Guys, looks like my 94 F150 is about to bite the dust and am looking at upgrading to a diesel. Have the opportunity to get a nice discount on a Dodge CTD through my company. Looking at a 3500 dually to pull 10000lb+. any recommendations on how to equip it. Not a big fan of lots of whistles and bells, just more things to break and I spend a fair amount of time in the mud.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Magnethead https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ewthread&f=92#

 

If ya' don't mind shifting gears, I'd go with the 6 speed. I drive a truck for a living (and a hobby), so shifting comes natural to me.

The 6 speed will hold up better than the auto (IMO) and when towing, it won't shift when you don't want it to.

 

Where are you located? A friend of mine sells Dodges & Jeeps at a dealer in CT.

 

I live in Indiana about 30 miles south of Indianapolis and I like to grind gears. I've had sticks and prefer them, but my better half will be driving the truck. On the Dodge website I was building the truck and selecting different options and was surprised that the automatic had the higher towing capacity. I'm new to the forum and it will take me a couple of days to get my personal data set up. Thanks for the feed back.

 

Good to hear from another Hoosier! I am looking for a truck too. I would say go with an ext cab 4x4. Those are a must. On the whole gearbox selection, its all openion. I like shifting gears, keeps me awake and makes driving more fun. Autos are ok but dodges are notorious for have weak ones. Not sure on the newer trucks if they are any better. If your wife can drive a stick go for it. If you want to go fast the auto will shave off a few seconds. Good luck though!

 

Most Dodge 3500s come pretty well loaded (CD ,p/w, a/c , etc. ) Check local inventories . You can get a better deal on something off the lot . I paid $12,000 less than MSRP for my '04 Quad Cab . It had about 3.000 miles on it but also had a gooseneck hitch and trailer brake . I don't agree you need 4 wd unless you get off road in fields and mud . To me it's just more expense when service is due and you sacrifice 500 lbs . GVW . I have a 2wd locking rear . December '04 to February '05 I was delivering RV's to Maine and New Hampshire and never had a problem in snow . Remember that snowstorm just before Christmas that shut down I-64 from Louisvile to Evansville for about 3 days ? I was coming back to KY from Maine and hit Louisville around noon the first day of the storm and made it across 64 westbound pasing all kinds of stuck vehicles .

 

I just picked up a 3500 from Dave Smith Motors in Idaho and was surprised to find out how much I saved by going there. Won't cost anything to talk to um. Figures though, largest dealer in the world ought to save a person a lot of bucks. I agree about the 6 spd. Girls can shift too. Manual is the way to go.

 

I was wondering if the new autos were improved. I had a 98 1500 ( still in the family, my stepson has it) and I lost a a tailshaft bearing just after warranty. $50 for the bearing and $450 to put it in. Then the rearend went. $750. My stepson had it power flushed, clogged the filter and it wouldn't move. 20k miles later and its having shifting problems, but is still going. The best truck I've had was a 93 Dakota. I've passed a lot of stuck f250's on well roads when I lived in WV.
4x4 is a must. One look at my driveway and you'll know why. I thought about waiting for some snow and then getting one for a test drive and trying my driveway before I plow it. Got a dealer about 7 miles from my house.

 

I drive a 4x4 , and i will argue that point. My dad has never owned a 4x4 , and i only remember him getting his truck stuck (89 ram 150 , open rear) twice. His CTD has never been stuck. I Have had my 4x4 CTD stuck a couple times since i got it in NOV...(and once REALLY bad) Just going places i really did not have to go.

 

My driveway is about a 12-15% grade. When the snow hits we have to leave 'em at the bottom until I plow it or make some ruts with the truck. Worse since we got it black topped. We can make it if we get a run at it. Owned only one two wheel drive truck, a 75 f150 and swore I'd never own another one. Got that thing stuck up in a level parking lot in a bad snow storm in 76 with 15 concrete blocks in the bed.