2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What gen dodge truck is the best

[krtcummins]

Looks like my block is a good one. There is a series of small numbers that make no sense. The truck was assembled in Mexico October, 2000.

 

[KB0OU]

My 96 has 415k miles on it. It has the lowest cost per mile of any truck I have ever owned and I have had a lot of them. The motor will put out 300 hp any time I want it to, and it gets 16 mpg or better locally and about 20 mpg on the hiway.

I put a SpynTech kit on the front end a while back, love that.

Had one head gasket replacement, repaired the rear differential once, and fixed the kdp.

I went through the auto transmission right after I got it (it had 55,000 miles on it when I got it) The PO had a lot of transmission problems, I have not had a problem.

The truck has had large trailers behind it most of it's life while I have had it and the PO was a construction company that I know the owner of and it hauled a lot of stuff then too. So, it has worked hard since new.

I plan on keeping it till I can't drive it any more, I am 59 years old and if I take care of it I think it may outlast me.

 

[budnate]

I like my '98 with the more modern int but its been a hassle fixing things... My Brother and Brother inlaw both have first gens and they dont do anything but oil, fuel and wax them and both trucks have 300k + or so on them... tough as hell trucks but I cant do the interiors in them.



Peace, B.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My '96 just rolled 437k and interestingly the mileage has gotten better over the last 20-25k miles. On the highway driving at low-mid 70s I usually get about 20. 5 and close to 21 at times. Original engine with valve job done at 387k.



I've had 6 CTDs total now, all 2nd Gen except for one, I've gotten better MPG unloaded with 12V trucks. But when it comes to towing it's the opposite, the 24 valves consistently get better MPG pulling the same travel trailer I had (generally 13-14 towing with the '96, 14-15 with the '98 12V, 15-17 with the '01 and the '03).

 

[bull642]

well for me it was simple, I had a 1995 2x4 dually that I loved and ran stock for years. When it got wrecked a couple weeks ago I briefly owned a 1999 2500 4x4. I got nothing but frustrated by all the codes, ecm and pcm #@$%! I got rid of it and went back with a 1994 sexy black lifted 4x4. I like my stuff mechanical. it just seems easier to me to comprehend and maintain. These trucks are complicated enough with out all the y2k stuff to try and understand!! jmho.

 

[macdaddy]

Barring the 3rd injection event (Dirties the engine oil). The 3G trucks that have a NV5600, in tank lift pump (starting in 05). It's hard to beat a 05/06.



* 325/610 motor.

* Better than usual brakes.

* Better than average ball joints (If stock wheels and tires are left on)

* Decent track bar.

* Minimal emmissions equip.



I do miss the sound of my 99 24V lighting off in those quiet campgrounds.



Mac

 

[Chief USA]

The 2001. 5 models get my vote as the all time best model. They came equipped with the best of the options and goodies before Chrysler started cheaping out on them doing things like eliminating rear fender liners etc.

 

[JMetzger]

I have had both a 1992 2x4 auto & now have a 2002 4x4 six speed HO. I really liked the 92 & I think that the cost per mile was cheaper but I really like the 02 for ride, power & quietness.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Now that's the type of info I'm looking for. Now that I have your attention, has anyone found a way to keep the center hub caps on the 2500 4X4 16" alloy wheels from falling off? I've lost two at $90. 00 a piece. I tried pinching the metal keepers on the cap tighter, but that does not seem to cure it.

What's up with people having this problem???? I've been up and down the Alcan and Cassiar combined 15 times in 3 different 2nd Gen's with the Alloy wheels and never lost one wheel center. And a few of the trips I was ridin dirty, makin time.

IMO; And as far as the thread question goes; "What gen dodge truck is the best", the 2nd Gen is the best "over all" Dodge truck ever made. And as it was said this is my mind is due to the tunability of it. My 02 is still a rush to drive and averaging (c&h) 23. 3 mpg.

My god look at what these newer trucks are having to through with the pdf's and urea injection, the drop in fuel economy, and don't forget at how quiet it is, "sounds just like a gas engine". And don't forget all those tsb's that have been coming since 2007. I'm done buying trucks you can even tell the difference between the f,c, and "r" body styles any more. They don't even call it a Dodge anymore.

 

[JMetzger]

I also lost the center hub on my 02 with alloy wheels but I had just had tires rotated & when I got home right front was gone. Called Big O tires & they replaced it. Only time I have had a problem with center hub's

 

[Tractorat]

Same here. The only time I lost a center wheel cover was right after having my summer tires swapped on. Lucky for me, I have a full set of replacements. ( Discount Tire Service had just sold someone with a truck like mine, new wheels. So, they sold me the old rims complete for $100 for the lot. Now when I have my tires swapped for the winter, there is no cost to me since they are already mounted on rims. )



Now, I go around to each wheel and pound on the hub cover myself just to make sure they are tight.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Owned 98 12v; 02 24v QC; 04 DRW QC; 97 CC 12v; and currently own a 98 12v QC DRW aka the "keeper"... all manual 4x4s.



Each has had it's advantages like the brakes on the 02 and 04; the ride and beeifier steering on the 04.



But for looks inside and out, seating and windshield layout (looking out over the hood), sheet metal quality, simplicity, and the ability to DYI my favorite has been the "keeper". Figure it has been worth moding with a 3rd gen track bar, DSS, BD short shifter, Jacobs exhaust brake, and an aluminum flatbed.



I second the vote on drag racers's "'98 12-valve dually without a 53 block". And on Grizzly's "The best generation Dodge is the one you have. It's just human nature. "

 

[Wiredawg]

Here are my impressions: 3rd gen best overall



(BEST) 3rd Gen 2009 QC C&C 4x4 w/6. 7L and Aisin transmission (10K miles):

-- Most usable power under heavy load

-- No egt problems

-- Best match of engine and transmission

-- 8K miles as daily driver (6miles each way to work); no problems w/ emissions

-- tows 17K lb 5er awsome!



3rd Gen '03 2500 QC 4x4 SB HO 5. 9L w/ 48RE 3. 73 (141K miles)

-- Used as daily driver by wife

-- Typical sorry Dodge auto rebuilt at 100K... always serviced by dealer

--- Rebuilt transmission very strong

-- Everything else flawless.



2nd Gen: 2000 6spd 2500 QC 4X4 LB (wished I would have kept)

2002 6spd 3500 (126K miles; 30K miles towing 17K lb 5er)

-- SO motor much better BOMB'd; no EGT problems

-- HO motor high EGTs; limits usable power under heavy load

-- Problems w/ lift pumps

-- front end steering components have held up well



1st Gen Club Cab 4X4 D250

-- Worst vehicle for fit and finish

--- doors not fit well

--- welds cracking

--- water leaks around floor fresh air vent

-- bad paint

-- worst turning radius



Wiredawg

 

[MitchellR]

My fix for lost center caps was small amount of RTV applied to 2 of the cap's holding clips. It also work wonders on loose fitting tail light prongs.

My 02 is still going strong at 214K +.

 

[bull642]

only problem with first gen is no innercooler. other than that its one sexy work horse!

 

[mpaulson]

This would be my mix if I were to built a truck.

-2011 body/cab (long horn/long haul)

-12v twin turbo(best engine for adding power, durability, no nonsense computers/emisions, sound straight piped, best fuel economy)

-beefed up 68re transmission with the matched exaust brake set up like my 07. 5

-Dana 130 rear diff (I think it's a 130) on air ride

Basically the long horn long haul truck with a 12 valve twin turbo'd engine would be my perfect truck.

 

[rrl989]

98 12V is a good year for me. Still runs 100%, all systems. Never left me me stranded, I do alot of work on my driveway to keep it 100% though, nothing major.



I truely believe a new 2011/12 would require more dealer visits for issues in the first year than mine has been to the dealer in 14 yrs.

 

[Nyoest]

What gen is the best? The one with factory warranty remaining! Pppffffhhhh hahaha

Couldn't help myself. Any gen with a twelve valve will still be rolling down the road in thirty years due to the ruggedness and simplicity. How well will a 30 year old ECM and wiring be working in a 24v or CR? And how many fuel pumps and injectors will it take to get there?

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

I've owned 3 generations of trucks so far: '93 D-250, '92 W-350, '01 2500 QC 4x4, and '09 2500 QC 4x4. All of them have manual transmissions.



332k on the '93 before losing transmission #2 and being retired for parts.

326k and counting on the '92 with 1 transmission rebuild done by me this time with no serious issues so far.

240k+ on the '01 6 speed that my wife (now EX) commandeered shortly after purchase, has had both front wheel bearing/hub assemblies, rear timing cover seal, and hydro-boost replaced.

34k and counting on the '09 that was deleted at 10k with no issues to report so far.



The most expensive one so far was the '01, but I still miss it :{



The least problematic ones for the mileage have been the first gens overall. I know that I've had to replace a few transmissions, but it was mostly due to hot-rodding and being stupid while growing up PS... both still have the original clutch



I love my '09, but it just seems like I'll never see the same mileage I've had with the others. Too many things to go wrong and more expensive to repair when it does. And I'm not happy with having a DMF and fear that a flywheel/clutch upgrade is in the near future. And the cost of injectors is way high to upgrade or even replace a stock one



However, I do like the idea of having the ability to plug in the Smarty and change stuff on the '09, but it was far cheaper to do the same on the 1st gens by just turning a screw.



I have no idea where I'm trying to go with this, but I think that the "best" generation Dodge/Cummins truck is the one YOU choose!!

 

[SRath]

While appearances and cab layout are important, as far as being a "real truck" with sound engineering dictating "form follows function", it is quite clear the 1st gen are the best trucks.



They win hands-down based on the front end steering & suspension alone.

> a REAL Dana 60 with kingpins and lockouts and leafsprings and live-bearing hubs

> no trackbar

> no CAD

> no unitized hubs

> no inverted Y linkage

> no expensive and convoluted link suspension.

> the now-common term "Dodge Death Wobble" had not even been invented yet because it wasn't an across-the-board nightmare.



As far as Cummins power goes, the second gen 12 valves with P7100 pumps absolutely rule. Don't need no stinkin computer.



Transmission strength goes to the later 2nd gens with the NV5600 brute. Tough to dispute it. It shines as the final example of "building tougher than it needs to be".



Transfer case is another category where the first gen cannot be beat: steel cased, steel geared legendary NP205.



Rear axle is not a big deciding factor with the modified Dana 80 of the manual transmission 2nd gens edging out the Dana 70 of course. The AAM axles are too limited in available lockers to be desirable.



I have no idea about the brakes since I have never compared or even driven all the generations. But I do know I don't trust or want 4wheel ABS and I'm not even real wild about rear wheel only ABS. Overall, dodge is as historically clueless about designing impressive brakes as they are about designing an impressive automatic transmission.



Overall, imo, the best generation as far as being "tough and reliably simple" is easily the 1st gen. They are clones of the toughest most reliable pickups ever built: the '73 through '87 Chevys.



You couldn't give me a computer controlled truck especially with a computer controlled cummins. Remember: the same idiots who cannot make a decent set of headlights or a wiring harness that doesn't catch the truck on fire are the ones who design all that 'puter stuff.



Dodge had the best of almost everything in the 1st & early 2nd gen trucks, but has never managed to put it all together in one package. Very sad. Key word is "managed"; which is very poorly done, as the bailouts proved.



If you could put a 4-door version of a 2nd gen body & interior on a 1st gen chassis, swap in a P7100 pump and an NV5600 and possibly a dana 80 with rear discs and upgrade the miserable headlights & wiring, you'd have a heckuva truck.



Or you could just put a P7100 Cummins & NV5600 (and keep its current NP205, of course) in my big '87-style K30, single-rear-wheel, crew cab, 1-ton Chevy with its custom real oak and leather interior. I'd keep the GM corporate 14-bolt rear end, too. Everything about that truck, right down to the real headlights and rain gutters above the doors and vent windows is better than the 2nd gen and up dodge, or any chevy built since then, for that matter. The front Dana 60 is kingpin and as tough as they get, too, and has chevy's superior 35 spline inner axles, something even the 1st gen dodge clones didn't.