Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Yo Matt,
I thought the advise offered by others on the 3Gen forum was sound. I didn't have an auto loan, or a credit card for that matter, until I was 46. Don't get your self in too deep. Didn't need one. Be happy with your 94 12v until the right time comes. It is a very good machine.
When I was a pup I made do with whatever I could afford and patch together to keep running. My 4x4 "gems" included a Ford F250 for 12 years (rebuild at 150K), a 62 Willys with a Jeep Commando V6 (Buick) that I stuck in, a 67 Land Rover with a 4 cyl. Chevy "Iron Duke (sweet rig except it ate ignition modules), a 83 Chevy S10 Blazer POS which broke a crank = crank kit, a 83 Toyota which had the timing chain wear through the cover and fry the bearings at 150K = rebuild. :{ I learned how to take things apart and put them back in some semblance of order
I hocked the Toyota off on my first DC a "Holy Grail" machine, almost - 98 12v 2500 Cummins LWB 4x4 5 spd. It was a dream come true. I traded it off on the 02 because I wanted a quad cab. I just traded the 02 off on a 04 because I need a 3500. Everyone has been an outstanding vehicle.
IMHO the downside to the "Holy Grail " is:
The Gen 3 four doors are vastly more accommodating than the suicide quad. Plus, they are structually stronger in an accident (imagine the wife and kids in a side impact with the "Holy Grail")
The 5 speed 3:53 had poor ratios. Starting in 2nd meant slipping the clutch a little. Backing a trailer in Reverse was a joke. Often would go to 4lo. Then there is the "self removing" nut on the 5 spd. if you lugged it (I didn't - whew)
My 98 taught me the meaning of "herding" a Dodge down the road. With a heavy camper on it was a veritable carnival ride. The steering in my 02 was much better. The GEN3 is vastly superior.
After experincing the ABS 4 wheel disc brake stop when needed I became a believer. The Gen3 is even beefier than my 02. IMHO Remember
Having said all that, I thought the 12v was incredible. The Gen2 styling is vastly uperior. And the Gen2 under the hood room was wonderful.
But lets not forget the Gen 1 hubs and the leaf springs on the front - components of real trucks.
Bottom line: They will all be rusted hulks of metal in the junk yard soon enough.
You know, this almost sounds like one of those ominous "Pa lectures" my kids are always compaining about, yeesh.
I thought the advise offered by others on the 3Gen forum was sound. I didn't have an auto loan, or a credit card for that matter, until I was 46. Don't get your self in too deep. Didn't need one. Be happy with your 94 12v until the right time comes. It is a very good machine.
When I was a pup I made do with whatever I could afford and patch together to keep running. My 4x4 "gems" included a Ford F250 for 12 years (rebuild at 150K), a 62 Willys with a Jeep Commando V6 (Buick) that I stuck in, a 67 Land Rover with a 4 cyl. Chevy "Iron Duke (sweet rig except it ate ignition modules), a 83 Chevy S10 Blazer POS which broke a crank = crank kit, a 83 Toyota which had the timing chain wear through the cover and fry the bearings at 150K = rebuild. :{ I learned how to take things apart and put them back in some semblance of order
I hocked the Toyota off on my first DC a "Holy Grail" machine, almost - 98 12v 2500 Cummins LWB 4x4 5 spd. It was a dream come true. I traded it off on the 02 because I wanted a quad cab. I just traded the 02 off on a 04 because I need a 3500. Everyone has been an outstanding vehicle.
IMHO the downside to the "Holy Grail " is:
The Gen 3 four doors are vastly more accommodating than the suicide quad. Plus, they are structually stronger in an accident (imagine the wife and kids in a side impact with the "Holy Grail")
The 5 speed 3:53 had poor ratios. Starting in 2nd meant slipping the clutch a little. Backing a trailer in Reverse was a joke. Often would go to 4lo. Then there is the "self removing" nut on the 5 spd. if you lugged it (I didn't - whew)
My 98 taught me the meaning of "herding" a Dodge down the road. With a heavy camper on it was a veritable carnival ride. The steering in my 02 was much better. The GEN3 is vastly superior.
After experincing the ABS 4 wheel disc brake stop when needed I became a believer. The Gen3 is even beefier than my 02. IMHO Remember
Having said all that, I thought the 12v was incredible. The Gen2 styling is vastly uperior. And the Gen2 under the hood room was wonderful.
But lets not forget the Gen 1 hubs and the leaf springs on the front - components of real trucks.
Bottom line: They will all be rusted hulks of metal in the junk yard soon enough.
You know, this almost sounds like one of those ominous "Pa lectures" my kids are always compaining about, yeesh.
