Should I Stay (with my 1996) Or Should I Go (buy a 2018)?

[Newsa]

Just for chits and giggles I went in and talked to my dealer about the price on the 2019. I had them build me one exactly the same as my 2018 and it was basically exactly $10,000.00 more than I paid in Aug of 2018 for the one I have now. Yea, they've added some more frills to them, but not that much!!!

Did you compare sticker price? It is customary to get a truck with a lot of mark up for 10,000-15,000 off sticker.

 

[mpaulson]

wit

Did you compare sticker price? It is customary to get a truck with a lot of mark up for 10,000-15,000 off sticker.

With my fleet pricing it's still $10 G higher. This is all based off of the dealers wholesale base pricing and no MSRP influence. My fleet price is typically $21G off the sticker MSRP price.

 

[Newsa]

Well our left over 15 in Sept of 15 was 53,550 of something like that. Window sticker had TOTAL PRICE:* $ 64,595. Guest we bought at the right time.

I bought my '13 in Sept of '13. But they started making them late that year. If I remember correctly, mine left Mexico in June of 2013. I think they started making them in March or April of 2013. So it was really a 2013 1/2. Really all of them were 2013.5 models.

 

[SnoKing]

I bought my '13 in Sept of '13. But they started making them late that year. If I remember correctly, mine left Mexico in June of 2013. I think they started making them in March or April of 2013. So it was really a 2013 1/2. Really all of them were 2013.5 models.

Does yours have the old frame. I thought the 2500 did not get the new frame until MY 2014.

 

[AH64ID]

Does yours have the old frame. I thought the 2500 did not get the new frame until MY 2014.

It does have the 03-12 frame/suspension.

There also isn’t such thing as a 13.5.

Years that have a .5 have some sort of change associated. 04.5 is when the motor went to the 50 state 325hp motor. 07.5 went to the 6.7, etc.

It doesn’t matter when in the MY13 run it’s made, it’s still a MY13 truck. The first 13 is a 13, and the last 13 is a 13.

 

[SnoKing]

It does have the 03-12 frame/suspension.

There also isn’t such thing as a 13.5.

Years that have a .5 have some sort of change associated. 04.5 is when the motor went to the 50 state 325hp motor. 07.5 went to the 6.7, etc.

It doesn’t matter when in the MY13 run it’s made, it’s still a MY13 truck. The first 13 is a 13, and the last 13 is a 13.

2001.5 got four wheel disc brakes, 2001- has drums on the rear.

 

[TCDiesel]

2013 2500 received New Engine, Intake.
2013 3500 New Frame Front Axle, Aisin, New rear Axle, DL. Suspension
2013 2500 has the same Frame, DL, Suspension 2003-2013 2500.

 

[Newsa]

It does have the 03-12 frame/suspension.

There also isn’t such thing as a 13.5.

Years that have a .5 have some sort of change associated. 04.5 is when the motor went to the 50 state 325hp motor. 07.5 went to the 6.7, etc.

It doesn’t matter when in the MY13 run it’s made, it’s still a MY13 truck. The first 13 is a 13, and the last 13 is a 13.

Yup. Have the 2012 frame. But the delay in production was from the programming along with the addition of the def & SCR.

Maybe it's not an official 2013.5 model. Just a delayed 2013.

Someone once said that the 2013 2500 got the 2012 3500 frame. But i don't know if the 2012 3500 frame was stronger than the 2012 2500 frame?

 

[SnoKing]

Yup. Have the 2012 frame. But the delay in production was from the programming along with the addition of the def & SCR.

Maybe it's not an official 2013.5 model. Just a delayed 2013.

Someone once said that the 2013 2500 got the 2012 3500 frame. But i don't know if the 2012 3500 frame was stronger than the 2012 2500 frame?

I think those earlier frames of the 2500 and 3500 were the same. Rear springs were the difference. SnoKing

 

[TCDiesel]

Ask any owner that has 2013 2500 6.7 how easy it is to change the oil filter. Ask any 2013 3500 Owner like Myself you cannot see the filter from under the Truck, or remove it from underneath. All 2013-18 3500 6.7 and ALL 2014-18 6.7 need removing (filter) from above or Wheel well window..2013 6.7 2500 Reach up un-screw and remove all done form under frame/Axle. You really need to watch out in 2013 BC the Diesel 2500 Front Axle is the same as gas 4x4 were the 3500 received the New Axle, I have NOT check to see If the Gas 3500 was fitted with the lock up axle? Couple that with the 2014 Power Wagon Front axle
The 2013-14 Gas/Diesel 2500-3500 4x4 Setups are messy in those years so Be careful when ordering parts. This is My best guess.
2013 2500 Axle.
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2013 3500 Axle Diesel

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#ad

2014 Power Wagon


#ad

 

[AH64ID]

Someone once said that the 2013 2500 got the 2012 3500 frame. But i don't know if the 2012 3500 frame was stronger than the 2012 2500 frame?

Aside from 2013, the 2500 and 3500 use the same frame. Pre 2014 they even used the same suspension mounts front and rear, just different springs and some SRW 3500’s got overloads depending on the year (maybe even some 2nd gen 2500’s).

From 03–13 there were very few differences in a 2500 and SRW 3500. The spring rates were only minorly different, the biggest difference was the published ratings.

If you’re going to make a SRW 3500 it should be more capable than a 2500, so it’s good that there is actually a difference in the 2500 and 3500 now. There always should have been, but you know marketing... kinda like the 1500 mega cab, which was a rebadged 2500 to increase sales in the 1500 market

 

[SnoKing]

Aside from 2013, the 2500 and 3500 use the same frame.

The new 2500 uses a different 5th wheel puck kit that mounts differently and the bed does not have to be raised like the 3500 to install it. So the frames are not identical in a couple ways including the rear coil spring or 2500 rear air.

 

[NIsaacs]

If you’re going to make a SRW 3500 it should be more capable than a 2500, so it’s good that there is actually a difference in the 2500 and 3500 now. There always should have been, but you know marketing... kinda like the 1500 mega cab, which was a rebadged 2500 to increase sales in the 1500 market

I don't know much about the 3rd gen and up but the 1st and 2nd gen gasser 250/2500 were always very different than the 350/3500's. The Cummins made them equal

 

[Cummins12V98]

2001.5 got four wheel disc brakes, 2001- has drums on the rear.

My 01 Sport was made in 2000, it has factory rear disk brakes. That blows the 2001.5 theory out of the water.

 

[SnoKing]

My 01 Sport was made in 2000, it has factory rear disk brakes. That blows the 2001.5 theory out of the water.

• New for 2001
  • New exterior colors: Amber Fire Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic
• Ram trucks built from January 1, 2000 to July 1, 2000 are referred to as 2001 models.
  • The early 2001 models have drum brakes in the rear.
• Ram trucks built from July 1, 2000 to July 2001 are referred to as 2001.5 models by Ram owners (DC still calls them 2001 models). Most 2001.5 models differ from 2001 models by:
  • Added - disk brakes in the rear
  • Deleted - Vanity mirror lights.
  • Deleted - Rear cup holders were deleted.
  • Deleted - Insulation under the hood on diesel models.
  • Deleted - Front and Rear grab handles on passenger side.
  • Deleted - SLT tailgate protector
  • Deleted - Amber Fire Pearcoat paint
  • Deleted - plastic rear wheel liners (P/N 5534 6010 SHIELD, Wheelhouse)
  • Deleted - self-Dimming rear view mirror
  • Silver radio antenna (was painted black in previous models)
  • Cowl rubber seal size reduced by 1/2
  • Phase out of Cab Clearance lights on 2500's.
  • One less leaf spring

 

[evldsl]

Here's my dilemma. I have a paid-for 1996 Ram 2500 4x4 club cab Cummins with 5 speed manual. It has 77,000 miles. (You read that right, 77K miles.) It needs paint, headliner, visors, air conditioner work, belts, hoses and a general once-over. It's equipped with a Transfer-Flow aft-axle 38 gallon auxiliary fuel tank that fits where the spare tire was. There are two spare tires in the bed, bolted to the left rail. The upholstery is good, having been covered with seat covers from Geno's since about 1997. The power driver seat could use some attention. I've owned it since new. I've seldom used it in 5th gear and never lugged it. I tabbed the KDP back when it was first identified as a possibility. It has an exhaust brake and a three-piece replacement exhaust manifold. I've replaced the track bar with the you-gotta-be-kidding strong retrofit kit from (I think) BD.

I'm getting older and I'm not sure how much longer my hip will let me use the clutch. This sucks. Also, it won't handle the sort of cabover camper we *might* want to consider once I actually retire.

My wife and I drove a new 2018 Tradesman 3500 crew cab 4x4 with a long bed and an Aisin transmission today. It was OK. The backup cam was at a bad angle and I didn't like the side mirrors. The seats seemed comfortable but aren't power. But it's a Tradesman trim level, so I'm not expecting a lot. It's something around $57K out the door.

Any thoughts from anybody? Experience with the transmission?

I had a 2004.5 till last week now I have a bill and I love it, I bought the exact same truck a Laramie 3500 14 years later and what a difference, this truck is awesome so yes update on my opinion