gwr

OK if you where going to buy a used Dodge diesel, which year and model would you choose, common rail or no, auto or std. money not being an issue. Just wanted some education in case I go used.
Thanks in advance,
Gary

2500

this has been cover many times already do a search...

a low mileage, 97 12valve, ext cab, long box, 4x4, 5sp is considered the most desirable model available. it's the last year of std 12valve motor CTD with all the bugs worked out. most importantly has pretty much trouble free mechanical fuel injection.

98 had 12v to mid year, but had unique features all to itself. some 98 had 53 blocks. main advantage is four doors and a short box was available (some consider that a minus).

it's not unusual for folks to sell their newer 24valve CTD and purchase an older 12valve.

NoSparkplugs

The holy grail of CTDs is without a doubt the 98' Quad cab 4x4, short box with the 12 valve motor. They are kind of hard to find though and finding one in nice shape can be difficult, but there are various members on here with very nice 98 12vs. If you can, look across the country and even internationally (Canada). Ebay I know has had a few of them put up but generally they can be kind of spendy.

Personally, I'd go with an auto tranny and build it up. Stock, the 47RE tranny is not all that great but its my understanding that with some money invested in a valve body, torque converter, deep pan and other goodies, its a fairly stout tranny.

I'm getting sick of my stick in the city and at times I wished I would have held out for an auto truck, but thats just me. Its all personal preference though.

kelownadiesel

depends on whether you wants looks and a nice interior and refined features ,or you want a reliable simple truck that you can work on yourself.If you want the reliable one buy a 12v

TexasCTD

I am not knocking 12valves. They are awesome.

But don't discount the Common Rails. There are many many CRs out there that have proven themselves. Several on this site have several hundred thousand relatively trouble free miles. Usually the failure involves a stock lift pump which can easily be remedied with a Walbro or FASS pump.

Like "NoSparkPlugs" said, get an auto and build it up right. Currently im running a stock 48RE with 467hp thru it with no problems and occasional heavy towing. Eventually I will spend some money on it and get all of that power to the ground and hopefully be bulletproof for whatever im doing.

Speaking of HP......with an 04.5 on up CR....it's plug and play and make 450+ hp if that is your thing.

With the CRs you also get bigger, better brakes, ...stronger frame and other technological advances...(good or bad depending on your point of view).


Good luck with whatever you decide to get. It is hard to go wrong with a Cummins. Period.

Raspy

If it's just simple reliability you're after, the 93 is the one. The 3/4s had the 1 ton frame in that year and they are beefy. And they're intercooled. The tranny can be an issue, as on many others, but the whole truck is tough and serviceable. But it's like having a covered wagon compared to the 3rd gens. You'll be buying the Cummins, and it comes with an engine housing. I've had a 1st gen and a 3rd gen, and the '04 is the one for me.

The '03 and '04 years had the 48RE or the 6 spd, no cat, 305 HP engine with all the HO upgrades and no KDP problems, great 3rd gen styling and brakes, and they get the best mileage of the 3rd gens. The front ends are not as good as they could be so replace the ball joints and the track bar. And the lift pumps are not reliable so slap in a Walbro. Now you have a fast, comfortable and safe workhorse. I spend a lot of time in mine and never get tired of it.

John

Box5

1996-1998 12v 4x4 5spd with 3.55's would be my choice. 215 pump, lots of easy power to be had, and it's alot of fun to shift behind a cummins.

wcbcruzer

I'm beginning to disagree how everyone says "the holy grail" of Dodge Rams is the 98 blah blah short box. It has turned into a cliche. I personally do not like short beds and would take a 96 or 97 over a 98. The newer interior in the 98 is nice, but starting that year they designed the truck with the 24v in mind. So there's weird bolt sizes and electronic stuff that doesn't flow with the 12v. There's also a chance of a 53 block, which although doesn't pose a problem to 12v's (maybe because there isn't as many to know), I still don't like the idea of it. Not saying 98's are bad. I'd still buy one, but they aren't the holy grail imo.