jetsnow

Well my dad bought a 98 dodge 2500 quad cab short bed 4x4 with the v-10 motor. It has impressed me with the power and torque it has. Its gotten better mileage than i expected it to also(14mpg highway w/ 4" lift and 35" tires) and 11mpg in the city. Its a nice truck and the price was right($6k)

Anybody have experience with these trucks? Good and bad?

Thanks, Sean

RustyJC

I had a 1996 3500 (dually) V-10/47RE. Other than fuel mileage when towing a 5th wheel RV, I had no complaints about the truck. It was reliable, quiet and smooth - so much so that my wife would drive it towing the 5th wheel. She won't touch the Cummins/6-speed for towing, although she'll drive it once we get where we're going and unhitch.

Rusty

mouseguy

People have to remember something when discussing gassers.

The number one cost of owning a truck isn't fuel, its depreciation.

The number 2 cost of owning a truck isn't fuel, its interest.

The number 3 cost of owning a truck is fuel. And gasoline has been cheaper than diesel for the last few years.

mj007

Good price, you can buy a lot gas for the difference in what you paid vs. a used diesel of the same year.

6cylinders

There was a V10 4x4 on a local lot a couple months ago, the price was good, and it had low miles and almost perfect condition. I went home and did some research on the internet, kept finding stuff about cylinder head problems on the v10. So I drug my feet and thought about it, did more research until it was to late and the truck was sold. It would have made a great second truck,
I wish I would have bought it!

KVD

MY uncle had 99 regular cab dullay 5 speed with the V10. It was good truck he bought it new and had till 110k and never had anything done to it other than the water pump went at 103k other than regular maintence.

That ole truck had good power it would burn the duals through 3rd, pulled real good and yeah gas mileage wasn't any worse than my 95 chevy with a 350.

wexman

I had a 97 2500 V10. Great truck, reliable (until I went and fooled with it), great power - at the time, it was the most powerful pickup you could get - gas or diesel, at 300 hp, and 450 lb ft.

Yes, some of the trucks up through (I think 99) head issues - I think mine had them, as it drank coolant, but the dealer never could find the issue, really.

I would not hesitate to buy another one if I had to buy a used gasser Dodge.

fbx22

around here they dont have much value whatsoever. You practically cant give them away. Most people here V10 and go (gee that thing guzzles gas) Even though its no different than most big V8 engines, its the perception that matters

wexman

The V10 gets only about 1-2 mpg less than the 360, and makes WAY more power and torque. It's a no-brainer. But, you're right, it's the perception that drives people away.

And I know, I had a 96 1500 regular cab shortie with a 360, and it got 11 mpg around town. My 97 V10 got 9-10, and WHAT a difference in performance. Like I said, a no-brainer.

Dieseldude4x4

Rattlinram's dad had one till Dennis brought him over to the dark side of the 6 cylinder world. Didn't have any trouble pulling a 30 foot or better 5er except for feeding it maybe.

XLR8R

I have a '98 V-10 I bought new (the one in my sig), and it's been a great truck for a quarter of a million miles, spending most of them "abused" ( ) as a service truck.

I bought it because it had more torque and HP than the Cummins, and was only a $1K option. With the high-ratio SS roller rockers, SS headers, ram-air intake and short SS (no cat) dual exhaust, it has quite a bit of pep for a 10K# vehicle. 4WD, built 48RE, longbed, 35" BFGs and 14 mpg highway, 11-12 in town. It's a great engine, it's a shame Dodge quit putting them in the trucks... at least you can still get an aluminum version in the Viper.

Blue book is ~ $12K, so you made a great deal!

essgeetee

I've had nothing but good experience with the V-10's. For the price paid it sounds like an awesome truck.

NEED_MORE_TORQU

There was a 94 2500 2wd for sale here a couple of years ago for $4000 with 100K on the clock. I didn't have the money at the time, or I would've bought it...

erics76

I was told by a tech at my dealership that the cylinger head problems were fixed by mid 1999. We just got rid of a 2000 V-10 3500 cab and chassis. The truck had good power except when it was pulling a trailer with any kind of load over 10,000lbs. We had a few problems with it though. The crank seal was replaced 3 times and still leaked, the fuel pump went out at 48,000, the thermostat gasket started leaking at 50,000, both cats were bad by 42,000. I think they had a recall on the cats maybe, but we never got it done. The depreciation on that truck was rediculous. We traded it in with 62,000 for $6,000. It would have been a good truck for a hot rod, not much on pulling loads though. Hauled a load of cattle one time for 250 miles in a 32 foot gooseneck trailer and got 5 mpg.

Moose10

I sold my '95 4x4 standard cab long bed auto with 135k on it back in 2003 for $8000. It was a great truck, but too small (the cab) and it looked wierd with the huge slide in camper I had at the time....plus I found the truck I have now.
Never had any problems with it, and it sure could roast the tires !!!