Dodge (cummins) tow rig talk

[Doug Krebs]

So now that i'm graduated....well sorta....by friday I will be, took my corrospondence exam today, as soon as get a job i'm going to get a new truck.

So I have decided on a 96-98 (or just one that is fairly new with around 60,000 miles on it) Dodge 2500 or 3500 with the cummins and a 5 speed.

So I need advice on some things...

Single wheel or dually??
I know that advantages of both...i'll probably end up with a single wheel cause of less wheels and easier to park. the benefits would probably out weigh handling a heavy load a couple times a year.

4X4 or 2??
Again, i know the advantages and disadvantages. Just wondering if worrying about all the extra parts and weight are worth it....I think i'd like the 4x4 if i ever go hunting, etc...

What years are good and bad???
I know all vehicles have years that are better than or worse, which are they???

What should I look for???
I know how diesels work etc... but have never owned one. What should i look for when buying?? Any leaks, rust, etc...???

General things I should know about the trucks??
Are they prone to any kind of wear that I should look for other than usual???


Help me out here guys...I never thought i would by a dodge, but for what i can afford they kick ass, hell even if i could by a new one i would still get a dodge. I know a ****load of ya'll have these...Ryan Kopecki, busa, higgs, Scott, etc.. Help me out here guys.. thanks.

Oh and as soon as I find a job i'll most likely be living in Tarkington near Cleveland at our property/ranch thingy. Has a small living space and our barn is decent size for a shop once I arrange trailers, truck, tractor and implements. It would be lonely, but i figure i'll get satellite broadband, and adopt a dog. That way I can just drive to work, and work on my buggy at night and on free weekends

[eight]

Seems you're looking for a 12 valve. My favorite one is the 98 with the quad doors and new interior but still the old motor. Duals aren't necessary. Unless you've got the blazer and a buggy on a trailer I wouldn't even call it a heavy load. 4x4 isn't needed either. I don't know much about those motors. I think you just change the filters and adjust the rockers and not worry about anything else. But for moding them, an extra 60hp is free. Every dodge 4x4 I've checked has a worn out track bar. And most diesels leak a little too. There are rumors of dana 60 rears although I've never seen one in them, might want to watch out for that (not good). It's probably just somethin made up by the ford guys.

[aggielr]

just a few things i've learned, the 12 valve ones are very easy to turn up, and tend to have less problems w/ fuel delivery, i

personally like 2wd tow rigs because of the better ride and less weight, less drag on the drivetrain, those are just opions though

having towed w/ dual and single rear wheels, dually is just better, better stance, and the parking thing isn't much worse

things to look for, make sure they have good records on maintence, oil changes in those diesels are a must, just because of the soot they produce, but other than that, just look for leaks anywhere, nothing that i know of off hand

[fbronco86]

get one with a turbo for the love of god.

But i am sure ryan needs to push his love for the ford non turbo 7.3l btw the just put on a glasspack so it pretty much a straight pipe and soon i am gonna take it in to get the injector pump timed. it should be a screaming beast

[Doug Krebs]

mike i love how you talk to me on this, it cracks me up

[eight]

Originally posted by fbronco86

But i am sure ryan needs to push his love for the ford non turbo 7.3l

Nope, when you're a ritch non college student, you can move up to a cummins. And since me and you (Doug) are backwards on this, maybe you could buy mine. So its got an auto, its lasting longer that Scott's clutch did.

[Doug Krebs]

you want too much...plus i want an manual....thanks for the tip on the 98...i think i'll try to get one....i think i want extended cab....lot more room

also, i'm leaning more for a 2500 with 4x4....IF i get a job i can afford it and i think i'd like to have it in a couple situations.

Looked in auto trader...seems the price will vary alot with miles...found anywhere from 11,500 to about 16,500. Actually cheaper than I thought!

[AgDieseler]

The single best test, assuming that all the other details fall into place, is when you find a truck, start it, sit in it, and just listen for about 15 min. You know what a good motor sounds like, and you've heard plenty of healthy, good running diesels. It's the most subjective test, but take this example: the way Doug's powerstroke sounded for a time while on dexter is not the way a healthy direct injection diesel should sound. To be fair, he took it to the dealer, and all was well afterwards.

Good luck on the J-O-B and finding the truck.

[Chadnutz]

Does a Cummins need SCA?

[eight]

What that? That what you call the coolant additive?

[Chadnutz]

Si, senor.

[Doug Krebs]

Thanks for the input so far guys, and i'll probably need all the luck i can get for the job. I can't believe scott hasn't chimed in on this yet, or maybe he's fixing his clutch???

[chevsu]

i wouldn't buy a 98 or pre 99 dodge diesal because the injector pump went out on them because of the lift pump which didn't give it enough pressure. my old white truck and jasons both had that problem.

[eight]

Yep, check the fuel pressure often, most install a guage after theirs goes out and kills the pump. I just check mine when I change the oil. Might want to take it and have the pressure checked before you buy one to see if they've been running with a bad lift pump which could damage the injector pump.

[Doug Krebs]

So the lift pump is a pump that delivers the fuel to the injector pump??? This is what i'm assuming. Also, i'm guessing the injector pump costs alot more than the lift pump? How much does each cost?