Pretty much says it all, which would be better for a daily driver and a tow rig? Also what is the furthest i should go back in the 90s and still get one of the good Cummins diesels?

y not a ford psd? how much can you spend? i would definetly say the desil if those two are the only ones you had in mind. i ended up getting a 250 w/ 460 but thats only cuz i got a really good deal on it, but i would have perferred a desil.

I prefer the diesel (2000 6spd 4x4 quad cab)
94 to 98 is the 12 valve
98.5 to 2000 is the 24 valve
late 2000 to current is the H.O. 24 valve
The 94's are standard cabs only.
12 valves are(from what I understand)easier to turn up.

Diesel. If you're going to tow theres no comparison.

oh also the 12's are suppose to get better mpg then the 24's.
But I get 17 to 18mpg with a heavy foot around town.
It has a power edge EZ box and 4 inch exhaust with auto meter guages(pyro & boost).

Throw on a Banks kit on the Cummins and it is hard to beat in my mind. I want a 4 cyl one for my Scrambler.

Not all 2000+ are HOs (ETH), most are ETCs. HOs are available only w/the 6 spd, but there are non-HO 6 spd trucks.

Banks is nice but is way high $$$. Much cheaper stuff out there that will get you more power.

Pete

I Drive my dodge diesel 60miles a day, 5 days a week average 20 miles to the gallon. Pulls my toyota up Highway 80 to fordyce at 60mph wouldn't by anything else. Its a 1997 12valve motor AT. The new 24 valve could only be an improvement on power the mileage shouldn't change much. A friend of mine works for the local dodge dealer, he doesn't care much for the V10. Matt <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

Diesel!!!!

My 2001 gets about 24MPG empty, but to clarify...

2001, Ram 2500, 2x, Ext Cab, Long Bed, 4.10s w/LS, 5spd. Trans

Mine's a4x4 ext cad long bed <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

i'd definatly go with a diesel. cheaper gas and better for towing. turn up thr turbo or get the banks system! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

i know, i know the diesel is more expensive to maintain. well that's the mith i always hear! <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

i know, i know the diesel is more expensive to maintain. well that's the mith i always hear! <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">[/QB]

Diesels are actually cheaper to maintain, not much to go wrong on them, it is when you have an actual repair to do that it becomes more expensive, but there are less repairs than with gasolines so it still works out cheaper. Just my .02

[ 09-12-2001: Message edited by: Hayraker ]

Definitely go with a diesel. Nothing compares to a diesel when it comes to towing.
I like the Cummins myself. 40% fewer parts than PSD and has the same amount or more power (not advertised power since most PSD's are chipped any many Cummins are turned up).

I've got a 2000 6 speed 4x4 quad cab long bed and few aftermarket mods.

Charles

One more thing... I would NOT buy any aftermarket power mods from Banks. For the money, you could do MUCH better. Go check out some sites for info... Also, I've heard Bank's after the sale service is very bad.
www.dieseldynamics.com (http://www.dieseldynamics.com) www.turbodieselregister.com (http://www.turbodieselregister.com) (cummins) www.ford-diesel.com (http://www.ford-diesel.com) (powerstroke)

Diesel. The best Cummins engine is the H.O. with the 6 speed available now. It truly rocks.

I love mine!

Ugly as hell but it will rip anything down the road!

Originally posted by Hayraker:
<STRONG>Diesels are actually cheaper to maintain, not much to go wrong on them, it is when you have an actual repair to do that it becomes more expensive, but there are less repairs than with gasolines so it still works out cheaper. Just my .02

[ 09-12-2001: Message edited by: Hayraker ]</STRONG>

Yep, you dont think commercial trucks would all be diesels if they were more expensive to maintain per mile? <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

I love my 2001 Dodge/Cummins 4x4. I didn't get the HO because I wanted the auto. I have only two complaints
1 My fuel mileage just is not what it should be. I ave. around 16.5 going back and forth to work. I hear they are just now figureing that problem out.
2 The noise first thing in the morning took a while to get used to. It still bothers me sometimes a year and 25000 miles latter.
I put about 6000 mile in three weeks on it resently, towing half of the time. My truck just kept asking for more.

The best truck I've ever owned

Dennis

My friend just got a 2001 dually 6 speed 4x4 and changed the injectors and put a chip in it, It's a rocket, I drove it and it put me back in the seat.
Now he's got to change the clutch , it's smoked.

If your still considering the v-10, Look at the fuel mileage. bad, very bad. Go and look at the engine. It is a 318 with two more cyls. added to it. That makes it a small block v-10. The power upgrades are limited at best. This is not the same engine thats in the Vipers without turbos. Do your homework before buying a v-10. You will be happy you did.

I work for a Dodge dealer and I would have to say go diesel. The V10 is junk in my opinion.
Good luck with what ever you do
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by LRD:
<STRONG>They're both JUNK Get a POWERSTROKE and never look back. </STRONG>
Please <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Did he ask about the Powerchoke? No, I don't think he did.

Originally posted by Push Rod:
<STRONG>If your still considering the v-10...is a 318 with two more cyls. added to it. That makes it a small block v-10. The power upgrades are limited at best. This is not the same engine thats in the Vipers without turbos. </STRONG>


Not to defent the V-10, but a 318 w/2 more cyls would be 398 cid, not 488. You'd need a 390 V-8 for that to work (adding 2 more cyls).

Pete

For one thing, the V10 is NOT a 318 w/ 2 cylinders slapped on it. Dodge did their homework(so to speak) when it came to designing the V10.

If you really have to go with the (ahem) Cummins, go with the 24 valve HO, put a 4" turbo-back mandrel bent exhaust and a VanAaken CPC on it. DO NOT GO WITH THE BANKS KIT!! Just my $.02

I don't anyone asked about the "THE POWERJOKE"

Correction: it should read, "I don't think anyone asked about "THE POWERJOKE"

I've had my Dodge diesel since 96. Next to my 85 Toyota 4x4 it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. If you buy used, don't go back beyond 96. Way too many issues to deal with. Spend some time over at www.turbodieselregister.com (http://www.turbodieselregister.com) and read about the strengths and weaknesses of all the years. The new HO with the 6 speed is very inviting but I don't think I want to give up the mileage I'm getting, never below 18 mpg, to go to 16.5 and there abouts. Regardless of which model you get, you will get better mileage than the Ford. Lots of reasons, but just for simple ones, Dodge 5.9 liter, Ford 7.4L(?). More volume means more air and more fuel hence lower mileage. Then you throw in empty weight. The Fords are big! One last thing, join the turbo diesel register. It costs $30 per year and the magazine alone is as good as this board at answering those how to questions.

I wouldn't even consider the Ford because of their contributions to the Audubon Society. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> Plus, aside from the Toyotas I'm a Mopar guy. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> It'll be used and I am going to get the diesel. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> Thanks for all the input. My best bud was a diesel mechanic for 12 years so repairs shouldn't be a problem. How are the brakes and the trannies on these? I have heard of problems with the Dodge transmissions. Should I go manual or auto?

Manual. Manual. Manual.
I don't have a 3/4 ton diesel But I do have a 1/2 Gas with an Auto. I have had problems with mine.(really just one....got to love Dodge <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">) Anyway, go manual just because it simple, it's tried and true and it works. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
my .02

I think you're right. Hey Syko are the flags as thick as sunflowers in the Hoosier state. I miss that place so much sometimes.

Brakes and autos are crap. Autos are OK after a couple grand worth of work. Brake upgrades came on 2000s or 2001s, not sure, parts don't fit on older trucks. Manuals are good, except for the occasional 5th gear problem. Stock clutch is no good over ~680 ft lbs. Stick trucks also had higher hp/tq until '01.

Pete

Manual trucks are also a pain in the *ss to find used. I tried. So I went auto and I figure I'll pony up for a 5600 when this tranny blows (was replaced just before I bought it, so I should have a couple years <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> )

All the used trucks in Denver were autos when I got mine last year. Found it up in the mountains, called every dealer in the state, and some out of. Much easier to find manuals in the sticks.

Pete

I have both 11/94 2500 v-10 auto and 2001 3500 cummings6sp. I would not buy anything else(3500 cummings) as a daily*driver/tow rig,unless it was a Freightliner. I have 8000 miles on the new truck did the full banks powerpack at 500.lost 3rd gear in cedarcity ut drove it home to north carolina, and the dealer covered it under warranty. I would not take another v-10 if you gave it to me (6miles/gal towing the rockcrawler)

I have the extended cab V-10 and I would prefer to have the diesel. The V-10 works good but the gas sucks and the diesel is a longer living motor with better milage.

STOP!!!!


Let me give you the real scoop as I have friends totally happy with BOTH engines. The answer to your question is:

IT DEPENDS

If you don't put many miles on the truck, no way could you justify the added expense of the Cummins just to yank a 4x4 around. You diesel junkies need to pull your heads out for a bit of air sometimes. If you don't tow a serious load, or do a serious amount of driving, the Cummins would be a bad choice from a financial perspective.


TEX

Tex MIGHT have a point except for the fact that

A.) you get all the benefits of the Cummins while you own it and

B.) when you do go to sell it they retain their resale value better because at 80,000 miles people still think they have life left.

Oh and for that Ford comment above.

I'd rather be CUMMIN than STROKIN LOL

My brother has a 2001 HO Cummins 6 speed, we put 2 inch puck leveling kit and 315/75/16's on it (35's) he has 4 inch exhaust, K&N gauges and a propane kit on the way. Right now it will keep up with my old 96 Impala that runs 14.5's in the quarter. He tows a 8000 pound trailer and gets 15.5 mpg. Empty on the last road trip we got 21. Try that with a gasser.


Originally posted by Scott Jeffrey Graham:
<STRONG>STOP!!!!


Let me give you the real scoop as I have friends totally happy with BOTH engines. The answer to your question is:

IT DEPENDS

If you don't put many miles on the truck, no way could you justify the added expense of the Cummins just to yank a 4x4 around. You diesel junkies need to pull your heads out for a bit of air sometimes. If you don't tow a serious load, or do a serious amount of driving, the Cummins would be a bad choice from a financial perspective.


TEX</STRONG>

Originally posted by Matthew Neale Stevens:
<STRONG>Tex MIGHT have a point except for the fact that

A.) you get all the benefits of the Cummins while you own it and

B.) when you do go to sell it they retain their resale value better because at 80,000 miles people still think they have life left.

</STRONG>


True that a Cummins will hold resale to recoup some of the initial costs. BUT, they won't hold all the value.

Pay $4,000 more today to get back $1,500 more at trade-in. That's still $2,500 (plus any associated finance charges) that you have to justify. And again, if you don't haul super heavy loads or drive a ton of miles, well $2,500 buys a hell of a lot of gas.

I won't even begin to pretend that a gasser is better under all circumstances. It's not. But, it's just as foolish to assume that a diesel is automatically better "all the time". It's not.

I've done the math from every conceivable angle & concluded that a SMALL-block gas engine was sufficient for my towing needs - AND cheaper in the long run.


TEX

Originally posted by Scott Jeffrey Graham:
<STRONG>STOP!!!!


Let me give you the real scoop as I have friends totally happy with BOTH engines. The answer to your question is:

IT DEPENDS

If you don't put many miles on the truck, no way could you justify the added expense of the Cummins just to yank a 4x4 around. You diesel junkies need to pull your heads out for a bit of air sometimes. If you don't tow a serious load, or do a serious amount of driving, the Cummins would be a bad choice from a financial perspective.


TEX</STRONG>

Just the savings in fuel cost over 100k miles will justify it. IMHO
New Dodges are popular at my work. V-8's, V-10's, 2&4 wheel drive. My Cummins gets better mileage than them all. Not to mention it uses the cheapest (most of the time) fuel.