I want to here 1st generation dodge owner's that up graded to a newer truck and what they think. I was looking at a 2001 quad cab 4x4 AT ive read alot on the second gen forms. I am going to keep my first gen as a back up but lets face it they are getting pretty old plus the they are pretty cude in the cab. Are second gen's alot harder to work on, is the fuel milage close and are they as realiable! Just curious to here what you guy think about the second gen's thanks for the info

 

imho any second gen is good as long as it dosent have the piece of vp44 lol and really the p-pumped ones are compairatively as easy to work on as a first gen cause it's almost the same motor just my 2 pennies

 

If your going to go with a newer truck, and don't want a second gen 12V, then I would start looking at Common Rails. I would never own a truck with a VP. Then again, I wouldn't ever own a truck without a 12 Valve.) The 24 Valves and up are filled with electronics, so they are a pain to work on. Plus you can't see all 6 cylinders like a 1st Gen.

 

I would not recommend buying a '98.5 - '02 truck. The '94 -'98's are reliable and get comparable mileage to a 1st gen. They are not as easy to work on due to a third of the engine being under the cowl. '03 - '06 trucks are pretty good if you want a "new" truck. Mileage is not as good as the old trucks though.

 

I have a 1999 2500 Sport 4x4, that i bought after my 1993 W250 and i like the 99 but like the 93 alot better. The 93 rides better, gets better MPG and is more reliable. If i was to get another 2nd gen truck i would stay away the 98.5-02 24 valves and look for a 94-98 12 valve unless the 24 valve was dirt cheap, but in the near future i plan to buy another 1st gen.

 

my dad sold me my truck to buy an 01 dodge ,edge ez, its a nice truck, dana 80 is cool, the frame is WAY better than a first gen, 6 speed is really nice, brakes are better. One lift pump so far in 40k of ownership, 108k total. I don't know enough about the vp to say anything about those pumps.

 

I was after a more plush interior and better heat and AC as much as anything. Cant say I found a super deal I had a 96 7.3 4x4 with plow I good shape and could hardly give it a-way. Nobody wants to deal around here on cummins. Thanks For the info

 

I have a 06 CR along with the 89... I drive the 89 75% of the time.

 

I'm thinkin about upgrading from my 90 to a 93

Then the 90 will go full blown sled puller

 

We bought a used '07 last year as a replacement for the 2000 gasser. Wanted to get one of the last of the 5.9s without all the new pollution control garbage they put on the 6.7 while they were still readily available in a low-mileage used unit. It is a completely different truck. Basically stock with just a cat-delete exhaust and straight-thru muffler it comes close to the fairly well-modded 1st Gen, performance-wise. But much more refined, quieter and comfortable. It's also the wife's backup vehicle, so that's a requirement. I like the 1st Gen better as my daily driver because it's just more fun to drive and will still outrun the new one from a roll, no prob.

 

The heat in 2nd gens suck,

my dad had to throw a heater core at his 95 twice. And the heat was still warm

1st gens use R12 A/c freon, find yourself someone who deals R12 and fill er up.

 

my brothers 2nd gen 98 sucks also.

 

I went from an '89 to an '02. Big difference in the 2 of them. I needed the extra room for the kids, and the ride is MUCH better than the 1st gen. I have replaced the VP once since I have owned it, but in reality I put roughly $8000 into my 1st gen replacing shocks, rusty body panels, springs, interior, and little leaks and items here and there. The 1st gen is definately easier to work on, but I did need to work on it A LOT more than my 2nd gen. Kind of a constant battle (one that I loved none the less) they are aging trucks. The '02 is a different animal all together, and don't let the VP scare you too much, there are people that have had them run well over 100k miles without replacement.

With all that being said, there is something that is "special" about a 1st gen Cummins, and I don't think that anyone will ever regret owning one, no matter what. Same can't be said regarding the 2nd gen. Buy what suits your needs.

1st gen
Super tough truck
great fuel mileage
easy to work on
most reliable out of all the gens (IMHO)

2nd gen
better ride
more comfortable interior
more power available (properly tuned)
still easy to work on
still a tough truck

 

I wanted a 97 with the 12v but needed the room and extra doors and didn't have the $$ for a 3rd gen. My original vp44 has 200K miles on it now. JMHO

 

i can put a vp 44 on faster than i can change my ve, which says alot cause you have to do it more often. if you have a chance to put a lift pump in a 24v, put one in with a bypass so the vp44 can have some go go juice when the lift pump locks up and wont starve it for fuel, and they do go out, quite often. my dads 02 has 2 lift pumps and 2 ip's in 100,000 miles. bought it brand spankin new. the ip is easy to work on if you take the intake horn off, 3 bolts and shes wide open to take a peak.