Diesel or Not - Page 2

JSBlu974X4 · 09-13-2008, 09:02 PM

are all 2500s 3/4 ton?

JSBlu974X4 · 09-13-2008, 09:12 PM

i was looking at a 01 dodge 2500 24v diesel. i guess thats a 3.4 ton? im really looking into this. i want a long lastin dodge. something i can tow good with. any problems or maintenance to be aware of? just regular oil, fuel filter and other diff.tranny and x case fluid changes. this is my first diesel, but ill be plugging it in during the night andwhile at home.

TJ-n-Oregon · 09-13-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSBlu974X4

i was looking at a 01 dodge 2500 24v diesel. i guess thats a 3.4 ton? im really looking into this. i want a long lastin dodge. something i can tow good with. any problems or maintenance to be aware of? just regular oil, fuel filter and other diff.tranny and x case fluid changes. this is my first diesel, but ill be plugging it in during the night andwhile at home.

You'd probably be happier looking toward the '03 or newer if you can swing it. There were a couple things on the older style (to '02). The front end parts wore too quickely IMO. I rebuilt mine at 88k miles. Also the brakes were undersized as well...effectively meaning you'll need to do replacements of pads/shoes more often. And you only get one turn on the rotors usually. There are aftermarket pads/shoes that'll help the life, but those are a couple things you can expect. Other than that, the older rigs are terrific rigs! I traded my '01 in for a newer '04 back in late '03. All of the issues I mentioned were fixed in the newer rigs.

As far as the engine/tranny set up, they work great...even the older ones. Being you are going to tow, you'd probably be happier with the 4.10 gears if you can find it. I have 2 rigs, an '03 QC 4x4 CTD 1-ton dually (3.76's?) and my '04 3/4 ton QC 4x4 CTD (4.10's)...both automatics. The 4.10's make a real difference towing without really sacrificing fuel economy. Especially pulling the trailer/TJ.

Hope that helps a little.

MQ79 · 09-13-2008, 09:57 PM

You can't go wrong with 5.9 Cummins. All the power is great. I would never go back to towing with a gas engine. I use mine as daily driver too. It's a great truck. I can easily pull any pass in Colorado, towing my TJ, at 70mph and still get 14mpg. If I took it a bit slower I could up my mileage some. Unloaded, on the highway, my best tank has been 24mpg. Check out www.dieseltruckresource.com for lots of information on them. But repairs and maintainance do cost more. For example, an oil change takes 3 gallons of oil. But the extra expense is worth it to me.

Here are the spec's on my truck. I bought mine used with everything already done to it, so I did save some there.

1999 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT QC LB 4x4, FASS, Edge Comp Chip, Bosch 300HP Injectors, 4" Free Flow Exhaust, K&N Cold Air Intake, Full Gauge package -pyrometer, trans temp, boost and fuel pressure gauge , New Transmission w/ HD Valve body, HD Torque Converter, and 6 Stage Planetary Gear, 4.10's with HD limited slip, 315/R70/17" on 3rd Gen Wheels, 2" leveling kit, DT Track Bar, and a lot more ...

JSBlu974X4 · 09-14-2008, 04:04 AM

yeah the cost of the regular mainten. it oil change and fuel filter isnt bad. but i just hope the 2500 ctd im looking at is like yours. with the higher stance. how are they in cold starts, pretty good? ill probaly do a mbrp exhaust, intake and edge juice and attitude probably.

**RogueSpear2023** · 09-14-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSBlu974X4

how are the 5.9s for reliability with high miles? im looking between the 5.9 dodge cummins or the well known 7.3

The 5.9L as far as reliability is great, there auto transmissions are questionable. I really hate to knock the dodge because the are far better than any chevy, I really hate the weak IFS the chevy uses. The other reason I went with a 7.3 over the 5.9L is dodges have really cheap interiors and the exteriors aren't that much better. The 5.9 defiantly has the advantage on flat ground with its low end grunt, the 7.3 is much better if you are going to be pulling in the mountains from what I have seen the 5.9 really loses on the high end as far as power and torque. The reason some guys switch to the 5.9 is (1) a new/used cummins is cheaper than a new/used 7.3L (2) a 5.9 is far cheaper to make lots of power with than a 7.3L mostly due to the common rail injection. (3) usually the 7.3L that they are pulling out has already gone between 350K-650K and they don't want to buy a dodge because of reasons already stated. Every manufacture makes a good truck for something. But around here the only trucks I see in the construction yards are dodges and Fords, the only chevys you see are the ones driven by the foreman that is spotless clean and the foreman is usually standing outside wiping down the chevy because it got some dust on it. I have good friend of mine that bought a dodge 5.9L after owning Ford 7.3L and says he will never get another dodge. I guess he has gotten tired of replacing the auto tranny every 30,000 or so. His ford pulled the same load the same places and he never put a tranny in, it had 150,000 when he sold it, the only thing he every replaced was an alternator, and normal maintenance stuff. Also if you do get a diesel don't buy a K&N for it they are well known for pulling in dust and destroying turbos and/or engines, get a AFE, also if you to get a Ford, go to Ford Truck Enthusiasts website and absorb info like you can on this site.

Please don't flame me for the comments about the dodge this is just my opinion of experience with dodge and everyone is entitled there own opinions and experiences.

MQ79 · 09-15-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSBlu974X4

yeah the cost of the regular mainten. it oil change and fuel filter isnt bad. but i just hope the 2500 ctd im looking at is like yours. with the higher stance. how are they in cold starts, pretty good? ill probaly do a mbrp exhaust, intake and edge juice and attitude probably.

Mine is around 175,000 miles right now and still going strong. There are plenty of them out there getting a half million miles or more.

As far starting when it's cold, if you have good batterys and your starter is in good condition, it shouldn't be a problem. I also use a fuel additive to help prevent gelling. I have to park mine outside at home, so I do plug it in when it's below 40*. Probably don't need to, but it does start much easier, and warms up much quicker.

JSBlu974X4 · 09-15-2008, 02:37 PM

is yours a long bed? can you shoot me a picture at jpsully14@gmail.com

MQ79 · 09-16-2008, 12:13 AM

Yep, longbed, I'll send you some pic's.

JSBlu974X4 · 09-16-2008, 09:15 AM

got um. thanks. is urs lifted? i like that height. seems some are and some arnt that height. the owner of this small dealership has the truck in the body shop. he wanted to fix a scratch that was on the door. when he gets it back hes going to shoot me some pics and im gonna go look at it and test drive, if all goes well it will be mine. anyone know what i should be looking for when driving and or looking at it?

JSBlu974X4 · 09-16-2008, 06:09 PM

also in addition to my previous question of things to look for. we have biodiesel station near me. will any diesel truck run off pump biodiesel? i saw on xtreme 4x4 on them making it.

MQ79 · 09-17-2008, 12:06 AM

It has a 2" leveling kit on the front. Sure, you can run BioDiesel, but it is quite a bit more expensive here then regular diesel. Unless you make it yourself.

JSBlu974X4 · 09-17-2008, 08:58 PM

hey mq i shot you a pm

JSBlu974X4 · 09-20-2008, 04:52 PM

i found another nice blue shortbed, 91,000 miles for 10,900 plus taxes and all. the NADA is 13 and some. anyone think with 91,000 miles this is a good price? still low mileage for a diesel. i want something reliable to last another 200,000

Lud04X · 09-23-2008, 06:27 PM

Got a 95 Ford Powerstroke diesel last year for 5 grand. 220,000 miles on it now and no problems. Tows my jeep on the trailer easily in the mountains.