Help me Choose a Dodge diesel truck.

[JohnX]

Heres the situation... I want a truck that I can put a full camper on and tow my Jeep behind. I REALLY like the Dodge pickup in this Ebay ad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=300025191031&ih=020&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT
It is almost exactly what I want, with the exception of the 5-speed, I would prefer the Automatic trans.

I am just looking for any information on what years are good, bad, etc. If their are any things I should check(truck specific) before purchase. Pros and cons of 3/4 vs 1 ton. I want this body style...what year did it start. Do the earlier models have the same power output as say the 93 does?

Anybody who has owned one please let me know if there are any things to watch out for?

Also if you happen to be local and have one for sale let me know.

 

[IcedXJ]

It may not help but any of those dodges with the Cummins and thh 6-speed (or is it 5...sorry do not know so well) are great. With a few mods they can get a lot more power. So if you could get a 3500, beefier suspension and so on.

 

[DrMoab]

I would be leary of an Automatic tranny in those older trucks. They are known for being problematic. A five speed would most likely be more reliable.

 

[chelms27]

get a chevy, youll thank me later.

 

[DrMoab]

get a chevy, youll thank me later.

Baa.....The only thing good about Chevys is the fact that parts are readily available in junkyards

 

[Chero-King]

I love that style in the Ebay ad.
If I were buying one that's definitely what'd I get, My old neighbor had nearly the exact same except a red/silver scheme. He loved it, it was the diesle 5spd, and I'm not sure what all he'd done to it but it blew the doors off my old Bonneville SSE with around 280hp. So they definitely have the ability to make some serious power.

 

[chelms27]

I like the late 90's dodge 3/4 tons! But still Chevy!!

 

[Lonestar]

Check out http://www.turbodieselregistry.com. They have their forums split into 1st(one you are looking at buying), 2nd, and 3rd generation dogdes. You have to pay to post, but it is free to look. Check it out to see what problems/ upgrades people are doing, you can learn a lot. I found lots of useful info there a couple of months back when the injection pump went out on my 01 2500.

 

[OT]

I love that style in the Ebay ad.
If I were buying one that's definitely what'd I get, My old neighbor had nearly the exact same except a red/silver scheme. He loved it, it was the diesle 5spd, and I'm not sure what all he'd done to it but it blew the doors off my old Bonneville SSE with around 280hp. So they definitely have the ability to make some serious power.

And if you ever wrecked it.....axle swap, baby!

 

[EricT]

I have an 2003 and I love it. Has a nice riding suspension, can tow a house. Only problems I have had are the u-joints aren't servicable and they are expensive, but you can get them at dodgeparts.com for $60 instead of the dealers 75-80.

 

[EricT]

another thing, I get 20 mpg at 80 and 23 mpg at 70.

 

[JohnX]

I have an 2003 and I love it. Has a nice riding suspension, can tow a house. Only problems I have had are the u-joints aren't servicable and they are expensive, but you can get them at dodgeparts.com for $60 instead of the dealers 75-80.

I wouldn't mind having one, but it just isn't in the budget. I actually like the 89-93 Body style a whole lot more anyway. Mileage is in my interest though...Anybody have number for an 89-93...towing or unloaded?


BTW thanks for the input so far...I like the TDR link, but they only let you view the first post on threads over 5 days old

 

[EricT]

another good website is http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/

 

[CRASH]

My brother has an 89 with a full Banks Power Pack, 4 inch lift and 35's. 90 gal auxillary tank in the bed (800 pounds full). He's kept track of the mileage for almost 9 years, every single tank. His drive was normally back and forth to Reno from the Sacramento area, so that's 5,500 feet of elevation gain. He had a 5 speed, and when it died, we swapped in a 6 speed. He has consistantly gotten 21 mpg. He makes 240 hp, and 610 ft/lbs.

 

[OT]

That tells you how advanced these new Diesel engines are.
Your brother's engine, with upgrades and programmer makes the same mileage power as mine, with the same engine (basically), does stock.

 

[seanR]

That tells you how advanced these new Diesel engines are.
Your brother's engine, with upgrades and programmer makes the same mileage power as mine, with the same engine (basically), does stock.

I thought you had a Ford??

 

[OT]

I thought you had a Ford??

I wore that truck out and moved up to the beefcake, baby.

 

[Rev Den]

I wore that truck out and moved up to the beefcake, baby.

Beefcake: Good looks but no substance.

Sounds like a Dodge to me.



Rev

 

[CRASH]

I wore that truck out and moved up to the beefcake, baby.

Yeah, Jes's new truck smokes my brother's and definately eats my old Ford alive. 325 hp and 610 ft/lbs makes a huge difference, and the BIG difference is the driveability of the 24 valve motors. Jes has an extra THOUSAND revs over my brother's, which governs out at 2,700 RPM.

That's why we did the NV 5600 in his, having shorter gaps between gears makes a huge difference, though he's still always shifting around town. On the highway, put it in 6th and forget about it.

I wouldn't buy a 12 valve truck, the 24's are just a lot nicer to drive.

CRASH

P.S. To clarify, there is nothing to program on an 89 Cummins. The only computer is the one between your ears.

 

[OT]

The power pack doesn't have any recalibrations for the engine?