So I've got 2 of the many best trucks ever made sitting in my yard right now...

But I have a big dilemma: I can only keep 1. And when I say I can only keep one, this doesn't mean try to find a way to keep them both, it means I CAN ONLY KEEP ONE!

I acquired this 1996 2500 with a 5spd this past Friday planning to grab the transmission out and put it in my dually, and part the rest of the truck out.

But the more I check over this 2500, the more it grows on me in terms of being a daily driveable, keepable truck.

So I need some of the great minds here on DTR to jump in and give me some real advice. Which one stays? Should I go through with the swap in my dually, or sell the dually and keep the 2500?

I have no preference over 3500 vs 2500, and I don't mind the looks of the utility bed, in fact I think its pretty cool.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

3500 - My first CTD. Has 156,XXX miles. I have some emotional attachment to it. Its never once let me down. Has the 180HP P-Pump and injectors. Been an awesome truck. Has a #10 plate, KDP killed, BHAF, ISSPRO gauges, all that being done by myself, and coming from someone who came into the diesel world knowing nothing other than I wanted a Dodge CTD, I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished with this truck so far. Body not in super shape, has some dents in the rear and one of the dually fenders is slightly cracked from the acquisition of one of those dents, lots of scratches and other smaller dents, interior is evident that it was used pretty hard before I bought it, it probably towed a lot, and was used as a farm truck. Has valve cover leaks and a leak that lets water inside the cab, A/C does not work, vent switch doesn't work.

2500 - Was planned to be a donor truck. Has 289,XXX miles. Has a utility bed that I think is pretty cool, runs awesome, and I mean AWESOME. Since its a '96 5spd it has the 215HP P-Pump and injectors. All stock, has the "basic" trim level, with manual windows, locks, etc. Has a new bench seat that is very nice. Has he rubber floor which I think is awesome. Everything in the cab works except for the radio, which if I kept it would be switching out anyway. A/C works awesome. Overall an extremely clean truck for the price I got it for. Trans works great. Body has some paint peeling, but has almost NO rust on it, except for a little spot on the roof where the paint peeled. Would need to be repainted, probably a $200 Maaco paintjob, wouldn't need to be anything amazing. Appears to have towed very little, was used as a service truck for Nissan forklifts around NC and TN. Most miles are probably highway miles. Looks like it was well cared for. Oil filler tube came loose and it leaked some oil on to the fan which made a mess in the engine compartment and under the truck. Has an intercooler boot that will probably need to be replaced before long, it had a leak that we fixed before I drove it home.

Here are some pictures of the 2 trucks:



Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. As of now this is a more "well maybe I could sell my dually, but probably not" thing... but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here.

Thanks!

Dennis


Pics:

3500:






2500:

 

I personally would make your 3500 exactly what you want with the two and sell the other one for parts. But it would take a ton of work to get the swap done, so you would be out of comission for a few weeks, imo.

 

Just From Experience I Had A 94 3500 Before I Got My 98 2500, And I Do Miss It Alot. I Am Really Happy That I Have My 98 For The Following Reasons More Room, 4 Tires Instead Of Six, But There Was Just Something About The Old 94 That I Miss. So I Think If It Was Me I Would Keep The 3500. Take The Two And Make The One Of Your Dreams, That Way You Are Still Keeping Both.

 

This is a personal choice. Everyone's got a different use for their truck. Aside form the utility bed, I'd keep the 2500. Seems like it's in better shape both mechanically and physically, and the engine even looks cleaner even though it has almost twice the miles. Plus I know you wanted a manual. This should be an easy choice.

To add a couple things, you'll get more money by selling the 3500 as a whole rather than parting the 2500. Also, I'm not too fond of swaps. It's hard to get it like it would've from the factory.

 

The peeling paint issue is because Dodge used inferior primer. The paint isnt the issue it's the primer. The only way to fix it is to take it down to steel reseal it then paint it. Any paint you pile on top will just do the same thing. FYI.

 

This is just me but i like the 3500 and if u throw that other tranny in that would be awesome! If me do the swap. I also like the miles on the 3500. I say go for it

 

Honestly I'd say keep both for a good while, like 6 more months, and you might find some more stuff out about the "new" 2500.

After that, I'd have to say take the 2500 My reasoning is (most of this is [personal preference too, but you asked!):

- I don't like dually's that much
- I like white better
- I would MUCH rather have the manual doors/windows etc, because they are far less likely to get messed up
- slap a flatbed on that thing... flatbeds are saweeeet!


Have fun deciding!

 

Keep the 2500...sell the 3500 and with some of the money you have from selling the 3500....buy some stuff to make you enjoy the 2500 again. thats just what I would do

 

I think there is always the attachment to your first vehicle, so I say hang onto the dually, and rob the 2500 of parts. Yank the tranny, pump, and whatever you need to make your truck complete. I was gonna say make teh 2500 into a dually, since drivetrain, it seems to be waht you want, but that might be more work than swapping the tranny and interior.

 

Dually, All the way!!

 

I would say move everything over to the Dually. Fix the dents and give it the paint job. Remove all the badges and mirrors, fix the dents and get a set of newer tow mirrors. Start parting out the 2500 by selling the utility bed from the 2500 first to get you a cash influx. Use the 2500 for a parts runner until you get EVERY part for the 5spd swap and doing the body work/ various work. Then put the auto in the 2500 or part it the rest of the way out, engine/tranny/body/etc.


Or sell both and buy third gen (03' 2wd reg cab long bed).

 

Keep your truck, rob the 2500, do the tranny swap, and then for the icing on the cake: put the 2500 in cab fuse cover on your "new" 3500! You know that even for a good looking parts runner that 2500 was rode hard and put up wet more than a few times. That's a lot of history you don't know about....

 

I'm a 3500 guy 'cause I tow some pretty big loads. Also - I've owned a lot of vehicles over the years, and this one is my favorite. I wouldn't want to have your choice, because either truck will fit your needs. Previous posts all give good advice, however, you're stuck with which one will serve your purpose and needs. As I read over what I just wrote - I have no idea why I am posting this - 'cause what I have said will in no way help you in your decision. Oh well, best of luck and let us know how it turns out. (Okay - on second thot - go with 2500 - put a flatbed on it, paint it, fix the radio, and drive happily ever after!)

 

Coulda sworn I posted this when the thread first popped up, but my vote goes for sell both and buy one good one.