Daily driver Dodge Ram

[Reichart12]

Wow! Some how I've missed all of 2023 and 2024 with updates. Time to catch up now.

Only thing that it looks like I did in 2023 was replace the front driveshaft. It got extremely noisy and would bind making turns in parking lots. Eventually a noise that sounds like metal jumbling around made me get under the truck and check it out. The u-joints had plenty of play in them. Some places online made it seem like I could replace just the joints but the full driveshaft wasn't a terrible price and I wouldn't have to worry about lining up ends correctly. New piece came pre-balanced. Few bolts up front and spline to slide off in the back, and off it came. Added a new boot and clamps on install.

https://youtu.be/5ktcKiJAVAk

2024 required a bit more work but still not much. Typical oil change maintenance junk. I try to keep the truck clean and catch things before it breaks but it never works out that well. If I had it my way I'd pop the front bumper off and try to repaint those bad scratches. Sorry no photos of this job.

https://youtu.be/9bYwNz9BueQ

Next up, I was getting ready to replace my EGR valve as I had been putting off a check engine light. Well turns out, the radiator sprung a leak first. Had just moved into the new garage and this was my first task to tackle here. It's like a 21 ft garage for a 20.5 ft truck. Technically it fits with the door close and if I move my toolbox out of the way first. But for this I figured to just have the bed stick into the driveway and leave the door up since it was still nice outside. New radiator in and 30 minutes of bleeding the coolant, I was back on the road.

https://youtu.be/gyLlrs_O4yE

And finally the most recent repair. Fixing a CEL by replacing the EGR valve. I have to say, these last few jobs on the truck have been so straight forward and easy, it's actually shocking. Sure I get stuck on a bolt here or there but nothing complicated to remove or work around. Sad to say, anything newer that might come next, probably won't have this level of simplicity haha. Also, check out my drive belt in one of these photos. I replaced it only a couple years ago, looking worse than I would expect for belt of its age. I'm not going to do anything about it but it is mildly worrying.

https://youtu.be/JdIzcEZwVjw

[roguetoaster]

Cold weather wrenching is oh so fun. Glad you got it done. The crud is probably mineral deposits from added water over time.

Have a good new year!

[Reichart12]

Had to do some work on the truck recently. It all started probably back at the end of October when our first real cold snap came through. I was greeted by a large puddle below the truck. Ignored it for a bit just filling up the coolant when necessary. After maybe a couple weeks of that, my check engine light finally decided to come on.

P0128!

Ok, now I have a problem I should look into. Took a place in the garage and waited to see where my leak was truly coming from. It appeared to be off the back of the engine in front of the trans and that freaked me out thinking my rear freeze plugs were done for. More poking around, I noticed the leak starting from the water pump. So it was time to order everything I needed. Placed an order for water pump, thermostat, t-stat housing, iat sensor, coolant temp sensor, and a pack of freeze plugs just in case. I was trying to wait on a warm stretch of days to start but no luck there. My wife was leaving for a few days so at least I had a chance to use her car and leave the truck apart while I took my time.

Time to begin. Even with a propane tank heater, I can only get the garage to about 45-50F when it's sub 35 out. Terrible insulation, but a couple layers on and this is manageable.



Instantly stopped by not having anything to stop the water pump pulley when taking the fan clutch off. Trip to the store and I'm back on track.



Couple tricky bolts to get to put everything came off relatively easily.





If someone could explain to me what this crude that builds up is, that would be great.





Old unit out.



Struggled to get this upper radiator hose off the old t-stat housing so I just went a bought a new one for $20. Struggled to get the new one on too. Very tight fit here.



"Tuna, all crust" - East coast Paul Walker



New unit. I can't imagine every part in this engine bay being this clean and shiny. Just doesn't seem possible.



And the new sensors. The coolant temp one was the hardest to get to as I had to scoot the ac condenser out of the way with a pry bar first. And then gave it too many ugga duggas trying to tighten it and smacked the plastic part of the sensor so it's mildly broken but still works. I will hate myself if/when I need to re-fix this, or sorry next owner.





All in I may be around $100-150 for the job with the coolant really running the cost up. I think the job is quoted $800-1000. A shop probably only need a couple hours and it took me 7 with floundering around with the wrong tools. If I were to do it over right now, I think I could manage 4-5 hours. Overall it was fun and glad I could do some garage work, even if it was super cold.

[Reichart12]

It never ceases to amaze me how dastardly the packaging in truck engine bays tends to be, with so much stuff blocking the access to the engine which is almost always inexplicably very low in the engine bay.

I do enjoy the bumper acting as step to stand on while leaning into the engine bay. That and climbing on engines adds to the fun of working on things.

[roguetoaster]

It never ceases to amaze me how dastardly the packaging in truck engine bays tends to be, with so much stuff blocking the access to the engine which is almost always inexplicably very low in the engine bay.

[Reichart12]

Coolant reservoir had a crack in it so it was time to change it out. Turns out the stock replacement has always been NLA since in 2005 they switched to a two part molded res combined with the washer fluid. So guess I'm getting a new washer bottle too. While I was changing that out, finally cleaned the K&N filter. Got about 1 mpg better around town. Also recently I tried to wrap the door moldings black to give some contrast, wow I suck at wrapping. Ran out of wrap too so eventually I'll buy some more and finish the rear doors. Photos of that to come when I finish that.

Video of the coolant reservoir change... I need to tell more jokes on these basic job videos.

https://youtu.be/4AzQRuuUNkI

[moatilliatta]

I only do not scolding hot coffee in the hand around the block in the E30. I'm in the city so coffee shops are convenient though.

No cup holders. Great T shirt slogan...

[Reichart12]

E30s have cupholder compatibility from the factory, I mean, why else would they give you another seat in the front for your cup holder to occupy?

Spilled coffee on the passenger seat last weekend of the e30 actually. I had a Gear Switch center console cupholder but snapped the bottom bolt of so I leave it sideways in the passenger seat. Normally my camera bag secures it against the seat back. Well camera bag on the floor, abrupt stop, coffee mug tumbled over.

[roguetoaster]

Ah, I gotcha. The front seats have Weather Tech mats so easy enough to rinse off. I'm just glad there's cup holders in this compared to the e30 haha.

E30s have cupholder compatibility from the factory, I mean, why else would they give you another seat in the front for your cup holder to occupy?

[Reichart12]

I'm dallying a Duramax van. I run flat out most days its its a bit refreshing if you spill a bit of coffee you don't have to worry to much about it, the whole interior is plastic or rubber floor mat. Its kinda nice to have something big and care less about potholes too.

Ah, I gotcha. The front seats have Weather Tech mats so easy enough to rinse off. I'm just glad there's cup holders in this compared to the e30 haha.

[roguetoaster]

I'm dallying a Duramax van. I run flat out most days its its a bit refreshing if you spill a bit of coffee you don't have to worry to much about it, the whole interior is plastic or rubber floor mat. Its kinda nice to have something big and care less about potholes too.

Heaven help whoever has to maintain a Duramax in a van, eek!

[moatilliatta]

I'm dallying a Duramax van. I run flat out most days its its a bit refreshing if you spill a bit of coffee you don't have to worry to much about it, the whole interior is plastic or rubber floor mat. Its kinda nice to have something big and care less about potholes too.

[Reichart12]

Ram shots are commercial worthy. Is it ok to spill dabs of coffee in the truck?

Thanks! I think I'm missing this coffee reference. But the interior could use some cleaning/remodeling but no sense in spending money there.

[moatilliatta]

Ram shots are commercial worthy. Is it ok to spill dabs of coffee in the truck?

[Reichart12]

Hey hey, some content. Not much going on with the truck. Just being a daily driver as the title dictates. Some maintenance done over the past couple months and some glamour shots while looking for new photoshoot locations.

My parents bought me this JEGs cart, stool, and creeper set. Fun using the cart to stage all the tools and parts I'm planning on doing. First up were new window regulators for the front windows. Youtube video up now.







The most recent repair was the power steering pump. Also did the serpentine belt and idler pulleys while I was changing that. YT video to come soon.





And the glamour shots...