2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission nOOb buying truck, need advice

[GECCO]

Sweet truck Ron, that short wheelbase dually looks really tough. But I gotta stick with the crew cab so I have room for me, the GF and my border collie Hank.

 

[GECCO]

BUMP!



Anyone else have any words of advice?



Thanks in advance!

 

[Mundgyver]

I was looking at this site tonight.



http://www.davesmithmotor.com/inventory/list.asp?cat=2&make=Dodge



These are his pre-owned that he is selling. 65 of them. Might be something there that interest you.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

GF and my border collie Hank

Who has to ride where? :-laf



Got two BCs who are pretty special... ... ... ... ... ... most times.

 

[GECCO]

Who has to ride where? :-laf



Got two BCs who are pretty special... ... ... ... ... ... most times.

yeah, this is my second... . my first died a year ago of cancer at 14... . this one is a BC/Blue Heeler mix, 2 years old from the local BC rescue... the GF has another cattle dog, they are quite a pair... great dogs

 

[nps]

Some early 2002's had a CAD. You can look at the front axle. If the tube leading to the pass side wheel is smooth and straight, then no CAD. If there is a bubble in the tube midway, then it has a CAD.



From 2002 and up they dropped the rear wheel well liners. Another plus for the 2001. 5.



In 2003 I think they offered the HO motor with autos. All 2003 and up have either a std cab or 4 doors - the quad cabs ended in 2002.



The way to tell if a truck has a HO motor or not is to look at the engine data plate located on the front cover drivers side. If the plate says 245HP then it is a HO motor (order code ETH). All HOs have a 6 speed behind them. All 6 speeds do not always have a HO in front of them. The SO motor plate will say 235HP.

 

[GECCO]

Some early 2002's had a CAD. You can look at the front axle. If the tube leading to the pass side wheel is smooth and straight, then no CAD. If there is a bubble in the tube midway, then it has a CAD.

Dumb question time... what is a CAD?

 

[nps]

CAD=Central Axle Disconnect - was talked about by SNOKING earlier in the thread.



It disconnects the front axle from the passenger side tire. Therefore the open diff is allowed to spin the side gears but the ring/pinion and driveshaft don't spin when disconnected. Less moving parts=better economy and longer parts life. Also supports running in two wheel drive low range mode (good for backing heavy trailers).



Evidently when DC was discontinuing the Dana axles for the 3rd Gen AAM axles, they didn't order enough CAD-equipped front axles. So mid 2002 (the end of the 2nd gen production run) DC started putting on Dana 60s without the CAD. IIRC none of the AAMs on the 3rd gens have a CAD - they always spin the front driveshaft.



Most consider the CAD a good thing to have. One more 2002 difference to look for.

 

[GECCO]

Good explanation, thank you... . I had forgotten the earlier reference. So, am I correct in assuming that the 3rd gen front axles are all non-CAD?

 

[nps]

Good explanation, thank you... . I had forgotten the earlier reference. So, am I correct in assuming that the 3rd gen front axles are all non-CAD?

Yes-they are full-time locked.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Plus, you can replace the CAD with a cable Posilok engagement system for $200.