I am selling my current truck, a Dodge Dakota, and getting a real truck. Hopefully I can still find one. A 2006 Dodge cummins 2500, three pedals, and a Jake Brake.

I really want it cause well I WANT IT!!!!

Here is my deal though, My current Dakota only gets about 17mpg, and I travel throughout Michigan A LOT. So, a much bigger truck that can get near the same mpg's and tow a house sounds good. What would be the best place to start peformance parts after I ge the truck? I want more mpg's and MORE power. The problem is that, like everything else, the question is "How deep are your pockets?" I do not have 50 grand extra to biuld super truck, like I do with other toys, but a good idea to start would help???

Thanks,
Kevin

If you're into quads, check out 'trx450r.org', or 'Michigandirtslingers.com'

 

well, you will not want a 3rd gen unless you get an 03 or 04, but I think from the way it sounds, financially, you will want to go with a 98.5-02 model years, and they get great mileage with a set of injectors, and a timing box.

For about $ after the purchase of the truck, you can have it getting around 20MPG pretty easily, and that was my 4x4, QuadCab, only thing I had on it was intake, 4" exhaust, and SMARTY.

 

Unfortunately with the 06 Cummins the mileage tends to suffer as the EPA has determined that NOX output is more obnoxious than unburned hydrocarbons; hence mileage is going to suffer. Add 4WD and another reduction in mileage. Also in the winter time up there fuel economy is going to decease on winter blend diesel. A late model 2nd gen truck my be more to your liking and it still has the Cummins engine and with a few mods is compareable to the 3rd gen trucks. Having said that if you want new then an 06 - 07 are your only options. Good luck!

L8r,.............dogger

 

My '06 auto is bone stock and I replaced an '00 Dakota (4.7). The Dakota was also getting around 17. I got the Ram for the same reason as yourself - I wanted it! (and the deals were too good to pass) Anyway, I currently have around 4,000 miles on it and the mileage is increasing. Initially it was 15.5, then 16, 16.5, 17, and the last two tanks have been 17.8. I travel about 70-80 miles per day at around 80% highway. I stay around 65 mph most of the time and I flog it when I need to. (I swear it seams that a periodic flooring of the go-pedal will increase your fuel mileage) I can't help you with performance gains but I hope this gives you an idea of what a transition from the Dak to the Ram will be like! One last thing, don't be fooled into thinking your overhead console is giving you an accurate reading. Mine consistently reads 2 mpg more than what I hand calculate.