickupman66, I've had to replace a lot in the last 15,000 miles. I got sway bars and controls arms while the truck was still under warranty (thank god, bill came to $4,000). I've replaced both front wheel bearings, all 4 rotors/pads, a radio, front/back struts. Basically, it's a new truck minus the motor!

A good friend of mine is the service manager at our Dodge Dealership around here, so I'm lucky to only pay $30/hr labor when I need it + cost + 5% on parts now that I'm out of warranty. He tells me everytime to get rid of it while I still break even on my loan, but apparently they're seeing more & more of the 8 speeds and Eco Diesels roll through their service department.

If you don't mind me asking, what was wrong with the sway bars and control arms, and at what mileage?

I had a transmission solenoid go out the other week which was unpleasant, but covered under the powertrain warranty.

I have a 2013 with ~53k on it, purchased new. The transmission issue was the first problem I've had with the truck and it came out of the blue, so if there's more coming...I'd like to try to plan for it some more.

 

[pickupman66]

JBrooks, nice to have dealership connections. Mine replaced the guts in the rear differential due to a shoddy recall work. Otherwise it has been me turning the wrenches. Im fortunate that daddy taught me how on my first truck. we re-built a 66 chevy that was my daily driver thru college.

I can do just about anything except engine and trans Overhaul and the drivetrain. I may work my way across all the coils this summer if I can get the time to do so.

 

[BlownGP]

Man, you guys drive the **** out of your trucks.

It's never too late too mod, but you might not get the same HP/TQ improvement as a newer truck.