02 dodge 2500 with cummins HO

[dcmsu]

I am looking at buying a used 02 dodge. Anything to look out for on these trucks? The only thing I have really heard about is the auto trannys, but this is a 6 speed manual so no worries. How many miles does a well maintained cummins go for? What about modifications, exhaust, etc...or should it just be left stock. I am a little nervous about modifying an engine that is computer controlled. If anyone has one of these trucks let me know how you like it.

Dan

[jp junkie]

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/

[Capn Insano]

I have a brand new '02 cummins with the 6 speed. Love my new truck. I've put 7K on it in 2 months and it drives like a dream. As for what to look for, check the coolant PH with test strips for cativatino and look for the usual leaks. Although with the '02's starting to go for so cheap since the '03's are coming out, I dont see why anyone wouldn't buy new. Used diesels really hold their value.

[Norm]

I just picked up a new 02 with an auto. I would have gotten the six speed, but my wife is not much on sticks. I'd make sure you get the free 7/70 powertrain warrenty with it. I don't know when in 02 they started it, but if you run it hard it could save you $$ in the future. Also make sure it hasn't been wrecked or lemoned. I looked into used, but the deals on new were really good. The cummins should outlive the rest of the truck.

[fox]

ya the 02's are great know one guy with one and he loves it, my dad ownes a 99 with over 100k and the stage one banks kit, drives it alot for work, hunting and camping. he has towed a 12k trailer up mt hood in oregon at over 70+ MPH and the only thing holdong him back was the coners. the thing hauls ass on the street. the first day he bought it we got it up to 125 MPH going from idaho back home to oregon. ya we bought our truck two states away(kinda) see we flew up to the dealership, they picked us up from the airport and then drove us the the dealership. we wetre there for a little over an hour and drove home with a new truck.

at the dealership in idaho they sell over 700 trucks a month and sometimes even 800. crazy huh? how buy in volume, they were over 4 to 5 thousand dollars chaeper than any portland dealer, we flew up with a guy that was from texas going to buy a truck!!

my dad even got kicked out of a dealership in portland for getting them to try and match idaho's price. the sales person said"I'M SO SICK OF THE GUY IN IDAHO HE'S TACKING ALL MY BUISNESS AWAY, I CAN'YT GO THAT LOW SO JUST GET THE HELL OUT" at the top of his lungs. We got it in 98 for 31,500 witht the full deal 110k warrenty and all the options!!

good luck

oohh and a guy that works for my dad has over 400k on his 93 adn they say that the newer ones last even longer, we have had absolutly no problems. half the fleet at my dads buisness is Dodge Cummins!!!!

[Explorer]

'02 is the best of the breed. All the bugs have been worked out and it has rear disc brakes

I have an '01 with 45k and it's been 100% awesome!

[chevota01]

Glad to hear everyone talking about the HO cummins. Anyone know how is the 6 speed will hold up to some mods. It's just to easy to get a ton more power out of the beast. I know the 5 speed with a ceramic clutch will take high mods -- just curious about the 6 speed.

[BigDan]

Actually a few TDR members told me that the 5speed cluch's seem to hold up better. Maybe its because they dont have 505lbs feet of torque flowing through them. I have a 02HO 6Speed and love it.
I just installed Edge Products EZ Box and all I can saw is WOW . I now have 323HP and 727Ft.LBS of torque at the flywheel. The Box adds 65HP and 185Ft.LBS of torque at the rear wheels. And all for $495
Here's a pic of mine

[chevota01]

Check this out
http://www.jannettyracing.com/dodge.htm
I am not affliated but have seen their work and holy shit. Get a stage 2 or stage 3 kit and hold on. Actually talked to the owner about the HO. His response was with the higher engine compression, you loose power versus the non-HO engine when getting into the extreme torque range. My needs are to haul a Land Cruiser (5000lbs) + trailer (1400 lbs) + misc crap (500lbs) +family at a consistent 75-80mph up most hills. As long as it will do that, I'm content. Seems like my past travels involved trips of 1000 plus miles to get to the good stuff and lots of hills.

[TyTy]

Originally posted by BigDan
Actually a few TDR members told me that the 5speed cluch's seem to hold up better. Maybe its because they dont have 505lbs feet of torque flowing through them. I have a 02HO 6Speed and love it.
I just installed Edge Products EZ Box and all I can saw is WOW . I now have 323HP and 727Ft.LBS of torque at the flywheel. The Box adds 65HP and 185Ft.LBS of torque at the rear wheels. And all for $495
Here's a pic of mine

How is that box on the mpg?

Thanks!

(BTW, I have the same truck.)

[Travis Waldher]

Originally posted by chevota01
Check this out
http://www.jannettyracing.com/dodge.htm
I am not affliated but have seen their work and holy shit. Get a stage 2 or stage 3 kit and hold on. Actually talked to the owner about the HO. His response was with the higher engine compression, you loose power versus the non-HO engine when getting into the extreme torque range. My needs are to haul a Land Cruiser (5000lbs) + trailer (1400 lbs) + misc crap (500lbs) +family at a consistent 75-80mph up most hills. As long as it will do that, I'm content. Seems like my past travels involved trips of 1000 plus miles to get to the good stuff and lots of hills.

That would go along with Bank's charts. The non-HO engines produce more power with bolt on kits than teh HO engines. Suddenly that 12-valve is looking a lot better.

[JR2]

I could type all day long and not tell you everything you could do with that truck. Go read on www.turbodieselregister.com and you will get more info than you can deal with.
I will say that the regular motors (ETC's) when modified can make more HP than the HO (ETH) motors. If you are serious about getting lots of power out of your truck, forget Banks stuff as they only sell stuff up to like 350 HP. My truck is a 2500 4x4 with an automatic tranny and has around 450 HP and 1000 ft/lbs tq. I do not tow with it and it is not set up to tow. You can set them up to tow with this much HP/Tq, it just costs more $$. There are guys that have trucks running on diesel fuel alone that make 600 hp and if you add propane and nitrous you can have 750 hp. These trucks run the 1/4 mile in 12-13 sec's

For real power check out www.dieseldynamics.com and for the auto tranny www.dieseltrans.com If you live more East than West the all time Cummins power guru is at www.enterpriseengine.com

JR2

I forgot to add that mileage really is not hurt when running mods. The only thing that hurts the mileage with mods is your right foot. My truck still gets 17-19 on the highway empty and about 13 in the winter (winter fuel). Towing expect 13 highway.

[BigDan]

Originally posted by TyTy


How is that box on the mpg?

Thanks!

(BTW, I have the same truck.)

Cant really say.... I've only put 3 tanks of fuel through and it seems that every tank I'm either racing another rig or hauling ass. Too bad my 4:10's w/ 6speed redline at 100mph

[fj40charles]

The 6 speed clutch (not counting the early 6 speed , 1999 and 2000 model year) have a larger 13" clutch, but the surface area is actually smaller than a 5 speed clutch. If you're going to be adding some extra power (more than 65 HP), then you'll want to be thinking about a aftermarket clutch such as www.southbendclutch.com

Charles

[fj40charles]

Good place to buy a fueling box for the 24V Cummins is
Edge Products. Ask for Aaron. They make excellent products and their support is even better.

www. edgeproductsinc.com