Time for a new DD/towrig?

[pseudomike]

The dodge is definitely ugly but that Cummins is the tits for an inexpensive torque monster. There is nothing in that cummins truck that is going to cost you anymore to fix than any gas jobber on the street except the injection pump and for $500 you'll be on your way again. Chances of cooking the motor are slim unless it's got over 500K miles and the tranny is about $1500 to go through. For $1000 you could pick up a good used Cummins (if you manage to kill it) with 200K and it would outlast any goodwrench long block you could buy new. The dodge truck is definitely going to fall apart long before the dana axles or the cummins. If you really want something to write home about buy a one ton chevy and do what they should have...stick a cummins in it. Then you got soemthing. A 6.5 would get the job done for fuel economy but I think the Yugo had more HP.

 

[jt512]

if your towing only once in a while maybe a half ton would work just fine. 5.3 chevy can knock down decent mpgs, people "claim" as high as 15-17 mpg You could easily find one for under 5k and have a very nice, comfy reliable daily driver.


found this truck for 5800!, actually im calling on it right now

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1137872974.html

While I still vote cummins, I do have to agree with Shawn. We have 2 2500hd's in our company (my father and his partner) a 03 4x4 and an 02 2wd. Both are 6.0's and automatics and my father's is pushing 250k miles and the other one is almost at 200k miles. I do all the upkeep and repairs and I can say they are very easy to work on and the only common failure has been water pumps (02 went out at 180k and the 03 went out at 220k) that being said they were so easy to replace.
They both pull around 15mpg's unloaded and stay in the double digits even when towing. I really can't say anything bad about them, I do prefer towing with my cummins, but I am pulling loads from 6,000lbs on the lite side to 14,000lbs on the heavy side. The torque of the diesel just makes towing so much easier (I can forget I'm pulling a 10k load when your out on the highway).


One thing I will add, it's common sense but you would be surprised how many people don't do it, and that is on any truck/ trailer combo ...a brake controller and good trailer brakes are your friend. This is even more important if you are towing with a lighter truck (1/2 ton)

 

[LOGANSTANFORTH]

Complete engine rebuild with all gaskets, seals, rings, bearings, and 6 new Mahle pistons is 600 plus shipping, you can start with all your hard parts but the pistons (factory pistons would most likely be fine) and completely rebuild the engine from the ground up....you can run stock bore, 20 bore, or 40 bore.......you cant go more than 40 over......newer 6.0 chevy is going to cost more than that for sure.....

250-300 bucks to have the VE rebuilt.....if necessary its even necessary, remember most newer gas engine fuel pumps run about that.....

water pump is like 70 bucks and take very little time to change.....

Starter can be rebuilt at about any starter shop for about 100 bucks, oh and there is a kit that is sold that will let you rebuilt it if you want....

Killer Dowel Pin can be fixed in a afternoon for less than 100 bucks if your worried about it.....

The front axles share alot of common parts with chevys.....

Lift pumps are easilyreplace but rarely go bad......

Just go look at the 6BT post here in the garage, few simple tweaks and you are making 450-500 ftlbs of torque with factory head, cranks, pistons, rods, cam, fuel pump and prettymuch everything else.....all it takes is some hand tools and its ready to roll


just remember, the guys that talk bad about the diesels are the ones that have probably never owned one.....

 

[supersize75k5]

just remember, the guys that talk bad about the diesels are the ones that have never owned one.....

Ill give you that, but alot of local wheelers use 94-02 dodges for their tow rigs and I have heard a hell of a lot more problems from their tow rigs than that of a simple gas motor. Be it an injection pump, 5th gear in the trans, head gaskets, the auto trans or a ridiculous oil leak. If you are towing a lot, pulling heavy loads or need a work horse then yes I agree they are the shiznit compared to a gasser.

If your daily driving it and only towing 5-7k once a month or less then I do not feel it fits the bill. The cummins is a great motor, the package its delivered in sucks but thats a trade off some can accept. The pre 94 dodges are simply ugly unless they are in pristine condition..and that does not reflect a 5k price tag.

The pre 94 cummins are known to be cheap to maintain but thats if you can do the work your self! If you can work on the small block in a 79 chevy you can tackle every aspect of the 5.3 or 6.0 gas motor.

Pretend you broke down on your wheeling trip, now call up the parts store closest to that location and see if they have a water pump or starter in stock for the cummins.. then ask about that part for a 5.3! You can change the alt, starter, water pump, injectors and more literally on the side of the road, with no special tools and the parts store will have it on the shelf! Hell you wont even need any rtv!

"250-300 bucks to have the VE rebuilt.....if necessary its even necessary, remember most newer gas engine fuel pumps run about that....."

Find one on a sunday night when you need to drive to work on monday or when your out of town and broke down. You can drop a tank in your drive way, find the fuel pump in stock and have it repaired the same day.

5.3 or 6.0 motors are in most junk yards by now, and can be had for complete 500-1500 bucks ready to go.. and that price is assuming you need everything and nut just a short block. The 4l60e can be found used or on the shelf with exchange very easily. not to mention the long list of vehicles the same parts interchange in between..

 

[Greg72]

I'll be the lone dessenter in this poll..... NAY.


Let me break it down a little:

You're living at home, with a project truck in the driveway and also thinking about buying a trailer and another vehicle for towing. Yeah, maybe at this exact moment storage is not an issue....and the payment is easy to handle with no other expenses. Thanks mom and dad!

The question is: How long to you plan to live at home?

If you have other aspirations (like having your own place)...you've probably got better things to do with your extra money right now. And if you DO move somewhere else is it going to be as easy to find storage for all of these "extra" items you're considering?

With this crappy economy, I'm already seeing a new trend in the 4-wheeling community.... and it's moving away from the current diesel towrig/trailer/hardcore wheeler combo. There are a lot of extra hassles with having a seperate towrig and trailer, I've been there.... insurance, registration, maintenance, etc. It gets old in a hurry.... and I think that the people who have been doing it for a while now realize that it's becoming so expensive to own all that stuff, that there's almost no money left to actually go wheeling. They've reached a point where they will either need to "downsize" to a dual-purpose rig, or simply give up the sport entirely.

I'd think long and hard about this new "direction" in your project... it might work for you in the near-term, but if your situation changes it could really end up being all wrong for you.


EDIT: Going to propane never sounded like a good idea to me. You might reconsider getting back to a more conventional (and streetable) setup.

 

[supersize75k5]

he poses a decent question too.. what are you driving right now

 

[hoodride]

I'll be the lone dessenter in this poll..... NAY.


Let me break it down a little:

You're living at home, with a project truck in the driveway and also thinking about buying a trailer and another vehicle for towing. Yeah, maybe at this exact moment storage is not an issue....and the payment is easy to handle with no other expenses. Thanks mom and dad!

The question is: How long to you plan to live at home?

If you have other aspirations (like having your own place)...you've probably got better things to do with your extra money right now. And if you DO move somewhere else is it going to be as easy to find storage for all of these "extra" items you're considering?

With this crappy economy, I'm already seeing a new trend in the 4-wheeling community.... and it's moving away from the current diesel towrig/trailer/hardcore wheeler combo. There are a lot of extra hassles with having a seperate towrig and trailer, I've been there.... insurance, registration, maintenance, etc. It gets old in a hurry.... and I think that the people who have been doing it for a while now realize that it's becoming so expensive to own all that stuff, that there's almost no money left to actually go wheeling. They've reached a point where they will either need to "downsize" to a dual-purpose rig, or simply give up the sport entirely.

I'd think long and hard about this new "direction" in your project... it might work for you in the near-term, but if your situation changes it could really end up being all wrong for you.

Very well said. Adding to this, I've had a change of heart after reading it. He's right, just continue with the build and make it dual purpose. Pick up a AAA membership for that peace of mind, they'll come pick you up and tow you home up to 100 miles three separate times, and once up to 200 miles for a measly 100 bucks. Double that by buying your mom, dad, girlfriend, or whomever a membership too. After trying to justify a tow rig/trailer, this is the happy medium I've come to.

 

[Chevy305]

I'll be the lone dessenter in this poll..... NAY.


Let me break it down a little:

You're living at home, with a project truck in the driveway and also thinking about buying a trailer and another vehicle for towing. Yeah, maybe at this exact moment storage is not an issue....and the payment is easy to handle with no other expenses. Thanks mom and dad!

The question is: How long to you plan to live at home?

If you have other aspirations (like having your own place)...you've probably got better things to do with your extra money right now. And if you DO move somewhere else is it going to be as easy to find storage for all of these "extra" items you're considering?

With this crappy economy, I'm already seeing a new trend in the 4-wheeling community.... and it's moving away from the current diesel towrig/trailer/hardcore wheeler combo. There are a lot of extra hassles with having a seperate towrig and trailer, I've been there.... insurance, registration, maintenance, etc. It gets old in a hurry.... and I think that the people who have been doing it for a while now realize that it's becoming so expensive to own all that stuff, that there's almost no money left to actually go wheeling. They've reached a point where they will either need to "downsize" to a dual-purpose rig, or simply give up the sport entirely.

I'd think long and hard about this new "direction" in your project... it might work for you in the near-term, but if your situation changes it could really end up being all wrong for you.


EDIT: Going to propane never sounded like a good idea to me. You might reconsider getting back to a more conventional (and streetable) setup.

Greg, couldnt have said it better myself

Ben just think how much the cost will be to put a perminate bed on there with tubing. Also unless you're spray bombing it, then you will need a good 2-3K just for a uniform paint job. I see that in order to actually complete the truck 100% you're gonna need $5k. Everything cost more that you initially think and takes twice as long, ask me how I know.

BTW ya I thought the propane was a waste of $$ too.

You need to think of your future. I dont know what your finances are, but you cant live paycheck to paycheck, especially since your job was supposed to be temp. Just because it seems like you can afford a payment doesnt make it a good idea. You need to be saving for the future so you can move out, and then have the credit so you can buy all sorts of cool **** later on down the line.

You are still driving your mother's xA right?

 

[NEK5]

God damn it. :doh:

Well, yes, I do live at home. Financially I'm fine, but like I said, I'm living at home. There's a chance that could change and it's likely I couldn't afford it. Storage? Even if I did have to move, I wouldn't have any problem storing it. After reading all your responses, it's likely that it's not going to happen. What's probably going to happen, is I'll end up pulling the propane stuff off the rig, and use it for a future project, and by future, it could be years from now. Maybe a nice rat rod project. I definitely don't want to get rid of the system though, I'd like to put it to use somewhere.

 

[NEK5]

My job was never temp, not sure where you got that from. Like I said I could probably swing it finacially, but that could change. Read above for the rest of my shpeil

Greg, couldnt have said it better myself

Ben just think how much the cost will be to put a perminate bed on there with tubing. Also unless you're spray bombing it, then you will need a good 2-3K just for a uniform paint job. I see that in order to actually complete the truck 100% you're gonna need $5k. Everything cost more that you initially think and takes twice as long, ask me how I know.

BTW ya I thought the propane was a waste of $$ too.

You need to think of your future. I dont know what your finances are, but you cant live paycheck to paycheck, especially since your job was supposed to be temp. Just because it seems like you can afford a payment doesnt make it a good idea. You need to be saving for the future so you can move out, and then have the credit so you can buy all sorts of cool **** later on down the line.

You are still driving your mother's xA right?

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

i would go ahead and get another daily driver, either a small car or a truck and trailer. you don't have to spend a bunch; just something reliable.

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!! BUILD WHAT MAKES SENSE TO YOU!!

personally i like having a tow rig and trailer; most of my rigs i can drive to the trails but sometimes i have to travel 5 or 6 hours or more to go wheel somewhere and if something should happen i can just throw it on the trailer and head home and fix it when i get the time.

 

[NEK5]

i would go ahead and get another daily driver, either a small car or a truck and trailer. you don't have to spend a bunch; just something reliable.

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!! BUILD WHAT MAKES SENSE TO YOU!!

personally i like having a tow rig and trailer; most of my rigs i can drive to the trails but sometimes i have to travel 5 or 6 hours or more to go wheel somewhere and if something should happen i can just throw it on the trailer and head home and fix it when i get the time.

Well, that was one my reasons to doing this, as it would make me ALOT more comfortable on the trail, knowing whatever happens, I have a ride home.

Glenn and Shawn, yeah, I'm still driving my mothers xA, which I'm getting SICK of by the way

So, looks like I'll be throwing a carb back on the rig and getting it rolling soon...

 

[Greg72]

To be clear Ben.....nobody's trying to pee in your Cheerios here.

It's just that when someone posts "should I get a new tow rig" on CK5, it can create a feeding frenzy. Of course everyone is excited, and will tell you "yes, yes, get it....it will be rad!".... when you ask guys who love trucks if you should get another truck, you're bound to get lots of yes votes!

I just think it would be unfair to get you all spun-up about it, without at least asking you to consider the bigger picture and if it will really make sense a year or two from now...

I've seen a lot of guys build great dual-purpose rigs and have a lot of fun with them.....only to drop in a set of 5.13s and ruin the whole thing. And I've seen guys drop $50K tow rigs and trailer setups just so that they could move their wheeler further toward the "trail only" side of the equation.... that's a cubic assload of money to spend, just to haul your "toys" around.

My point is that it doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" proposition.... the internet makes it seem like everyone in the world except you is running 49's and Rockwells, but it just ain't so. Only about 10 years ago......35's were hardcore, and you'd never meet anyone with a D60 front axle. If a guy had a locker out back, he was serious...

People back in those "old days" still managed to have lots of fun...even without a trailer or tow rig. This recession is causing a lot of people to reconsider their expenses, and I believe the people who will be happiest going forward will be the ones who can make the most of what they have.

 

[NEK5]

To be clear Ben.....nobody's trying to pee in your Cheerios here.

It's just that when someone posts "should I get a new tow rig" on CK5, it can create a feeding frenzy. Of course everyone is excited, and will tell you "yes, yes, get it....it will be rad!".... when you ask guys who love trucks if you should get another truck, you're bound to get lots of yes votes!

I just think it would be unfair to get you all spun-up about it, without at least asking you to consider the bigger picture and if it will really make sense a year or two from now...

I've seen a lot of guys build great dual-purpose rigs and have a lot of fun with them.....only to drop in a set of 5.13s and ruin the whole thing. And I've seen guys drop $50K tow rigs and trailer setups just so that they could move their wheeler further toward the "trail only" side of the equation.... that's a cubic assload of money to spend, just to haul your "toys" around.

My point is that it doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" proposition.... the internet makes it seem like everyone in the world except you is running 49's and Rockwells, but it just ain't so. Only about 10 years ago......35's were hardcore, and you'd never meet anyone with a D60 front axle. If a guy had a locker out back, he was serious...

People back in those "old days" still managed to have lots of fun...even without a trailer or tow rig. This recession is causing a lot of people to reconsider their expenses, and I believe the people who will be happiest going forward will be the ones who can make the most of what they have.

well said

 

[DR]

Yea, if you dont do the tow rig route a second daily driver helps... I picked up a Durango so I could leave my K5 topless doorless without having to worry about the bad weather and what not.. It was a great decision. Plus the durango was cheap...

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

I agree with what Greg is saying, and I'll throw in my $.02: I love the idea of a "good at all things, master of none" type build, where it's truly dual purpose. I'm building my truck to be a reliable DD, but when I want to go offroad, it'll still be very capable and a blast to drive even if it's not totally hardcore. (heck it's a blast with no lift and bald 30's) I have buddies telling me to go 1-tons, 4 link the rear, 3 link the front, etc. etc, but that's not what I want. So bottom line? Do what YOU want to do with it, it's your ride

 

[Chevy305]

Ben I have a dual purpose truck. I think you seriously underestimate your truck. When you get that thing on the road you need to come down to plymouth. There are some sick powerlines here with some awsome sand pits, I'm sure you've seen the hill climb videos.

 

[NEK5]

I think what my problem is, is that I've been looking at the rig going nowhere for over a year

 

[Chevy305]

I think what my problem is, is that I've been looking at the rig going nowhere for over a year

I've been telling you that you need to get that engine to at least make noise. That alone will be more than enough motivation to do what you need to get it back on the road

 

[Greg72]

I think what my problem is, is that I've been looking at the rig going nowhere for over a year

You just need to join the "Jackstand 4-Wheelers" club....

There are a few of us around here, and we understand you.