My Truck since I sold the Ranger....

[mjonesjr]

I picked this up in mid July. I got a pretty good deal on it. She needs a little body work in the pictures (which is done now by the way), but other than that it needs nothing.

The transmission was rebuilt at 125,000 miles by a VERY reputible shop. They haven't been in business for 30+ years for nothing. They put in a strong shift kit and added an aftermarket cooler to it as well when it was rebuilt.

I've been averaging what running around the town I do (mostly fire runs) about 11 mpg. Hopefully the engine and drive line mods I want to do will help a bunch (I know the manual hub conversion will).

Specs:
1996 Dodge Ram 1500
Club Cab
5.9L v8 (360)
Automatic
4x4

Mods I've Already Done:
- VERY good cleaning (pictures was before VERY good cleaning)
- Low-pro tool box
- Upgraded (+ & -) wiring
- Bed Liner lower portion (gray area in pictures)
- Husky Liner floor mats

Future Plans:
- Edelbrock intake
- Manual hub conversion
- 1 piece passenger side axle shaft in front axle
- Upgrade stereo system
- Aftermarket wheels (when I do the manual hub conversion)
- Leveling kit
- Dual exhaust
- Shorty headers
- Shocks



Pictures:

 

[koda6966]

I like how the rear bench folds up, but that's about all I like. I'm not a fan of that generation of rams. I'm not going to rip on it though, because it could probably rip both of my trucks in half. A friend of the family recently picked up a red one, and the only thing he's had to complain about so far is the gas mileage. You should look into fuel injector swaps. I know there's one for Jeeps that replaces the single hole injector with a six hole from a Neon, and it increases MPG's by about 4. It has something to do with how well the gasoline is spread vs how eficiently it burns. I have no idea if there's anything like that for Rams but it can't hurt to check.

 

[steve63]

nice truck,11 mpg is pretty avg for the 360 magnum in a 4x4,they go pretty good,try a k %n air filter in it,might help you're milage a little bit.

 

[bcost882]

im very disappointed.......a dodge really???? It looks pretty good though gunna have to post up some more numbers after you get the engine breathing a bit better

 

[Hahnsb2]

Are you talking the Edelbrock intake manifold? Don't bother, it's overpriced and overrated, just get the Mopar M1. The Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers are also a nice improvement.

 

[mjonesjr]

Are you talking the Edelbrock intake manifold? Don't bother, it's overpriced and overrated, just get the Mopar M1. The Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers are also a nice improvement.

Yea I was receding to the Edelbrock intake.

I have been also looking at buying an off brand 360 intake that has the fuel injector spots that just need to be drilled and tapped. I have seen them for anywhere from $150-$250 depending on the finish.

Do you have a link to the Mopar M1 intake and the roller rockers?

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Jegs or Summit will have the rockers.
Harland Sharp = top notch stuff!

 

[mjonesjr]

It is a pain trying to find a place with the intake.

The rockers look purtty.

 

[mjonesjr]

Jegs or Summit will have the rockers.
Harland Sharp = top notch stuff!

They are nice, but is their price tag worth the performance gain?


Anyone know if the older 360 valve covers will fit on the Magnum heads? I would like to dress it up a bit when I do the intake.

 

[mjonesjr]

Are you talking the Edelbrock intake manifold? Don't bother, it's overpriced and overrated, just get the Mopar M1. The Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers are also a nice improvement.

Everything I read this morning on the Mopar M1 is the same reviews as the Edelbrock.

The price on the Edelbrock is actually $50 cheaper than the Mopar M1. The Edelbrock is $599.99 (comes with installation kit) and the price of the M1 is $640 (installation kit not included).

 

[Hahnsb2]

But you can find used M1s everywhere, average is around $500 or so these days including the install kit.

The RRs were worth it to me, they have been dynoed to be around 10hp at the wheels, they also make the engine smoother at higher revs and free up a bit of MPG.

Yes you can use LA valve covers on the Magnum heads, just make sure you use LA gaskets as well (the Magnum covers have 6 more bolts). I'm running Mopar Magnum cast covers on mine. I also pulled a set off at a junkyard and they have been laying around doing nothing, they need to be cleaned up since they came from a C4C truck so they have green spray paint on them.

The HS RRs.

Valve covers.

 

[mjonesjr]

Are those valve covers stock or aftermarket? Where did you find them at either way?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Aftermarket, made by Mopar. Found em used on a forum. And like I said i've got an identical set in the shop that needs to be cleaned up.

 

[mjonesjr]

Would you be willing to sell them? If so, how much shipped to 40213 and can you post a picture of them?

 

[koda6966]

They look awsome.

I've been tempted to get a Dakota.. since it's my name. But the gas mileage is too poor for me.