Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

Hey All!

I'm looking at purchasing a Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel 4x4 with 190k miles on it with a recently oh automatic transmission in it(35k miles). It runs great and drive great. Anyone have any experience with them. I'm pretty sure the Cummings diesel engine is bullet proof and the truck is pretty much rust free. I plan to use it for moderate towing and maybe some snowplowing. I expect to achieve 17-20 mph on the highway. The price is right - under $10k. Comments and criticisms welcome!

PS- I tried to post this in general discussion and it wouldn't allow me to. So if a moderator would like to move it there great!

Bushpilot

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

What year is it BushP?

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

Sukhoi; the mechanic at work runs a 2002 3/4 dodge diesel . I think they had 24 valves in those.

Anyway he has 180,000 on the origional engine and trany.

I asked him how he got so many miles out of it and he told me when hes hauling his fifth wheel he dosent run it in 5th gear but 4th on the highways. That load in 5th gear is a real strain on that gearing.

I put a gearvender overdrive in mine and Im spinning 1800 rpm at 75 mph, and I get 22 mpg empty and 15 loaded. And its a 1 ton dually 4x4.

There about 3500$ installed, highly recommended.

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

Bushpilot, check out:

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/index.php
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/

You can do a few very cheap (free, actually) bombs to that 12 valve that will really wake it up. Best to do a lot of reading on those sites and learn all you can, however. Can't go wrong with a 12-valve.:bear_thumb: Trying to figure out how to get one, myself.

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

Sorry guys, its a 1999 with the 24 valve engine. My bad!

I know the engine is probably good for 300k miles or better and I know the auto tranny is the weak link, but for the money I think its a pretty good deal.

Bushpilot

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

If it has been maintained cared for sounds good, new ones are 35K$ anyway.... change the fuel filter a lot to, that will save you from an injector rebuid.

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

If you end up with the 24 valve, be sure to rig up a fuel pressure gauge and/or warning light. When the lift pump goes, it'll take out the vp44 injection pump, as well (it is lubricated by the fuel), if you don't shut down soon. You can learn all about that on those cummins sites I linked to, as well.

edit - should have mentioned that every 24-valve owner that is "in the know" has such a thing rigged up to prevent losing the injection pump. Doesn't hurt to look into a better lift pump than the stocker, too. :)

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

Thanks Krug!

BP

Re: Dodge 2500 Diesel
 

Just remember it takes around 12 quarts of oil everytime you change it.
Most service places will charge you at least $50 to change the oil and filter.