advice on ctd purchase

[Jim McCarty]

I need advice regarding the purchase of a Dodge Ram diesel. I currently have a '95 Ram V10 with just over 70,000 miles in new condition. I want to buy a diesel because the gas mileage is killing me. I live in Calif. where I understand the gas prices are the highest in the country. My questions are: 12 valve or 24 valve. ? What is best year(s)? Any years to avoid? I'm looking for either reg. cab or ext. cab automatic with long bed. I don't want stick because too much stop and go driving. I know there are probably as many opinions out there as there are TDR readers, but there must be some general consensus on some of these points. Do you think an '03 is maybe a better way to go, considering the rebates? I heard there was some kind of tax break also as an incentive to encourage the public to buy new cars. Is this true? Any help would be really appreciated. PS: I will want to lightly bomb whatever I end up with.

 

[Shrimpy]

HHUUUUHUUUHHHHUUUUHHUUU... ... ... he said LIGHTLY Bombed... . is there such an animal.



Seriously, it depends on what you want. If price is ultimate concern, look at single cabs from late 91 thru ?????. Single cabs seem to not hold their value quite as well. The 03 are great if you can afford one. There are lots of options, read in each section, both 12 and 24 valves. Both have little problems but can be fixed easily. If you are looking at First Gens. , stay from mid 91 on. These were the intercooled trucks. The automatic, stock, will have to be upgraded at some time if you do any bombing.



I have owned nothing but Dodge Diesels since 92 (former GMC diehard). You will love them, they become an addiction...

 

[Sticks]

Jim,



Shrimpy is absolutely correct. I have seen this bombing disease take many down the path to addiction, and I have only been a member for about 4 months. Your truck will get a life of it's own after the first mod, and will demand that it gets an equal share of your money, if you are married and your wife does not like the truck, then they will be jealous of each other, and you my friend will be caught in the middle. Do what you can to make a family of it. The only thing that is saving me is that I am unemployed and have no money for serious mods, and my truck understands this. She has made it quite clear that it must get 10% of my first years paychecks when I do get a job, or until she is where she thinks she needs to be. At least she is willing to help me keep it a secret from the wife.



As far as the transmissions, touchy subject around here, It is agreed that you can gain as much as about 75-100hp over stock with out having to do any transmission mods if you are real light on the throttle. Otherwise you are looking at $1500-$5000 (it can be done a little cheaper, by why do things by small measures. Do it right the first time) to mod an auto, and $500-$1000 to mod a standard. If you are going to do any towing, I really recommend the standard (6 speed). I did the auto thing for one year, and that was the biggest mistake of my truck purchase.



Do your research in the different forums here, and try to hook up with a member, or the TDR chapter in your area to get some face to face information.

 

[Jim McCarty]

purchase advice

Thanks for your responses re: buying a diesel. If I do decide to bomb, I know the risks. I was just thinking about a plate and nothing else. This will be my work truck( I'm a bldg. contractor). I was thinking '97 or '98 because of the modern brake booster and 12 valves and simpler pump. I know about the #53 block in the '99s and some later. How about mileage? Should I try to buy a truck with less than 100k? The longer I wait the harder they are to find. I guess I just have to fix a budget $ and narrow my field of choices. How about driving a stick shift around town. Doesn't that get pretty tiring and difficult with a cell phone and shifting? Thanks to all again who have or will respond.

 

[Sticks]

Re: purchase advice

Originally posted by JimMccarty

How about driving a stick shift around town. Doesn't that get pretty tiring and difficult with a cell phone and shifting? Thanks to all again who have or will respond.

I am going to pretend that you did not just say that



I have only owned two atuos in my life. The first was a Subaru XT6 and the 01 Dodge 2500. Even in the Subaru I would have preferred a stick. The auto in the 2500 was more for the wife, and reverse when backing up a trailer.



As for the cell phone, do not get me started. The human race as a whole can not focus on two different thought process at a time, Driving a 3500 pound and up vehicle, and concentrate on a conversation over the phone. Even with an auto, you really should have both hands available for driving. My advice would be no matter what you are driving, if you must be on the phone, get a cell phone holder mounted on the dash, and a hands free ear piece and microphone. I have almost been taken out more times than I care to remember by someone on a phone that was more concerned about their conversation than wheather there was any one in the lane next to them as they were weaving through traffic.



#ad




At three o'clock off the steering wheel is a hard wired and mounted cell phone holder.

 

[Jim McCarty]

Did I say cell phone? I meant taking a drink of coffee. I haven't driven a stick shift Ram but the Ford diesel I had was way too hard to shift and consider doing anything else. Maybe I should try a 5 or 6 spd. at a dealers lot before ruling it out.

 

[Sticks]

The trucks shift pretty nice once you get to the shifting revs. Try one for a few days, not just a 5 minute test drive. Some dealers will let you take one for a weekend. The shift throw is pretty long, after all, it is a working truck, but there are ways to shorten the throw, and smoth out the transmission for low $$$.

 

[shendren]

the guy that owns TST told me if he took a truck across the country and up to alaska, it would be a 12V. much more reliable than the 24. no electronics. the p7100 pump is not that much simpler, but it's MUCH better. if you get a 12v just take 2 hours and tab the pin.

 

[bighammer]

It's not the cell phone that's difficult while shifting, it's trying to write down the directions or phone number as you are shifting and holding the phone with the shoulder. Although a big clipboard ofer the steering wheel helps.









(OK, guys I"M KIDDING)

 

[Mtngoat]

Lightly bomb??? Those were my exact words just 4. 5 months ago, now look!! Practice in the mirror looking yourself in the eyes without looking away and saying, "no, honey, it was real cheap!" These trucks and these guys on the TDR are addictive!! I should say their knowledge!!! Have fun with a great truck!!



Robin

 

[GWHaley]

I recently purchased a CTD after many months of searching. I looked at new and used. I decided long ago that it would have to be diesel powered for much the same reasons as you Jim. You can see what I bought in my sig. I chose this because of the deal I got on it, not necessarily because of the year or features (or lack thereof). I really didn't want the auto, but I think you need to be a bit flexible when searching for a vehicle to get your best deal. I didn't realize it at the time, but this truck is a 2001. 5, and that is good because of the rear discs. This truck stops good. I also plan to do some bombing and realize I will need to do some trans work. This truck drives real nice and strong (for stock), possibly because it only has 12,000 mi. on it! anyway, just some food for thought, Gordon

 

[mberry]

If I were to do it again, I would go with a '96-'98. 5 12 valve 6 speed regardless of mileage. I love my truck, but I have learned so much on the TDR that I would have done it differently if I had know about the TDR before I bought my truck.

 

[Mtngoat]

Hey, sticks!



Is the button on your shifter handle hooked up to anything???



Robin

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by Mtngoat

Hey, sticks!



Is the button on your shifter handle hooked up to anything???



Robin

Yup. Momentary "on" for the exhaust brake. It will engage the brake as long as I have it pressed, provided I don't have my foot on the throttle, or the clutch is depressed. There is a switch in the dash to toggle between the shifter and the normal operation (foot off the throttle, and the clutch is not depressed).

 

[OnlyCummins]

Originally posted by mberry

If I were to do it again, I would go with a '96-'98. 5 12 valve 6 speed ... snip...

I thought the 6spd only became available with the 24V?