Long term owners advice

[Ram_Fish1]

Okay, I have found a ton of info here on RF but would like to try and make a sort of list of good ideas for those of us who are keepers not leasers. Just a compilation of all the good ideas and tips to do if you plan on keeping your truck in top shape for years to come.
Specifics like what it is and why you should and where to get it. To extend the life as long as possible.
Being engine life, rust protection, whatever.. bring on the opinions and will try to edit post into an eventual list for those like us.

I think #1 is catch can.
What would you like to ad?

You say why? I say why not?

 

[wannahdawg]

I like this idea too. I agree with catch can, like to add cabin filter so my lungs last longer lol, and remove plastic bed liner and use spray in (linex rhino etc). I use my truck for my work truck, but I keep it clean, washed, etc. I don't abuse it, it's my livelyhood. My last truck was done the same, plastic bed liner rubbed paint off bed and caused it to rust. I never knew it till I had rust cancer in the front of bed by cab, but the rest of the truck was mint. I'll never make that mistake again.

 

[savage_46]

Maintenance is the key to longevity

 

[MADDOG]

1. Add a catch can.
2. Increase the transmission oil cooler size.
3. Perform all required maintenance items per the schedule or sooner.
4. Immediately fix any part failure when they happen.

Bottom line - Maintain the truck and it will last.

 

[wannahdawg]

I agree with maintenance 100%...I am from an aviation background if that tells you anything. I understood the OP to mean mods, etc, on top of your scheduled maintenance....

 

[Ram_Fish1]

Thanks for the responses and yes my intent is to list mods and other things beyond standard maintenance. If you don't even do standard maintenance then you'll never have anything for very long. LOL.

You say why? I say why not?

 

[Ram_Fish1]

1. Add a catch can.
2. Increase the transmission oil cooler size.
3. Perform all required maintenance items per the schedule or sooner.
4. Immediately fix any part failure when they happen.

Bottom line - Maintain the truck and it will last.

Things like your number 2. Here, could you add some specifics type size brand etc.. experience good or bad with doing this..
Is what I had in mind for this thread.
Thanks

You say why? I say why not?

 

[Ram_Fish1]

@wannahdawg Another great insight. My last ram had the plastic type bedliner I would never had thought about this aspect.

You say why? I say why not?

 

[CherryRed]

I recently worked on an '06 Ram with 278,000 miles on it. The truck appeared stock, still ran and drove great, and the interior was still in good shape. I don't see the point of a catch can on a non direct injection engine. Otherwise I agree with above. A good maintenance routine and do the cabin filter mod (helps keep dirt and debris out of the evaporator).

 

[ColdCase]

Thanks for the responses and yes my intent is to list mods and other things beyond standard maintenance. If you don't even do standard maintenance then you'll never have anything for very long. LOL.

You say why? I say why not?

I dunno, my neighbor put 200,000 miles over 8-9 years on his toyota and never did a thing except put gas in and topped off the oil when the oil light came on (never changed it) I think he may have put a couple sets of tires and brakes on when it failed safety inspections. Saved a ton of money and it still ran great when he traded it off on another that he treats the same. I imagine that engine was pretty gunked up internally, but out of sight, out of mind.

You say why not?, I say why?

 

[Ram_Fish1]

Hey, not saying anything has to be done additionally. Just checking out ideas. Doing nothing is also an option.
But makes a short list

You say why? I say why not?

 

[Treburkulosis]

Maintenance is the key to longevity

I agree. This is with any vehicle really. I had 04 new new body style 5.4 3v that I put 193k on with only the tranny going out at 75k and covered under warranty, the back window cables both broke. That was a 600 fix, the throttle body got dirty and tripped the only cel light at 146k. A simple cleaning solved that. Other then that it was a smooth running motor. It had all of the maintenance done and it was still going with well over 200k on it the last time I checked on it. My work truck is a 2002 Silverado 4.8 with 316k miles. It leaks or uses nothing. The tranny finally gave at 274k but it to was taken care of. I still haul heavy loads in the bed and everything works perfect.