I bought the manual transmission. I will check on the aux. springs for you. So far so good though. I had a close one last night being the 1st night I owned the truck. We had some severe t-storms move through Austin and we had some pea sized hail. Thank God it was not any bigger. It's nice today though (knock on wood).
mharde2, thanks a bunch for your perspective on the trannies. I suspect you must be right or there'd be more noise in the industry rags (frankly, I'm not hearing any). But I have always been a Ford man and never thought I'd stray, so I want to be real thorough!
As for the VW, we got lucky! She only drove a real short ways before she realized what she'd done, so she parked immediately and called me. After I got her calmed down we were able to have the car towed to the nearest dealer, where they flushed it out -- no problem. Close call. That Rabbit would've made a real expensive paperweight!
Hey, while I'm here, can anyone tell me if the Super Cab comes with a third door? There's been so much hoopla about the Quad Cab in the web surfing I'm doing, no one ever mentions anything about the Super Cab. Seems to me I remember Dodge advertising being the first out with a standard third door LONG before Ford got around to restyling... haven't wanted to tempt the sharks at a dealer's until I know exactly what I'm looking for, and I don't know anyone who owns a Dodge first-hand.
Hey, congratulations, HookEm!! I am looking at the stick shift, too. Oddly enough, we had pea-sized hail in Lakeside (San Diego) two weeks ago (only the second time I've seen hail here in 18 years). It must've gotten lost on its way to Austin! Not much I could do about it, the driveway to my doublewide does not have a carport on it (long story...). Fortunately no damage, but not nearly as nerve-wracking as it must've been in Texas hail!
gene, Let me get some more information from you. What kind of camper do you have in mind? Do you want a V8? Gas or diesel? 1\2-3\4-or 1 ton. Also when checking out tong weights add about 300 lbs for hitch and options. Mike
Buck, I have always been a Ford man also, and the Dodge was a hard decision for me. The 99 Fords where not out yet when I ordered my Dodge, so I didn't get to drive one. You should drive them both before making your choice. There is allot of money at stake here, at least it was for me. Let me know what you think. They are both great trucks, I wish i could combine them into one super truck, and have the best of both worlds....
I don't think Dodge makes a Crew Cab, do they? The Quad Cab is the Super Cab, I believe. And you're right that they had it out before Ford. Ford has had the four door Crew Cabs for a long time, but the 1999 SuperDuty that is just now coming out is the first Ford four door Super Cab. I've heard the remaining Ford pickups will also be getting a four doors in their Super Cabs.
Hello all, I ordered a Quad 2500 Diesel Feb. 16th and It is supposed to ship April 4th. I can't believe it has been so quick after hearing all about the long waits some have had. It is encouraging to hear the milage report. Does any one have info on a Pac Brake. I live in Colorado and am wondering if they are worth it. Got most of the options, can't believe I have a truck with leather on the way and I will know the outside temp. without rolling down the window (those elec. buttons are hard to hold down) Please keep posting milage reports. Pete
mharde2, Brutus -- Thanks for straightening me out guys -- I WAS confused. Club Cab is Dodge's version of Ford's Extended Cab (which, confusingly, was also known as Super Cab), and you're right, Dodge Club Cab doesn't have a third door. Quad Cab is the Dodge 4-door, but I believe in size it isn't the same as the Ford Crew Cab, which is a true 4-door. By the way, you guys might want to check out www.4adodge.com (Chrysler's site) if you haven't yet. I think their layout helps to make sense of some of the options info.
mharde2, you're right, I guess I'm going to have to subject myself to the sales abuse and testdrive both Ford and Dodge. You're also not the first person that I've heard wishing for a "Forge" truck! If I liked the new Ford sheetmetal better, though, I doubt if I'd have ever looked at Dodge. I notice on your profile you were looking for a Ford!
And I agree, we're talking big $$s here -- at least for my income. I'm hoping to have some left over for a good Western-style pinstriping job and some aftermarket toys! See ya --
By the way, there was a good general-interest article in the 12/97 Software Magazine on the diffs between Auto-by-Tel and the dealer websites. And you don't have to be a bytehead to read it. You can access it at www.sentrytech.com/sm127f6.htm if you're interested in a general overview of web vs dealer buying. Thanks --
Mike, I've been thinking of the 1500, 5.9 V8, Auto (getting tired of shiftting20y), LB,tlr tow, HD for the max cooling. Camper wise, I'm just thinking of the future getting a medium size one, dont know particlulars. Haven't got to the camper dealer for ideas yet. Also tring to decide on on the axle ratio. The brocure says to go w/ the 3.55 for towing. I dont know anything about this. Dinners done gotta go. thanx Gene :>>
Gene, 3.55 is the best one for the 1500 5.9 auto. Don't go too big on the camper with the 1500 though. 24' or less if your thinking about a trailer or 5th wheel.
I have read most of what has been posted about Dodge Rams. No one has mentioned brake problems for the diesel or V10; however, when I talk to owners of such trucks here in Colorado I have heard disturbing information that there are brake problems with these trucks - so bad on some that Dodge has bought the trucks back.
Therefore, I have some questions for the fellow readers out there.
1. Has anyone heard of this problem?
2. Does it only apply to the long bed, which is what I have heard?
3. Does the 4 wheel ABS help or increase the problem?
I talked to a Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4X4 Long bed last week and his truck is in the shop again this week (fourth time overall and first time with this dealer). It is his office and he will use it for towing, but if the brake issue is not resolved it is going to be bought back.
He said the problem is the engine weight and the truck will do one of the following when the brakes are applied quickly: stop straight, jump right or jump left.
Any info will help, I am ready to order a pickup and this may cause me to rethink what I order.
Does Dodge have four wheel disc brakes? The articles that I read on the new Ford Superduty said that they had four wheel disc brakes, which I think is new for them. I believe they only had the disc brakes on the rear previously. I'm wondering if Ford made the change because of the bigger V-10 engine and/or the added inches in length and width. Maybe they learned something from Dodge?
dkgross, I think one of the problems with the brakes has to do with where you are driving. A diesel has almost no compression braking due to low back pressure in the exhaust system This is also the reason it gets such high torque at a low RPM. If you live and drive in mountainous areas you would have to ride the brakes more than with a gas engine. The brakes get over heated and the rotors warp, your brake fluid brakes down, ect. I would highly recommend a exhaust brake for mountain driving. The 98 dodge does have thicker rotors I believe. I don't know about the V10 brakes.
Brutus, Dodge has four wheel disk brakes as an option. With Ford Super Duty they are standard with the V10 and Diesel. Ford had front disk and rear antilock drum brakes before. Four wheel antilock brakes are optional on the Ford 250 and 350, and standard on the 450 & 550. All Fords, and Dodges, have rear antilock brakes.
I bought my Dodge 1500 4X4 SB Sport 5.9 auto 1700 miles ago. So far very satisfied, getting approx 17 mpg. We are having a rough spring snow rain mud and ice etc. I have had absolutely no problem going anywhere, think the limited-slip a big help.
Thanks mharde2. I'm learning alot from your posts. Keep looking in the "new F-350 Ford" area to see when I finally order my Ford. The delay is a technicality. At the same, the delay may save me some bucks. Ordering the truck is a given.
Brutus, Did you check out that guy in OK, with the $99 over invoice? Sounds great if its for real. I also live in the Dallas area. In The Colony, thats just north of Carrollton, just east of Lewisville.
mharde, Thanx agin Mike. You never know when to trust the sales brocures.I think that's it for my basic questions. ( At this point anyway ] I'm sure I'll think of more the closer I get to purchase time. I'll keep checking back here to keep updated on the topics. :>>>
I decided to sell my current truck on my own, rather than trade it in. I only plan to finance $20,000 of the purchase, so I've had to wait on a check that I have been expecting since I likely won't sell my truck until after I pick up the new one. For some reason, my company didn't update my address change when I moved to Dallas in November, so the check got sent to my California address. I'm waiting on the check to be forwarded. I don't want to order the truck until I have the check in hand. I'm getting a pretty impatient.
But like I said, it could save me some money. The first call I plan to make is to that guy in Oklahoma. A one way ticket to Oklahoma City or Enid is only $90, so picking the truck up won't be cost prohibitive if this turns out to be a legit offer. Nothing in his web site leads me to believe that he is not legit.
I live in Arlington a couple of blocks from The Ballpark. I'll be able to walk up to some baseball games this summer without hassling with traffic. I work in downtown Dallas. When I first got here, our office was in Addison. That commute was taking me 45 minutes in the morning and at least an hour at night. The commute to downtown only takes me 20-30 minutes now. This is the first city I have ever been in where people in the left lane don't yield to faster traffic. That gets old pretty quick.
Brutus, Tell me about it...they don't yield to anybody, anywhere. The only places I've driven that where worse than DFW, is New Orleans, and Houston. Nothing is more exciting for a man, than picking up that new truck. Nothing is worse than waiting for it to come in. Are you getting the V10?
UPDATE: I have owned my Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab (Driftwood color-silver) for a week and I LOVE it! So far so good. The best truck I've ever owned. And I have only owned trucks in my life.
Brutus, WOW! Nice truck, and a great deal to boot! I can't believe the prices on the new Fords. I expected them to be thousands more than that.(not that $30,000 isn't a ridiculous amount to pay for a truck) But..I paid $28,686 my 98 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Turbo Diesel 2500 Laramie SLT, short bed, tow package, cd changer, ect. I really wanted the Ford, but my wife loved the Dodge. Well, I guess worse things could happen. Its really is a great truck though. Its growing on me. I'll be pulling my 5th wheel with it this week, then we'll see what its made of. I'm very interested in hearing about that V10. (gas mileage, ect) supposed to be one smooth machine. I'm sure you will be more than happy to talk about it once you get your hands on it. I was torn between that, and the diesel. Thats part of the price difference also. I keep forgetting that the diesel engine was a $4000 option.
Hello! I'm thinking about buying a 1998 Dodge 1500 ext cab truck. It has the 26g package, towing package. The salesman gave me a price of 25,790. Someone please let me know what they think?
I forgot to mention that I got the Supercab and the long bed. As for the engine, if I was towing a fifth wheel, I'd go for the diesel. Actually, the diesel makes sense not towing. I'm figuring the V-10 to average 11-13 on the highway. The diesel would have cost me $3,500 more. If you run the numbers on the savings at the gas pump, I'm guessing you'd find that you recoup that cost fairly quickly. I just wasn't ready to make that jump to diesel. Maybe in 10+ years when I buy my next truck, I'll be ready for diesel and duallys.
WOW, Ron, I don't know what to tell you. You must be about ready to give up. Is there a hold on the standard cab? Have you seen any on any of the lots yet?
mharde2, After hearing you guy chat about your new truck's there's no way I'm giving up now. There's no hold on reg cabs. My dealer has over 50 24valves on order, both reg and quad, but hasn't had ANY come in yet. None even have build dates yet. I believe Dodge's build schedule is presently set up to satisfy the big truck market out West. I think the East was put in the back of the line. This probably makes sense in that if they start to get the new 24v out into the major market area and potential buyers start seeing them, they'll want them. Seems like I'm the only one on these chat pages that didn't order the quad cab though. This is the first vehicle I've ever ordered in my life. It's a real exercise in patience. I do enjoy hearing you guys talk about you trucks. I'm glad its all positive so far. I'm sure the wait will be worth it.
I ordered a Ram 2500 quad cab turbo Diesel, Feb 16th and have a ship date of April 4th. Dealer says it should be in Colorado and to me by April 18th at the latest but Dodge is having trouble getting railroad cars to ship in! A guy ordered a couple of weeks behind me at the same dealer and is only two days behind me on the ship date! My mouth starts to water every time I think about getting it and driving. First vechicle I ever ordered just took what was on the lot before but I figured for 32,000 I would get exactly what I wanted which was leather and the like but any truck like that on the lots have the extra 690 dollar radio that I could care less about.
I just bought a 98 Ram 1500 Club Cab SLT with 23G package. It came with 5.2L, 5sp manual, 3.55 axle ratio, sliding rear window, bed liner, fog lamps and the optional P245 tires. I went in with the invoice prices from Edmunds and the dealer sold it to me for $100 over invoice. He even showed me his invoice sheet on the vehicle and the prices matched up exactly with the prices on the Edmunds site. BTW, advertising fee was included in invoice price.
Edmunds.com allowed me to go into the dealer very well prepared by knowing what the dealer paid for the truck. I was very happy with the deal and after 600 miles, very happy with the truck.
Hi i just found this site since i am ready to buy a 98 ram 4x4 quad. i am trying to educate myself b4 i plunk down 30k. I read all the postings and if anyone can help me? I saw my same questions asked but no answers. 1.3.55 vs 3.92, whats the difference in gas mileage, acceleration, towing. Most of my driving is going to be highway, some offroad - snow and mud, and towing a 18ft bass boat one in a while 2. do i want limited slip differential? what is it 3. 5.2 vs 5.9, is the 5.9 noticeable different.(i have a 93 dakota 4x4 club with the 5.2 and love it) Thanks in advance
Does anybody know of an good internet site that has good information on Dodge trucks. I don't mean discussions about what brand is best or how fast my truck will go, I mean like maintenance information, recall information, do's and dont's, watch out fors, that kind of stuff. I use my trucks hard and keep them a long time, I would like to keep in contact with other owners, not just new owners and wannabe owners.
cci, I would go with the 3.55 for your application. The 3.92 would give you higher tow rating, but unless your planning to tow a large 5th wheel, or travel trailer its not worth it. The higher the number the lower the gear ratio.(your drive shaft turns 3 times turning your wheels 5.5 times, ect) So the lower the gear ratio the higher the RPM at a given speed. Would be about 1-2 mpg difference. Limited slip differential senses when the drive wheel is starting to spin and transfers the drive to the wheel with more traction. It kind of works like anti-lock brakes, except in the reverse. I would get it the limited slip for your app. The 5.9L will give you a little more torque and horsepower, which would compensate for the weight difference between the Dakota, and the Ram. It will cost you about 1 mpg or so, but I think it would be worth it. You don't want to spend that much money, and be disappointed with the power. Go for the 5.9L Sounds like your putting together a realy nice machine there Frank. Good luck, and let us know how muck you love it.... P.S If you click on [show all responses] you will get a bigger view of the topic.
mHarde2 - Thanks for the help, i will take your advice on the 3.55, If 2 years down the road i want to buy & tow a medium sized camper will the 3.55 still be ok or should i then go to the 3.92? Also, do the Dodge ram 4x4 quads have limited slip differentials? i thought they did but i cant find it mentioned anywhere. Thanks
cci, mharde2 is right on with his reccomendations, unlesss you are going to pull a trailer over 10,000 lbs. you should be O.K but if you get a trailer that big you might want to get into a diesel anyway. I have a 25.5 Prowler with slide out that I pulled with a chevy 5.7 liter with no problems had the 3.73 rear axle though. Am waiting for my Dodge with the 3.54 axle but have the Cummins in it. The Chevy was O.K. but slowed down going up some of the passes here in Colo. For your info MSRP is 15% over dealer invoice. Dealer gets 3% of dealer invoice back from manufacter so you can usually get a deal just a little over invoice. I think that is what goes to the salesman.
Just wanted to correct something Mharde said a feqw posts back...
Dodge does NOT offer 4-wheel disc brakes - they DO offer 4 wheel ABS, but the rears are drums. The 99 Ford Super Duty F-series went to 4 wheel discs because 4 wheel ABS is required for trucks over 10,000 GVWR for the 99 model year. Ford felt it easier to make the whole Super Duty line 4 wheel disc to meet this requirement. The 4 wheel ABS is simply optional on single rear wheel F250 and 350s. The 1999 Silverado and Sierra will be the first to offer 4 wheel discs AND 4 wheel ABS on all weight classes.
cci, I think the sure grip axle is the same as the limited slip. No problem with the 3.55 you don't want to go over a 25' with a 1/2 ton anyway. I pulled a 26' 5th wheel with a F150 5.8L 3.55, and it pulled fine. I burned up a couple of sets of axle bearings though. Be sure to follow the owners manuals recommendations on towing a trailer extended miles. I just found limited-slip differential in the manual. It is an option with 4x4...
My 1995 DRW3500 4x4/V10 has been trouble-free since I took delivery on it in December of 1994. It was, I was told, the only black dually 4x4 club cab Laramie SLT with the V10 in the country at that time. It had been ordered since early fall.
It tows a 10,000-lb. 5th wheeler (weighed wet) well, but the mileage is low: 6-8 mpg (3.54:1 trac-lock differential). Trailer-free, with 9K winch, grill guard, aux. gas tank, etc. it weighs wet at 7,050-lbs. and averages 10 mpg (town & highway combined-highway @70 mph).
I went in to order the Cummins TD; however, a quick calculator exercise showed it would take more than 150K miles to "break even" on the difference of $4K for the oil burner over the V10. Diesel in Texas is generally higher than unleaded regular, as well.
The DODGE RAM is so much more reliable than my recent model GM's, that it's no comparison. Its 4W antilock brake system is smoother and very much more efficient than GM's, but the main thing is reliability: My last GM was so bad that the dealer was about ready to buy it back. The Dodge has proven itself so well that I ordered (and received) a new Durango SLT PLUS 5.9L that's clearly head & shoulders ahead of Suburban, except in size, of course. Durango's fit & finish, ride and handling quality, put the K2500 'burban in the deep shade. GM's done it to me the last time, although the new super duty Ford trucks really have my attention. Their styling mimics Dodge's and that newly improved 7.3L PowerStroke makes me lust again for a diesel. Oh, well. I better keep what I have: It's great looking; loaded with optional after-market goodies, and it's a trouble-free gas eater that causes Diamond Shamrock refineries to go into panic when it's parked.
When they ask the mileage, I usually tell folks that it gets 13 mpg... just sitting in the driveway, from evaporation in the huge fuel line!
I must admit I may be confused about this $4000 diesel thing. When I was just considering buying the diesel people kept saying I would have to drive many many miles to pay for that 4000 extra for the engine. I don't put on many miles because I only use the truck regularly in the summer when I camp. Then I started to look at the resale values of trucks and saw add $$$$ for diesel engine. I don't remember what the exact money amount is... it was of course not the same amount that you pay for the diesel option but a very large portion is back in the price. I think it was close to 3000. Now couple that with the fact a person is much more likely to buy a diesel with 100,000 miles on it compared to a gas engine with 100,000 miles and you have the reason I ordered the cummins.
Today I ordered a new Quad Cab 4x4 automatic. I used the Auto-by-tel service and got a price of $800 over dealer invoice. Although this isnt as good a deal as I've read in these posts, I feel it's excellent for the California Bay Area, where 4x4's are difficult to come by. It's an order, so I'll get exactly the options I want. The dealer's representative was great to work with, and I'd recommend this service to anyone who wants a good price without the haggling. What was really disturbing is how they wanted to undercut my trade-in, a Mustang GT with 99K miles. Edmunds gives a value of 5300, and Kelly Blue Book gives a value of 4160, yet the dealer had the nerve to offer only 3000 (after initially offering 2500), even after I showed him the Edmunds and KBB printouts. I'm just going to sell it myself for what it's worth. (anybody interested can check it out at http:\\home.earthlink.net\~gregsintx\mustang.jpg) I don't have a build date yet, but I cant wait! 8-12 weeks from now I'll be in that new truck.
Ron,I think you where right about getting you truck faster depending on what part of the country you live in. They say that 50% of the pickups sold are sold in Texas. Everyone I've heard here in Texas is getting theirs very quickly. Maybe they where trying to get as many as possible out before the Fords where released.
Comments
As for the VW, we got lucky! She only drove a real short ways before she realized what she'd done, so she parked immediately and called me. After I got her calmed down we were able to have the car towed to the nearest dealer, where they flushed it out -- no problem. Close call. That Rabbit would've made a real expensive paperweight!
thanks!
Hey, congratulations, HookEm!! I am looking at the stick shift, too. Oddly enough, we had pea-sized hail in Lakeside (San Diego) two weeks ago (only the second time I've seen hail here in 18 years). It must've gotten lost on its way to Austin! Not much I could do about it, the driveway to my doublewide does not have a carport on it (long story...). Fortunately no damage, but not nearly as nerve-wracking as it must've been in Texas hail!
Later, guys!
mharde2, you're right, I guess I'm going to have to subject myself to the sales abuse and testdrive both Ford and Dodge. You're also not the first person that I've heard wishing for a "Forge" truck! If I liked the new Ford sheetmetal better, though, I doubt if I'd have ever looked at Dodge. I notice on your profile you were looking for a Ford!
And I agree, we're talking big $$s here -- at least for my income. I'm hoping to have some left over for a good Western-style pinstriping job and some aftermarket toys! See ya --
Therefore, I have some questions for the fellow readers out there.
1. Has anyone heard of this problem?
2. Does it only apply to the long bed, which is what I have heard?
3. Does the 4 wheel ABS help or increase the problem?
I talked to a Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4X4 Long bed last week and his truck is in the shop again this week (fourth time overall and first time with this dealer). It is his office and he will use it for towing, but if the brake issue is not resolved it is going to be bought back.
He said the problem is the engine weight and the truck will do one of the following when the brakes are applied quickly: stop straight, jump right or jump left.
Any info will help, I am ready to order a pickup and this may cause me to rethink what I order.
The 98 dodge does have thicker rotors I believe.
I don't know about the V10 brakes.
17 mpg. We are having a rough spring snow rain mud and ice etc. I have had absolutely no problem going anywhere, think the limited-slip a big help.
I decided to sell my current truck on my own, rather than trade it in. I only plan to finance $20,000 of the purchase, so I've had to wait on a check that I have been expecting since I likely won't sell my truck until after I pick up the new one. For some reason, my company didn't update my address change when I moved to Dallas in November, so the check got sent to my California address. I'm waiting on the check to be forwarded. I don't want to order the truck until I have the check in hand. I'm getting a pretty impatient.
But like I said, it could save me some money. The first call I plan to make is to that guy in Oklahoma. A one way ticket to Oklahoma City or Enid is only $90, so picking the truck up won't be cost prohibitive if this turns out to be a legit offer. Nothing in his web site leads me to believe that he is not legit.
I live in Arlington a couple of blocks from The Ballpark. I'll be able to walk up to some baseball games this summer without hassling with traffic. I work in downtown Dallas. When I first got here, our office was in Addison. That commute was taking me 45 minutes in the morning and at least an hour at night. The commute to downtown only takes me 20-30 minutes now. This is the first city I have ever been in where people in the left lane don't yield to faster traffic. That gets old pretty quick.
Nothing is more exciting for a man, than picking up that new truck. Nothing is worse than waiting for it to come in.
Are you getting the V10?
I have owned my Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab (Driftwood color-silver) for a week and I LOVE it! So far so good. The best truck I've ever owned. And I have only owned trucks in my life.
I really wanted the Ford, but my wife loved the Dodge. Well, I guess worse things could happen. Its really is a great truck though. Its growing on me. I'll be pulling my 5th wheel with it this week, then we'll see what its made of.
I'm very interested in hearing about that V10. (gas mileage, ect) supposed to be one smooth machine. I'm sure you will be more than happy to talk about it once you get your hands on it. I was torn between that, and the diesel. Thats part of the price difference also. I keep forgetting that the diesel engine was a $4000 option.
ext cab truck. It has the 26g package, towing package. The salesman gave me a price of 25,790. Someone please let me know what they think?
Finished 8 weeks of waiting for 24v order and as
of Friday the dealer still doesn't have a build date.
I forgot to mention that I got the Supercab and the long bed. As for the engine, if I was towing a fifth wheel, I'd go for the diesel. Actually, the diesel makes sense not towing. I'm figuring the V-10 to average 11-13 on the highway. The diesel would have cost me $3,500 more. If you run the numbers on the savings at the gas pump, I'm guessing you'd find that you recoup that cost fairly quickly. I just wasn't ready to make that jump to diesel. Maybe in 10+ years when I buy my next truck, I'll be ready for diesel and duallys.
They should take it.
Edmunds.com allowed me to go into the dealer very well prepared by knowing what the dealer paid for the truck. I was very happy with the deal and after 600 miles, very happy with the truck.
1.3.55 vs 3.92, whats the difference in gas mileage, acceleration, towing. Most of my driving is going to be highway, some offroad - snow and mud, and towing a 18ft bass boat one in a while
2. do i want limited slip differential? what is it
3. 5.2 vs 5.9, is the 5.9 noticeable different.(i have a 93 dakota 4x4 club with the 5.2 and love it) Thanks in advance
Limited slip differential senses when the drive wheel is starting to spin and transfers the drive to the wheel with more traction. It kind of works like anti-lock brakes, except in the reverse. I would get it the limited slip for your app.
The 5.9L will give you a little more torque and horsepower, which would compensate for the weight difference between the Dakota, and the Ram. It will cost you about 1 mpg or so, but I think it would be worth it. You don't want to spend that much money, and be disappointed with the power. Go for the 5.9L
Sounds like your putting together a realy nice
machine there Frank. Good luck, and let us know how muck you love it....
P.S If you click on [show all responses] you will get a bigger view of the topic.
Dodge does NOT offer 4-wheel disc brakes - they DO offer 4 wheel ABS, but the rears are drums. The 99 Ford Super Duty F-series went to 4 wheel discs because 4 wheel ABS is required for trucks over 10,000 GVWR for the 99 model year. Ford felt it easier to make the whole Super Duty line 4 wheel disc to meet this requirement. The 4 wheel ABS is simply optional on single rear wheel F250 and 350s. The 1999 Silverado and Sierra will be the first to offer 4 wheel discs AND 4 wheel ABS on all weight classes.
I pulled a 26' 5th wheel with a F150 5.8L 3.55, and it pulled fine. I burned up a couple of sets of axle bearings though. Be sure to follow the owners manuals recommendations on towing a trailer extended miles.
I just found limited-slip differential in the manual. It is an option with 4x4...
It tows a 10,000-lb. 5th wheeler (weighed wet) well, but the mileage is low: 6-8 mpg (3.54:1 trac-lock differential). Trailer-free, with 9K winch, grill guard, aux. gas tank, etc. it weighs wet at 7,050-lbs. and averages 10 mpg (town & highway combined-highway @70 mph).
I went in to order the Cummins TD; however, a quick calculator exercise showed it would take more than 150K miles to "break even" on the difference of $4K for the oil burner over the V10. Diesel in Texas is generally higher than unleaded regular, as well.
The DODGE RAM is so much more reliable than my recent model GM's, that it's no comparison. Its 4W antilock brake system is smoother and very much more efficient than GM's, but the main thing is reliability: My last GM was so bad that the dealer was about ready to buy it back. The Dodge has proven itself so well that I ordered (and received) a new Durango SLT PLUS 5.9L that's clearly head & shoulders ahead of Suburban, except in size, of course. Durango's fit & finish, ride and handling quality, put the K2500 'burban in the deep shade. GM's done it to me the last time, although the new super duty Ford trucks really have my attention. Their styling mimics Dodge's and that newly improved 7.3L PowerStroke makes me lust again for a diesel. Oh, well. I better keep what I have: It's great looking; loaded with optional after-market goodies, and it's a trouble-free gas eater that causes Diamond Shamrock refineries to go into panic when it's parked.
When they ask the mileage, I usually tell folks that it gets 13 mpg... just sitting in the driveway, from evaporation in the huge fuel line!
What was really disturbing is how they wanted to undercut my trade-in, a Mustang GT with 99K miles. Edmunds gives a value of 5300, and Kelly Blue Book gives a value of 4160, yet the dealer had the nerve to offer only 3000 (after initially offering 2500), even after I showed him the Edmunds and KBB printouts. I'm just going to sell it myself for what it's worth. (anybody interested can check it out at http:\\home.earthlink.net\~gregsintx\mustang.jpg)
I don't have a build date yet, but I cant wait! 8-12 weeks from now I'll be in that new truck.
That must say something about interest in the Dodge Ram.
I just got word from my dealer that my Ram Cummins 24v order changed to a "D1" status yesterday, which means they are actively building it now.
Made my week!!
Ron