What truck would you buy.

[ponyracer1]

Looking at purchasing a new dodge through AAFES and I'm not sure which one!!!!

Looking at 4:

07 Quad cab 1500 4X4 with the 4.7/6spd
07 Mega cab 1500 4X4 with the hemi/auto
07 Quad cab 2500 4X4 with the diesel/6spd
07 Mega cab 2500 4X4 with the hemi/auto

The truck will be an SLT with the trailer towing options. It will be the good "family" vehicle and the wifes DD. It will also spend it's weekends hauling quads on a car trailer and my YJ buggy project (if I ever start it). Who knows, might even haul the XJ on a long trip also.

1. Questions are, I had a durango with the 4.7 and loved the engine, BUT is it strong enough to tow occasionally?

2. Like the size of the Mega cab but is it worth the extra $ over the quad cab??

3. Is it worth it to get a fairly stripped down quad cab SLT to get the new diesel engine??

The reason I'm looking at the 2500's and the diesel is I'd REALLY like to buy a 25+ foot toy hauler to go to the dunes with when we return to the states and I think that might be a little much for the 1500.

Oh yes, I have 3 kids that will all be tall. I'm currently stationed in england and will be ordering the truck to be delivered here or in the states so I can't run down to the local dealer and try them all out.

Yes I've done the research and I know what dodge says about towing, (1500=9100 pounds etc) but they also say you can tow 5K with an XJ. I'm looking for real world feelings from people who OWN one of these trucks.

Thanks

 

[89Daytona]

07 Quad cab 2500 4X4 with the diesel/6spd

3. Is it worth it to get a fairly stripped down quad cab SLT to get the new diesel engine??

The reason I'm looking at the 2500's and the diesel is I'd REALLY like to buy a 25+ foot toy hauler to go to the dunes with when we return to the states and I think that might be a little much for the 1500.

Is there a reason you aren't interested in the megacab diesel 4x4? Maybe its $40,000+ price?

 

[bigazxj]

well i dont own them but i am a dealership tech
1-the 4.7 and towing heavy loads dont get along
2-the mega cab rocks the ony down side to me is its only aviable in a 6ft box i cant see the piont of a $40k truck that cant haul a sheet of ply wood with the tail gate up.
3-and i think its worth getting a less optioned truck for the cummins.
even the base type trucks are real nice inside just make sure you get power windows and locks.

 

[Jes]

Oh yes, I have 3 kids that will all be tall. I'm currently stationed in england and will be ordering the truck to be delivered here or in the states so I can't run down to the local dealer and try them all out.

The Quad cab is a little cramped in the back.

 

[mavinwy]

Another minor consideration, if it is going to be the wife's DD....how is she with diesels? They do have a few little differences from the Gas engines.

The hemi will cerainly pull a 25' toy hauler though. My father does it all summer. Fuel economy does suffer a bit with the trailer on though...

Jim

 

[ponyracer1]

89Daytona, ya mega cab with the diesel is $39K and change.
Trying to put a bit of cash down so I can finance under 30K.
bigazxj, thanks for the info. I was figuring that about the 4.7. Figures I can get a 6 grand rebate on that combo!!
Jes, Kind of afraid of that. My son is 11 and is almost as tall at my wife (5'7")
mavinwy, Not sure as we've never owner a diesel. Would be a learning experience for us all. She's fine with large vehicles and loves trucks.

Thanks for the reply's so far.

 

[mavinwy]

You might check out a few diesel forums then and see if it helps persuade you either way.

I've never had the cummins, but have had several navstar/ford diesels.

Some things to keep in mind.
(downsides)

Maintenance is more costly on a diesel. (for instance 12-20quarts of oil is not uncommon)
Short trips, where it does not warm up all the way are poor.
You can't just "jump in, turn the key and go"....it'll either have glow plus or in teh case of the Dodge a pre-heater.
After a long highway run, letting a vehicle with a turbo idle and cool for a short time is a good idea (this may be outdated info)
Diesel fuel is more costly
Noise

(upsides)
Towing with a diesel is better, smoother and less shifting.
Overall fuel economy is generally better
Can use Biodiesel or do a greasel conversion
Power (grunt)

Jim

 

[bigazxj]

You might check out a few diesel forums then and see if it helps persuade you either way.

I've never had the cummins, but have had several navstar/ford diesels.

Some things to keep in mind.
(downsides)

Maintenance is more costly on a diesel. (for instance 12-20quarts of oil is not uncommon)
Short trips, where it does not warm up all the way are poor.
You can't just "jump in, turn the key and go"....it'll either have glow plus or in teh case of the Dodge a pre-heater.
After a long highway run, letting a vehicle with a turbo idle and cool for a short time is a good idea (this may be outdated info)
Diesel fuel is more costly
Noise

(upsides)
Towing with a diesel is better, smoother and less shifting.
Overall fuel economy is generally better
Can use Biodiesel or do a greasel conversion
Power (grunt)

Jim

as far as cost of maintence if you buy any chrysler they offer a maintence warranty think its called "owners care" it covers oil changes for 3-5 years and if you add the cost up of $60-70 oil changes its a bargin. them theres fuel filters every 15k about $70 installed. it costs allittle more to own but its well worth it. and the new crd engine is not that noisey.

and yes letting it idle for 2-3mins after a hard run will save the turbo it lets the turbo cool off and prevents cokeing of the oil in the turbo.
one other nice thing about the cummins -7yr/100k warranty with $100
deductable after 3/36 and bio in a common rail is a no-no.chrysler policy is 5% blend from a pump no mixing at home.

 

[89Daytona]

1)Short trips, where it does not warm up all the way are poor.
2)You can't just "jump in, turn the key and go"....it'll either have glow plus or in the case of the Dodge a pre-heater.
3)After a long highway run, letting a vehicle with a turbo idle and cool for a short time is a good idea (this may be outdated info)
4)Diesel fuel is more costly
5)Noise

1)You can get an exhaust brake(jake brake) to help with warming the engine up.
2)The wait for glowplug/preheater to warm up isn't that long 5-10 seconds on some diesels
3)A turbo timer can take care of the idle time to protect the turbo after a hard run (boosting than turning the engine off cuts oil flow to turbos and can seize them).
4)If you wait for the new diesel engine (6.7L) you will have to be careful of the sulfur content of the diesel you put in.... high sulfur diesel will do bad things. The option to make your own biofuels is always a plus.
5)Some of the new diesels with common rail injection are quiet, they spray a pilot burst of fuel then the main burst of fuel so its not one big bang when injected. http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-engine.html

 

[mavinwy]

Yep....

Persoannly, I like my diesel pickup as well.....

But as both of you have added, there are a few more things to know with a diesel. I am just saying that checking it out fiirst is a good thing.

I agree that common rail are quieter, still a little louder than a gas engine though.

Jim

 

[Gerr]

I love my Dad's 99 3500 diesel and am planning on a 07-08 one to replace our current ford

 

[ponyracer1]

Thanks for the reply's guys, that helped alot. I'm definately going to look at the diesels then the hemi. The 4.7 is out.

 

[jonzer12]

Hemi gets pretty much the same mileage as the 4.7 but is much better with towing. 4.7 is very lacking when towing, I sometimes wonder why they even offer it. If you are serious about towing than go diesel. If you are only towing heavy loads occasionally the diesel is a poor choice especially for your wife's daily driver. Maintenance on diesel is expensive and they cost much more up front. Back seat on the standard quad cab is tight compared to chevy and ford.

Good luck with your new truck!

 

[89Daytona]

Maintenance might be more expensive, but the first engine rebuild is scheduled around 350,000 miles.... how many gasoline engines make it that far?

 

[ponyracer1]

Maintenance might be more expensive, but the first engine rebuild is scheduled around 350,000 miles.... how many gasoline engines make it that far?

HAHA XJ???

 

[JohnX]

Just a thought, but why not go used? I got my 98 Cummins for way under 10K. Think about all the maintenance, fuel, lift, tires, upgrades, blah, blah, blah...that you could buy with the money saved. Mileage on a diesel isn't a big issue, so you can probably find one a few years old with 100k on it, for less than half price.

Just imagine not having to pay that $700 car payment every month.

 

[jonzer12]

Maintenance might be more expensive, but the first engine rebuild is scheduled around 350,000 miles.... how many gasoline engines make it that far?

And what percentage of new vehicle buyers actually keep them until they hit that kind of mileage? I'll bet 80 percent of them will sell it long before then. Your point is mute for the average new truck buyer.

 

[motorcityxj]

And what percentage of new vehicle buyers actually keep them until they hit that kind of mileage? I'll bet 80 percent of them will sell it long before then. Your point is mute for the average new truck buyer.

helps with resale value. Lots of construction contractors i know wont buy a new 40-50 grand diesel, but sure as hell will buy a 15-25grand one and drive it into the ground untill its nothing but junk.

pnyracer1 i would get the mega cab diesel myself if money isnt a problem. Especially if you are the type that puts on miles and keeps a vehicle for a long while.

If you buy a new truck every two years i would maybe get the hemi. No way on the 4.7

 

[DrMoab]

You can get a diesel Mega Cab for 37 if you look hard.

Clint...the naxja member about drove home with one the other day.

I have an 05 Quad Cab 3500 Cummins and all I can say is once you tow with one you won't want anything else.

If I was strictly driving around down and towing very very little I would consider the Hemi but after owning a diesel I could never own anything else in a pickup.

 

[Darky]

I don't know if this carries over into Dodge and Cummins, but the Duramax doesn't need to wait for the glow plugs. At least not in 120* temps...I used to drive one around every now and then at my dealer when I worked there. Loved it. Torque, power, sound, I definitely want a new turbodiesel except I'm poor.