Any ideas??

[Gmack2012]

a month ago i traded my 93 chevy swb (which i had bought for 1400 just to have a set of wheels after i got into an accident in my 99 z71 a year and a half ago) for my 97 dodge ext cab 5.9 4x4. it already has a posi lock front end with a 5" suspencion lift and 3" body. its got 15" bullet hole rims with 35" dunlop m/t on the rear and 35" hancook dynapro m/t on the front. right after i got it i already had to put all new ball joints and tie rod end and spindle on the front.

im new to the dodge world and i was wondering if yall could give me advise on anything from breaks to engine mods to better mpg cuz right now im sittin at about 8 with a ticking noise in the lower end with a miss that goes away wen i flore it (still pulls trailers real well) to anything that dodge is known for goin wrong on these gen 2s.

i plan on replacing the bumpers with full ranch hand replacements, possibly paint it in bedliner (havent decided), redoing all the breaks, u joints, and just stuff like that. i plan on this being a long time project/ daily driver/ work truck/ toy lol.

and believe me ive already thought of converting to the 4bt but i dont have all the money in the world and im only 18 and dont have all the knowledge in the world either lol.

any sugguestions, tips, or ideas would help. thanks.

 

[Badger]

Sound like your intake plenum gasket is blown. Look down your throttle body for oil. Being lifted that high with the bigger tires is killing your mpgs also

 

[Gmack2012]

oh i completely agree the tires are killin me but that much?:/ and im at work right now so it might not be till tonight that i can check that if not tomorrow

 

[glass3222]

5.9 v8 are gas guzzlers. With out the lift and tires, and all tuned up, you may get 12-14mpg. With the lift, you are looking at 10-12 on a good day.

 

[Gmack2012]

so probably all i can do for fuel economy is tune it after i fix my engine problems? i was also just thinkin of doin a rebuild since i got the issues in the engine and mabey that would help with the fuel economy as well?

 

[Badger]

Rebuild won't help that much. check the plenum like I said before. Your never going to get amazing or even marginal fuel mileage with a 5.9

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Gears might help it along also

 

[Gmack2012]

ok ill definately check that later on

well ive got 4 10 gears in it as well i just forgot to list that

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

10-4 those are helping you some then

 

[Gmack2012]

ya sadly lol

 

[Gmack2012]

other than the engine and fuel economy does any one have any ides?

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Could pull some of the lift off it

 

[Gmack2012]

ive kinda thought bout takin the body lift off but my truck is kinda known for that stuff in just the short time its been in my area. people constantly drive by and stair and follow me haha

 

[Badger]

Sounds like you've got quite a monster there. Let's see.some pics!

 

[txbass06]

I agree with checking the plenum gasket too. And your mpg's are about right. I'm leveled with 35's and get a hair over 10 with 3.92 gears. The next big thing is swapping them out for a set of 4.56's front and rear

 

[Gmack2012]

just uploaded a bunch. srry for how bright it is, its that bright texas sun we got durin the winter and i didnt relize it was gonna turn the pics that way ill rember next time

 

[Gmack2012]

would the 4 56 b better than my 4 10 s for my truck

 

[txbass06]

Just noticed you're only a couple hours west of me lol. Welcome aboard from another Texan.

As far as the gears, yeah they'd help with acceleration and mpg's slightly but I wouldn't spend the money going from 4.10's to 4.56's. There's just not a big enough difference to justify the cost of them

 

[Okiespaniel]

These trucks were never known for mileage when they were built and adding things like lifts, larger tires. being undergeared and other mods pretty much finishes it off.

How many miles are on this beast?

If the plenum is leaking, you'll need to fix it. Pre '99 trucks are known for Catalytic convertor issues.
Your tranny...has it been rebuilt? If it hasn't it will be. Not a matter of if but when. I'd be adding mods to keep it as cool as possible.

Edit....just looked at your pics. Between the lift, tires, and lack of front bumper (which actually smooths out your aerodynamics) you're doomed. Adding super heavy Ranch hand stuff will not make it better.

I'd try a good tune up, clean the T/B, run some good Chevron gas or injection cleaner through everything, and check the plenum for liguid oil deposits. That moight get you back up around 9-10 mpg.

 

[Gmack2012]

ya man im 45 mins outside dallas right where everything turns to black top roads