94-01 Dodge 1500??

**black2door** · 03-17-2008, 09:44 PM

Anybody have experience with the 2nd gen 1500s? Come my 17th b-day (Aug 27) Im probably gonna buy a truck. I am really wanting a Dodge, my boss has 2 1500s both with about 200,000 miles and they still run like tops. I will get one with the 5.9 in it, will that be any good for towing the Jeep? Im just really getting a DD so I dont have to worry about the Jeep so much

So any experiences, good or bad, lets hear um.

THANKS

**thantos858** · 03-17-2008, 09:53 PM

It will tow the jeep fine. I used to own 01 1500 it wouldnt have any problems towing what I did until the hills but my tires where 35s with stock gearing. Just make sure you have all the right stuff on it for towing and it will do just fine. If you can afford it though go with the 2500 or 3500 it will be a lot better for towing.

GasAxe · 03-17-2008, 09:59 PM

Loved my '97 1500 with the 360. Wheeled it pretty hard and put alot of miles on it. Towing shouldn't be a problem but watch out for the auto tranny. I had mine rebuilt at 75,000 miles and it was going again when I sold it at 125,000 miles. I also had the engine rebuilt at 120,000 miles (head gasket). I've had five other truck since then (another dodge, a ford and three chevy's) and the only one thats been comparable is my new 08 chevy.

**black2door** · 03-17-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thantos858

It will tow the jeep fine. I used to own 01 1500 it wouldnt have any problems towing what I did until the hills but my tires where 35s with stock gearing. Just make sure you have all the right stuff on it for towing and it will do just fine. If you can afford it though go with the 2500 or 3500 it will be a lot better for towing.

Thanks, Ill only be towing it a little bit. It will mostly just be a daily driver.

**black2door** · 03-18-2008, 12:56 AM

BUMP......no ones got a ram?

SamO · 03-18-2008, 01:35 AM

Since no one else is replying my Dad has a 2500 with the v10 and he loves it. I know it's not what you're looking for but it tows great, sounds great, and the only real problem he's had is the stereo short-circuiting. 10mpg though. 12 max. Just an idea

Comanche_ · 03-18-2008, 01:42 AM

I have a older ram. it's an 85 but it's not what you're looking for.

That1guy · 03-18-2008, 02:01 AM

I have an 02. Single cab, SWB, V8 4x4. It gets about 14mpg in the hills of WV. I love the truck to death, but my god 70 bucks to fill it sucks.

The truck almost has 60,000 on it now. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is a leaking power steering fitting. It has the 4.7 and 3.92 gears. It's a beast.

I do kinda wish I had a 01 so I could have a solid axel up front. The IFS rides really nice. Handles great.

So yeah not really helpful I guess.

**black2door** · 03-18-2008, 12:48 PM

Well thanks for trying guys. No one has a 2nd gen dodge?

festerw · 03-18-2008, 02:56 PM

The 5.2/5.9's are bad for blowing plenum gaskets, you can plate it. Some years are bad for transmissions mostly from heat build up, they don't circulate fluid in park so after towing idle it in neutral. The bottom of the doors will rust.

http://www.dodgetrucks.org is a good forum.

**10achik** · 03-19-2008, 03:20 AM

I have a 2000 1500 2wd V6 with 140k on it, it runs great. Only issues I've had is an ignition coil. i bought it for $1500 because someone had tboned it and I was able to fix it since it didn't have any frame damage. It was a pretty good deal for what I got, it's also my DD, I usually get 16 mpg out of it, which sucks since it's all highway miles. I'm planing a tuneup in the spring to see if I can't make it a little better. My guess is the 31's I put on it without changing the gearing is drawing down the mpg.

**vadslram** · 03-19-2008, 06:35 AM

I have a 99 2500 w/Cummins. I love it with a couple of hitches. The plastic for these is pure crap! My dashboard is in 15 pieces, it just cracked and split on it's own, the overhead console light broke and glasses compartment latch broke off. All because of cheap plastic.
And the paint has been known to have issues. Look for small bubbles and orange peel marks. I guess they had some issues with the spraying equipment and drips of extra lube would get into the spray.
Other then that It's great and even with them I'm keeping it until it disintegrates under me. The 2500 could put a camper in the bed and a YJ on a trailer and still drive all day comfortably.

**ionakana** · 03-19-2008, 08:34 AM

I have an 01 1500 with the 5.2 (318) in it. I love the truck but like vadslram said, it does have cheap plastic in it. The dashboard cracked in mine as well so I bought a molded plastic cover for it. You have to look really hard to tell it's has a cover on it. I think I have a plenum gasket leak mentioned also, it sounds like a diesel sometimes, everything else checks out so that has to be it. They make a better aftermarket gasket kit I'll probably go with. Mine also had the Dodge trans problem at around 100k, had it rebuilt and added a trans cooler to it. It has been a great truck other than that, I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off and can't be put back on.

**lbsnowryder** · 03-19-2008, 08:57 AM

I have an 02 4 door with the 360 in it. It's the first year of 3rd gen and last year of the 360. I love the thing for towing, try and find one with 3.92 gears though. The one thing i hate/love is that i get 13 mpg no matter what, in town it sucks gas but towing it gets great mileage. Most trucks/motors will lose 5 mpg towing.

I do have a friend with a 99 single cab with the 360 and he swears he gets 16 mpg average. My truck sits higher and weighs more so i could understand a little better mileage out of a single cab.

**black2door** · 03-19-2008, 09:34 PM

Okay, Ive narrowed it down to getting a 2wd. I want the better mpg. I found a nice one that Im thinking about. It has the 5.2 in it, how are those power wise?

Also, can you lift a 2wd? I want to put like just a leveling kit on it if I get one, make it sit like a 4wd