You should try looking at the contacts. Larry's super contacts (or something, forgot the name) will fix it right up.edit I found em,

did these on my dad's '97 and it solved his starting issues....

http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/

 

Papecat

The old lead post terminals are far better than the screw terminals. The screw terminals will melt out of the battery on heavy loads leaving you stranded. Yes a good battery company can remelt the stud back into the battery as a repair but why chance it? I have had to replace many stud batteries because of this problem. BTW they will corrode too if you don't put grease on them.

The old lead post type will not corrode if you clean it upon installation and smear some grease all over it. Don't use those cheep bolt on battery cable terminals. Get the kind that solder on the cable and you will never have a problem.

 

I have looked and cant find anyone locally that sells a rebuild kit, or any internals and seeing as Im leaving in 5 days for Northern BC I might just take it to a starter rebuild shop

 

another question, if it is worn contacts shouldnt it be cranking slow all the time not just the first start of the day? Or is it because when its warm there is less draw on the starter?

 

Thanks for the info. But take it up with the Bear Killer. I just posted a random pic off the net to reference the Group 31 napa battery and it happened to have the screw posts. Also, the pic is of a Furd!

 

I knew something just wasn't quite Dodge about that picture; the breather by the left fender had me wondering.

 

an update for everyone...it was the starter, the case was hooped and was aching on the groud circuit causing the hard starting, thanks for the help everyone Cheers

 

good deal, nothing like peace of mind.

 

yeah i needed a jump sunday after i left my lights on Then i checked my battery... its a measly 850cca... plugged it in last night and it started like it had been running all night Also i've found that the soder terminals work better and last longer, the bolt-on one seem to loosen and corrode all the time... i've replaced a few hundred on golf carts i've repaired. Most of the time its just a gaggle of loose/corroded connections and batteries low on fluid.

 

Sorry for the bum steer.

 

We coulda still saved him from getting stranded in a blizzard with a too-small battery and the subsequent hypothermia and runny nose.

 

Yes! All the help is greatly appriciated, and for $100 for a new proper sized battery, its good peace of mind to know it will work when i need it and its -20*C

 

Glad you got it squared away! Good luck on your trip to the frigid north!