gsherwood

Hello. I am new to this forum, so forgive me if this has been answered before. I am looking at buying a 2500 diesel to pull my 24' travel trailer. I am currently using a Ford F-150 with the 5.0L V8, and it is not enough. I have heard comments about the "best" years to buy. What is your opinion and what are the tradeoffs. As I understand there are 3 generations of truck, and 3 generations of engine. I am thinking of a 2001-2003 truck.

Thanks,
Glen

xzaq103

Are you keeping it stock or plan to bomb it?

pasorider

The first generation has the 12 valve cummins. Excellent engine that takes well to modifications. The second generation is the 24 valve and has much more horsepower and slightly better gas mileage but make sure you watch your fuel fuel pressure. if your lift pump goes out you won't know it until your injector pump crashes. I have not owned the third generation but have friends who have them and do not speak well of them. Fuel mileage is almost half that of the 2nd generation and modifications can cause larger problems.

patdaly

Depends on your tolerance for pain and your technical ability.

After all was considered, I decided on a 1997 or early 1998 12 valve.

I have not regretted my decision.

Don't assume you will find a shop on the road who knows anything about these things either.......

dieselman2300

How do you figure the 24 valves have more horsepower? I cant say 20 horsepower is "MUCH" more.
And besides you can get MUCH more power out of a 12 valve, thats a fact.

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/96specs.html
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/Facts/98ISBspecs.html

xzaq103

The 12 valves do make a lot more power for a lot less moeny. but like patdaly said dont expect a shop to know much about 12 valves. I have also had a 24 and a 12 valve truck and my father has an 05 CR i actully think the Cr gets as good if not better than my 24 alve did. But by far the best of the three has been my 97 5 speed 12 valve.

mopar-or-no-car

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=197320
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=206503

Beatty97

12 valve all the way

Sea:\>Drive

Ask your question in the 3rd gen forum and you'll get mostly "buy a 3rd gen" answers. Fellers in here only like 12valves (1st half of the 2nd generation).

All have their quirks, but in my opinion, go 3rd gen. You'll end up with a newer truck and if left stock will give you many hundreds of thousands of happy miles pulling your 5er.

dieselman2300

He only posted here because he knows the best generation. 12 valves!

chadder1313

I just bought an 06. I traded my 01 in on it. I love my 3rd gen but i sure do miss my 01. Not to mention my 01 sounded way better.

dieselman2300

If I was to sell my 12 valve (which I wont be), I would by a Common Rail.

P.J

2001.5, sounds way cooler than my new one and COST much less too.

gsherwood

Thanks for the input. No, I'm not planning to hop it up, except maybe chip it and put on a K&N if it doesn't have one. Might throw on a better exhaust, too. I have heard certain generations run quiter and don't stink as bad. The wife is not a big fan of diesel fumes.

gsherwood

What exactly are the years of the 3 generations? Engine, not truck.