My boss is getting fed up with his 2001 F350. Won't go into why. He wants me to get all the info on switching over to a Dodge. I don't know squat about Dodges so please help me out.
What we need:
1.Diesel--What size?
2. We want Automatic Transmission
3. 4X4
4. We will be using a Dew EZE bale loader for large round bales and using a hydraulic operated box with auger for calf feeding. Plus we will be pulling a fifth wheel cattle trailer 26 ft long.

Any ifo would be greatly appreciated.
1. Expected price to pay?

Thanks in advance and this is my first post.

 

Welcome!

The only Dodge diesel is the 6.7L Cummins. 350hp/650 lb-ft.

For transmissions, the auto will be the 6-speed (68rfe, I think).

I'd opt for the lowest gear you can get: 4.10s in the axle.


I'd ask around about trim levels and such. My impression is that the more stuff you have on these trucks, the more things go wrong. There are some notorious issues that have come out, too-- like the A/C blend door issue and the way the factory screwed up the trailer wiring for 06 and newer models.

Just keep reading around here and you'll learn all you ever wanted to know.

Justin

 

^ That is for the new 07's with the emission stuff on it.

You could go cheaper.

The ultimate IMHO is a 97 12v 5.9L. It will have the 47re(?) auto tranny and the rear ends will be about 4.10s'. If you want more power, all you need is a afternoon to add more. With the 24v and CR's (98.5 to present) you can get a chip for it.

Expect to pay about 12-16k for a good used one. The only issues to worry about is the KDP (89-97, easy fix) and the VP44 pump (98.5 to 02(?), not so cheap to fix)

I am just going by what I know and have read.

Now, on the other hand, 1st Genners are getting popular and price is going up. Has some of the best mpg's and hp:tq ratio thanks to the Bosch VE pump. But I am partial

Jon

 

I am gettin the feel that these new Dodges are having some serious issues. We we talking (boss and i)that a Cummins and and Allison tranny were very good. Am i getting the idea that there are serious issues with all other than the engine tranny combo?

 

get the cab and chassis

6.7 with the aisin tranny

it would be a good base for the bale bed and cake feeder.

the problems are slowly but surely being figured out. in a farming community, we had the best luck with solid axles...ie dodge and we always replacing the cv boots and front end stuff on our chevys

brett

 

Looks like I assumed he was buying new! SO SORRY!!

If you're looking older than 2007, than that changes everything.

I'd still look at the 07 cab/chassis as Rusty mentioned.

 

For feeding cattle I wouldn't be buying a new truck unless he has money to blow. Price and age will depend on what he wants. For that job I'd buy an older truck (like late 90s) and then build it for the application. As the others have said 4:10 gears are the way to go and I'd want a limited slip rear end or figure on putting a locker in at least the rear axle and maybe even the front axle. With an auto I'd plan on spending money for a good rebuilt tranny from Goerend or DTT.

 

This will be a newtruck and besides feeding it will get some daily driving plus hauling cattle to the sale etc and an occasional trip out of state.
It's his money i am just helping him spend it.

 

I would suggest looking at the Dodge Ram 3500 C&C with the Aisin 6 speed auto. You could easily put a nice Hydra Bed and cake feeder on that...

Most accounts suggest that while the "Regular" trucks have had some issues with the emissions system, the C&C's have been far more trouble free.

 

I know this is a dodge site but check out the gms too. The Allison has always worked real well and the duramax is hard to beat. The older d-maxes had some injector issues but they were corrected and they have only gotten better. The LBZ (06.5) and LMM ('08 emissions) have had no injector issues. I don't know alot about the new LMM with the new emissions but I haven't heard about them suffering any problems either. It doesn't hurt to check out something else;.......unless it's a Furd, that is! Just my two cents.

 

keep the ford swap in a cummins and do a allison conversion then you will have the perfect one ton