Hello all.

I've been talking a little bit on here, reading even more. This world of diesel is amazing I must say, and Barnes & Noble employees are now looking at me with a odd face, because I'm only buying Hot Rod and 3 diesel magazines (versus Hot Rod, Car Craft, Trucks, and Performance VW (fiancee is looking at a Jetta diesel))).

So I've pretty much made a decision for my diesel purchase. I've got to save, for sure, but I want to look long and hard for my baby. Currently I drive a 99 Ford Ranger, that I discovered this week (I didn't look when I bought it) that has a rust frame, pretty badly rusted too. I also drive a 97 1500 w/ 5.9L v8-auto 2wd on occasion. (looking to buy it from my fiancee's dad once he buys his cummins, just so I can have a truck that works better than the Ranger).

So here is what I want to know so I can look for. I'll list what I know I want, and I wish to know if yall can help me out on what I need to look at when I'm looking for my future baby.

2002 Ram 2500
3.55 gears
6 speed manual
quad cab
Cruise control
Power opitions (locks, windows)

Thats pretty much all I know. How much would 4wd effect gas, I mean, diesel mileage? I won't be off road much really. Maybe out on the land occasionally. Being as heavy as this truck will be, would that be needed?
What else should I be looking at?
Are there issues with a 2002 I need to know of?

I want a 2002 because of the 6spd, because its the last year of the body style, and I can use chips on it.

Lend me your thoughts fellow diesel gear heads!

 

eh, ive never seen the numbers for 2wd vs 4wd but im sure their negledgable. at any rate, id rather give up a little fuel mileage and have the 4x4 than wish i had it down the road. another 4x4 related thing (and even offroad) youll have to remember is the front of these trucks are heeeeeeeeeavy! youll bury down in mud and sand alot easier than in a gasser.

and good luck finding that truck. 6 speeds are the most sought after, then 5 speeds, then autos. a 6 speed QC 4x4 is the most sought after 2nd gen from what ive seen. and especially a new one. expect to pay mint for one.

only issues? i guess the LP/VP

 

20 + mpg with that exact truck, long bed,

That is suburb driving, mix of lights and short freeway.
BUT I'm and old F**T

 

VP/LP are the issues. you can reach down to a 01 and still pick up a 6-speed truck. It will still be an HO CTD. Didn't notice where you were from, but if you have snow or what to get off the road a little, get a 4x4.

 

The pump problem with the 2nd gens. would probably lean me to an 03 or up. and a chip will go alot further on a 3erd gen as well. If I didn't need a 4x4, I wouldn't get one, the 4x4 front end is high dollar to work on, and you can get a 2x4 alot cheaper. JMO

 

Don't think I'd ever take my 2wd off road, and without close to 1k lbs of cinder blocks in the bed, it is not so good in the snow, but I get by.

 

2002 is the best year to go with to stay away from the code 53 block. thats what ive read. if you go down to a 99 or 00 then you get the risk of a bad engine block. a 2002 6 spd would be a good trk to mod. I do agree with the guy above the vp44 injection pumps do suck on these 2nd gen

 

As a previous ranger owner, you'll love the step up. I get better mileage in the dodge than I did with the 3.0 pos.

You can get a 6 speed as early as 99, but it won't be a high output engine. HO's started in 01. If you're looking to hop up the engine beyond a mild state, going to the standard output engine might be advantageous for you. Not that you can't fix the HO's short comings later.

If you don't go off road at all, I wouldn't bother with 4x4. Good tires will get you farther in snow than 4x4 will. I carry 1k lbs. of steel in the back in winter time, but I also have 2 more tires than most. If I had an SRW truck with the same times (especially if it were a short box), I would run it unloaded year round. Just need to stay smart, and remember that 4x4 isn't gonna help you steer or stop any better.

 

For the most part the 6 speed from what I hear is indestrustable. And seem to have a bit better clutch than the 5 speed. Plus with the 6 speed, you will get the High Output engine.. So thats another plus too, however the HO VP44 will run a bit lower numbers on the dyno once a guy gets a bunch of fuel runnin into her.

Take your time, and look for your right truck (thats part of the fun!!) Stay away from the 53 block, and if you get the option get the extended warranty. It already has payed off on my truck with the intank fuel pump, and soo nto have a new VP. Total of around 4,000USD total for the work to tbe done at the dealer. payed 900 bucks for the warranty.

Once you get your cummins, you'll never go back to anything else.

I have been driving a company truck lately, 99 F-350 with a 7.3 power stroke, and its a great truck. But I miss driving my cummins powered ram all day long!!

 

Yeah I live in Texas. Snow is about once in a blue moon. Even at that, an inch is a blizzard. No one here even knows what chains are!

As far as off road, the land I'll be living on (a portion of my fiancee's parents land) when I get married in December is not paved, but thats about all the off roading it'll probably ever do. Pasture land is a maybe possible, but not likely. I've had a 4x4 87 f150 a while back, and never once used it, save for testing it out when I bought it.

You can still get warranties on the 2002's?

 

My 4X4 is a great truck. reckon its got 120k on it now, not any huge problems. As long as you don't mod the heck outta it, it'll treat you right. Not bashin on the bombers or anything!!! ya'lls trucks kick bass! Good luck on your search, you won't be dissapointed

 

Love mine! 22.6 mpg at 70 mph over 60 miles. 2001.5 and later had 4 wheel disc brakes.

 

I have an '01.5 which is basically unchanged for 02, rear disc brakes being the main difference. The vp44 is an issue if you get a bad one and from what I've read on these sites is you'll get a bad one, it's just a matter of time! If you buy from a dealer buy the warranty. I spent an additional $1350 on a three year 36K mile warranty cuz if/when the vp44 goes I can get it replaced for the deductible. There's no reason they can't give you the 'fleet' warranty price, my 'fleet' consists of one truck! The Prices for these years of trucks is slowly creeping down around here as the age increases. Get one that is a stocker and you'll be happy. Good luck, BTW I have 4 wheel drive and get about 16 mpg around town, easy driving and 20 or better on the freeway.

 

I bought one new. I have been very happy with it. Here is a summary of fixes required since I have owned it.

5000 miles - front seal on the tranny had a very small leak. More of any anoyance. Dealer had it back to me the next day.

25000 miles - sometimes the steering would be hard, so I used a 4-wheeler trick and replaced the power steering fluid with a synthetic. Mostly one arm steering since.

30000 miles - the brakes would squeal like crazy even when not applied. The factory brakes were barely worn, I'm easy on brakes. Again an annoyance. I replace they with high performance brake linings, it improved the braking and no noise since.

53000 miles - On a cold morning a couple months back my lift pump couldn't make pressure so I parked it for a few days and got it to the dealer. I didn't know better an let them put in an in tank pump. The pressure was terrible, < 5psi if I gave it any throttle at all. I added a Holley blue pump in between the tank pump and the IP pump, pressure has been great now. I'm trying to get a stock in-tank sending unit from the dealer when they get one, so I can pull the in-tank pump back out.

54500 miles (today) - lift pump failure, its into the dealer for a IP replacement under warranty. The IP pump is the Achilles heel of the 2nd generation trucks.

I generally get 19mpg around town, once got 23 out of town running empty. Rarely run empty out of town. I've been down to 13mpg with a Lance camper towing a car trailer with a jeep and a 2500 lb boat and trailer behind that running 65 to 70 mph or so. Don't worry about getting a 4wd, they come with a dana 60 in the front and a dana 80 in the rear, pretty tough models.


Roy

 

I bought mine new late 2002 with 2 miles on it. To date, I replaced the front brake pads (they were separating, not worn out), shocks, tires, and installed a FASS fuel system. The dealer replaced (under warranty) a lift pump and a VP-44.

I have got stuck twice with my truck... both were my fault and I don't think 4wd would have pulled me out. So, don't be afraid of having a 2wd truck

I love my truck and wouldn't trade it for the world right now!!!!


Joe