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

[krtcummins]

I'm not trying to start a war here, or a ******* contest, but rather gather opinions based on facts, not rumors or opinions, on which year/generation Dodge truck is the best. By best I mean the most trouble free, most heavy duty drive train, body, electrical, Etc. I know all of us second generation guys will say ours, but really, based on fact, which generation has proved it's self to be the best, most trouble free truck so far?

 

[THoltz]

I don't think it's likely that a "best" truck will emerge based on documentable facts. I think opinions with facts will be presented, but not just facts.



I think it is a fact that the entire line of Dodges with a Cummins diesel are all good trucks.



My opinion is all of the trucks ( 1st gen, 2nd gen 12V, 2nd gen 24V, 3rd gen CRD, and 3rd gen DPF) all have excellent attributes but all have downsides as well.

 

[krtcummins]

Opinions are fine, but I would really like to know the reason behind the opinions. Personal experience, observations, Etc. Not just, "Well so and so said so" type responses. If that makes sense.

 

[AWeiman]

my 2nd gen is the best:-laf



here are my facts from experience. my dad has a first gen, me 2nd gen, and my wife a 3rd gen. there is a noticeable difference in the trucks themselves. each one is heavier built than the previous. now as far as motors and reliablilty all 3 have been pretty trouble free. however the more you add to a motor (computers, emissions stuff, sensors for everything) the more there is to possibly fail. hard to beat the simplicity of a first gen, even if the truck is lighter than others.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

A few factods. . .

2nd Gen has best looks (ok that's opinion) :-laf
3rd/4th Gens best brakes
Late 3G-4G best auto transmission
12-valves generally most reliable
12V and 24V without 53 block have longest lifespan potential
24-valves and early 3rd Gens lower stress on oil
24V least idle-haze prone

Of the 2nd Gens the hydroboost brakes worked better ('97+), Club Cab stronger & more flex resistant than QC, better suspension design 2000-up.

 

[Road Dog]

There differences within each generation too. I like the 2nd gen styling the best and my '02 is the best of the 2nd gens (4 wheel disk brakes and all the issues have been sorted out). The 24V is easier and cheaper to mod compared to the common rails.

The 3rd gen are quieter, better ride, has a 1T SRW and 4 doors is nice if you have passengers. I like the 6 speed auto that showed up later on but I don't like the body control module that showed up around '05 (it controls all the lighting making any kind of mad a pain).

 

[JMcCoy]

1st Gens were the most rugged. They had the NP205 transfer case and the best front axle with manual locking hubs (best if you don't mind getting out). When men were men and trucks were trucks.



2nd Gens have huge potential for modifications if you don't mind turning a wrench and getting dirty. The manufacturer's focus changed from from making a simple reliable truck to a truck that was user friendly that compromised strength.

Gear driven to chain driven transfer case

Manual hubs to CAD system

Timkin wheel bearings to sealed unit bearings

Coil spring front end (this would have been fine if it had the 3rd gen track bar)

King pin to Ball joins.

Bench seat to bucket seats that easily rip break.

Transmission with a sub-par locking torque converter. (#1 root problem with the 47re)



3rd Gens were a refinement of ride and power with extensive use of technology. Excellent ride and power.



4th Gens: We'll see.

 

[Grizzly]

The best generation Dodge is the one you have. It's just human nature.



george

 

[krtcummins]

1st Gens were the most rugged. They had the NP205 transfer case and the best front axle with manual locking hubs (best if you don't mind getting out). When men were men and trucks were trucks.



2nd Gens have huge potential for modifications if you don't mind turning a wrench and getting dirty. The manufacturer's focus changed from from making a simple reliable truck to a truck that was user friendly that compromised strength.

Gear driven to chain driven transfer case

Manual hubs to CAD system

Timkin wheel bearings to sealed unit bearings

Coil spring front end (this would have been fine if it had the 3rd gen track bar)

King pin to Ball joins.

Bench seat to bucket seats that easily rip break.

Transmission with a sub-par locking torque converter. (#1 root problem with the 47re)



3rd Gens were a refinement of ride and power with extensive use of technology. Excellent ride and power.



4th Gens: We'll see.

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 $90. 00 a piece. I tried pinching the metal keepers on the cap tighter, but that does not seem to cure it. #@$%!

 

[QWaller]

I have never lost a center cover on several of these trucks except once on a violent blowout tire. Look to ebay in that case. I got a nice one for $25 and thought that was fair.

 

[drag racer]

If I knew then what I know now, my vote is for a '98 12-valve dually without a 53 block, based on mechanical simplicity, reliability, ruggedness, and ease of turning up the wick.

 

[Grizzly]

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 $90. 00 a piece. I tried pinching the metal keepers on the cap tighter, but that does not seem to cure it. #@$%!

Yeah, leave them at home. Whenever we go anywhere involving off road driving, I pull all the the caps and wheel skins off and leave them at home. I did that on our last trip to Alaska, which involved much driving off road.



george

 

[MarkP]

2nd gen, Pre 24 valve.

If you are considering fuel mileage at all its by far the best truck in my humble opinion. My 94 2 wheel drive got better mileage. Usually 17 plus and somtimes right at 20. It was also the most reliable. Turned it up at 125000 miles and drove untll it had 317000 miles before I traded it. In all fairness it was a standard cab 2 wheel drive, but I havnet seen 14 mpg with the three trucks I have had since, and still own. VP fuel pump has been a real pita with my 01 and 02. They also eat brakes and front end parts. My 94 had some minor issues but never failed me. Oh yea, ask me about lift pumps and I might blow a gasket. Yea there are some fixes for that but whos got the time to research and follow thru with the mods. Ok thats enough ranting for now. Keep in mind I have my 01 on the lift with the entire front end on the shop floor right now trying to remove lower ball joints. lol

 

[rrl989]

My 98 12V CTD has been problem free since new, best engine I have ever owned (that would be my fact) still starts with a single bump of the starter, 17. 5+ min mpg as a daily driver in heavy traffic. Oldest vehicle, longest I have ever kept, no reason to replace it which is strange for me, I try to justify, but I can't.



As far as the Dodge itself, it's starting to show its age. Starting to nickle and dime me on preventitive type repairs, but that's OK considering the $45K replacement.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Don't now about the first gen except they did not have much power.

I like the 2nd gen body style the 3rd gen 4 doors.

Most reliable injector pump is th p7100 (to bad they could not put into the 3rd and 4th gen).

12 valve engine problems kdp, shrinking exhaust manifold and head gaskets. But they are reliable. 96 to 98 5 spd are the best.

 

[diesel_dude]

How does one tell if they have a "53 block" with their '97?
What is the problem with the "53 block" ?

 

[ewcmr2]

96 to 98 6 spd are the best.

Fixed that for ya:-laf

 

[MMeier]

Well, if owning 2 1st gens for a total of 6 years (so far), 2 2nd gens for 6 years , and a 3rd gen for 8 years (so far) is good enough experience for ya', I'd have to say a first gen !!

 

[RVTRKN]

Can't say about the 1st Gen, but I wanted to purchase a new 2nd Gen, before they were gone, until I went to a Dodge sponsered show were you could test drive all three makes on a 4X4 track and that was with a 2nd Gen.

They had on display the new chassi only for the new 3rd Gen, that was just before you could get one in the HD version. I was so impressed with difference, that I waited for the 3rd Gen and glad I did. My 2nd Gen was a 2500 HD 360 Gasser so its hard for me to compare it with the CTD, but the drive train sure was stronger than the 2nd Gen I had.

 

[Road Dog]

How does one tell if they have a "53 block" with their '97?

What is the problem with the "53 block" ?

The 53's were used on the early 24V engines. The casting on one of the water jackets was thin and would crack allowing coolant to leak out. more details here.