dodge ram pickups, whatta ya know?

[juanbenae]

looking to sell the tacoma and find a new truck. i am leaning toward the dodge 2500 cummings, short bed, no dauly. 4x4. i am not in nebraska, or a cattle state so the single axle should do the duty i seek.

my buddy has one, a 2001 i think, ive driven and pulled a trailer with it and like the comfort and torque. what i am looking for is if any of you guys have had them and what you thought? i will be looking to spend around 20K, so i am thinking a 97 to 03 with the bay area exchange rate.

kimmie the skinny. own one, know someone who has, know of a board like this that i might be able to study?

[pwd72s]

Used ones ought to be getting into bargain territory soon, considering the fuel mileage. Reliability on the "new" ones I can't testify to...I still have a '77 "Power Wagon", purchased new, parked in my driveway...It's a gas hog, but it has served me well over the years.

[vash]

toby, why do you need such a big truck? diesel?

no personal experience, but i hear the trannies are weak-ish. but it was a bunch of ford and chevy guys doing the talking.

you HAVE seen our fuel prices, right? it will take you $70 to fill up at costco.

cliff

[turbo6bar]

Unless you need the space or the towing capacity, I would opt for the Toyota. For any towing over say 2000 lbs, you cannot beat the diesel engine and all the mass (no tail wagging the doggy).

At 70k, the 2001 Dodge is sitting good. No breakdowns or repairs needed, yet. The front rotors have some buildup and will need to be replaced, and the torque converter is showing signs of giving up. I do believe this truck will last 200k miles. The chassis will be smoke long before the engine, though.

If I could get away with it, I would get a Tacoma or Tundra, but there are times when even an 8' bed is not enough space and I would not feel comfortable towing any real cargo with a Toyota. For me, it's Dodge or Ford (Cummins engine tilts favor to Dodge).

http://www.dieselram.com
http://www.tdr1.com

[TWork]

I'm on my second Dodge truck. My first was a 2001 2500 with the 5.9 gas motor. It was a great truck. Despite my preconceptions about American vehicles, the fit and finish was great and it held up quite well until I traded it in with around 70k miles. My wife has horses and the gas motor just wasn't up to hauling a 7000 lbs of horse, hay and tack. I traded it in for a 2004 3500 short bed with the 600 Cummins diesel motor with the single rear wheel. If you're going to tow frequently, definitely spend the extra cash and get the diesel. In addition to the power, you'll get better mileage and they're designed with a long rebuild cycle in mind (I've read 350k miles).

Few things you'll want to look out for. The new body style began in 2003. These trucks have the Cummins motor which has less of the typical diesel clatter. You can actually stand next to the truck and have a conversation. The new trucks have the new 48RE tranny which is supposed to be more stout than the earlier 47RE model in the earlier trucks. However, I've never had any issues with either. The new body style 2003+ also have 4 full doors (or closer to full) rather than the hinged suicide-type doors. In 2003, the Cummins was around 550 ft/lbs of torque, and in 2004+ they bumped it up to 600 (however, it comes at higher revs). If you go for an early body style truck, it may be useful to know that Dodge went to 4 wheel disk brakes in 2001. Earlier trucks have front disks-rear drums. The earlier trucks have a huge aftermarket of products available to them while the market is just starting to get going for the newer design.

You may want to check out a site like the turbo diesel registry -- devoted to the Cummins diesel. (tdr.org, I think).

Good luck with the search!

T.

[928ram]

Since you are including the '03 in your search, you are looking at 2 totally different trucks; '02 up 1500 and '03 up 2500 & 3500 are the new body style. The new body is in fact a completely new truck and worth the price of admission over the previous (not that there's anything wrong with those).
The trans problems you've probably heard about were on the lighter duty models with the V-6 and V-8, so this shouldn't affect your buying choice of the diesel model, plus there probably aren't any left that haven't been rebuilt/updated. I've been told that the problem transmissions are restricted to the pre-merger years when Chrysler/GM were co-oping transmissions.(pre '98?)
I have an '02 1500 quad-cab with just a tick over 40K on the clock and it's been flawless. I've towed the Porsche across country on a U-Haul car carrier (about 6000# combined) and had no problem hitting 100mph across Wyoming in mid-July; it tows well.
Compare to the Toyo, it's gonna be alot more "truckish", but since you've already driven one I guess you know that.
www.dodgetalk.com is a BBS like this that can get you tons of info on the specific years/models.

[juanbenae]

great info guys, thanks. i will visit the boards listed above and nose around a bit. i would suspect i will prolly have to go 02 back to find the low mile unit that would suit me and my price range. in speaking with my pops he mentioned the troubled transmissions were, as far as he knew the manual, not the auto. the 4 wheel disk brake 01 and after is great info. just the thing i was hoping to find out to narrow the search focus. keep the stuff coming if anyones got more.

a couple things specific. i don't suspect the 1500 comes with the cummings? the brakes bigger on the 2500/3500? looking at a short bed with xtra cab of some sort. my buddy's is the long bed and rides great but seems like a nightmare to park, its just soo long.


cliff,, i ve had toyotas for 10+ years now and in being in my friends and dads truck recently i am looking for the additional room and auto transmission. the towing thing is a MAJOR factor as i will use it for more than just possible car trailer set up in the future. my toyota only gets about 18mpg freeway, my dads z71 chevy get 22, and i think the cummins is close to that. my truck may sit for a week or 10 days between running so its very much a part time vehicle.

[oldE]

I guess its just me who has a problem with the seats in Dodge trucks. While I was looking for a replacement for my GMC last summer, I tried a Dodge, I knew the mechanicals were solid, interiors don't seem to hold up and I was prepared for electrical gremlins which bother vehicles here in the salt belt, but I couldn't get over the back pain coming on after 20 minutes. ( I'm 6'3" and had a lot of problems years ago when I worked for a dairy in W/S and retail delivery.) GM & Ford seats I've tried seem OK, but the few Rams I've driven would send me to the clinic. Go figure.
Les

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Toby,

I'm not sure why you think you need such a big truck but there could be several reasons. We have a Chevy heavy 1/2 tonne that easily tows 7500 pounds with the 350 and 3.73 rear end. It has 225,000 miles and is not for sale. We also have a 3/4 tonne Ford Diesel with a 3.73 rear end for jobs up to 12,000 pounds. I like the Dodge over the Ford for fuel economy, but for entry price we had to go with the Ford.

What are your specifications that you are trying to achieve? What will you be moving with this vehicle? You might be able to get what you need done with a less expensive truck. A 1/2 tonne can easily be configured from the factory to handle the 7,000 pound range of towing requirements. Remember, a 4X4 cannot tow as heavy a load as a 2X4.

For any truck you will use for towing: Factory towing option is your number one concern. This will include a transmission intercooler, wiring harness, heavier springs/helper springs, wiring harness for electric brakes, and maybe a heavier alternator. A rear end of 3.73 or around that will give you a good combination of low end torque and fuel economy. A 4.00 and greater rear end will limit your fuel economy unless you are only using the vehicle as a tow vehicle. Make sure you have electric brakes for your trailer! Not only is it the law, it is the only way to effectively stop your trailer in a short distance. Wheel base can be your friend or enemy. The longer the wheel base, the more stable the tow vehicle and the less bounce you feel from the trailer. And a limited slip differential is essential to stable towing on an unstable road bed. Oh, gooseneck/overneck trailers are easier to handle than bumper pull trailers.

I'm sure you'll want creature conforts, but make sure your truck is set up with the minimum above. We like rubber floors and vinyl seats in our trucks with manual everything possible so as to improve reliability and useability. Easier to clean when you get muddy.

[kaisen]

You have a 3.73 or 4.10 choice in a 3/4 ton Cummins. If you plan on towing at 45-55 the 4.10 is best. If you plan on towing at 60+ the 3.73 is best fuel economy.

If you are looking at a Cummins, you aren't going to find a new body style 03-up for under $20K.

Any diesel is going to have trailer tow and heavy cooling/alternator.

People over-tow ALL THE TIME with all kinds of pickups, so if you are doing it 'occasionally' I wouldn't worry too much. Do it often? Buy the heaviest duty you can afford. I've towed a 22,000 pound tandem gooseneck quite a few times with a 2004 Chev K2500 Ext Cab Shortbox 4x4 with the Duramax/Allison with 4.10 locking diff at 75-80mph on the Interstate and it does just fine (and gets 7-10mpg)

In my humble opinion, I would buy a GM Duramax/Allison, but finding one for under $20K will be a 2001 with 150K miles.

E

[Jims5543]

I have a 2002 Dakota Sport Quad Cab with the 5.7 engine and Auto tranny. It began life as a family truckster. After we bought the wife an A-6 it became my truck. I use it for Home Depot runs and for towing my RX-7 to race events on a car trailer.

I once towed the RX-7 on the trailer with a spare set of tires and the bed loaded to capacity with tools, canopy chairs luggage etc... from Florida to Indy and back over a 5 day period for a Rotary only event.

We cruised at 80 MPH the whole way, and did the drive back without stopping except for gas. It got 12-14 MPG throught the trip and never complained.

I have never had it in for an unscheaduled service call. It has been an awesome truck and now has 55K miles on it. I would buy another in a second.

I stubled upon this picture last night when I was cleaning out my server.
This was a pic as we left for Indy.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I had a '98 RAM 2500, with the big V8, manual tranny, extended cab and 6' bed.

Put me off EVER associating with Chrysler again.

[goat]

Toby,
Gail drives a 2500 Cummins model year 2000. We pull a trailer & other stuff. great for trolling down the road, bad in stop and go areas. takes a while to warm up so we only use it for long trips and sometimes it sits for a week or two at a time. Still on the original batteries. Its a long bed extended cab.
Ours is 4 wheel drive but it is such a huge beast you would never want to get into a serious offroad venture.
If you come up to the Sonoma county autocross you can stop by afterwards and we'll go for a ride.

[addictionMS]

I have two Dodge 2000 2500 diesel trucks, and unlike others here I have had problems with both the transmissions (auto) both had to be rebuild in less than 50K miles under warranty.

Jim

[goat]

The transmission is a weird one. I forgot this even happened.
But when we picked up the 2000 2500 diesel brand new off the lot after a week the transmission light came on and they did some kind of upgrade If I remember they commentted that it was a pressure bearing???
I'll have to look at the reciepts.

[greglepore]

I have a '99 gas 1500. If you do the math, the diesel doesn't pay for itself for around 100k based on economy, so make sure you need the torque.

90k on mine, pretty much trouble free, but I'm sorry I didn't buy the Toyota. It drives like a car, has essentially a Lexus motor, and will tow most anything the Dodge will. The rear seats are more usable on the Dodge, but the Toyota's are fine for short trips, which is all mine get used for.

The price differential between used diesel/gas tends to be even more than new.

[juanbenae]

I've looked closer since my post and found the gas trucks to be much cheaper. The "it may sit a week or two" thing is exactly what my deal is. i love the tacoma, this toyota and the one before that have been good to me, but i figure if i am going to get 18mpg i'd might as well be comfortable.

the tranny thing is troubling, and the more i hear, the more i hear about it.

tim, i have ridden and driven my partners 01 cummings some i am familiar. thank you for the offer though. i will be see you in sanoma one of these weekends for a run around that air strip you guys AX on. how's that search fer yer long hood coming?

jim, i now recall your two sitting there when we visited your shop that saturday a while back. have you pretty much exclusively towed w/ them both?

will keep looking will keep looking and getting familiar.

[addictionMS]

I bought the first one and shared it with my wife, I towed, and she did dog shows long drives but no towing. It finally got to the point where we were fighting over the truck, so I bought another one, exactly the same about 6 months newer. I will correct my earlier post, they are 2001 Dodge 2500s

Towing is easy, I have an flat bed trailer, and it is almost like it is not there.

It has been used to tow a 28 foot trailer, and that was easy as well, took a little more focus, but easy.

Jim

[Stanley]

If you are looking for a general tow rig forum, pirate4x4 has a fairly active one.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30

[Wolf1]

The Dodge Cummins engine will indeed go 200-300k before a rebuild is needed.

However, the Dodge body and interior will not. They seem to degrade quite rapidly compared to the Ford.

The Duramax is great if your looking for a fast ride, not the best for towing or longevity.



I would go with the 99-03 Ford Super Duty, you just cant go wrong here.