I'm new Dodge owner

[osky1976]

Hello all,
I just bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L, and starting with a full tune up. I'm unsure on the maintenance on it so the only thing is to redo it all. I guess I will have that piece of mind. So the first thing I will tackle is the coolant. I noticed the bottom hose was recently replaced with the sticker being new, but I'm also unsure if the hose he installed is the correct one as it is kinked. It's not overheating and don't want to wait until it does. If anyone can give me some feedback, is your bottom coolant hose kinked?

Thanks
Oscar

 

[10 Break]

Kind of a weird "S" but not kinked.

 

[TheEnder]

Hello all,
I just bought a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L, and starting with a full tune up. I'm unsure on the maintenance on it so the only thing is to redo it all. I guess I will have that piece of mind. So the first thing I will tackle is the coolant. I noticed the bottom hose was recently replaced with the sticker being new, but I'm also unsure if the hose he installed is the correct one as it is kinked. It's not overheating and don't want to wait until it does. If anyone can give me some feedback, is your bottom coolant hose kinked?

Thanks
Oscar

Welcome to owning a RAM! They’re amazing vehicles. My bottom coolant hose isn’t kinked, just a weird shape. Also i recommend since you have the 4.7, to do oil changes every 3K miles to avoid engine sludge as it’s a huge problem in these engines if they’re not maintained correctly.

Good luck!


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[HemiLonestar]

Welcome to owning a RAM! They’re amazing vehicles. My bottom coolant hose isn’t kinked, just a weird shape. Also i recommend since you have the 4.7, to do oil changes every 3K miles to avoid engine sludge as it’s a huge problem in these engines if they’re not maintained correctly.

Good luck!


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With a quality synthetic; also whenever possible, avoid short trips. Allow warm up time, give it a chance to get warm (especially if its a short trip). If you do alot of short trips you need to take it on the highway regularly to get the oil temp hot enough to burn off the condensation. Make sure your cooling system is in proper order, it's a balancing act with that engine family, need it to get hot enough so it doesn't sludge, but not so hot that it drops a valve seat on you lol.

 

[osky1976]

Great information to consider, So I called the dealership today and the hose part should be here tomorrow. I also inquired about a new belt and tensioner and water pump. do you recommend the whole water pump kit or just the water pump and reuse the other part that bolts on the fan?

 

[TheEnder]

Great information to consider, So I called the dealership today and the hose part should be here tomorrow. I also inquired about a new belt and tensioner and water pump. do you recommend the whole water pump kit or just the water pump and reuse the other part that bolts on the fan?

I recommend the whole water pump kit personally.


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[HemiLonestar]

New parts are never a bad idea (as long as they are good)

 

[osky1976]

for the dodge ram owners, have anyone eliminated the fan and installed an electric fan? if so what electric fan would someone recommend. this is just a thought, unsure if I want to pursue this or not.

 

[TheEnder]

for the dodge ram owners, have anyone eliminated the fan and installed an electric fan? if so what electric fan would someone recommend. this is just a thought, unsure if I want to pursue this or not.

I recommend it, highly. If you want more performance out of your truck. But, even with the 09-12 V6 cooling fan, you WILL need a tune to turn on the fans at a lower temp to make sure that your truck doesn’t overheat.


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[osky1976]

can you explain more with needing a tune to turn on? how is this done?

 

[TheEnder]

can you explain more with needing a tune to turn on? how is this done?

I’m not 100% sure on it as i’ve never dealt with a tuner, but you have to modify the trucks PCM (iirc) to turn on the Electric Cooling Fan at a lower temperature. For instance, Right now your truck probably has the E-fan turn on at 190, but because you’re ditching the clutch fan you need to have that dropped to 160. If that makes sense.


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[HemiLonestar]

I recommend it, highly. If you want more performance out of your truck. But, even with the 09-12 V6 cooling fan, you WILL need a tune to turn on the fans at a lower temp to make sure that your truck doesn’t overheat.
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I’m not 100% sure on it as i’ve never dealt with a tuner, but you have to modify the trucks PCM (iirc) to turn on the Electric Cooling Fan at a lower temperature. For instance, Right now your truck probably has the E-fan turn on at 190, but because you’re ditching the clutch fan you need to have that dropped to 160. If that makes sense.
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You are referring to a 4th gen truck where the PCM may have the capacity to do that because some of them came with electric fans; he has an early third gen and the only electric fan a 3G had under the hood is for the A/C. The general used fans in a 3G (subject to owner's whims) are a specific Ford Taurus fans and the Flexolite 180 (mainly I think because how well the fit the engine bay and/or shroud). Still requires wiring up and a thermostatic switch.

can you explain more with needing a tune to turn on? how is this done?

You cannot. You'll have to install the fan of your choice with a shroud that works (this has been written up across multiple forums for quite literally YEARS ad nauseum) and wire it up, including the aforementioned thermostatic switch to turn it on and off.

 

[osky1976]

Hmmm. ok. well it was a thought. I'll stick to the OEM fan. I know I have a bunch of questions, but here is my question. this is in regards to OEM (dealership) vs aftermarket (autozone)
I'm looking at replacing:

spark plugs
oil filer
serpentine belt and tensioner, and idler pulley
water pump kit
tranny filter and seal
Ujoints
tie rods upper and lower
control arm bushing and all the other bushing In the front suspension

would it hurt to run with autozone replacement parts or even ebay?
let me know please

I really appreciate the responses I'm getting, Its helping me out a lot. thanks guys.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Hmmm. ok. well it was a thought. I'll stick to the OEM fan. I know I have a bunch of questions, but here is my question. this is in regards to OEM (dealership) vs aftermarket (autozone)
I'm looking at replacing:

spark plugs
oil filer
serpentine belt and tensioner, and idler pulley
water pump kit
tranny filter and seal
Ujoints
tie rods upper and lower
control arm bushing and all the other bushing In the front suspension

would it hurt to run with autozone replacement parts or even ebay?
let me know please

I really appreciate the responses I'm getting, Its helping me out a lot. thanks guys.

1. Stick with OEM style plug, which in your case is SPRC12MCC4
2. Much debate on oil filters, generally comes down to personal preference
3. Bought my lest belt/tensioner set from Rockauto, came with idler pullies as well
4. Heard too many horror stories with aftermarket water pumps on these newer engines
5. Filters, plural. RFE has two, suction and return. Same story here with OEM vs aftermarket here, though it seems to be more aftermarket stuff has crappy anti-drainback valves than anything really bad. If drainback happens, it takes a few minutes for the pump to refill the converter before you can move.
6. I tend to stick with Dana, but I know Moog makes them as well. Try to find something greasable.
7. Moog or Mevotech on a budget; Mopar if you can afford it.
8. In most cases it's far easier (and not really all that more expensive) to replace the arms rather than fighting with the bushings. I rebuilt my front end a couple years ago, all Mevotech parts from Rockauto. Still solid. They have a fairly complete kit that isn't much for yours: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog....7l+v8,1384736,suspension,front+end+kit,15413

Depends what parts and where Autozone sources them from. I've had very good and very bad experiences with them; but they're great if it's an emergency and they actually have it lol.
Ebay you take your chances unless it's a known parts source.