Ive always loved deisels. Im sick of my jeep, and i want a Fast ram, that will be a daily driver, and get good gas mileage.

I was thinking about a newer 2500 reg cab, 4x4, with the 5.9 cummins, and auto tranny, or ex cab short bed.
What do you guys think of that setup? I want to have around a 13 sec truck, and still be able to get around 18-20 mpg. Is that possible? I was also thinking about some kind of weight reduction possibly.
Also, i am new to this, but have an idea of what mods to get.
I was thinkin along the lines of a fuel delivery box, larger turbo, intake manifold, headers, exhaust, chip etc. I know there is alot more i can do as well.

I also dont want to have to worry about headaches. I do most of the maintainance on my jeep, but as with most modded vehicles, they require more.
Anyone have any insight?
How much would I need to spend in mods to be around 13 sec. I just graduated high school so keep in mind i can spend alot. This truck will never see a drag strip but i just want it around the 13 sec area if possible.
Anyone have any insight?

 

96-97 Reg Cab 2 wheel drive, auto to start...they are fairly cheap up here....
Read and read some more, lots of good info in the previous posts, and with all good things there usually is a price to pay.....speed costs.

 

did the reg cab 2500 only come with 8 foot bed?
Also, im gona need 4x4.

I would like to find a truck for under 10k if i could, and spend about 2k in mods to start, and then more down the road.

 

All Reg cab 2500's have 8 foot boxes....

Not sure what part of the Country your in, but be patient and keep shopping around. That kind of truck is holding it's value up here. $20,000Cdn for a decent 96-97 Club cab w/long box.
You can find them cheaper but they are usually ridden hard and put away wet.

 

I live in RI

 

gasgas19:

"Craig93" is giving you some good advice! I agree with
what he is telling you about the older model 12 valve
trucks (1994-1998.5). IMO, they are the cheapest and
most reliable to modify or "BOMB." You may have to go
out of your state to find a nice used one, but they are
out there if you look around. I would suggest trying
some of the used auto/truck websites like www.
autotrader.com.

My 96' Dodge CTD 12 valve runs low 13's in the quarter
mile. My best run so far has been 13.3. You can look at
my "signature" to see what modifications I have made to
the truck.

Hope this has helped you some.

-------
John_P

 

if ur in search of a truck. i can help u in indiana. the auto R/V is a weekly mag that comes out on thursday and any given week there r 30-50 dodge CTD trucks for sale in this mag! depending on what week there is more! so if ur looking out of state (Indiana) PM me and ill hunt ya one down! Andy

 

There is a used truck dealer here in town that has prob 125 or more trucks in stock any given day.

He has alot of high milage trucks.
Of course that doesent matter on a Cummins.
He is open 7 days a week.

He moves alot of trucks and has ruined the used truck buisness around here for others.
But you can get a pretty good price.
Just look it over good first.
He won't usually budge on the price though.
Not even a buck , but they are already fairly low.

It's Larry Stigers Truck Sales.
In Frankfort Ky

If your anywhere close you might check him out for a used truck.


I'm not connected at all to trhis dealer.

I do however know him pretty good.


: Eddie : 8)

 

Interesting you'd post here on the properly valved board!
Forget the boxes! Forget the 2000 plan! Stick with a 1994-1998.4 12V. It's cheaper to mod, and my goodness, what a wonderful feeling to smoke a ricer with only $300 worth of modifications done to my truck! You can't touch a comp for less than $500, as far as I know. As far as mileage goes, the only way to keep mileage up in the teens when modding with big stuff like injectors and what not would be to up your timing. There's a nice thread about that on here somewhere. Jim Fulmer seems to be the man with the know-how on that subject. But timing will gain you a couple of mpg, when bumped up from the stock setting.

Hope this helps.

 

I got mine at RH Kressleys in Orfield, PA (near Allentown). It was a large used truck dealer and they had just about everything. Their prices were fair so they weren't too negotiable. BTW hunt down your own financing, you'll usually get a better rate that way, I got 4.9% on a 6 year old truck for a 5 year loan.

John

 

John, you said your truck runs low 13s. How much have you invested in upgrades roughly?

There doesnt seem to be many trucks around here. I wish I lived where you guys do, so i would have a better selection. I'd like to purchase a truck around here, but i have to think about it some more. Thanks for the help guys.

 

gasgas19:

Not including the upgrades to my transmission I would
estimate that I have around $2,500.00-$3,000.00
invested in the "modifications" I have done so far.

Horespower and higher torque definitely don't come
cheap! DTR member "WHIFF" is also giving you
some good advice. IMO,the 12 valve trucks are
easier to modify and you don't have to worry
about the fuel system. The "stock" fuel system
on the 24 valve trucks is "suspect" to begin with!

-------
John_P