1996 vs 2017

[RIFFIAN]

I currently have a 1996 2500 diesel with 187,000 miles. I have been thinking about a new 2017, what are the pro's and con's This probably has been asked before but I couldn't find anything.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Wow, where to begin?

You never filled out your signature, so we have no idea what vehicle were talking about. So, here are some thoughts in general.

- Your 96 is paid for.
- It is easy to work on and there are sensually no computers.
– No idea what shape your body is in, but it might need work, it might not, to prevent further deterioration due to rust.
– depending on how you've taken care of it you may or may not be close to needing a rebuild on the transfer case, transmission, differentials, you joints, steering joints, ball joints, etc.
– depending what shape your interior is in, you may need to get something recovered soon.
– You will miss this when you sell it.

2017
You never said what body style you're looking at. Probably a crew cab, it will have a lot more room inside than any of the other body configurations for the 96.
– You will have a warrant to not have to do anything to fix it for three years/36,000 miles.
– you will need to scan tool to do most anything on the vehicle, but for basic maintenance.
– It has a whole lot of bells and whistles which are very nice to have.
– There are a lot of more safety features on this truck to keep you safe.
– It will tow Way better than the 96 ever did.
– It will be more comfortable than the 96.
– It will be a lot quieter, so you can communicate with someone else in the cab. That could be a pro, what could be a con.
– The brakes will be significantly better, especially if you're still stock on the 96.
– The brakes will last a lot longer, because you will have an exhaust break that, unless you added, did not exist on the 96.
– You will have Bluetooth capability, so you can do hands-free phone, required in some states.
– You will have to redo any modifications you did to the 96, that you really want to keep.
– This can go on for a very long time.

Hopefully, I corrected all the voice to text errors.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Pull the trigger already. You won't be looking back.















Keep the 96 for the badassness....

 

[97cummins17]

I'm sure it is hard to tell from my nick, but I just pulled the trigger on a '17... I did keep my 97 12v though. Don't think I can ever part with that truck as it was my first truck... I am happy I bought mine if that helps.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

You will love the 17. Keep the 97 as a toy or occasional driver.

 

[RIFFIAN]

Thank you guys for the responses. Iv'e had the 96 for 20 years, hard to let go but it just doesn't do the job towing that I would like

 

[Cummins12V98]

Be sure to get the 3500/AISIN/rear air ride combo!!!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yea, I can relate. I do miss my old 96. I did a lot of upgrades, excessive maintenance, and customization which I don't think the new owner ever even cared about. Oh well, Now I can take the whole family camping, with the camper, crap in the bed, etc - and drive JUST the truck instead of 2 different vehicles. And I can't believe how QUIET the new truck is.

 

[RIFFIAN]

Thank you ,I have enjoyed my 96, but the new ones are nice and the back doors my wife wants.

 

[Big E]

The only thing I miss about my '96 is the exhaust and turbo sound.

 

[TomBrady]

I thought it would take longer, but I missed my old truck for about a minute, maybe a minute and a half.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Getting a new Ram is like getting to 2nd base again for the first time.

 

[KCJackson1]

This is my post after trading my 96 on my 05:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/125567-First-impressions-of-the-05?p=1164052#post1164052

To go to a 17, consider the same improvement factor over the 05 as the 05 had to the 96.

 

[Killer223]

you should sell me your 96.

 

[GSchlegel]

I traded in my '96' 3500 with NV4500 transmission on my current 2013 3500 with Aisin transmission. My 96 was bombed. I miss how she would give me everything she had available without the delay of a computer deciding if it should down shift, is there going to be a puff of smoke before the turbo spooled, is torque management going to kick in, etc. (Note: this is minor most of the time, just not as responsive as my old truck.) I don't miss freezing in the winter because the old truck was so efficient there wasn't excess heat to keep me warm. If I was towing, then I could get warm! I don't miss the rust that was taking over my old truck. I do like the creature comforts of the new truck and it's greater capabilities. If I could transplant my old 12 valve in my new truck, then I would have the best of both worlds!!!

 

[mikejkd]

Got rid of my 97 for a '17. Totally different truck. my 97 was not very refined. the transmission needed 8k to not even be close to the stock 17, 97 was LOUD. I also went from a slt to a Laramie but I'm 20 years older now.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Don't you mean that the truck is 20 years younger?

I think Dodge /Ram should install a button to make the engine sound like an old 12 valve. That would be a cool option.

 

[mikejkd]

no I'm 20 years older then when I bought the 97

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Sorry, joking doesn't come through on text. I was implying if you stated the new truck is 20 years younger that it sounds a lot better than you being older.

 

[surfbeetle]

I've had a 95 2500 manual since new and it's the single most dependable vehicle I have ever had. With three kids and my wife, the 95 just wasn't as comfortable as we would like plus we wanted a true crew cab. A year ago, we got a long bed crew cab 4x4 2500. This truck is great and we love it. The only regret is choosing a 2500 over a 3500, we're limited on pin weight if we look at a newer fifth wheel. I still have the 95, one of my daughters will get it for her first car.