I have a 93 with 156k on it and might be in the market for a newer truck.

What I would like to know is:

Do you ever wish you had kept your 1st gen truck.

Is there a year that you wish you had gotten instead of what you have.

Is the 12 valve better and more reliable than the 24 valve.

In your opinion, which second gen year is the best and why.

I think I would like the auto, are they any good.

Last, what do I look out for when looking at a 2nd gen truck to buy

By the way, I will be towing a big boat and have a 10.5' camper.

Thanks

 

Wow!!! this one should be interesting!!!

I absolutely love my 2nd gen. Sure it has it's quirks and issues, but all in all I have never owned a vehicle that is so dear to me. I like the latter year 2nd gens, mostly for rear discs, but really not a big deal. I have a six speed which I specifically sought out as I was told the CTD was hard on auto trannys. Don't know if it is really true, but if you are ever gonna pull, I love the 6 speed.

I think that when looking for a 2nd gen, you pretty much want to look out for most anything you would look for in a used vehicle. But there are some things that would be nice to have done. Updated, preferably aftermarket lift pump and VP 44, some front end upgrades, sport headlights, non 53 block, KDP kill, puke bottle removed and redirected, no cracks or replaced dash...

I am sure I forgot some of the other things, but I am sure others will continue the list.

Good luck in your search. FWIW, 1st gen would be my second choice for a truck. They just look very cool.

 

The 12 valves are more reliable. The 24v's biggest weakness is the injector pump and lift pump. I did more to my 99's fuel system between 47K and 100K than I have on my 96 from 150K to 260K.
99: 2 stock lift pumps and now a FASS, then an upgrade to the FASS. I have a spare VP44, but have not needed it yet.
96: 1 stock lift pump and a fuel filter at the same time.
Starting with 2000, the front brakes got much better. I wish I had stronger brakes on both of my 2nd gens.
I have several thousand bucks in each truck's auto tranny, but I found a guy that can build them right and I don't expect to see any more problems from those trannies for years.
The 12v usually gets better fuel mileage than the 24v.
I'd like to get a 3rd gen, but I can't decide which truck I would get rid of if I got a newer one.
The older 12v engines, while they have less power, are pretty much bullet-proof. I have an 89 cab+chassis I bought for the engine, to do a swap. I can bump the key on that truck and the engine is running perfectly, even after sitting for months. I mean, no white, blue, or gray smoke, it's just running, smooth as silk.
You have a 93 now, so you are in a pretty good spot, if you like the rest of the truck, interior, ride, brakes, etc. You can make some mods to the engine to get more power, if you like.

Chris

 

"I have several thousand bucks in each truck's auto tranny, but I found a guy that can build them right and I don't expect to see any more problems from those trannies for years."

Hmmm......would that be Dave Goerend?

I've had no issues with my 96 other then front end and its all new now.

 

I would not take a BRAND NEW 2011 CTD for Greenie.

Guess you know where I stand.

 

I love my 2nd gen and wouldnt go otherwise if you paid me.....I keep 2200 dollars in an account set aside......1200 for tires and 1000 for a new VP.....it flux's every so often cuz I gotta pull money from it but I usually put it right back in...I could take out the 1200 for tires but I hate getting caught needing 35's and not being able to get them!!!!!!!

 

If money was no object (and I'm sure I'll catch hell for this here) than I wouldn't get a dodge... but since it is, these trucks are the best bang for the buck you can get. My only regret is not getting a 6 or 5spd manual. Might have even gone for a 12 valve to get away from the fueling issues if I had to do it again.

 

If you can see my sig, you know it's TimInVa (Tim Barber, TRE Diesel).
Dave is a good guy too, and I have never heard a bad word about him. He hooked me up by flushing and tightening the stator in someone else's purple TC, which is now in my 96.

Chris

 

I just sold my 92 W250 reg cab with a 5 speed and 201K miles about 2 months ago and replaced it with a 2001.5 3500 QC 4X4 with 197K, HO engine and 6 speed.
I really liked my Gen 1 truck, but I needed more room in the cab, so I went with a Gen 2 quad cab truck. In the 92 I miss the simplicity of the front leaf spring suspension and the 12 valve engine, but I like the room, comfort, 6 speed, better brakes and the solid ride in the 2001.

 

Same here Diesel Dawg,
I miss ol' Rastus('92W250...I think there's a pic in my gallery) and wish I coulda kept him but Cornbread Red has lots more power and more fun to drive. Power improvements are cheap and plentiful for a 2nd Gen too.

 

I'm disappointed in my 00. I did my research & figured I could overcome the inherent weaknesses. I now expect any ram to need a front end rebuild, steering box, fuel system upgrade & periodic VP replacement. I'm amazed at the number of stock trucks on the street with none of the above (except replaced VP - sometimes multiples) & cracked dash. One 95 was missing the entire top of his dash. This has been the most expensive to maintain vehicle I've ever owned. Everytime I think I'm done, another $300 - $1,000 part goes out. Some of it may have been deferred maintenance however, VP # 3 goes in at 150,000 mi as soon as I have time. The recurring break downs especially the VP are inexcusable in my opinion and a major cause of our car industry's problems. I would have gotten a 12V if I could find one in decent shape with a rear seat.

 

When I was in High School I had a 1975 Power Wagon extended cab. I rebuilt the motor, lift kit, 33" tires, new upholstry, PTO winch. It was a nice clean truck. Well out of High School and not being to brite I sold it and bought a Furd I have kicked my self for the last 25 years for selling that truck man I wish I had it back.

Fast foward to 2010.

I have a 1995 12V with 200000 on it. I have had it for 7 years and love it. Little things are needing to be fixed and it needs repainted. So I got to thinking about a new truck and did a little looking and after reading about some of the problems with the 24V and remibering my old 1975 I thought you fool what are you thinking just put some money in the old girl and drive her another 7 years.

So that is what I'm doing and I won't be selling it, My son already has dibbs on it so I may have to buy me a new truck but I got a few years before I need to think about it.

 

My regret is not buying two identical trucks back in 1995, but I did not have the money to do so (and still don't).

My truck turned 15 years old on May 12th and it has 439,000+ miles on it, I am in awe. I'm an old man and when I was growing up, a car or pickup with over 100,000 miles on it was worn out - not just needs valves and rings, flat worn out.

This truck has run more than four times that and needed one lift pump, a water pump, neoprene fuel hoses replaced a couple times (the short ones that go from the metal lines coming from the tank, to the injection pump), belts and hoses a few times, tires every 60-80 kmiles (but the new Michelins ya'll told me to get a few years ago now have 130,000 miles on them - worn out now, buying the same again tomorrow). The fuel shutoff solenoid went bad but folks here told me about replacing it with a push-pull cable, that works just fine. Oh, and the front shocks needed replacing - actually just the rubber bushings but I bought new shocks, even I am not quite that cheap. Rear license plate lights melted, replaced with "universal" ones from the autoparts store.

Yes, the dash is cracked and the paint looks poor, but it starts every day and carries me to and from work. My regret is not having another just like it mothballed for when this one needs overhaul - if I had two, I could run one and work on the other. Never need another in this life.

Regards,
Andrew