Purchase suggestions needed. Mexico or US Built, Auto vs Manual, Fuel mileage

[BLandau]

I have narrowed down my truck search to a few models, but I have not had a lot of time to research.



I am looking at a 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 Short Bed



Any comments on the following:



Fenton, Mo built or Mexico built





Auto or Manual transmission - How is the fuel mileage on each. I sounds like most are not happy with the results.



To date, I have owned trucks with manual transmissions. My wife would like me to get an Auto this time.

 

[jelag]

How do you intend on using the truck.....

I own several, each of my have been built for our needs and a specific application based on how we are going to use it... . as an example I've ordered a new 5500 and its a single cab with 2WD while my other trucks are Quad cabs and 4x4's... ...

I guess that you can choose which plant you want it built in based on what that plant only builds... as an example my new 5500 which is built but not delivered is only assembled in Mexico... there are no combinations of this truck built in the US.....

I've never owned auto's as we've always pulled heavy trailers (20K trailer weight) but with the 5500 its going to have a box and replace a F550 Ford with 500K, so its got an automatic.

All my trucks have air bags, air horns, exhaust brakes, and no engine mods as at any one time one of 5 or 6 different people might get behind the wheel. .

 

[Grizzly]

It is a well known fact that the trucks built in Mexico have had fewer warranties issues then the trucks built in St Louis, Missouri. Both plants use the same parts, but the fit and finish and paint are better from the Saltillo, Mexico plant. My first Dodge, a 95, was built in Mexico, which turned out to be a great truck. When I ordered my 05 I told the dealer that if this truck didn't come from Mexico, I wouldn't take it. It came from Mexico.

 

[2Rowdy]

I traded in my 04 standard on my 07 with 68rfe and I don't think I would have another standard the way I use a truck. I have only had the egr (p245a) code. My truck was a late march mexico build.

 

[BLandau]

I do a mix of hauling and R&R (Ridin' a Round). I need the quad cab for taking customers out, hauling the work crew and traveling with the kids. Currently I have a 2001, 24valve 4x4 extended cab, 6speed manual.

 

[BLandau]

I have been reading some of the other posts regarding the new engines. Some of the stories are horrifying. May be it would be best for me to wait a while before a new purchase!? That or get the extended warranty.

 

[tdradam]

Don't be afraid...

I have been reading some of the other posts regarding the new engines. Some of the stories are horrifying. May be it would be best for me to wait a while before a new purchase!? That or get the extended warranty.

First of all, don't be afraid. With as many horror stories as there are here, there are thousands more happy customers without a single issue (regarding the new trucks anyway :-laf)

Next point, the dealer cannot choose where the truck is built, Dodge has no option for that.

Final point, rest easy. All diesels are now assembled by our friends in Mexico.

See the attached file for where each truck is assembled.
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I hope you all find this information helpful in your quest for the ultimate truck. (Or at least a truck that you like and can afford )
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[BLandau]

Adam,



Thanks for the info!



I have narrowed my search to several trucks. One manual and three automatics.



The automatic closest to me was assembled in Fenton, Mo. All of the others were made in Mexico. The 01 that I am driving now was also made in Mexico.



Currently, I am looking at trucks that are on the lot. I will probably not special order the vehicle.



Brent

 

[Grizzly]

The automatic closest to me was assembled in Fenton, Mo. All of the others were made in Mexico. The 01 that I am driving now was also made in Mexico.

Brent

I would seriously consider one made in Mexico.

 

[SHobbs]

IMHO, a manual made in Mexico. My 00 has been the best truck I have owned. It has made in Mexico all over it, after 7 yrs. and 204k I have no creaks, squeaks or wind noise in the cab. I say manual due to the fact if you will be doing any towing. I know some of the new autos are supposed to be thing now and are getting more and more reliable but, think about this. If you plan on doing any bombing how much will it cost to have the transmission built to hold the extra power compared to upgrading the clutch in a manual.

 

[tdradam]

Careful with the manuals

IMHO, a manual made in Mexico. My 00 has been the best truck I have owned. It has made in Mexico all over it, after 7 yrs. and 204k I have no creaks, squeaks or wind noise in the cab. I say manual due to the fact if you will be doing any towing. I know some of the new autos are supposed to be thing now and are getting more and more reliable but, think about this. If you plan on doing any bombing how much will it cost to have the transmission built to hold the extra power compared to upgrading the clutch in a manual.

I have had many customers with under 50K have to replace the factory clutch in the manuals, not towing huge loads either. And these are guys who know how to drive a manual, so you cannot blame it on operator error.

It seems lately, IMHO, the autos are holding up better AND getting much better fuel economy.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[BLandau]

What is the status of fuel mileage??



Brent

 

[Grizzly]

I have had many customers with under 50K have to replace the factory clutch in the manuals, not towing huge loads either. And these are guys who know how to drive a manual, so you cannot blame it on operator error.

It seems lately, IMHO, the autos are holding up better AND getting much better fuel economy.









I seriously question that statement. Maybe you are talking about 1/2 ton gassers. The average clutches with Cummins engines have been going 150K.



I also question anyone pulling heavy loads with an auto getting better fuel mileage then a manual.

 

[tdradam]

I seriously question that statement. Maybe you are talking about 1/2 ton gassers. The average clutches with Cummins engines have been going 150K.

I also question anyone pulling heavy loads with an auto getting better fuel mileage then a manual.

I am talking about 3500 5. 9L SRW trucks driven by trucking company owners and business owners that buy a new truck every year and put 100K-150K miles PER YEAR on their trucks with clutches going out in less that 50K miles so they put in aftermarket performance clutches and forget about it.

I'm not saying they all go out, but I've seen a lot more problems with the clutches than with the regen issues.

And the new 6. 7L with auto are getting better milage because the final gear in the auto is . 625 verses the . 79 in the manual. That is why they are putting 3. 42s in the manuals for 08 to help get the RPMs down.

I have reports on the 6. 7-6speed Auto combination with 4. 10 rear ends getting 18-19. 4mpg, and 16-19mpg with the 3. 73s. (empty) The 3. 73s logically should do better than the 4. 10s, the only reason I can guess that the 4. 10s have been doing so well is that possibly they keep the RPMs in the torque range better. Either that or they always have a tail wind. :-laf
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[SHobbs]

I ran my factory clutch for 203k before it failed and the only thing that failed on it was the pilot bearing. Oh and I have never owned an auto I have been driving manuals since i was 15, I am 38 now. What I was talking about in my original post was the fact that most here have paid well over 3-4k for a stronger built auto to handle towing with a modded engine and some have not held up most have. If you have a manual a stronger clutch is cheaper than a better built auto. For example my OFE was aroumd $900, what would a stronger auto have cost me?



What this boils down to is get a truck that suits your needs. If you don't like rowing through the gears go auto, but as far as where its built Mexico has proven to be better.

 

[Grizzly]

I am talking about 3500 5. 9L SRW trucks driven by trucking company owners and business owners that buy a new truck every year and put 100K-150K miles PER YEAR on their trucks with clutches going out in less that 50K miles so they put in aftermarket performance clutches and forget about it.

I'm not saying they all go out, but I've seen a lot more problems with the clutches than with the regen issues.

And the new 6. 7L with auto are getting better milage because the final gear in the auto is . 625 verses the . 79 in the manual. That is why they are putting 3. 42s in the manuals for 08 to help get the RPMs down.

I have reports on the 6. 7-6speed Auto combination with 4. 10 rear ends getting 18-19. 4mpg, and 16-19mpg with the 3. 73s. (empty) The 3. 73s logically should do better than the 4. 10s, the only reason I can guess that the 4. 10s have been doing so well is that possibly they keep the RPMs in the torque range better. Either that or they always have a tail wind. :-laf

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I don't believe any of this Adam.

 

[J&LRam]

Dodge trucks are 93. 7 percent manufactored in the USA. Some are assembled in Saltillo, MX and some in Fenton, MO. My '03 2500/Cummins final assy point was Fenton and my '02 was Saltillo, MX. Both were dang good trucks. Either will work as advertized

JIM

 

[BLandau]

Easy now guys (Grizzly, Adam)! I bought my 01 used. The clutch failed around 60K. I installed a South Bend clutch which has performed well. I currently have 140K miles on the rig.



Anyway, I hurt my back the other day (Friday). After driving my 01 to and from work, the Auto is looking pretty attractive. Shifting was becoming difficult.



I own a business integrating robots for manufacturing. Some of my employees say I need to be more "Refined". They say making sales calls in a straight piped manual shift truck is not very presidential. I disagree, but I might get overuled by my wife! HA!



If my back gets better, I hope to look at an Auto later this week.



Brent