53 will be on underside of blk. Stay clear.

 

Having never driven another diesel than my 98.5, I would still probably buy a 2003 or 2004 3rd gen based on the research I've done and your budget. Can't comment on the price for the trucks you listed, but they look very nice.

As for auto or manual, I prefer auto because my girlfriend can sit right next to me while driving. Otherwise I would likely go manual.

 

If your looking to Baja it up,I'd hold out for the manual. Simpler and compression braking is a plus. I had a performance auto in my '99(DTT) and initially test drove an '06 auto CTD and kknew a $4,000 upgrade was in the books. Way to mushy. Handling and especially braking is greatly improved over the 2nd. gens. too.

 

I guess if you only get 20% mpg improvement from a gasser to a Diesel, then the cost of fueling will not steer you towards a Diesel, am I right?

By the way, this is my first post and as you can see from my username, I'm running a gasser. I've never driven a Diesel in my life and what is worst, I drive a Chevy 1500 extended cab (at least is a 4X4, so don't shoot me just yet).

I'l be writing a post soon where I explain what I'm doing in this forum.

Regards,

Omar

 

LOL, resale value buddy as in a diesel isn't going to loose half its value in one or two years like a gasser. You get your initial investment back +. And during the summer I'm paying quite a bit less per gallon for diesel. To note he's looking at several year old trucks that cost up in the mid 20's! I bought the truck in my sig new for 34K and it's loaded out, can't beat that.

Plus you have all the power you need, not an anemic V8... And if you want real gasser power you'll need to go big block or V10 and that just adds up too much in fuel. Last summer my fuel bill for my 1500 reg cab 2wd Hemi was competing with my note on it each month.

If you are willing to deal with maintenance diesel is the way to go.

 

I keep a rediculous spreadsheet on MPG, cost per mile, cost of ownership blah,blah. Cost per mile fuel is the single biggest item, even bigger than financing, depreciation and repairs. So it's fine to be concerned about mpg. But you really have to add a "fun" factor and there is only you that can determine this value. If just getting somewhere and back is primary then a hybred is the answer (maybe). For most of us the big old diesel truck is really fun just to cruise or just to haul the trailer around just because you can do and have fun at he same time.

Plus there are great forums like this to talk to others all over the planet about your "kills", problems and fun.

When it comes time to do a little hotrodding, well nothing responds like the big Cummins to a little tweeking. Hp or torque per dollar is a huge factor over the gasser. Even after mods you can still drive it anywhere and pull about anything. After you add about 150 hp and 300 ft lbs and get 2 mpg better. Try that with a gasser.

I could go on for ever but you get the idea. Dollars and cents we should all be driving TDI's but for enjoyment, nothing like the rattle of the Cummins.

JMHO.

 

with diesel being $2.99 and gas being $3.49 i think the savings on fuel are huge. Plus my chevy 3/4 ton got 11mpg and had no power, the cummins gets 19 and pulls like no other.

 

What exactly do you mean by "Baja thing"? If you want to race the truck at a drag, get an auto, if you want to pull with it, get a stick, for Baja driving its really up to you...Here's the problem with both: Auto's are killed by heat, and no amount of coolers are going to keep an auto cool in 120* heat, having the ***** driven off the rig. Its faster than a stick in acceleration, and easier to drive through the rough stuff, but it will need a lot of rebuilds. A stick is going to get more power to the ground, but its slower because you loose boost everytime you shift, and rowing gears on any HD truck isn't really speed shifting. But the stick will last a lot longer, and only require a clutch for racing.

Its really up to you, I'd go with the auto in a pure race machine, but for a Daily driver, its a stick the whole way.

 

Theres definently times i'd like a nice auto, like in heavy traffic, or when u have to change speeds alot. But other than that I really enjoy it, and towing is great because u can always be in the gear u want and rev it out.

 

Not to much baja open trailing where Im at, I usually just jeep at uwharrie, but the more I put into the jeep, the more I want to keep off the road as a daily driver.
Im going with the 04 Dodge 2500 Diesel, 22,500...