Need Opinions....Looking for 3500 Tomorrow

[CumminsPuller]

Allright guys and gals, I plan on trading my 2500 for a 3500 tomorrow. So far planning on looking at:



'99 3500, QuadCab, auto, SLT, gooseneck, Air Hookup for trailer brakes, 66,000 miles. ($21,900)



'98 3500, QuadCab, 5sp, SLT, Leather, 78,000 miles. ($17,900)



'01 3500, QuadCab, 5sp, SLT, 90,000 miles. ($19,500)

This truck is sold with the condition TMU (Total Miles Unknown) Was told the odometer is not acurate. That it actually spins fast. Therefore the total miles are unknown. This sounds odd or fishy to me. Anyone ever heard of this?



Should I stay away from 4x4's if I will be pulling this weight regularly? Or is that irrelevant?



Still very torn between Auto or 5sp. , I will be doing alot of pulling up to about 25,000lbs (including trailer)... ... Would hate for the auto to get fired, but also would hate for the 5th gear nut to come off, or the clutch to get fried to soon... ... Not sure what to do, help me make up my mind..... Please. Thanks for everyone's opinions.



Jason

 

[chuck3]

5 spd.

Pulling that kind of weight, I would go with the stick over the auto. my 2 cents.

 

[CumminsPuller]

Thanks Chuck!!!!!

Keep those opinions cumming!!!!!!!!!!!!



Jason

 

[klenger]

Keep looking for a 6 speed, else the 5 speed. But then I'm new to all this.

 

[Pit Bull]

I just bought mine last week (see signature). It has 35,000 miles on it and I got the diesel wrap 100,000 mile Dodge diesel wrap warranty that will take care of any potential transmission problems. I don't and won't toe anything ( It is just a daily driver ). If I was going to toe beyond the rated limits I would get a 6 speed. My truck is perfect, one owner no 5th wheel towing and limited trailering (just enough to break it in right). I feel based on my research that mileage on the cummins engine is not a concern since it will go 500,000 plus miles. As a point of reference for you I paid $27,000 which included the warranty. My truck was built in November of 1999, so it will soon turn 2 years old. If I would of bought a new one it would have cost me $33,000 plus after rebates without the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty so I feel that used with a warranty is a good way to save money and still cover your butt. Let someone else take the depression hit. I know a warranty can be a hassle but this one includes towing and a free rental car if a problem occurs and being retired I have nothing better to do than to hassle Dodge if I have a problem Good luck on your quest.

Dennis

 

[hv2hunt]

5 or 6 speed

If you are going to keep the truck I'd go with the manual. I've never had any problems hauling my toys. I know guys who have torque converters on the shelf in thier garages. getting an exhuast brake installed is easier, to slow that rig down.

 

[Ross]

3500 Shopping

Get the 5 or 6 speed. The auto's are cool if you want to drag race (but you've got to soak about 1300. 00 into it before it will last if you add power). If you don't have a hard preference, definitely get the manual. They put the power to the ground much better (in stock form), and the engines make a little more power (unmodified), except for the 2001's in which case Dodge programs the ECM to reduce power at shift points to save the auto transmission.



Like I said, if you don't really have a strong preference, the manual is the clear choice. I rarely unhook my trailer from the truck. It sets out at the barn hooked up and ready. So far, 98,000 miles of 350 hp running (moderately bombed) while pulling about 14,000 pounds, with a cabover on the truck too! I wouldn't even consider an auto for what I use this truck for.



A warning about the '98, you will probably loose the 5th gear nut in the next 10K miles. Everyone I know that has a 98 (me included) lost the 5th gear nut by 80K. No big deal, it's an easy fix, and doesn't cost much if you do it yourself (under 50 bucks).



Good Luck!

 

[D White]

Towing that kind of weight, I would go with a 5 or 6 speed. I have had both 5 speed and now an auto, both with 4. 10's, and think a stick is the way to go. Everyone likes something different. My next one will be a 6 speed.



Good Luck,

 

[MidwestMotorman]

bad odo

As far as the one rig that the odo spins fast, Dodge can program in the tire size to correct it. It is simple and there is no excuse to not have it fixed or checked. The speedo and odo read off of the same feed if I am not mistaken. If the odo reads faster than normal, the speedo should too. If the speedo is right, then the cluster will probably have to be changed.

 

[HC]

If the Odometer was off just a bit, even 10%, I'm betting it wouldn't have been mentioned. To me, it sounds more likely it was broken for awhile, and they're just not mentioning that part.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Jason look at it like this, If you buy the auto you know it needs the DTT stuff to make it right $1300. 00 will just buy the parts,If it's a manual it needs the 5th gear fix and a real good clutch then you can do what ever you want to either and not worry about it. I have never driven a manual but would like to drive a slightly bombed 3500 6speed 3. 54 but as you see I bought an auto for driving and it will get a DTT 89/VB to make it right!

 

[pwr2tow]

Stay away from the one with the speedo problem. IMO they are pulling a fast one on you. I know a guy who disabled his speedo altogether to keep his warranty intack. DC suspected he done this and the dealer hooked up some scan tool and it read the actual miles. The line they are feeding you is bull----.



Ron

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by ronsram1999

Stay away from the one with the speedo problem. IMO they are pulling a fast one on you. I know a guy who disabled his speedo altogether to keep his warranty intack. DC suspected he done this and the dealer hooked up some scan tool and it read the actual miles. The line they are feeding you is bull----.



Ron

My trucks Rear-Wheel speed sensor went out. My odo is way out of whack,, it says 80K but I KNOW that is atleast 10K off on the low side.



How can I get the actual total mileage. ??

Go to the dealer and ask them to do it?



Thanks,

MerrickNJr

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by D Latimer

... a warranty is a good way to save money and still cover your butt. Let someone else take the depression hit. I know a warranty can be a hassle but this one includes towing and a free rental car if a problem occurs and being retired I have nothing better to do than to hassle Dodge if I have a problem ...

Dennis

Hehe,, Retired, and nothing better to do than hassle Dodge if you have a problem. . LOL, Your Service manager's worst nightmare,, somebody who actually has the time to fight a problem that isn't getting fixed, or not getting fixed under warrenty. .



MerrickNJr

 

[Steve Roseman]

Dodgeboy,

You failed to mention gear ratios. I am assuming most of the trucks have 4:10 gears since they are 3500's. I can only speak for myself, but if I were pulling that much weight I would go with the manual. I like my auto but I only pull about 9k. The auto limits your ability to use an exhaust brake, but is nice for around town. I would like to have an exhaust brake for faster warmups, but that's all I could use it for without putting extra stress on my TC.

As for the truck with odometer problems, it might be your best bet. If you don't feel comfortable, have a qualified mechanic check it out. It is the newest truck of the bunch and is priced right. Maybe you could get them to knock of another 1 or 2 grand off the price. Any used vehicle can have problems. Good luck with your choice whichever one it is.

 

[pwr2tow]

Merrick, this is only an educated guess but I would say if it is the speed sensor in the rear thats bad then there would be no way to tell how many miles are on your truck. I do not know how anything could register the mileage if the speed sensor is no good. That would be a good question for the dealership.



Ron

 

[MCummings]

Thanks Ron.



I guess I'll stop by my Semi BOMB-Friendly dealership here in town and ask if they can get an actual mileage of my truck. .



BOMB-friendly dealership,, hehe, Around here a modified Cummins is un-heard of, and there is one or two lightly modified PSD's. In other words,, they are a little inexperianced, and don't void warrenties out of the blue, they investigate, then see if MY Mod caused a problem.



MerrickNJr

 

[pwr2tow]

Sounds like you have a great dealership, I won't elaborate on the goofballs around here. Although I did find one that was o. k. (not the one I bought my truck from).



Ron

 

[David Muench]

Try to find a 6 speed and 4. 10 gears. I towed through the berkshires this weekend pulling my Jeep to/from a Jamboree, and it was only about 7k of weight. . But the truck was perfect, even over that mountain on route 2. That exhaust brake I installed 2 weeks ago is the best money I've ever spent. Our goal is to be towing about the same amount of weight you are (need a new trailer first), but so far, so good. . Also, a 2000 or newer will get you better front brakes, and a 2001. 5 will get you rear discs. .

 

[gitchesum]

I saw one in front of Pederson's Equipment in Lake Charles last week. Don't remember if it was a QC but it was a 3500 flatbed. Not sure of the price either.