What year truck would you buy?
11-29-2007, 11:37 AM
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What year truck would you buy?
I have a friend looking for a truck, not to make a hotrod, but pull a car trailer.
If you had your choice of a used truck 2nd gen or 3rd, what would you buy? What year, options, and why?
I personally have had zero trouble from my '01 HO 4x4 6speed and have no experience with auto's.
Or, what should he stay away from?
If you had your choice of a used truck 2nd gen or 3rd, what would you buy? What year, options, and why?
I personally have had zero trouble from my '01 HO 4x4 6speed and have no experience with auto's.
Or, what should he stay away from?
11-29-2007, 11:55 AM
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Not wanting to start any epic battles, but I would look for a 2nd gen 12V...preferably 96-98 manual. These years came with the more powerful P7100 pumps, factory rated at 215 HP. The 12V gets arguably the best fuel mileage, is very reliable (even for a Cummmins, due to its mechanical fuel system). These trucks aren't as nice, driver-friendly, or well-mannered (in terms of handling) as the 24V's, 2nd and 3rd gen trucks, but they are simpler to mod and are capable of producing large HP and torque numbers more easily and reliably. You probably won't find one with the 6spd, but the NV4500, aside from a flawed input shaft and 5th gear problem (which usually only becomes a problem on high-mileage trucks), is still a pretty decent tranny. The 2nd gen 12V are a world of difference away from the 1st gen 12V, trust me, I've owned three. The other weak link on the 2nd trucks is the coil-spring front end. I'm not sure when or if that was changed, but I've heard that simply greasing the front end regularly greatly prolongs the life expectancy of the front end on these trucks...I've heard it referred to as a cure...but I don't know that for sure. There are other minor flaws and strengths to 2nd gen 12V and 2nd and 3rd gen 24V...although I don't know much about the 3rd gen trucks (other than they're expensive!). I've heard the common rail is a good fuel system, as many members of this site have attested, and everybody knows about the widespread problem with the 2nd gen 24V fuel system, the VP44. It really boils down to what you want and what you can live with. I want a truck that is simple to mod, economical, and reliable as possible. I can live with a truck that is cosmetically inferior and handling-challenged. That pretty much leaves me in the 94-98 12V category. Within that category there are other noteworthy distinctions that exist between trucks of the different years listed, but that is a good baseline to start with. Hope that helps.
Blackbanshee
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11-29-2007, 12:06 PM
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ya, it all depends what u want, i did my own reserch and found the 2nd gens had what i wanted. got the auto cuz of the people that have to be able to drive my truck too but id go with a manual for towing. though if ur willing to pour in the bucks u can make a nice auto for towing. thats what im working on now
11-29-2007, 02:22 PM
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My understanding is that:
1) The 01.5's have better brakes than previous models. I replaced mine at 110k, but I don't pull that much.
2) The auto transmissions prior to the 3rd gen weren't very dependable.
3) VP44 pump
1) The 01.5's have better brakes than previous models. I replaced mine at 110k, but I don't pull that much.
2) The auto transmissions prior to the 3rd gen weren't very dependable.
3) VP44 pump
11-29-2007, 03:07 PM
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buy a 96-98 manual would be best. there dependable they just don't take abuse like the 5spd's do and for towing you would want a 5spd. especially if he's gonna add any power to it and he most likely will
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11-29-2007, 07:37 PM
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Another vote for an 03 or 04 with a manual trans. The 24v trucks are by no means unreliable. If you go for the 97 or 98 12v you are most likely buying a very reliable engine with a truck that is falling apart around it. When it comes to buying a Cummins Dodge you can't go wrong buying the newest truck you can afford, they are all good trucks. Eric
11-29-2007, 08:17 PM
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11-29-2007, 09:12 PM
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I would not get an 03. First year for the body style and a lot of other parts, motor, injectors, etc....
A lot of people are having injector problems with them.
I'd say get a fully loaded '04.5 600 series w/ a 6spd!
A lot of people are having injector problems with them.
I'd say get a fully loaded '04.5 600 series w/ a 6spd!
11-29-2007, 11:45 PM
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good luck getting those IP's to last on the 3rd gens with this new ULSD.
get a 94-98 12valve 5sp, you cant go wrong. itll run even if you unplug the ECU... youll just have to charge the batteries everynow and then. the 2nd gen interior isnt that bad. the only other trucks i have owned were K5 blazers and the 2nd gen dodges blow those trucks away, even the C/K chevy's and non-super duty fords from the 90's still had dated-looking interiors.
if youre looking to spend $10k or under, do the 2nd gen.
if you want to spend $18k or about that, do the 3rd gen.
just make sure you have a good aftermarket warranty for the 3rd gen because you dont want to pay to fix stuff WHEN it breaks (not if). the 12valve can be fixed with a paper clip and chewing gum (not really but almost as cheap and definitly as easy).
get a 94-98 12valve 5sp, you cant go wrong. itll run even if you unplug the ECU... youll just have to charge the batteries everynow and then. the 2nd gen interior isnt that bad. the only other trucks i have owned were K5 blazers and the 2nd gen dodges blow those trucks away, even the C/K chevy's and non-super duty fords from the 90's still had dated-looking interiors.
if youre looking to spend $10k or under, do the 2nd gen.
if you want to spend $18k or about that, do the 3rd gen.
just make sure you have a good aftermarket warranty for the 3rd gen because you dont want to pay to fix stuff WHEN it breaks (not if). the 12valve can be fixed with a paper clip and chewing gum (not really but almost as cheap and definitly as easy).