Hello everyone, Im new here, and had a few questions about the 2500 Cummings quad cab. I currently own a 98 GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 X-cab. I am looking to purchase a Dodge 2500 4X4 Quad cab with the 6ft bed. Heres my questions, First off, I am disabled due to a lower back injury. I live in Staten Island, which is like the Pot Hole capitol of the world!! I was wondering how the 2500's ride quality is? My 1500 Sierra was good for me, but living here in S.I., my truck only has 43,000 mi on it, and I need a total front end rebuild already. I drove a Ford F-250, and that truck rode like it didn't have any suspension at all, I couldnt beleive how hard it was, It would totally kill me with my back, (not a big ford fan anyway!!) I havnt had the chance to test drive a New Dodge 2500 yet, and pretty much because the dealers around here, dont want to bother with a test drive unless your willing to buy it that day. Any info on the ride will be helpfull, I dont want to come off as being a sissy, lol, but this aspect is important to me, Im actually due for a 3rd operation soon. Staten Island roads are HORRIBLE, and I know 2500 series trucks tend to ride harder than 1500's. Also, I was wondering how the fuel mileage is with the Cummings in it. I own a 68 Nova which I will be towing to Englishtown N.J. like 3 times a month. I am very interested in the Deisel motor because I think the HP and Torque ratings are very impresive. I figured between NY's gas prices, and the Cummings power, I would be better off with the deisel. I know this is a little long, But I would be very greatfull of any information anyone can give me I hope to be a TRUE Dodge diesel member soon!! Thanks in advance to everyone.

 

I think mine has a pretty decent ride for a 1 ton 4x4... When they come from the dealer, the tires are likely inflated to the recommended pressure for a loaded truck, so dropping down to what the book says for unloaded is helpful...

As far as milage, there is quite a bit of variation. Speed makes a big difference with mine. I might get 20 if I run under 60, but it drops to around 18 if I run above 70...

I would go test drive one. I know you will love the cummins for towing.

Also, welcome. Lots of great people who will help you out here.

 

I remember picking my truck up and after first tank was asking for refill wondering what was wrong and imediately checked tire pressure, from the dealer all four short by about 17 psi each! why they would do that is beyond me. Second for some reason the tires that come on these trucks don't seem to last long, they don't wear out they just "go away" usually replaced by something in the 315 size range the taller and wider tires do soften the ride quite a bit. come to this side of the bridge, lots of dealers around that will let ya test drive the trucks on their lot....

 

You need to find you a truck with a cummins in it. Not one with a cummings.

 

Badd Dawgg my wife has a bad back to 2 surgerys and I had a chevy 1/2 she would ride in it but like her car better,and with back you have to go along , anyway we bought the 03 1 ton s/w and since then she crawls right on in the truck and now wants ot buy herself a CTD 3/4 ton mine is a 2 wheel drive but have rode in the buddies 4x4 not much differance try it! Oh bty T.X. roads are pretty good

 

I'll probably get hammered for this but the GMs have an independent front suspension and might be easier on your back. They're also easier to get into due to being lower. I drove in a friend's Chevy Duramax and it rides real nice.

 

If you keep the stock tires, you'll be able to feel every grain of sand on the road! I traded a '99 F150 for my 2003 2500 & noticed that the ride is REALLY stiff compared to the Ford. I would recommend putting some BFG 315/70/17's on immediately. The BFG's really soften the ride, plus they look REALLY good!

 

He's correct.

Dodge has the worst ride of the big 3. Mine rides like crap now and rode worse when it was stock. Here is an article that sums it up. Do your research.


http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...cks/index.html

 

The Dodge trucks ride pretty stiff, but not too stiff. They handle far better than any other truck out there. The GM 2500HD are so mushy they are dangerous in emergency manervers. The F250s are boardy/choppy stiff like all 3/4 and 1 tons use to ride.

With the Dodge 2500s, follow the air pressure listed in the door jam. 50/40 front rear unloaded. Bigger tires (Nitto Terra Grappler 295/70/17 or BFG A/T 315/70/17) would help. Finally a set of Rancho RS9000X 10 position adjustable shocks would do the trick. They allow a ride from mush bucket to teeth breaking stiff.

Overall, the Gen 3 Dodge CTD trucks are by far the best available right now, IMO.

You might contact Dodge and let them know how the dealers are treating you. They won't stand for that crap for a minute!

Good Luck!

 

Hello again everyone, First off let me say.... WOW!!, I really appreciate all the quick responds and freindly advice from everybody!! Its greatly appreciated. Ive researched the Big 3 for a few months now, and to me I think the Dodge is the most for the money. For the options I would like, in a GMC 2500 diesel, the truck was around $42,000, the Ford 250 was like $40,000, and they both only had a 3 yr 36,000 mi warranty. (plus the Ford diesel sounded louder than my fathers 18 wheeler tractor!!) The Dodge with all the toys I want was averaging about $36,000 but whats selling me is the 7/70 warranty. I like to know if I take a 4 or 5 yr note on the truck that after its paid off, it still will be warrantied for a year or two. Me personally, for the price, the power, and the warranty, the Dodge is the best bang for the buck. I understand about the IFS in the GM trucks, but Im not going to pay 40 grand for a truck and only get a 3 yr warranty!! Also being my father has been a tractor trailer driver for 35 yrs, he's set on the CUMMIN'S (thanks Bubba 33!! lol) being a tried and true and dependable 6 cyl diesel. Alot of you's have been mentioning about the BFG's 315 tires. Does anybody have any pics of a Dodge with these tires?? I was planning on trading the stock tires for a better set of wheels and tires as soon as I bought a truck. If anyone knows or has dealt with a tire dealer that accepts new stock wheel and tire trade in's please let me know, Ive heard about these places, but just havn't found any yet. Being Im from S.I. N.Y, Ive been getting alot better prices on trucks from the mid west to down south. Here, we have people that buy $50,000 trucks for ego trips, but there the same people that are affraid to get them wet in the rain!! So trucks out here tend to be treated more like toy's and have higher price tags. Ive worked construction before I got hurt, and have always been racing cars, so my trucks are worked as well as pampered. I just want to say, Ive only been a member to this site for like 3 days, and I love it already, Thanks again!!

 

I bought my truck from Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, NE. They gave me an EXCELLENT price that included the BFG tires. I think they're in the top five for sales west of the Mississippi. Good folks to talk to as well. I paid less than 31k my 2003 SLT. I don't have any pictures of my truck, but I know other folks have pictures of their's posted somewhere around here. In my humble opinion, the tires really add to the looks of the truck.

 

You have chosen the Dodge for the same reasons I did, basically value and warranty. BTW, Cummins also warranties the engine for 7yr/100,000 mi, in addition to Dodge's powertrain warranty. Make sure you take a good test drive in the Dodge before you buy. If you can live with the ride, the truck is for you.

You can check my member's photos for pics with the 315's. I have a leveling kit, which I would not recommend. The leveling kit will change the geometry of the front suspension and you have a real good chance of suffering from Death Wobble. I will be removing my leveling kit, and will consider removing rear spacers to level the truck a bit. The 315's will fit without the leveling kit. Some have reported slight rub on the inner control arms at full lock, but I did not have this prior to the leveling kit. You can also go with a 305 or 285 tire. If you do decide to go with 315's, I would recommend selecting the 4.10 rear gears to help maintian an decent gear ratio.

Cummins is the only way to go as far as the engine goes. Dodge has always had a bad reputation for auto trannies, but I have heard of very few durability problems since the new 48RE was introduced...it is just not the best performing tranny. Good luck with whatever you choose. If you want pics prior to the leveling kit, PM me. Mike

 

As far as the stock tires go, if you can't get decent trade value at the tire shop, consider posting a classified here...

Lots of people (like me) don't want bigger tires because a taller truck would cause problems with the 5th wheel...

 

on the subject of tires the factory set is a 10 ply but a highway tread and don't know about the potholes on staten island but my 1 1/2 mile dirt road to my house not to mention the pasture roads are not meant for highway neway i have been trying to find some nitto terragrappler in 295's or for that matter anything comparable treadwise and have been told that everything ,bfg's toyo bridgestone whatever are on national back order....what the heck is that? to address the size issue we have been told that there is a driveability problem with 305's up.

 

Badd Dogg Guy19,
Oops! All of these replies and we forgot to welcome you to the club. It's now an official welcome to the forum! Enjoy!