Which Dodge would you get?

Jaydog · Dec 21, 2009

Ok, so I am going to sell my Dodge, it's way too big to get around in most parking lots and I find myself driving one of the other rigs instead most of the time...So, I had a 2000 before this one and I like the club cab better than the four doors, what are some of the pro's and con's to the older Cummins and Transmissions, and what should I be aware of before deciding on a year?

I'm also thinking of going from the 3500 to a 2500 since the only thing I will be towing is my wheelin rig, and the year range is somewhere between '94 and '03 (or whenever they stopped making the extacab)

Boomer · Dec 21, 2009

I personally like the simplicity and durability of the 12 valve engines and the NV4500 5 speed manual transmission. KDP it, turn up the power just a bit, add a better clutch and take care of the 5th gear issue and it's a very reliable combination.

I've heard it said that the 4 wheel disk brakes on the 2001.5 and newer models are way better, but I am satisfied with the rear drums on my '97 and I use the exhaust brake a lot more anyhow.

Whatever 2nd Gen you get, plan on a little bit of steering and front suspension work, too.

Jaydog · Dec 21, 2009

Boomer said:
I personally like the simplicity and durability of the 12 valve engines and the NV4500 5 speed manual transmission. KDP it, turn up the power just a bit, add a better clutch and take care of the 5th gear issue and it's a very reliable combination.

I've heard it said that the 4 wheel disk brakes on the 2001.5 and newer models are way better, but I am satisfied with the rear drums on my '97 and I use the exhaust brake a lot more anyhow.

Whatever 2nd Gen you get, plan on a little bit of steering and front suspension work, too.

I was thinking of going with an automatic since I've never had one in a tow rig, bad idea?

Binder · Dec 21, 2009

Which Dodge would you get?

The one with the blue oval on the grill.:fawkdancesmiley:

Avanteone · Dec 21, 2009

Jaydog said:
I was thinking of going with an automatic since I've never had one in a tow rig, bad idea?

Auto's in the 2nd gen trucks are weak. Pick one up cheap enough, and plan on building up the auto a little... or buy a 3rd gen truck ('03+) with better transmissions.

Jaydog · Dec 21, 2009

Binder said:
The one with the blue oval on the grill.:fawkdancesmiley:

Been there done that...never again :redneck:

Avanteone said:
Auto's in the 2nd gen trucks are weak. Pick one up cheap enough, and plan on building up the auto a little... or buy a 3rd gen truck ('03+) with better transmissions.

Does the '03 have the quad cab, or is it a four door? What about putting a 3rd gen tranny in a 2nd gen, or better yet an allison :eeek:

Boosted · Dec 21, 2009

I went thru all of this for 6 months before deciding that the 3rd Gen is what I wanted.

My requirements was Cummins, 4x4, automatic and LB. With all the research I did, I decided the 3rd Gen offered me the most truck for my money.

03 with 305hp and the 48RE trans is what I got.

phew · Dec 21, 2009

buy a chevy :awesomework:

slednecks1124 · Dec 21, 2009

What year is your dodge your getting rid of? My dads got an 06 quad cab cummins with the auto, pulls his 30 ft toy hauler fully loaded great:awesomework:

howcome your looking for those specific years? Any reason or just like the body style?

Barnyard · Dec 21, 2009

2002 was the last year of the extra cab for the 2500/3500. Also the last year of the louder 24v. Common rail in 03 on up. Quieter and more power. The manuals in the 2001/2002 had a hp bump as the autos were not that terrific.

1998.5 was the year they changed interior/cup holder loc/seats/etc. This is when they also went to the extra cab doors that opened (clam shell style)

I would agree that for a used rig, the 3rd gen are hard to beat.

Jaydog · Dec 21, 2009

slednecks1124 said:
What year is your dodge your getting rid of? My dads got an 06 quad cab cummins with the auto, pulls his 30 ft toy hauler fully loaded great:awesomework:

howcome your looking for those specific years? Any reason or just like the body style?

Mine is an '07.5 with the 6.7, I do not want a four door, I want the exta cab style, I'm not worried about power cause I will bomb it, just looking at the pros and cons of the 2nd and 3rd gens.

Jaydog · Dec 21, 2009

phew said:
buy a chevy :awesomework:

I have two already :D

Lucky Jeff · Dec 21, 2009

Barnyard said:
2002 was the last year of the extra cab for the 2500/3500. Also the last year of the louder 24v. Common rail in 03 on up. Quieter and more power. The manuals in the 2001/2002 had a hp bump as the autos were not that terrific.

1998.5 was the year they changed interior/cup holder loc/seats/etc. This is when they also went to the extra cab doors that opened (clam shell style)

I would agree that for a used rig, the 3rd gen are hard to beat.

Nope. 98 they went to the new interior, not 98.5.. That was when the went VP44 and 24 valves.

They called them quad cabs for both the 2nd and 3rd gens. But the second gens were just ext cabs with the rear doors that open suicide. The 3rd gen quad cabs were half ass crew cabs. I'm with Boomer on this one. The more I screw with these trucks, the more I tend to like mine (98 quad cab 12 valve 5 speed). If it weren't for the lack of room in the rear, it'd be the perfect truck. Autos have their ups, but I think they have more downfalls if you're not going to be racing it often on the weekends.

slight power increase (comes pretty dang cheap for a 12 valve). Better clutch, steering upgrades like Boomer said. I'd lean more towards better brakes eventually though. But I use the hell outta mine cause of the way I drive. If you buy a 98.5+ truck, don't buy an HO and DO get a fuel pressure gauge and a better fuel pump on right away.

skinny_pedal · Dec 21, 2009

Its funny. Im planning on getting rid of my Duramax and run an older 12v. I hate payments. Be nice to own my truck. That and i really want a longbed. Biggest complaint about my Chevy.

82toyomud · Dec 21, 2009

Lucky Jeff said:
Nope. 98 they went to the new interior, not 98.5.. That was when the went VP44 and 24 valves.

They called them quad cabs for both the 2nd and 3rd gens. But the second gens were just ext cabs with the rear doors that open suicide. The 3rd gen quad cabs were half ass crew cabs. I'm with Boomer on this one. The more I screw with these trucks, the more I tend to like mine (98 quad cab 12 valve 5 speed). If it weren't for the lack of room in the rear, it'd be the perfect truck. Autos have their ups, but I think they have more downfalls if you're not going to be racing it often on the weekends.

slight power increase (comes pretty dang cheap for a 12 valve). Better clutch, steering upgrades like Boomer said. I'd lean more towards better brakes eventually though. But I use the hell outta mine cause of the way I drive. If you buy a 98.5+ truck, don't buy an HO and DO get a fuel pressure gauge and a better fuel pump on right away.

Thats exactly what I would say

rollnhvy · Dec 22, 2009

i like my 97 4x4 auto (rebuilt and better converter) But if i had to do it again id buy a 1998 just to have the 3rd door for my kids..... Cons of 98 is the piece of junk vp 44 i am not real hip on fuel being used as the primary lubricant for your high pressure pump..... :beer:

CHOP SHOP · Dec 22, 2009

Barnyard said:
1998.5was the year they changed interior/cup holder loc/seats/etc. This is when they also went to the extra cab doors that opened (clam shell style)
at.

Mine is a 98 with a 12 valve and 4 door extracab with the electronic 4 speed auto.

Its a great truck I love it. Im going to get the tranny built and turn it up a little.
Mine is stock with 4.10s and I get 15mpg.:beer:

Avanteone · Dec 22, 2009

CHOP SHOP said:
Mine is a 98 with a 12 valve and 4 door extracab with the electronic 4 speed auto.

Its a great truck I love it. Im going to get the tranny built and turn it up a little.
Mine is stock with 4.10s and I get 15mpg.:beer:

I sometimes miss my '98 12v, quad cab, 5 speed truck. :D

Lucky Jeff · Dec 22, 2009

rollnhvy said:
i like my 97 4x4 auto (rebuilt and better converter) But if i had to do it again id buy a 1998 just to have the 3rd door for my kids..... Cons of 98 is the piece of junk vp 44 i am not real hip on fuel being used as the primary lubricant for your high pressure pump..... :beer:

it's 4 doors, and they started the vp44 in 98.5... reading helps :redneck:

outlawjeeper · Dec 22, 2009

Avanteone said:
I sometimes miss my '98 12v, quad cab, 5 speed truck. :D

We could fix that, for a price. :D

wheelinjp · Dec 22, 2009

I hated the lack of a rear door on my 96 dodge ext cab. One of the main reasons I sold it. That and monthly adjustments on the aftermarket steering ends, but they did save me from having to buy a tracbar. Id look for the holy grail 98 ext cab 4x4 w/ the rear doors. Auto is fine, you will eventually have to go through it, but who wouldnt eventually. It is cheaper in the life of the truck to rebuild the tranny once for 3k. than to put 3-4 clutches in it in the trucks life. That and have to go through the nv4500 at 2-300k anyway. They arent indestructable, everything wears out. At least you wont have to shift:D

hey joe, did you have to go through that tranny? it lasted a long time behind that 12v turned up. I am starting to wish my 08 had a damn 12v in it, Ive been to the dealer 9 times in 10months for emissions repairs. Stupid particulate filter, if I had the cash Id delete it.

Jaydog · Dec 22, 2009

Okay, great info guys.

So what is easier to bomb, 12V vs. 24V

And what's a good fix for the VP44, I'm assuming I could get an upgraded replacement.

I don't want huge power, just what I'm used to, I can take Eli Hill in 5th gear @60mph pulling 14K :D

Lucky Jeff · Dec 22, 2009

Jaydog said:
Okay, great info guys.

So what is easier to bomb, 12V vs. 24V

And what's a good fix for the VP44, I'm assuming I could get an upgraded replacement.

I don't want huge power, just what I'm used to, I can take Eli Hill in 5th gear @60mph pulling 14K :D

12 valve is the cheapest and pretty easy. Upgrades for VP44's are spendy. Just a stock replacement is 1100. Most are doing P-pump swaps on their 24 valves nowadays.. If you can find a 98 12 valve quad cab (There is one in Oregon right now, white, for sale. All mods already done, and recently). Then I would go that route. If not, just get a 24 valve and do preventative mods to help the fuel system last as long as it can.

jrgaylor · Dec 22, 2009

You can drive my truck on the 2nd see if you like it

Jaydog · Dec 22, 2009

jrgaylor said:
You can drive my truck on the 2nd see if you like it

Sounds good to me :awesomework:

PORTER · Dec 23, 2009

Hmmm, question do you honestly think the older extra cab is nicer than the 3rd gen club cab or whatever they call it. Or are you just buying then next truck on a lower budget? To me the never 3rd gen has a much nicer, as well as more roomy club cab. As for turning radius comparing both trucks is a moot point as they are fullsize trucks. Sounds to me that you need a short box if this is an issue. Sounds to me that you dont want to spend alot on the next new to you rig, but keep in mind that you can pick up a 3rd gen for a pretty good deal these days. With the upgrading to the steering, brakes, trans, and fuel upgrades IMO getting a 3rd gen pays for itself not to mention the older CTD is too damn loud. Not trying to talk **** just trying to understand the downsizing. Whatever you do good luck.

Jaydog · Dec 23, 2009

PORTER said:
Hmmm, question do you honestly think the older extra cab is nicer than the 3rd gen club cab or whatever they call it. Or are you just buying then next truck on a lower budget? To me the never 3rd gen has a much nicer, as well as more roomy club cab. As for turning radius comparing both trucks is a moot point as they are fullsize trucks. Sounds to me that you need a short box if this is an issue. Sounds to me that you dont want to spend alot on the next new to you rig, but keep in mind that you can pick up a 3rd gen for a pretty good deal these days. With the upgrading to the steering, brakes, trans, and fuel upgrades IMO getting a 3rd gen pays for itself not to mention the older CTD is too damn loud. Not trying to talk **** just trying to understand the downsizing. Whatever you do good luck.

I still might be talked into a 3rd gen, I thought about just getting a standard cab, because I never use the back seat in the one I have, and just seems like wasted space, and still may go with a standard cab, I loved my old 2000 quad cab so that was kinda what I was basing it on, I just want a standard with a little extra room, if Dodge made an extra cab, then the year wouldn't be an issue, and yes I want a shortbox.

Lucky Jeff · Dec 23, 2009

the only downfall other then length (since you want short) for the 3rd gens is the seats. They are absolutely horrible and the #1 complaint to anyone that owns one. The 2nd gen seats are plenty comfy for miles on end. Well, the 98+ seats at least.

PORTER · Dec 24, 2009

Lucky Jeff said:
the only downfall other then length (since you want short) for the 3rd gens is the seats.

If your on the fat side they will get deformed fast. I let a 325lb guy take mine for a ride and I felt the bracing of the seat for a day then all was back to normal. Loose some weight fatasses!!!:flipoff::D

Lucky Jeff · Dec 24, 2009

PORTER said:
If your on the fat side they will get deformed fast. I let a 325lb guy take mine for a ride and I felt the bracing of the seat for a day then all was back to normal. Loose some weight fatasses!!!:flipoff::D

hah, I am by no means fat (Bigger then I want to be, but still "Average"), and Dad is skinnier, like what I use to be.. The seats are just hard and flat. I've taken long trips in those seats, and it's doable, they just aren't as comfortable.