The 5.7 tick... Need advice.

[Jtschlueter1]

Howdy boys, first time posting on here so I apologize if this has been talked about already for the thousandth time, but I'm looking for advice on what you guys would do.

Long story short I bought my truck (09 ram 1500 5.7l 4x4 big horn) about 8 years with about 132k miles, no issues whatsoever but it did have the slight "Chrysler tick" when starting cold and would eventually fade after warming up. I've done all the maintenance and repairs on it myself since I've owned it. Most major repairs, in my opinion, I've done are water pump, radiator, fuel pump, and rack and pinion. Fast forward to now, the slight tick has developed into the BIG tick, cylinder 5 misfire codes, has a BAD rumble at highway speeds, and after researching and the diagnostics I have done I've come to the conclusion most likely that my cylinder 5 lifter has seized and cam shaft is probably toast. The ol gal has 245k on it today, a lotta rust, and some other minor issues that I have lived without for the last year or so (no heat, 4x4 doesn't like to engage) but no other major issues, that I know of. Would you boys and girls do the fixes of new lifters and cam, try to sell the truck as is disclosing all the info to the buyer for maybe $1000-$1500, or part it out and I'm ballparking on maybe making $1000? Money is tight monthly budget wise.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

At that age, I'd part it out for the most bucks. If time is an issue I'd sell with full disclosure

 

[Burla]

Yeah cautionary take, best to address tick when you get them if possible, and ram forum is the one single place that has proven it is at least possible to end tick.

Value of a 250k mile ram that is 17 years old exceeds the value. Plus 09 wasn't a great year, 3.55's with a 545 is not ideal set up. But, if you need a truck would buying a used one be the move? Once bitten twice shy, I might consider a 90's Ford with the 351w, might not be much of a truck but tick is rare. If you buy another hemi, check for warm idle tick on test drive and start a lubrication strategy, you might keep that bug away.

As far as your girl, not a tuff call there, part her out. Heater core wont be fun, 4x4 might be easily fixable but then you have the cam job facing you and for fun you do all that and you have a rust bucket. Unless you can do it all dyi, it's a wrap.

 

[Jtschlueter1]

Yeah cautionary take, best to address tick when you get them if possible, and ram forum is the one single place that has proven it is at least possible to end tick.

Value of a 250k mile ram that is 17 years old exceeds the value. Plus 09 wasn't a great year, 3.55's with a 545 is not ideal set up. But, if you need a truck would buying a used one be the move? Once bitten twice shy, I might consider a 90's Ford with the 351w, might not be much of a truck but tick is rare. If you buy another hemi, check for warm idle tick on test drive and start a lubrication strategy, you might keep that bug away.

As far as your girl, not a tuff call there, part her out. Heater core wont be fun, 4x4 might be easily fixable but then you have the cam job facing you and for fun you do all that and you have a rust bucket. Unless you can do it all dyi, it's a wrap.

Ya I was told by some mechanic buddies long ago the tick was what it was and they all had it so didn't think much of it. If I do get rid of her, yes I would definitely look at something used and would buy another 4th gen in a heartbeat. Love the look and style and now that I'm used to the work they need done might as well keep that train rolling. Funny enough I already did the heater core several years back, then just last year did the ac condenser. Yes you are correct, it was not fun either time lol. Couple questions for you, which 4th gen in your opinion was the best with overall issues? And you would try to part out instead of selling as is?

 

[Burla]

Ya I was told by some mechanic buddies long ago the tick was what it was and they all had it so didn't think much of it. If I do get rid of her, yes I would definitely look at something used and would buy another 4th gen in a heartbeat. Love the look and style and now that I'm used to the work they need done might as well keep that train rolling. Funny enough I already did the heater core several years back, then just last year did the ac condenser. Yes you are correct, it was not fun either time lol. Couple questions for you, which 4th gen in your opinion was the best with overall issues? And you would try to part out instead of selling as is?

If you like the rfe, the 2012 ram is the way to go, if you can find one with 3.92 gears, my argument for one of the best trucks ever made. Now, if you like the 8 speed 2016 or later would be the way I took it if I could, they did beef up roller bearings in that year.

As for parting versus selling, it would be sold close to scrap price now. You can make more money parting it out, especially if you strip the block down. If you are just gonna dump it, maybe 2k if you are lucky? There is a large market for used ram parts, many rams were sold plus it is still relatively young as far as resales go. Fun thing to do on the weekends take parts off sand them and paint them matte black.

 

[SD2020]

Parting out is good if you have the space to store the truck to do so.

 

[jws123]

If your not going to fix it sell it whole parting out is a pain in the Ass dealing with people no shows ect also expect to get half price for all parts.

 

[Jocephus86]

I addressed the tick on my 3.6L that had 170K miles. I used a couple of shortcuts that prevented my having to remove the timing chain. Popping out the rocker arm works when you are near the chain https://youtu.be/wKZIJYA_sgE?si=xBShyI_NzjqQNKex and then you can progressively loosen the clamps for those further away. Just be sure to torque when completed.

 

[yourfloormat]

I went thru this 5 years ago on my 09 with 230K miles. It was bad and they quoted me 3200$ to fix. However, the fix leaves you with half a motor that still has 230K miles on it. I opted to buy a new motor and that ran me 5K with help for install. My truck to date is still in pristine condition thou and was worth spending the money to keep it. Yours does not sound like it's even worth the 5k so Id opt to part out. Only other option would be to find a cheap used engine and take a gamble. 09 HEMIs were notorious for this thou mainly due to first year of the MDS.

 

[Marshall]

Pictures? If you have rust, I would look for a different truck.
Put it up for sale as is and see what happens
If you found a good one like it, maybe keep it for spare parts, but that is usually only if you are country boy, and the parts you usually need are not any good on the other one.
At least that’s how my parts row was