juanblzer said:
I'm going to get one: I want it to be able to tow my travel trailer and my blzer while on a flatbed goosneck trailer (35ft+).
Things I know I want:
a 4x4
an extended cab
a cummins!
I test drove an extended cab 4x4 2002 with a Cummins and an Auto. It was sweet.
Things I don't know?
What years and setups are the hot ticket?
Can I get an older one (payments would be a lot cheaper)?
Shortbed?
Longbed?
Dually?
Oh diesel fans... please give me your knowledge.
First off, it's funny how people that don't own Dodges post up that they think they are junk. I'll let you weed through the posts.
My '01 Ram and my dad's '02 Ram, both with Cummins motors, have been better trucks inside and out from the back bumper to the front headlights than any of our chevies we do still have and have had.
For 11K you are in the 12v range. I would highly reccommend you get financed for that 19k so you can step up to a better 24v electronic truck. Granted, the P7100 P series 12v trucks are great for modifying and respond like crazy to more air and fuel, but the 24v VP44 trucks are more modern and user friendly, which sounds like what you are after.
For one, the stock autos are not junk at all. (there again, useless dribble from what people have heard through the grape vine). When you keep a 47RH or 47RE serviced up and know how to drive one, they usually last a very long time and live happy lives. If you keep the truck at stock power, keep it out of OD when in town, service it once a year, and don't pull ungodly huge loads with it one should be fine.
My Ram is an auto truck and my dad's has a 6 spd. In town my auto is prefered hands down. Racing, autos are always a lot faster than manuals since the turbo only spools once with an auto. The only spot his manual has an edge is towing, and it's a marginal edge. Although it's not so marginal if we are towing heavy. For average loads I can pull hills in OD as he does and I can actually accelerate better loaded in town. I have a fresh auto with a Suncoast valve body and Axiom converter. Basically a very fancy shift kit and a much needed, much tighter aftermarket converter. Diesel autos regardless of brand live or die by hydraulic PSI, heat, and a tight converter that can lay that torque to the ground. A modified auto is the cat's meow.
As for the best years,
1993 was the best year for the 1st gens, but it's still inferior to the 1994 completely redesigned 2nd generation.
The two hot years for the 2nd gens are the 1998.0 and 2001.5. The early 1998 is a 24v truck except still had the 12v motor. You get the better 24v truck with the updated interior, mirrors, among other things, yet still have the more wild power friendly 12v engine.
2001.5 is the best 24v truck....
-higher output than th year before,
-rear disk brakes over early 2001 models that had drums
-all the vanity and sound deadning equipment on fully loaded trucks. Some of this stuff for some reason is missing from 2002 models.
3rd gen trucks (2003-current) are likely way out of your price range, as 2001-2002 2nd gens are probably too.
Here is my 2001.5. 355HP/810ft lbs.
Dad's, 310HP/700ft lbs
), but it's held up great. Even the rest of the crap on it. Except for a leaking a/c condenser and antifreeze mysteriously disappearing...and the dash that costs $800 to replace is cracked.
Don't mean it to sound like it's falling apart, 'cause it isn't. Just been used. I love the truck. Not the gas mileage though
