Wilbur01

I am looking at buying a Dodge 3500 Dually. I have always liked the 98-2001 Dodge with the Cummins and a six speed. I have friends that have had that set up with 3:55 rear end so they go great millage. Now I am looking at them and wonder what the best years are. I have found everything from 98 to 06. What are the best years and is a 5 or 6 speed better. I know the 6 is better but should I wait to buy a six speed. What years did they have the 3:55’s? I am going to be towing a trailer that is not too heavy but has a lot of hitch weight. I have always had Fords and am now ready to give Dodge a try. Thanks for the input.

rip 112

If you're looking for mileage that would work what you're thinking about. If it were me (and i am a little biased, but with good reason) I would look at a 03-04 HO with the nv5600 6spd and 3.73 gears. Its a noisier tranny than the newer ones, but a solid one and pretty reliable. By going to the 03-04 you would also have a more reliable injection pump (the older vp-44s are known to fail quicker) and you won't have the 3rd injection event that the newer 04.5-07 5.9s have. That in turn makes these 03-04 trucks some of the most reliable vehicles on the road, and fuel effecient. Only real thing you have to worry about on an 03-04 truck is the lift pump, they were mounted behind the fuel filter canister under hood, and are prone to crap out and block your fuel line. Put you an in tank pump or aftermarket pump and filter setup and it will be bullet proof.

Other than that i would look at the 04.5-07 5.9 trucks too, they are all good trucks.

nkennedy

I agree with rip112. I have an 01 with a 6 speed, and my friend has a 03 with a six speed. He gets 3 MPG better than me consistantly. I get 18.x, and he gets 21.x every tank not pulling. And for the oter reasons he said. No VP44 to worry about, and no cat either. I wouldn't pass on an 01, but would rather have the 03. 03 has 4 full door cab offered too with an 8ft bed.

wannadiesel

1989-1998. Mechanical diesels are much more reliable than electronic ones.

Tate

We have a winner!

If you like the 98-02 trucks, get a 94-98 12v. They look the same, drive better, cheaper to fix and maintain, cheaper to turn up. Only downside is if you want a quad cab or a short box, 98 is your only year to look at.

As for the 5spd vs 6spd, the 5's have the fifth gear issue, and not much else. Thats something that won't leave you stranded, just something that will slow you down. Fairly cheap to remedy. When the 6's go, its usually a full rebuild and wrecks some hard parts. Towing, the 6 speed will shine though.

NoSparkplugs

For comfort and long trips, I find the 3rd gens shine there. For ease of maintenence, simplicity and power to dollar ratio, give me a 12V. I got the best of both worlds.

Blake Clark

^Ditto^

peobryant

For easy 25+mpg, get an '89-93 12 valve with a 5spd, and put a 3.07 rear in. Wouldn't be the best for towing though.

The 2nd gen trucks have either 4.10 or 3.54 gears as options on both the 2500 and 3500 series trucks, with 3.54's being more common.

If you like the 2nd gen stlye, go with a '96-'98 5spd.

Justwannabeme

not to jinx anything, but we have over 120,000 very hard miles on our 04 one ton short box quad that we use for towing everything! uphill. LOL

not one hiccup. gas mileage runs at 22 highway 19 for short stops and 12 for hauling 15,000 plus pounds. 5.9 engine 373 and no add ons or adjustments.

very dependable truck, using synthetic oil. sort of okay to sleep in too....
my level of a true truck rating

SOhappy

How are you managing that with a Hemi???

Rednecktastic

Every year... lol. I like the 04.5-07 5.9L

Wilbur01

Thank You everone one for your input!!! I have found and bought a 2002 24v 3500 dwr 6SP. It has 100,000, 5" exhast and a Quadzilla Xzillaraider Performance Chip. Does anyone know anything about this chip? The thing drives really differant than a Ford, but feels like it will pull anything. I love it already and just picked it up ( had to drive 500 miles). Anything I should check out on it just to make sure before I hook up and tow?
I am sure I'll have loks questions for this form.

peobryant

Install a better lift pump and fuel pressure gauge as soon as possible. Many a VP has been destroyed due to inadequate fuel pressure from the stock lift pump.

Congratulations on the purpose. Get some pics of her up.

98whitelightnin

Thats the ticket, and I wouldnt put it off to long either.

rip 112

^^^ listen to them, they are too right for you not to.