OK, obviously the new ones are best.. :flipoff2: but I'm looking at from whenever they started (88?) to 94 or so. Is there any difference in between those years, or enough improvement to just try and swing a newer one?
Maybe somebody could break it down in a nutshell not just Dodges, but also the Fords what years were the big changes and any years to avoid.
Thanks!

FORDS.....

the first year of the "POWERSTROKE" was in 94. however it was not labled the powerstroke yet and was only available in front of the standard tranny. in 94 the diesel with the automatic was a indirect injection diesel with a factory turbo(the only year turbos were standard with that engine). in 95 ford came up with the snazzy name of POWERSTROKE. it was offered with either an auto or standard. im not sure what the standard tranny is in diesels but the auto is an E4OD. the last of these powerstrokes were made in 97. they changed the powerstroke in 99. in my opinion, they do not have the power that the 94-97's did. they have hydroassist breaks since 99. if you are looking at a powerstroke i would go for the 94 standard or the 95-97. they have the most power and are slightly cheaper.

the powerstrokes all came with the sterling 10.25 rear end. it is a very strog rearend. the only down fall is that the lowest gears availabel for it is 4.56's. the front axle on the F250 is either the TTB HD d44 or TTB d50(not sure). the F350's are the only trucks with solid axles until 99. these trucks either came with 4.10's or 3.55's.

hope this information helps....

Here is some information on the Dodges for ya:

1st Generation CTD: 1989-1993. 12 valve engine. Either came with a 3 speed auto or 4 speed manual tranny. Manual tranny has a "Granny Gear" (I think that it is a NP435). Solid axle/leaf spring suspension front and rear (D60 front and D70 rear). I believe these trucks also came equipped with a NP205 transfercase.

2nd generation CTD: 1994-1998 for 12 valvers, 1998.5-present for 24 valvers. 4 speed auto (47RH or 47RE, depends on which year) or 5 speed manual tranny (NV4500) available on all 12 valvers and certain 24 valvers (NOT with the high output engine). High Output 24 valver has the NV5600 6 speed manual tranny. Front suspension is a solid axle (D60) with coil springs and a 4 link, rear suspension is a solid axle (D70 with auto trans, D80 with manual trans) with leaf springs. front axle also has Center Axle Disconnect system with auto locking hubs. These trucks came equipped with the NVG241 transfercase (1 ton Dodges have the HD model).

I hope this information helps.

Yes, it does, thank you both. :thumbsup:
I'm in the very early stages of shopping around. Now, would I be right to assume that except for the brand new stuff, the torque is around the same for both brands? I borrowed a 95 2WD duallie PSD Ford this weekend and it pulled 62 mph up the west side of Eisenhower Tunnel approach on I-70, with my 4400 lb Jeep on a 2000 lb trailer. If they're all that strong I have nothing to worry about.

Slagburn,

Here a couple of websites you can check out:

www.turbodieselregister.com (http://www.turbodieselregister.com/)
www.dodge-diesel.org (http://www.dodge-diesel-org/)

This site listed below is a site dedicated to V10 powered Dodges (this one could probably help you out with other things related to the 1994-2002 Dodge Ram).
pub8.ezboard.com/bdodgeramv10 (http://pub8.ezboard.com/bdodgeramv10)

Here is a Ford related site:
www.ford-diesel.com (http://www.ford-diesel.com/)

I hope these also help.

the early cummins with a auto as in pre 93 has a overdrive tranny but to tell you the truth it is a weak link. the diesels are better and more reliable with a stick. i myself prefer a cummins hands down to a power stroke. i have still never seen a wore out cummings. look at the auto trader, they have rebuilt power stokes, and chevys, but all i every see is junk yard pull outs for cummings. but either will pull your jeep just fine. the prices on the early power strokes have come way down. and i passed up a 99 ford f350 4x4 power stroke for 11k. but it needed injectors and some more work. mike

Some 99 and 2000 Dodges had NV5600 transmissions. These are 1.25" input shaft and were behind non HO engines. In 2001, they released the HO engine which has a 1 3/8" input shaft NV5600. Autos are not available with HO engines.
The tcase can be either a NV 241 or 241HD on a 2500 truck. If you got the shift on the fly option, then you will have the 241HD which is rated for more torque.

HO engine is very nice, but if you want to do some bombing, then you might want to reconsider.

An ETC (non HO) motor (24 valver) will put out more power with fueling boxes that pierce the injection pump wire that an ETH (HO motor).

A 12 valve motor is capable of more power than any 24 valve motor because it has a P7100 injection pump which is orginally designed for a bigger motor. This means you can turn this injection pump up big time and get all kinds of power. It is very common to get to 600 HP on diesel #2 with a P7100 pump.

88-93 dodges also came with 5 speeds.. some nv 4500's, but most were getrags.. from what i understand, they arent as strong as a 4500.. but the probem really lies in the fact that they are german made and parts are $$$$$. BUt alot of the dodges with autos in this range had the 727.. which i persaonally believe is better than any of the autos in any of the dodges since.. but it doesent have an OD.. so if ya want that.. gear vendors.