Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) New Meat!

[Dull Pain]

I think responses to this post would be appropriate with either the Green Crying or Blue Frown/Perplexed Smilie.



I'm a newbie with all the same dumb, repetitive, mundane (to you) questions you have heard and answered in the past. Although not new to the Cummins. I bought new a 94 Dodge 3500, 4X4, 5 sp, 3:55's, when they first hit the Stealer's Lot. It's bone stock with 117K on the meter.



So get ready to educate me! Please!



I have a slight case of BOMB fever. The Dilemma is to keep the 94 and modify?? or trade for 2002, 3500, 4X4, 6sp, Quad?? I have located 2 Flame Red as above at separate dealers and am in medium serious negotiations. Lot O money tho. @#$^&



Have driven a couple of the 02's, seems like more power, way different power band than my 94, 6sp stiff and hard to shift. I missed 3rd 4 or 5 times.



The 2002 trade up comes from my 5 year retirement plan. Which I am now into by 3 years. Can retire in 20 months. Eat your heart out guys. Wanted to have a new Truck (relative) paid for with low mileage when I did retire. Don't use the truck to commute to work now so would be parked most of the time except weekends and when I wanted to show it off. Wife (sweet little woman) says trade and get what you want now or never.



No SHE is not for Sale or Trade. ????????????



I am not very fond of the new 2003 , 3500 body style and don't feel good about what I read on posts here about shoehorning the motor back under your feet where you can't work on it AND the talk of DC cutting costs and demanding that thier suppliers do same. If true I would ? the integrity / longevity of the new stuff. Just IMHO.



So maybe you guys can give me OPINIONS on above.



ON TO THE BOMBING - Took me a long time to get here HUH!

I get the picture for the most part I THINK. Make it BREATHE first. Big Honking AF, Same for the exhaust. Oh Yeah the Gauges come first!! Then I was thinking some kind of aftermarket Black Box (I don't know what ya'll callem) that plugs in and fools the Computer. Then maybe injectors?? Plate?? Timing?? Star Wheel?? By then maybe I will have enough sense to ask intelligent ? about Turbos. Soooo many Housing Sizes, Hy35's,

Hx 40's who knows what else or even if this is right?????



If I keep 94 bombing will have to be moderate (hot rod days long over & don't care about burnouts) as longevity & RELIABILITY very important. If I trade for 2002 will wait a year to get all Warranty issues out of the way and then BOMB mildly.



I currently pull a flatbed gooseneck that weighs 5,200 empty. Maybe a Travel Trailer in the future when retired.



Go ahead and BASH the Newbie, get it out of your system. Then let's get down to business. Looking forward to meeting / talking to you all.



Dull Pain

 

[JConley]

Welcome!!



I think the biggest question is " What is the 2003 going to give you that the 94 is missing?" If you want power, you can have a lot more than the 2003 for about $500. 00 If you want a quad cab and the new car smell, its going to cost you about 30 grand. With only 117K miles, on the old truck, it has a TON of life left in it. If the old truck is still in good shape, has no problems, then I would keep it, do a few simple mods, and drive it for another 300K miles. Take the money that you would have spent on the car payments for the 2003, and put that in savings. There is no reason to get a new truck when the old one is still fine.



I am going to drive my 98 12V until it gets totaled out since it is paid for, and it doesnt have all the electronics like the new ones.

 

[TomGolden]

Oh by all means get the 2002!!!!!



Since you posted this in the under-valved forum, you'll likely get a few in reference to buying a 24 valve, but since you said the choices were either the 94 first gen or a 2002, I say get the 2002, and BOMBs away baby!!



Tom

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Dont give up the ship!

Keep the 94. You don't like the new style anyway. Too many valves and electrons flying arround in the new stuff.

#1) Take care of containing your killer dowel pin. It can break your gearcase,your heart and your wallet.

#2) Have fun tuning up/bombing your 94. You will swear you have a new truck! Welcome to the TDR

 

[dmurdock]

I have an '01 and if I was you i'd keep the '94.



PS. You left something out of the bomb list. . right after black box and before injectors... it's called CLUTCH!.

 

[Deezul1]

I like the 12 valve and had a choice of either. No computer controls at all on the 12 valve engine so its all mechanical mods which are easy and cheap. If you like your truck then dont go new, use the money for a travel trailer and go play. yours is just getting broke in. I have 167,000 on my 97 and it doesnt use any oil, gets 17. 5 around town and 21. 5 on highway empty. It also makes 417 HP at rear wheels and scare the crop out of Mustangs. Besides who wants all those dealer warranty hassles.

Good Luck

John