Looking for a behemoth of a truck

Porkanbeans

Porkanbeans

O RLY?
Well, it's about that time for me to start scouting out my first car. I'm looking for something I can detail out of efficiently and go offroading in on the weekends. That narrows it down to a truck, obviously. In particular, I'd like a *deep breath*1998.5-2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4 Cummins Diesel 24 valve High Output 6-speed, since many are in my price range ($15k). My goal is to find one with less than 75k miles for about this price. Ebay has had trucks that meet my requirements occasionaly, and after researching everything local, it looks like the way to go. I'm going to try to pay cash, so perhaps a truck that's a bit out of range can be bargained for. The purchase won't be made until September, but I wanted to get a head start on research. So, my questions for you are:



1) Is it too lofty a goal to find a truck like this for $15k?

2) If so, what alternate trucks would you suggest?

3) The Cummins diesel will last 300k miles before a rebuild is necessary, but do you think the truck itself will last a good 150k miles before major replacements or fixes are required?



Thanks in advance.
 
Why not something like a Chevy Silverado? a '00-'02 could be found for about that price, and your fuel costs will probably be less. Chevy trucks are pretty dependable too, especially with a vortec V8. That's just my thought, it comes down to personal preference in the end.
 
Dodge didn't make a full 4-door for those model years, so unless you're looking for the 2+2 door, you'll need to switch your goal truck.



Also, depending on the kind of off-roading you do, (forest vs. open field running) this truck won't fit on most trails. We've tried it with out crew cab long bed Super Duty.



I had looked breifly at the Dodge Cummins trucks before buying the Lexus, and I remember them being a little more than 15k. I might have just been looking in the wrong places. They seemed to hold their value much better than the Fords or Chevy's.



My own preferance for a truck transmission is automatic. If you're towing something, I personally feel more comfortable if the truck itself can choose when it needs to shift. Having said that, most 18 wheeler trucks are manual.



BTW, many members here detail out of their compacts and hatch backs. An 8' foot might be nice, but isn't a necessity.



Good luck with your search :)
 
If I were you, I would look for a midsize SUV such as a 4Runner or Pathfinder. If you are going to be off-roading on forest trails, a shorter vehicle will be to your advantage, not to mention they're significantly easier to drive in the city.



Also, I would never own a Dodge without a warranty (from experience).
 
Travisdecpn,

The late model Silverados are my strong second choice. My dad's 03 Tahoe and previous 01 Suburban were perfect. No problems whatsoever. That's why I'm considering those trucks as well.



GA,

I do a lot of hunting, so a big truck with lots of space is a nice commodity. I'm fine with the extended cab, as I'll only keep guns and personal stuff back there if anything. I am also counting on this truck to be a good mudbogger. :D Also, the autos in the Rams are supposedly poor choices, so I'm trying to get a 6 speed.



Thanks for your advice!
 
Hey man,



I know you want low miles on a truck, but even a truck that was taken care of, and has 100K on the odo, being a diesel, its still in pretty good condition. I have a cousin who has a 99 or so full size Ram, 6 speed and all. They make awesome hunting trucks as they are geared pretty darn low, so you can dump it into 1st gear and let out the clutch and crawl along. I recall many a day going out with him and trolling in the woods here. Another good truck would be the Chev's with their 6.6L and Allison tranny. I think alot of the early kinks have been worked out so they are nice. GMC/Chev make awesome trucks in terms of comfort and style, trust me i work on cars all day and the #1 in terms of those two are GMC's. Fords seats feel funny and they are pigs to turn, same with dodges. Thats my opinion however. YMMV
 
How about this. I actually saw this on the road the other day. It looks like a F650 attached to an Explorer. It was huge and it attracted a lot of attention. Not sure if it was the truck or the women hanging out of the windows.
 

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This is the inside. When I drove in front of it, you could see the disco ball going in the truck.
 

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The Cummins is a great motor, but the downside is it's in a Dodge. Dodge transmissions are pure and utter trash, especially behind the Cummins. They simply can't handle the torque, even the manuals are spotty at best. The Dodge truck fad is quicky dying off, everyone is finally realizing they are way overrated.



If your looking for a big truck, I'd stick to the F250 Super Duty. Since you mentioned hunting and off-road you can get them with a manual transfer case and hubs as well.
 
BradE said:
The Cummins is a great motor, but the downside is it's in a Dodge. Dodge transmissions are pure and utter trash, especially behind the Cummins. They simply can't handle the torque, even the manuals are spotty at best. The Dodge truck fad is quicky dying off, everyone is finally realizing they are way overrated.



If your looking for a big truck, I'd stick to the F250 Super Duty. Since you mentioned hunting and off-road you can get them with a manual transfer case and hubs as well.
Click to expand...



AWESOME post Brad!!!



;)
 
dont let the others fool you. if you are getting a 3/4 ton truck and plan on using it dont get an auto. anyone who does that is taking one step forward and two steps back. i could go into detail, but basically auto's suck for towing, etc.

the 00+ 6 spd would be a NV5600, pretty much bombproof. the 5spds would be a NV4500, not too bad either.



the F250 would be a good choice as well since it does away with the IFS front. the leafsprung F250 would be very easily lifted if that is what you wanted to do
 
Here's my Wife's beast about ready to kill my hog !!



FXD1.jpg
 
BradE said:
Dodge transmissions are pure and utter trash, especially behind the Cummins.
Click to expand...



:werd: My brother's Dodge 1500 went through 3 transmissions in 80,000 miles.



If your looking for a big truck, I'd stick to the F250 Super Duty. Since you mentioned hunting and off-road you can get them with a manual transfer case and hubs as well.
Click to expand...



F250 is the toughest looking HD truck out there and you add a Banks kit to the diesel and you have a real sleeper.
 
If you do go for a diesel ford, I will warn you to stay away from the 6.0L powerstroke. Stay with the older 7.3L versions since I've heard of many problems with the 6's.



Though my personal preference would be a 6.6L Duramax in a Chevy or GMC 2500HD.
 
i have a diesel ford f250 the same one in my avatar



it sinks like a ROCK in the mud so if u wanna go mudding without some serious tires make sure u have a winch lol cause ur gonna sink also on tight trails its a pain the the butt to manuever if u get a ford DONT buy automatic with the diesel they cant handle any power





www.thedieselstop.com can help u with ford diesel



anyways not to burst ur bubble but there have been alot of diesel truck scams on ebay lately so watch out for that.... and i think 15k for 75k miles on that kinda truck would be unheard of





diesel's typically have a high price and low miles or a low price and high miles pretty much any diesel motor will last forever if regular maintenance was given and it was taken care of



the only plus cummins has over detriot diesel (chevy) and powerstroke diesel (international Harvester) in the ford is the close to bullet proof valvetrain other than that its a loud poop box if u ask me but i stay true to my Powerstroke



my dad has an 04 6.0 powerstroke it has yet to have serious issues like many of the others if u buy a powerstroke and want the superduty bodystyle 99+ get a 01+ model for the 7.3 liter dont get a 00 or 99 they had some problems
 
If you get a Dodge or Ford you have shotty trannies, and if you get a Chevy you get a shotty motor, not to mention an electical nightmare and a crappy ride...My brothers Z71 has nothing on my Dakota. My '02 Dakota with the 4.7 is faster, smoother, quieter, more powerful, has a better feel (driving wise), and (personaly) looks so much nicer than my brother's '00 Chevy Silverado with the 5.3l (?).



Mainly due to Cadilac, and the H2 I will never own a General Motors product. The Cummins is an unbeatable engine, Dodge knew what they were doing when they moved in with that company...You are right, unfortunately Dodge could not keep up and the Mopar drivetrain fell short, but the manual was a strong transmission that held, and still holds up.

Ford is better granted, but can't say they are perfect. The International Powerstroke is a great motor, but their autos fell a little short also, not nearly as bad ofcourse, but a little short.



A diesel is gonna last you a lot longer, and I would recomend either Ford or Dodge, but I thought I would just add a couple cents to the mix.

My Dakota was an '02 for $17,500. '00 Dakotas go easily for $13,000. I would definately recomend the 4.7 V8 as the 5.2s are overdone power, with very-little torque gas hogs. My truck has more room in the club cab than I will ever need, and has a 7.5' box. The quad-cab is also an option, but shortens the box to a measily 6'. My truck also has the turn dial, electric differential lock 4 wheel drive, with a limited slip posy rear-end. It was loaded up this winter with about 5000lbs worth of stuff and ran perfect. The interior is great, very comfortable, but holds you well. And the only thing I have done to it so far is a K&N FIPK, and I get from 12MPG city to 20MPH highway.



If you were interested in a loan at all...Dodge has a new truck coming out next year called the Dodge Maxcab. It has a bigger cab than the F-350 supercrew, with the 6.0l Cummins (600lb ft tq!!!!!). Unfortunately it will be stickered about $35,000. But $15,000 down could get you a real cheap payment.



Thats my (*does math*) 24 cents.
 
the ford ZF transmission (ZF-5 the five speed and ZF-6 the six speed) both manuals with the diesel are a very strong gear box



i will give you that on the diesel side the auto trans is a mush box i cant vouch for the gassers but i do know about the diesels



for the load of 5000 lbs i sure hope u arent claming thats in your bed i would hope thats behind a trailer because if it was in the bed ur either way off or freakin nuts



i have never heard anything positive about the dodge motors ever even many dodge fanatics have said the transmission is the weak point but it seems that goes for every company that is making power these days chevy has an amazing tranny with Allison but their motors arent up to par yet



ive never owned a dodge product so i cant really say as far as anything for them just from what friends have said and done



we had a diesel suburban and it would barely pull our 19 ft runabout boat



my truck now i can pull a trailer (fifthwheel) with 2 cars on it and barely feel it behind me
 
The weight was spread between the truck and a trailer. Now that I stop and think about it, that is exagurated...I would say realtcly it was more around 2500lbs, maybe pushing 3000. The Dakota does have a 1800lb payload and 7000lb towind...So it can haul quite a bit.

I am a Dodge fan through and through, but I do really like the new Superdutys. Ford does have their head on straight when it comes to engineering, but I just think they need to be more...unique with their styling...they tend to copy Dodge...a lot.

But the '05 Superduty with the PowerStroke...*DROOL*
 
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