1999 5.9 4x4 project

[amanda2des]

So I bought a truck to fix up. This is my first 4wd and the first time I have purchased a vehicle I didn't need to get on the road tomorrow, so I want to take this opportunity to do it right. But first a little backround on the truck and myself.

The truck: I purchased a 1999 ram 1500 5.9 4wd 4 door automatic with 235k miles in fair condition. Truck runs and drives mostly as it should but isn’t without its list of things to be addressed. I have already done a few things, new battery, starter, plugs wires cap and button, and charged the AC. I swapped some cosmetic parts from my 96 dodge, rear tail lights, rear bumper, and Reese hitch, due to a minor accident that bent/broke those parts and the tail gate.

About me: I am a 31 yo paramedic with some mechanical background and some tools. I am really good at thinking I know what I'm doing and completely screwing it up. I live in North Florida, and spend lots of time in the woods exploring and looking for new fishing spots, and occasionally find myself out and about when the roads are muddy, and I’ve had to be pulled out my fair share, hence the upgrade to 4wd.

So my next major project with this truck is to address an issue with the front end, and this is where I need your help!

The R front tire is in terrible shape, uneven wear and bald spots, its possibly the worse tire I've ever seen hold air. I’m sure the cause is in the front end somewhere.

What I would like to do is replace everything up there, ball joints tie rods, that kinda stuff. But I didn’t know if this was overkill, I just don’t want to fix broken/bent part A, then have to take it all apart in 6 months to replace parts B C and D that hadn’t failed yet but I wasn’t paying enough attention to notice were in poor condition.

If anyone could offer advice as to what should be replace ideally, what to look for, and maybe a parts list, that would be great!

I apologize for the super long post, but I’m hoping to inspire someone to assist me on my quest to build a beast of a truck...


PS... I am also looking for suggestions on the following

Shocks (curent are stock, and terrible)
Tires (current 285/75/16 m/t and overdue for replacement)
exhaust (current is stock and too quiet)
cold air intake (is it worth it)
vinyl floor install (how hard can it be?)

 

[bassslayer25]

So I bought a truck to fix up. This is my first 4wd and the first time I have purchased a vehicle I didn't need to get on the road tomorrow, so I want to take this opportunity to do it right. But first a little backround on the truck and myself.

The truck: I purchased a 1999 ram 1500 5.9 4wd 4 door automatic with 235k miles in fair condition. Truck runs and drives mostly as it should but isn’t without its list of things to be addressed. I have already done a few things, new battery, starter, plugs wires cap and button, and charged the AC. I swapped some cosmetic parts from my 96 dodge, rear tail lights, rear bumper, and Reese hitch, due to a minor accident that bent/broke those parts and the tail gate.

About me: I am a 31 yo paramedic with some mechanical background and some tools. I am really good at thinking I know what I'm doing and completely screwing it up. I live in North Florida, and spend lots of time in the woods exploring and looking for new fishing spots, and occasionally find myself out and about when the roads are muddy, and I’ve had to be pulled out my fair share, hence the upgrade to 4wd.

So my next major project with this truck is to address an issue with the front end, and this is where I need your help!

The R front tire is in terrible shape, uneven wear and bald spots, its possibly the worse tire I've ever seen hold air. I’m sure the cause is in the front end somewhere.

What I would like to do is replace everything up there, ball joints tie rods, that kinda stuff. But I didn’t know if this was overkill, I just don’t want to fix broken/bent part A, then have to take it all apart in 6 months to replace parts B C and D that hadn’t failed yet but I wasn’t paying enough attention to notice were in poor condition.

If anyone could offer advice as to what should be replace ideally, what to look for, and maybe a parts list, that would be great!

I apologize for the super long post, but I’m hoping to inspire someone to assist me on my quest to build a beast of a truck...


PS... I am also looking for suggestions on the following

Shocks (curent are stock, and terrible)
Tires (current 285/75/16 m/t and overdue for replacement)
exhaust (current is stock and too quiet)
cold air intake (is it worth it)
vinyl floor install (how hard can it be?)

Welcome! Looks like you got a good platform to start on.

-The front end is a great place to start as it is a weak point of any solid front axle vehicle. Most people on here would suggest a new track bar, ball joints, and u joints. Everything other front end component can be replaced in good time but the three things I mentioned above tend to wear out the quickest.
As far as brand goes I wouldnt go moog on anything. Used to be good but not trustworthy anymore. There are really good track bar options that get rid of the ball and socket factory end but they are quite a bit more pricey than a OEM replacement bar. Dodgeoffroad makes a good track bar. All depends on how much your wanting to spend though.


-As far as shocks go, most people including me would recommend bilstein 5100's. Really good shocks. A little more pricey. I paid 80 or so bucks a piece for mine. Others would be fox, bds, and even skyjacker makes some good shocks. I wouldnt really go with rough country unless your on a budget. I had them and they felt a little too bouncy. Not terrible and they held up fine for the year and half I had them.

-For tires there are a ton of options. If you are wanting to stick with M/T's I like the goodyear duratracs. There are so many out there though that you just have to do your homework and look at the ones you like the best.
If your wanting A/T's however I am running cooper discoverer rtx's and I really like them. Really good in snow (which doesnt apply to you but still) and really good road manner. Another tire I really like but cant afford is the BFG ATO2's. If you want to see them a guy on here by the name of "NightMares" is running them I believe.

-For exhaust, its all opinion. Id say a vast majority of people here prefer magnaflow. I have a single in dual out flowmaster 40 and I love the throatyness of it. But there are so many different setups and types of exhaust that you really just need to look on youtube and find which one you like the best cause most of us on here cant agree on exhaust. lol

-For the cold air intake all it really is a noise maker. Not worth the money in my opinion. I have one just because I was young and didnt know any better when I bought it. It can make a little difference in the sound of the exhaust but barley noticeable. Just keep your stock intake and drop a new better filter in it. (Im thinking about putting my stock one back on)

-With the vinyl floor im not sure about and not sure how hard it is tbh.



Good luck with everything and I hoped this helped some. And if you have any questions dont be afraid to ask!

 

[dodge dude94]

Go through the front end and see what needs to be greased and what's loose. If everything is fairly tight, take it to an alignment shop and see what they say with regards to the specs.

Tires, no comment. Not a mud tire person.

Cold air intake, meh, make one like mine. I have a thread somewhere I think.

LMC truck has vinyl floor that replaces the carpet. I think it's like 150 or so.

Exhaust, I really like my 14 in Magnaflow with stock 3 in tailpipe.

Shocks, I personally run Monroe Gas-Magnum and like them.

 

[PCT]

I had a 97, oh boy I miss it, I'm tempted to buy a bother ram from that era and make it my beater truck... I'm currently running nitto terra grappler and love them I got them 199 each! As for exhaust I ran super 40 best sounding exhaust imo! Exhaust are only for sound so go to YouTube and find your flavor! As far as front end not sure I heard they suck and need to be rebuilt every 30-50k


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[dodge dude94]

30-50k? Pretty sure mine is stock

 

[PCT]

30-50k? Pretty sure mine is stock

Mine was a RWD, so i wouldnt know, but thats why i said, i heard that they are ****** front ends. I dont no for sure. My friends cummins was rebuilt 40k ago and it is loose as a goose again

 

[dodge dude94]

Mine was a RWD, so i wouldnt know, but thats why i said, i heard that they are ****** front ends. I dont no for sure. My friends cummins was rebuilt 40k ago and it is loose as a goose again

Aftermarket parts are generally bad

 

[KyleW2]

For tires I bought 285/75r16s at pep boys. definity Dakota M/T, pep boys brand. if you watch them they'll put them on a buy 3 get 1 free deal or something like that. They were very quiet on the road and I never had any problems off the road with them and they showed no wear at all while I had them which wasn't that long (about 5,000 miles when I sold the truck)


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[amanda2des]

Well, got under the truck and found most of the bushings were shot and lots of play, so I ordered a complete kit on ebay to do the whole front end (tie rods ball joints center link...). Ive got to take a look and see what amount of lift this truck has before I can order shocks. Im thinking of puting a leveling kit on it, the person before me has those weird cheap spring spacer things on the front, looks shoddy to me.

Ordered headlights and step bars, Ill post before and after when I get them in.

The drivers window dosent work consistantly, I think there may be a problem in the wiring harness for the power window. I was able to get it to work while manipulating the wires just outside of the window switch. Anybody know where to find a new wiring harness thats not hundreds of dollars, or how to convert it to a manual window crank?

 

[Mohpar]

Well, got under the truck and found most of the bushings were shot and lots of play, so I ordered a complete kit on ebay to do the whole front end (tie rods ball joints center link...). Ive got to take a look and see what amount of lift this truck has before I can order shocks. Im thinking of puting a leveling kit on it, the person before me has those weird cheap spring spacer things on the front, looks shoddy to me.

Ordered headlights and step bars, Ill post before and after when I get them in.

The drivers window dosent work consistantly, I think there may be a problem in the wiring harness for the power window. I was able to get it to work while manipulating the wires just outside of the window switch. Anybody know where to find a new wiring harness thats not hundreds of dollars, or how to convert it to a manual window crank?

Oh man this is weird. You and I basically have the same truck. Mine is the 1999, 5.9, 1500 4x4 as well, same green color too. My drivers side window didn't work consistently either. To convert to a manual window, you'd likely have to change out the door, or try to swap the guts from a manual window regulator into your door. Mine ended up needing a new regulator which I did myself.

As for the leveling kit, that's basically what you have, spring spacers. I don't think it's as shoddy as people believe them to be. I've had them on for over a year now, and my buddy with an F150 has had them on just as long. We did both of our trucks ourselves in one day. I ordered bigger shocks to replace the stock ones when I bought the truck, Skyjackers, and they work just fine.

 

[amanda2des]

Parts should be on my porch when I get home, cant wait to start putting this thing together! Got it on the road and my to do list is only getting longer... Will update with pics soon!

 

[amanda2des]

Ok so been working more than your average human and got kinda behind. I did get the step bars put on and finaly got to go around the truck and get some pics of its current condition.

 

[amanda2des]

Oh man this is weird. You and I basically have the same truck. Mine is the 1999, 5.9, 1500 4x4 as well, same green color too. My drivers side window didn't work consistently either. To convert to a manual window, you'd likely have to change out the door, or try to swap the guts from a manual window regulator into your door. Mine ended up needing a new regulator which I did myself.

As for the leveling kit, that's basically what you have, spring spacers. I don't think it's as shoddy as people believe them to be. I've had them on for over a year now, and my buddy with an F150 has had them on just as long. We did both of our trucks ourselves in one day. I ordered bigger shocks to replace the stock ones when I bought the truck, Skyjackers, and they work just fine.

Here are the spacers that are currently on my truck. I decided to order a leveling kit, I needed new shocks and found a good deal on a kit that had it all, took the guess work out of it for me, no worries of ordering the wrong parts. I got the rough country leveling kit with matched shocks, I know its proly not the best but this build is on a budget and they will get the job done I suppose. It will likely all be installed on whatever weekend I decide to dismantle the entire front end for replacement, assuming my parts ever get here...

 

[Jimmy68]

Ouch. Nasty spacers. I would think your springs are junk now. I'd be looking for new or used springs.
In fact, forget the level spacers and source a pair of 2500 springs. They'll do the same thing, I hear.

 

[Jimmy68]

When you pull your axles to do the u-joints do your axle seals also. Royal pain in the ass though.

 

[amanda2des]

Ouch. Nasty spacers. I would think your springs are junk now. I'd be looking for new or used springs.
In fact, forget the level spacers and source a pair of 2500 springs. They'll do the same thing, I hear.

How would I be able to tell if these have in fact messed up the springs? I'm all for getting it fixed right, but at the same time don't want to just make assumptions and throw parts at it...

 

[Jimmy68]

Well, somebody has forced the coils apart. How long have they been stretched out?
Sure, they'll work. I bet they'll sag now that they've been stretched.
Hopefully someone will have a better answer.

 

[Csanders1992]

I'd just buy a rough country leveling kit with new springs and shocks. Shocks aren't the best but they'll do, and are probably better than your likely worn out shocks


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[amanda2des]

Well, somebody has forced the coils apart. How long have they been stretched out?
Sure, they'll work. I bet they'll sag now that they've been stretched.
Hopefully someone will have a better answer.

No Idea how long they have been like that, ive only had the truck 2-3 months. They guy I got it from was... not impressive... so he likely did it, and he had the truck about a year.

 

[Jimmy68]

. not impressive....