2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2nd or 3rd gen ???

[EFallecker]

I'm new here and looking for a cummins which would you suggest and what are your thoughts on the automatic trannys?? I know 12 valve are easier to bump up but I test drove a 24 valve and it seemed to have more power already??? Thanks for any help on this Eric

 

[illflem]

My 2¢

Either a 12 valve or an '03. If you're looking at a 3rd gen my feeling is to get one soon before they change to meet smog requirements.



You hear all this complaining about stock autos and wars about which upgrades to use when in fact the stock auto is a heavy duty unit that will last a long time if you don't jack your hp beyond it's design parameters or lug it in overdrive.

 

[bmoeller]

I have 2 diesels with auto trannys and don't like either transmission. May do a 5/6spd swap when the auto behind my Cummins shucks out. Just depends on what you prefer. If you will use it mostly as a daily driver or in town, you will probably want an auto. If you plan on pulling alot of weight, you may want to go with a man. transmission. If you do get an auto, and pull with it, make sure you put a gauge on it so you won't get it to hot.



Thumbs up with the 12v. No problems in my 1 1/4 yrs. of ownership of my Dodge.



Good luck in your serch.

 

[illflem]

Seems like you should be getting a heck of a lot more response on this so I'm moving it for more exposure.

 

[EFallecker]

How about an automatic with the transgo kit and moderate towing?? I do alot of traveling and tow cars from time to time. Just want to get the facts before I purchase my CUMMINS Thanks guys Oo.

 

[Pit Bull]

Get a 2nd Generation with a manual transmission. HD trucks should sound like HD trucks and should have a manual. Other wise buy a Toyota Tundra :-laf

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Yeah - what Pit Bull sez - be a MAN, and get one of the LAST *real diesels* that Cummins will probably ever make for these trucks - quiet is for soccer moms and wimps...



(and maybe the hearing-impaired... ) :-laf :-laf :-laf



24 VALVES FOREVER!

 

[EnLjones]

Compare

Like anything the '03 have many upgrades that make them a great truck... . disk brakes all around, heavier payload and towing capability, more stock horsepower, ect . . ect. But you will also have a rather "large" monthly fee for the use of one of these things. :{ No matter which way you go you will be driving the best truck ever built. As far as the quiet truck aspect... that's an easy and dare I say cheap fix!

 

[ptrodock]

It depends on personal preference and what you are doing with it. I've had a old 12 valve with the really old 727 auto transmission that I nearly put 300,000 miles on and had great luck, but it wasn't a race car. I now have a 2001 with the auto, it has alot more snap, plenty for me but I wouldn't race a V-10 with it. I do daily to work and back type driving and just general putzing around with the ocassional heavy load (ie, pulling a 6,000 pound tractor). Personal preference and what you plan to use it for are what matters, all are basically great trucks in thier own right.



Your budget can have alot to do with how you go as well:--)

 

[Big Dawg]

Of course I'm prejudiced... A 2nd generation of course. Someone said the 2003 had disc brakes all around... . So does my 2002... though I suspect the 2002's are bigger and better. Oh yeah... Don't drill any holes inyour 2003 or itwill fold up according to Dodge. No fiver setups, no heavy bumpers, rollbars, fog lights or cupholders that ought to bring some flaming! 2003's should be superior in several ways and I would be disappointed if they weren't. I love the noise my engine makes and love to roll down the windows while going through a parking garage to get an extra dose. I love to scare cats and small children when I drive by. How would you make a 2003 loud like a 2nd gen. It seems like you would have to do some really heavy modifications to do that. Changing the entire injection system, computer, and probably the injection pump.



Back to your question... 2002's are scarce as hens teeth although there is a brand new white 3500 loaded SLT 6 speed still at the dealer down the street. Let me know if your interested

 

[vssman]

Your going to get a lot of opinions. Here's mine:



1) For the engine - they're all great compared to other vehicles. Older 12V engines (94-98. 5) tend to be easier to boost power via mechanical adjustments. 24V engines require electronic boxes. The 03 HO is rated at 305hp - You may feel that's enough

2) If you plan to tow, I'd personally get a Stick. Have you ever seen an automatic tow truck??

3) If you plan to race it or just drive it hard from stop light to stop light, I'd get an automatic. Not too many people can shift the stick without loosing boost. Autos shift affecting loss of boost.

4) One thing that is not addressed in the stick/auto dicsussions is that autos aren't nearly as good in hilly terrain when it's slippery (ice/snow). This is my 4th 4X4 and the first auto. The transmission is always pushing the truck forward unless you shift to Neutral. With a stick you just step on the clutch. A low stall TC makes it much worse.

5) With an auto, it's nice to be able to drink my morning coffee without taking a bath at every shift.



Good luck making up your mind. Remember what ever you go with is better than anything else that's out there.

 

[EFallecker]

OK I think I will definately stay with the 2nd gen and from the sounds of it go with a manual transmission but is it possible to find a clean 98. 5 to save on some boost mods?? If I go with a 24 valve I'd have to put RV injectors and a $800 box on it to make it rip or is there another way???? Thanks again for all the input

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by EFallecker

OK I think I will definately stay with the 2nd gen and from the sounds of it go with a manual transmission but is it possible to find a clean 98. 5 to save on some boost mods?? If I go with a 24 valve I'd have to put RV injectors and a $800 box on it to make it rip or is there another way???? Thanks again for all the input

If you look at buying a 98. 5 to 2001 you might as well check and see if it has a #"53" block and factor that into your buying decision.

 

[gsbrockman]

Originally posted by Big Dawg

I love the noise my engine makes and love to roll down the windows while going through a parking garage to get an extra dose. I love to scare cats and small children when I drive by.

Amen, Big Dawg !



I love to hear my bank teller at the drive thru say "Sir, could you turn off your truck ? I can't hear the customer at the next window. "

 

[Big Dawg]

EFallecker...



Go put the same question in the 3rd generation forum and get the other side of the fences opinions.



You know one thing I really hate about 3rd gens is those four doors. It reminds me of a minivan. I'm a single man and don't want four doors or any babyseats screwin' up my image as a hunka hunka burnin' luv I have a quad cab but it's more like a king cab. Now if you have a bunch of ankle rats (kids) the four doors will probably be preferable. The body style of the 3rd gen will also remain current for sometime.



Oh yeah... As far as auto versus stick... A stick will give you better mileage and is better for towing. An auto matic is less work though. By the way, I played with a six speed stick on an 03 the other day and itdoes seem to go from gear to gear easier than an 02.



Just food for thought. Honestly either way you probably won't go wrong. One more thing, there is a $2000 rebate on Ram trucks right now and you can join the Farm Bureau for $50 and get another $500 off. Good luck buddy

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Big Dawg



I played with a six speed stick on an 03 the other day and it does seem to go from gear to gear easier than an 02.

BD, do you think that is normal? I know that the six speeds in the 02 and 03's are the same unit so they should feel and shift the same, but I have read other members make the same comment. I have not driven an 03 six speed myself for comparison. I do admit that my six speed shifts great and will keep my fingers crossed that it continues. I wonder if the clutch is any different in the 03's?

 

[Big Dawg]

PB...



I think they are the same transmission but not sure. Dodge may have just revised or changed out the actual shifter. My '02 six speed is definitley not a smooth, silky short throw shifter like my Golf was but I need all the exercise I can get. My friend has an 01 six speed and I let him drive mine when I first got it because I thought something might be wrong with mine and I wanted him to compare the two. His remark was... "Man You got a good one... Yours shifts real smooth. " Imagine that.



I drove an automatic CTD once just to see what it was like. It was a completely different animal. The bad thing about my six speed is that my girlfriend doesn't know how to drive a stick so she can't use my truck. Darn the luck I love shifting that six speed. Shifting my Cummins raises my testosterone level at least five points. Sometimes when I want to be a real "he man" I'll start of in first gear... yeeeee-hawwww!



Favorite Quotes:



"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. "



"I ain't got time to bleed. "



"If it bleeds, we can kill it. "

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Big Dawg



The bad thing about my six speed is that my girlfriend doesn't know how to drive a stick so she can't use my truck. Darn the luck

I know what you mean. My wife doesn't even want to ride in my truck

 

[EFallecker]

Pit Bull

What is a #"53" Block I'm not exactly skilled in the diesel department but I sure want to be Thanks I was thinkin 98. 5 for the 12 valve to stay away from the computer injection.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Pit Bull

Originally posted by EFallecker

What is a #"53" Block I'm not exactly skilled in the diesel department but I sure want to be Thanks I was thinkin 98. 5 for the 12 valve to stay away from the computer injection.

Go here and read this thread. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66346&highlight=cracked+block