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/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=300025191031&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
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.

:D

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. :D

[OT]

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

[OT]

Beefcake: Good looks but no substance.

Sounds like a Dodge to me.

:D

Rev
Man, the dodge is twice the truck that Ford was.
And there's not even a comparison between the PSD and the CTD.
Not to mention, with the common rail injection, it's quieter than a gasser.

[CRASH]

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


Not until the late 90's......

Early (all?) 12 valve engines are strictly mechanically controlled.

[Lawn Cher']

Early (all?) 12 valve engines are strictly mechanically controlled.

Yes, all 12 valvers are mech.

[JohnX]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I have narrowed the field to a 92-93 Dodge W250 CTD with the 5-speed.

It seems the five speed can handle the power better, the 92-93 models had a slight power improvement as well as a an extended cab short bed. The W250 simply means a 4WD 3/4 ton.

[BillCMoore]

You can also check out www.dodgetalk.com. Lots of info there. I have an 03 3500 doolie with the CTD/5speed. It is a 2wd but I can tow more than the 4wd. Not really a problem either way since they can pull the Titanic.

[DrMoab]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g265/DrMoab/Funnies/ford__truck-suv_emblem.jpg <-----Well....at least they circled the damn problem!


:D :D

[CRASH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g265/DrMoab/Funnies/ford__truck-suv_emblem.jpg <-----Well....at least they circled the damn problem!


:D :D


Did you and Rev Den both get a visit from the cliche fairy?

[Rev Den]

He musta visited the Doc....only fairies drive Dodges.

:D


Rev

[BlueCuda]

I just bought a 92 from a tire shop here in tulsa for $900 lol. Its UGLY, but I already found a bed donor so that will take a ton of the ugly out. Its got 303K on it and runs like a top. Haven't driven it that much but like it so far.

I also have a 2000 Ram 3500 extended cab(1 ton dually) I am selling just because I don't use it that much, so I bought the beater to do any dirtywork I need to do. Its a clean 2000 with 116K. It is a 2wd but for only $4000 more than the e-bay truck you can have a truck thats seven years newer. If your interested LMK and I will send you some pictures etc.

It is pretty hard to go wrong with the 1st gen trucks, 91.5-93 were intercooled so thats a plus to look for. They are dirt simple under the hood and pretty much everywhere. My dad has a 1980 model 1 ton gasser and it shares ALOT of parts with this 92 I just got.

[JohnX]

I just bought a 92 from a tire shop here in tulsa for $900 lol. Its UGLY, but I already found a bed donor so that will take a ton of the ugly out. Its got 303K on it and runs like a top. Haven't driven it that much but like it so far.

I also have a 2000 Ram 3500 extended cab(1 ton dually) I am selling just because I don't use it that much, so I bought the beater to do any dirtywork I need to do. Its a clean 2000 with 116K. It is a 2wd but for only $4000 more than the e-bay truck you can have a truck thats seven years newer. If your interested LMK and I will send you some pictures etc.

It is pretty hard to go wrong with the 1st gen trucks, 91.5-93 were intercooled so thats a plus to look for. They are dirt simple under the hood and pretty much everywhere. My dad has a 1980 model 1 ton gasser and it shares ALOT of parts with this 92 I just got.
Thanks for the offer, but I really do want the 1st gen body style. I'm not in any hurry, so I am sure I will be able to find one around here for a fair price. It seems like most of the ads I come across are for newer trucks at a lower price...this also makes me suspicious.

[WTF]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I have narrowed the field to a 92-93 Dodge W250 CTD with the 5-speed.

It seems the five speed can handle the power better, the 92-93 models had a slight power improvement as well as a an extended cab short bed. The W250 simply means a 4WD 3/4 ton.

Depending on what size camper you're looking to put in the bed while towing, you may want to consider the 1 ton (dually). This is mostly because the weight ratings of load-range E tires, is being pushed to the limit with a big camper and decent amount of trailer tongue weight.

For further reading on this subject may I suggest: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=504463

The 12 valve Cummins with a manual trans is the ultimate in reliable, durable, efficient, affordable diesel pickups IMHO when built smart with a few power modifications. And as a bonus on the early 90's models you're looking at have less of the plasticky, creature comfort interior parts and features found in the mid/late 90's Dodge trucks that often fall apart around this super studry powertrain combo.

[JohnX]

Depending on what size camper you're looking to put in the bed while towing, you may want to consider the 1 ton (dually). This is mostly because the weight ratings of load-range E tires, is being pushed to the limit with a big camper and decent amount of trailer tongue weight.

For further reading on this subject may I suggest: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=504463

The 12 valve Cummins with a manual trans is the ultimate in reliable, durable, efficient, affordable diesel pickups IMHO when built smart with a few power modifications. And as a bonus on the early 90's models you're looking at have less of the plasticky, creature comfort interior parts and features found in the mid/late 90's Dodge trucks that often fall apart around this super studry powertrain combo.
Thanks.

I have considered the 3500, but hate the idea of a dually...just based on the extra width because it will get driven to work by my wife during the winter. Shes a good driver, but I have seen way too many busted fenders on duallies. I plan to get a smallish camper, hopefully a popup style. They have their downsides, but I like the idea of a little less height rolling dwon the highway. Should help the mileage a tad, as well as my COG. I don't expect weight to be an issue with what I have in mind.

[churky89]

You can get this
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/13/when-a-dodge-ram-just-isnt-sufficiently-truck-like/

[Kaczman]

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.

You can put in different governor springs and raise it to 3 or 4K. I put in 3K springs and it made a world of difference.

-Jon