Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) best year of 24v truck?

[Heetseeker_1]

I am going to start looking for a 24v a few in a few weeks and was hoping to get some input as to what the best year is. I am on a budget, but I want to start out looking at a year range of 1999 to 2001. Have there been many upgrades to the trucks over those years? I was so happy with my 12v I didn't look much in the 24v forums until the accident.



Any help would be great,





Steve.

 

[Motorhead]

I have a 2001. 5 with the disc brakes all around. Mine has the things that were deleted in 2002: Hood insul, rear wheel well plastis inserts(4X4only), My leather seats have the Ram embroidery on them, '02s don't. I'm sure that there are a few other things but I don't know. If you want a standard shift, get the HO/6spd. You won't get the fuel mileage that you got with the 12v. Chris

 

[LSMITH]

The 01. 5 is the only worthwhile upgrade in that it has 4 wheel disk brakes as Motorhead mentioned. 02 trucks are missing a few things, including an axle disconnect, but are very nice.



I would ONLY look for a truck with the 6 speed manual if I were to do it again, they are available in 99 and 00 with the ETC engine, and 01-02 with the HO ETH engine.

 

[fj40charles]

I would think the lack of CAD (central axle disconnect) would be better since that is a weak link. .



Charles

 

[geusterman]

Here is the hottest reason to buy the 2002. It has the same oil drain plug like the 89-93 models. George

 

[Reb.B]

don't buy a 98. 5 or 99. supposily the block is prone to craking in the back, sencors aren't as good (told to me by dealer mech. ). Just what i heard though. replaced lots of sencors in my truck.

 

[rogerblind]

I just upgraded from a 2000 to a 2002. Quite an improvement. Transmission shifts much "cleaner," I would guess due to set-up/adjustment differences. Disc brakes have eliminated the "early morning grabs. " Engine runs smoother. On the downside, I had to purchase and add the underhood insulation and rear wheel-well liners that DC eliminated. Overall, I am well satisfied with the upgrade, particularly when buying at $3K under invoice.

 

[Pit Bull]

I like the 2000 from a looks standpoint, still has the tail gate trim and all of the stuff they started to delete after 2000. "But" I have drum rear brakes, would reather have the disc's. If I did it again I would of gotten the 6 speed. Good luck in your search.

 

[KatDiesel]

If it were me I would look for an 01. 5 mainly for the four wheel disc brakes... ... ... .



You'll just have to look at 2001 trucks and check the rears to see if they are disc or not, Dodge doesn't differentat between the 01 and 01. 5's like we do. The 2001 model year was long... ... ... my truck built in Feb 2000 is a 2001 year model.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Originally posted by fj40charles

I would think the lack of CAD (central axle disconnect) would be better since that is a weak link. .



Charles

Charles,

I was curious as to where the weak link is on the CAD front axle?

I understand that there are a couple moving parts and a vacumn system but it's a very simple setup.

My experience is that the CAD is stronger then the axles and certainly stronger then the front driveshaft. The fuel mileage drop in the 2002's without the CAD is attributed to the exta friction and oil drag of the ring gear, driveshaft and spinning the output shaft on the transfercase. When Dodge went to full time 4wldr in 1975 we replaced more pinion seals on the front axle then the rear. I would be concerned that the 2002's will experience additional wear also. No flame intended, as several folks on TDR have expressed concern with the CAD but to me it seems solid and easy to beef up if needed. I've found the CAD to be stronger and more reliable then old lock out hubs but I may be missing something? Larry

 

[WadePatton]

Mom has the '99 and I have the '00.



I highly recommend the Y2K if you want a 6-speed with the ETC. The ETC is better for box-only BOMBing. The ETH begs for injectors. On the other hand the ETC six-speed has the smaller output shaft and a 13" clutch upgrade is expensive.



Depends on how much BOMBing you want to do and whether you want the sixer.



Two things I don't like on the '99 are the "pop back up" parking brake and the bottom loading fuel filter.



Shop hard and find a good clean truck--then OVERFUEL it! I drove 600 miles one-way to get mine. Good luck.

 

[JR2]

Well here is my two cents... . go out and find the best deal you can on a truck from 2000 up that meets your specs. The lack of rear disks or missing ram logos on the seats is really not that big of a deal (no offense to anyone here, just my opnion). If you have to have wheel well liners then look for one with liners. . you get the idea. Most of the stuff DC is deleting has little effect on the actual performance of the truck, its just nice stuff to have. '

The only thing I think I would like is rear disks, but I drove a truck with them and I could not tell the diff. I don't tow so maybe that is where the rear disks shine.



I know right now there ought to be a few new 2002 trucks sitting on the lot that should be a good deal as the 2003 trucks are starting to show up. You may not get the color you want, but the prices ought to be good.





JR2