Steve10

I mistakenly posted this in the Towing forum, but I think it belongs here.


I've been reading through this forum for the last week and have read much about "pump failures" and "weak tranny". I know now to have the fuel pressure checked before I buy, but should I rule out the auto and just go with the 6spd, since I will probably get the edge mod on whatever I buy. My wife's not going to like driving that, but I couldn't afford to have tranny problems right away. I use my father-in-law's '99 PSD, 4x4, auto, to pull ~9000lbs right now, and with a chip it performs amazingly. I've decided the CTD is the way to go, but I want it to perform as well as the Ford, and I'm a bit concerned about the tranny.

I wish I could afford the 3rd gen. If you were in my shoes...what year would you try to get from '99-'02? In other words, if I find a '00 with similar mileage to a '02, is there a reason to pay more?

I'm around Austin, TX...if anyone knows of something sitting on a dealer lot that looks good, let me know, even if it's Houston or Dallas.

Thanks for any help,
Steve

tomrock

Steve
If you're gonna tow alot go with the stick. There's a place in Austin on Hwy 183 that most of the time has a pretty good selection of CTD's.

http://www.nelsonauto.com/nel_home.asp
I;m not affiliated with them, just know of 'em...

roadranger

The '01.5 thru '02 models have rear wheel disc brakes, which are well worth the price.

The '01's on up don't have the 53 engine block casting, which has a tendancy to crack with heavy use (towing)

For regular towing, I'd stick with the 6 speed. Part time towing might get away with the auto.
The auto tranny with a fueling box and towing will need major upgrades to keep it running.

DODGE4X4

Whats up fellow Texan I have a 01 and the only problem I've had with my truck is my tranny witch is a 47re and the problems have with it have been the speed sensors and a wire. I have 85k on the truck and run it pretty hard. When I pull it is in the range of 12k to about 18k. There is a member on here that just turned 400k on his truck and has only done minor repairs to his 47re. I wouldn't be afraid of the auto but hey with the 6 speed you get the High Output Cummins.

Rattletrap1

The Ford PSD are known to blow trannies too (just as bad or worse than the Dodge). Duramax/Allison is prolly the only automagic not known for blowing trannies in diesel pick-up configuration. Torque kills autos...no way aroud it.

If you don't nail it before RPM's are up, it will help