Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) best year for the 24V?

[shendren]

i sold my 96 for an 04 PSD. what a mistake. it's even questionable whether the truck is better. we all know the engine is not. but i have to say that i like the interior was nicer in my dodge..... that said, what year is the most reliable 24V? thanks. scott.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

2001...+

I guess I 'd have to say a 2001 or a 2001. 5 because by then most of the gremlins had been sorted.



A couple of lingering major items like the ol' 53 cracked block saga and flaky lift-pumps were arguably the only major things that could possibly fail and instances of these occurring were becoming rather more rare. I 've had mine for almost 4 years and have just turned 60,000 miles and the only things that have failed (or started to fail intermittently) are the oil pressure sender assembly and the APPS sender - the latter which can be given an extended life at the next service with some sovent cleaner. . Aside from that it's just been fluids every 10k miles and a wheels/tires rotation at the same time. My Rickons are about half worn and I reckon I'll get to about 70,000 miles before I get them recut and then they should last me to 100,000, just like it said on the Rickson box.



Hope this helps.....

 

[Duluth Diesel]

So why 2001. 5 and not the entire 2002 model year?

 

[swampfox]

I have 65,000 on my 2001. 5. Not a problem. I just returned from a 3,000 mile trip to the Southwest... . the truck ran like a clock. Coming home yesterday from the missouri/iowa border we ran into 30mph headwinds all the way. A duramax, a ford 350 and a sterling were really PO'ed when the Cummins ran by them uphill pulling an 8,000 lbs trailer.

 

[1FSTDSL]

Originally posted by Duluth Diesel

So why 2001. 5 and not the entire 2002 model year?

They are the same exept they left a few things out on the 2002 models. The 2002 does not have lining under the hood, no paint up front at the condenser/intercooler and no rear wheel well inserts.

 

[CFAR]

2001. 5's also have 4 wheel disc brakes, which the 2001's did not. So to get everything the 2001. 5's are about the best.

 

[justinp20012500]

Originally posted by 1FSTDSL

They are the same exept they left a few things out on the 2002 models. The 2002 does not have lining under the hood, no paint up front at the condenser/intercooler and no rear wheel well inserts.

No OH S#@T handle on the passenger side... No driver side vanity mirror. No rear seat cup holders. The "little rubber thing that falls on you vavle cover every time you open your hood" has been made smaller. And probably a few other things I have missed????

 

[mgoncalves]

Originally posted by justinp20012500

No OH S#@T handle on the passenger side...

That's incorrect. My 02 has said feature.





Matt

 

[DPelletier]

my vote is for an '01. 5 or '02 HO six speed. Disk brakes, NV5600.

The stuff they left off started in '01. 5, but was all relatively minor, to me, anyway.

Dave

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

Originally posted by shendren

i sold my 96 for an 04 PSD. what a mistake. it's even questionable whether the truck is better. we all know the engine is not. but i have to say that i like the interior was nicer in my dodge..... that said, what year is the most reliable 24V? thanks. scott.

MISTAKE indeed but sounds like your in the right direction. I have an 02 I love it. It has the TACO block, no insulation under hood (I want to hear it anyway). Also my 02 has 4-wheel discs which work super I once had my truck on a scale (bed full of concrete chunks) truck and load weighed 13,700 lbs. the lady behind the counter about craped! It too has an OH CRAP handle!



Personally I wonder what youd have thought about the later modle Dodge interior. I always thought Ford interiors were "COOKIE CUTTER" and kinda cheasy like the rest of the vehicle to say the least. Well if you want to drive my truck around for a couple of days come get it youre more than welcome!

 

[shendren]

i thought that the ford was made better but once i started driving it daily i have decide not. the space above the visors... ..... what's that for? apparently not for stowing things. how about the map light switch? the dodge's was right there above on the computer panel. the ford's are way back up on the main overhead light. the fold down seat in the middle is so short, it's useless. i will run the **** out of the ford then go back to cummins.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I vote for the 2001 to 2001. 5 ETC engine as the best. BOMBable for more HP, generally smoother idle, and the engines are painted. We have not had painted Cummins engines since 2001. 5



Vaughn

 

[Hohn]

My '02 has made me more than a little biased. I have the latest and greatest of everything that a 2nd gen can have. Best VP, best LP, best block, etc... .



Yes, they cut corners on the '02s. But seeing as how I never had the stuff, I sure don't miss it.



It's quite possible that the '02s were the loudest CTDs made of all. Mine seems louder than any 12V, and the HOs seems to have a little more spunk to it. Add to that no hood blanket and you have a rattler's delight.



If I get sick of it, I'll get the ATP kit.



Justin

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Love my '02 - Like HOHN, all the trivial stuff the bean counters dropped ws unimportant to me - the disc brake on the '01. 5 and '02 trucks VASTLY outweigh the few small pieces of plastic dropped on the last of the GREAT trucks!



By the way, these blocks are not "painted", but clear-coated, no rust, but well protected against the elements. I too have one of the Mexican blocks - reportedly the hardest and strongest of the several supplied by Cummins for the Dodges (USA, Mexico and Brazil)...

 

[College Cummins]

I agree that the little stuff left off of the '02 didn't make a difference. I like to hear the Cummins just as much as anyone else, and the disc brakes are definitely the way to go. I can't belive that a truck this size can stop this well. But, if the '01. 5 came with everything, and you could find one of those, then go for it, but don't let the little things they left off of the '02's discourage you from getting one, just get outta that phurd ASAP! James

 

[DHoleman]

One to his own, what is good for is not the best for someone else. Test drives cost you nothing right, drive till you find whats right for you and your needs, I've got an 01' and I still go for test drives to see what something different feels like DH