Dodge Ram

ladyblue

sd99:
Thank you. You are a gentleman and a breath of fresh air in this sometimes-antagonistic truck debate.

The truck I'm trading in is an F150 4x4 extended cab, and I absolutely LOVED it. The reasons I went with Dodge were: a) The Ford dealership kept trying to screw me, and; b) The Dodge dealer treated me like family. Besides, Dodge makes a good truck.

I rejected Chevy mostly because they left the 4th door off their new truck. I'm also not crazy about the look of the Chevy - boring.

So here's the details on the truck of my dreams:
Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4x4 long bed
5.2 automatic
Intense blue w/mist grey interior
Travel convenience group
Rear underseat compartment
Sliding rear window
Remote keyless entry
Cab clearance lamps
Fog lamps
AM/FM stereo w/CD, cassette and equalizer
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Chrome wheels
Bedliner, high-top cap, chrome sidesteps,
window guards and bug deflector

The only options I dropped were the 8-way power seats and the upgraded tires. Other than that, it's loaded.

Two more weeks and it's mine, mine, all mine!!
(Sorry, got carried away {*_*} )

sd99

Ladyblue...Thank you for the nice comment, I appreciate it.
Sounds like you have one heck of a truck coming your way, and I hope you enjoy it for years to come. When you order a vehicle, you might as well get it exactly the way you want it.
And, ladyblue, it's O.K. to get excited, I would worry if you didn't.
I hope everyone is driving their new trucks, whatever make they may be, real soon.

KCRam

ladyblue,

Here's how to find out your Ram's birthplace. If you have your VIN already, if it's a St. Louis product, the first digit will be 1. If your Ram speaks Spanish like mine, the first digit will be a 3.

dodgeram

Little off topic but thought all of you should know that dodge is bringing a new six speed transmission for the diesel in the next month or two. It is not a manual but a 6sp automatic, built by allison, so for all you people whining about the dodge auto in the diesel, whine no more!

ladyblue

kcram:
I found out that my truck is coming from Mexico. Guess the salesman didn't know that when he said it was coming from "up north."

Seems there was also some confusion regarding the bedliner and steps - I thought they were going to give me a break on these items, but I found out today that it will cost me MORE to have the dealer install them than if I look elsewhere. Oh well, miscommunication and all that.

Any advice on truck accessory places in NJ? I know of a couple, but I want to compare prices.

richram123

Lady Blue.

Truck accsessory places in NJ:

Meyers Speed shop on RTE 33 in Mercerville

Sand and Hill on RTE 130 in New Brunswick (expensive)

Rich (Fellow Ram Owner 98 4x4 1500 Club Cab)

ladyblue

richram:

Thanks for the leads. Here's what I did - I called both places you gave me and got prices from them. I also called Monmouth Truck Accessories, and they had the lowest price. Then I called Suburban Cap in Oldbridge (where I'd ordered my cap). Originally, Suburban was too high, but when I told them what I wanted and what their competitors were asking, they came down in price. They were still $20 higher than Monmouth but I'm getting better quality products and the convenience of having it all done in one place. I'm one happy trucker!!!

goldrush

DodgeRam,

I ordered a 99 QC Cummins with 6 speed manual at the beginning of Jan. Dealer originally said available Jan. 5. Dealer says it is not on hold. The www.wheels.com site shows it on hold until Jan 25 now. Also shows limited slip on hold until March. Looks like Lady Blue will get her truck before I do.

Ed

ladyblue

goldrush:

Sorry to hear about your hold up. Mine's probably coming in so soon because it's just the "baby" 1500 5.2 automatic. Seems like those who order bigger have to wait longer. Hang in there.

dodgeram

Mabye dodge is offering a six speed manual, but is it by allison or dodge. All I know is there will be a 6sp automatic avaible very shortly by allison.

KCRam

The six speed manual was off restriction for about a week and a few orders made it in to the system. It's made by New Venture, same as the five-speeds.

KCRam

update on my last post:

The NVG 6 speed manual is on restriction until the end of February. But more good news for us oil-burner fans - the following link is confirmed by several dealers. Cummins/Allison, anyone?

Allison 6 speed automatic for Cummins Ram

wheeler2

I'm ordering a Ram 2500 in the next few days. I've done a fair amount of home work on it but have not been able to find much info. on the mileage of the V8 compared to the V10 (yes I've been to the mileage town hall). I expect to use the truck much the same as Sdwolff in response #38 with some light towing added (2000-4500lbs). I also plan to get the 5 spd and 3.54 axle as Sdwolff does. I have seen very few V8 powered 2500's am I correct in thinking that the V8 is just barely adequate for the 2500? I looked at the 1500 also as it would do for my use, but lost interest when the dealer said you can't get the 5 spd with the 5.9. I also was quite suprized to find that when the 1500 and the 2500 are equiped the same that they are the same price! So for $400 and some change I can have the V10. Plus the 2500 would have better resale value?

KCRam

The 2500 will hold its value pretty well, but the difference in engine price dissolves quickly - after three years, there's only a $100 difference in resale value between the V8 and V10 2500s and 3500s.

ladyblue

I just found out today that my truck was shipped on 2-2-99. I called Chrysler and the rep said it left Mexico and will be heading for Laredo, TX, then on to Delaware, then through to Linden, NJ. He said a "conservative" arrival date would be two weeks from shipping. Needless to say, I'm hoping for sooner. I just hope with all those train changes they don't bang it up!

The next call I get should be that it's here....I'll let you all know.

KCRam

ladyblue,

I'll bet you wish NJ's license plates were still blue, dontcha?

wheeler2

In my posting #109 about V10 mileage I failed to mention the truck would be a QC 4WD. I'm not too concerned about the engine value. What I was trying to get at is if the 1500 and the 2500 are almost the same cost is a person better off to buy the 2500 for the trade-in value down the road?

texaszach

I ordered a 99 QC 2500 4x4 5sp Cummins today. The salesman said the 6 speed is on restriction at this time, limited to Cab/Chassis only and in limited numbers at that. He also talked me out of the 4.10 gears because of bad fuel mileage and a top speed of approximately 75 m.p.h. Can the top speed be that limited with the 4.10's? Anyone have any experience with this one?

(Ladyblue) For what its worth, this same salesman also said it takes a week longer to get a truck from Satillo, Mexico than it does from St. Louis. If that is true, two weeks to get yours may be a tad bit optimistic.

ladyblue

kcram:
Yeah, I wish they were....I may have to move to Connecticut.

texaszach:
Hey, I'm an optimist! At least I know it's out there rolling along.

larry18

Many of the rodeo crowd around Oklahoma drive Cummins-powered Dodge 2500s and 3500s. I have talked with several who said the 3.54 was more than adequate for pulling even the large trailers. And yes, they do comment on a top end speed in the low eighties with the 4.10.

KCRam

My 3.54-axled 3500 4x4 Cummins has hit 94 mph. (Did I say that???)

thecowdoctor

Hi
I am looking for some info and this appears to be the place.
I am looking at buying a basic truck, 1996 Ram 1500 extended cab short box with the 318 and automatic. It seemed to test drive OK and is A! shape. Currently shows 105000 KM (about 63000 miles for you lucky people that don't have to live with metric). Any ideas on realistic fuel economy with this truck (the Expedition that is going back off lease was a drinker)? Anything I should really check out on this truck? The dealer is offering an extended warranty..is it necessay with this truck? ANy and all advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

magyar

As "thecowdoctor," I'm looking for some realistic information on Dodge Ram pickups with the Cummins diesel engine. Our horse doctor has a 1996 extended cab Dodge Cummins diesel with automatic transmission. She claims to get 22 - 25 miles per gallon of diesel soloing on the highway and 16 mpg pulling 12000 lbs of hay on a gooseneck flatbed trailer. City fuel mileage is claimed to be between 18 - 20 mpg. While I do not doubt she is sincere in stating these fuel consumption figures, I wonder if this is a realistic expectation or does she just have an exceptionally frugal engine? I'm also curious about maintenance costs compared to a gas engined truck. Does anyone have any fuel consumption figures for a Cummins diesel measured over an extended period of time rather than a one-time check on a downhill run from Albuquerque to Amarillo with a 50 mph tailwind and an unloaded truck? Does anyone know of any publications which have tested and published the results of fuel consumption tests on Cummins diesel Dodge trucks?

KCRam

magyar,

If your horse doc has the 3.54 axle, then her mileage is very realistic. My Ram 3500 (club cab, 4x4, dually) weighs in at 7000 pounds, and I can get 22 mpg out of it at a steady 55 mph. At a steady 65, I get 19-20. From her figures, it sounds like she has a 2500, which gains 1-2 mpg over the 3500 dually.

mharde2

magyar, Sounds like the horse doctor has a light foot. I don't... I have a 98 Q-Cab 2500 24V Cummins 3:54 auto. I get 16-17 around town, 20 hwy(70mph), 13-14 towing 7000 lb 5th wheel (65mph). Great truck! Awsome power! It will pull anything you can hitch to it.

earsonly

Hi, Yall. new to this place. Fell in love with my buddy's 2500 ram. Love the Cummins Diesel. A lot of Ford and Chevy owners say stay away. What's the scoop? I hope I don't have to give up on one of these. Earsonly

ladyblue

earsonly:

Welcome to the Town Hall! It's always good to add a new friend to the forum.

If you scroll back and read some of the previous posts, you'll find some good, objective opinions on all three trucks.

Personally, I've never owned a Chevy truck, but I have owned the Ford (loved it) and am awaiting (anxiously) the arrival of my new Ram 1500.

My best advice to you is to do some research. Compare all three, go to a dealership and look them over, and test drive each. They all have their good points, and it may just come down to individual taste plus individual needs.

People will argue endlessly over looks, performance and price. I switched from Ford to Dodge for many reasons, but one of the biggest is I love the "big rig" look of the Dodge. Remember, whatever you choose, you've got to live with it for quite awhile, so choose wisely.

mharde2

earsonly, What would you expect to hear from Ford and Chevy owners. Ignore them and follow your heart. The Dodge is a great truck, and like anything else if you take care of it and treat it with respect it will give you many years of faithful service.

The Cunnins is the best diesel on the road. They have a reputation that is unsurpassed. It is true diesel in every respect. FEEL THE POWER!

When they come out with that 6 speed Allison automatic...God help the competition.

4myjob

Howdy Folks
I just finished reading all your postings since Dec. Some good information there. I'm looking to buy a 2500 5.9L QC 4x4 SWB and am wondering about the axle ratio. After reading the recent discussion about the diesel, three questions come to mind about the truck I'm looking at: 1) will I lose top end speed with the 4.10? 2) does the 4.10 accelerate faster or slower? and 3) what will be the effect on gas mileage? Thanks in advance for any information.

stanford

Don't worry about it with the gas engine. Remember, diesels get rev-limited below 3000rpm (my Ford was 2800, what's the Cummins?). You won't have any problem with that with the 5.9L. The 4.10 would accelerate faster than, say, a 3.73 (and slower than a 4.56) and get you worse mileage.