shopping for used RAM, not surewhich to buy

[SGiles]

Would like to get into a Quad cab diesel. Am told the 2001. 5 2500 has merit. Does the 2001. 5 have a quad cab?



If I can find one with the manual 6 speed and 350 rear end it may meet my needs. Is this a good eng/transmission match up?



Need only light to medium towing capability. Good fuel economy is important to me.



Need room in cab for some degree of comfort in the back seats.



Is 100K on the speedometer reasonable to expect?



Leather and power is desirable. Do manual transmissions have cruise control?



Any guidance or opinions would be greatly appreciated.



I am an airplane guy. Would like to learn about diesels from those that have been there.



Thanks

 

[16919]

The 01. 5 are quad cab but they have small doors in the rear not 4 fullsize doors if that is what you are thinking of. You need to get an 03 or newer to get that if that is what you are looking for.



I have the six speed manual in my truck and i love it. I could only manage 16. 5 mpg unloaded until I put a hypertech reprogramer in it. Then the best i've ever managed since was 24 mpg. They are hard to find so it might take some time.

 

[wcjp]

01. 5 have rear disks. Not sure about the other upgrades made by DC.

 

[JApol]

There is one for sale here in So. MD. It is a 2nd gen QC LB with custom paint. I could look at it for you

 

[Grizzly]

I'd go for an 03 QC. 3rd generation are improved.

 

[MCummings]

I have the six speed manual in my truck and i love it. I could only manage 16. 5 mpg unloaded until I put a hypertech reprogramer in it. Then the best i've ever managed since was 24 mpg. They are hard to find so it might take some time.

Hand Calculated?



Merrick

 

[16919]

My (typo) mistake... it should be 20. 4 I missed a number but that still pretty good. That is my best ever. My average now is around 18. 5. My average before the programmer was 15. 6 so they do help a bit. I haven't put my injectors and fueling box in... ... ... ... ... ... ... . yet :-laf



I'm curious to see what the Samrty will put down during some long haul trips for some of the guys that bought them. They are kind of pricey so I want to see some long term results before I invest in on of those.

 

[Dkuhlman]

Where's SNOKING, he's one of our resident 2001. 5 experts!



>Would like to get into a Quad cab diesel. Am told the 2001. 5 2500 has merit. Does the 2001. 5 have a quad cab?



Yes, with suicide rear doors and no center post.



>If I can find one with the manual 6 speed and 350 rear end it may meet my needs. Is this a good eng/transmission match up?



Yes, excellent choice if you don't mind rowing the shifter.



>Need only light to medium towing capability. Good fuel economy is important to me.



You can expect 20+ mpg on the highway, unloaded and not burning up the road. The manual transmission has better towing capacity stock but the automatics can be upgraded as well.



>Need room in cab for some degree of comfort in the back seats.



Quad cabs are a little snug in the back seat compared to true crew cabs or the new mega cab. Adults will start to protest after an hour or so.



>Is 100K on the speedometer reasonable to expect?



Should not be a problem on a well maintaned truck. Stock engine life expectancy for a 5. 9 CTD in a pickup is 350,000+ miles!



> Leather and power is desirable. Do manual transmissions have cruise control?



Yes, look for an SLT or Laramie.



> Any guidance or opinions would be greatly appreciated.



Try to avoid the "53" series engine blocks (earlier 24 valve trucks) as some had a water jacket cracking problem. Much info here if you do a search.



The other problem areas are the lift pump (the low pressure electric pump from the tank to the high pressure pump) and the resultant damage it can cause to the main VP44 pump. Again, tons-O-info here (too much?).



>I am an airplane guy. Would like to learn about diesels from those that have been there.



You've come to the right place for Cummins diesels in Dodge pickups! Good luck on your purchase and be sure to tell us about it! Oo.