Okay, please no complaining. I love my Dakota, however my engine is going to breakdown in a year or two. The engine rod is wearing out and is going to fail soon. It is thousands of dollars to fix it and my block has almost 1/4 million miles, too many for my comfort. I wished it was better off, I had hopes of getting it built up and burning tires, towing heavy loads and off-roading with friends. You know making my mid-size truck embarass all the big boy trucks, out doing everything they could do. I love doing it now, F-150 owners, getting red in the face at me laughing at them stuck and what not.

Anyways, I'm getting older and I'm doing a ton more work and bigger jobs. So I've decided my next truck is going to need to be an upgrade and a big one. I'm going after the Dodge Ram 2500, 5.9 Cummins. Can yall help me decide what would work best for me. The Dakota is a SLT 2001, 4.7L, V8, QC, 4x4. What is a top of the line 2500? I'm think a manual tranny, is that a good choice? What are things that are details I want to pay attention too, like is there a heavier duty suspension or tranny?

I'm moving from just outside of DC to the country in Missouri, so the upgrade is unforunately a little more necessary then just needing more. The 2500 can do what a dream Dakota could do but the 2500 can do it more for the long run. Thank you for your help guys, when I switch I will always visit this forum.

 

Its been a year since I made the move from my dakota to my 2500. There are some things to figure out. What year are you looking for? Yes I know I own one but personally I find the 2nd gen ram cummins is the best overall. They range from 94-98 which was the 12v very reliable and all mechanical. 98.5-02 was the 24v which is still reliable but need a few things to keep everything in check. The thing is they arent that great off road in stock form. If you get a suspension lift they can ride a bit smoother offroad but still the 1,000lb cummins is still a lot of front end weight for being in mud. Manual is by far stronger but they are kinda slow shifting. The autos can be built up and be just as strong as the manuals. If you got any questions just ask. Im also over on cummins forum(ramitt is my user name) if you wanna stop in and ask some questions.

 

I won't do much off-road and I have no real off-raod use for it. 99% of my off-roading is just dirt or gravel roads. Ya I'm not paving my self a new road so I'm not too worried about that. I personally want an 01-02, and I wasn't really interested in the all mechanical 12V. I love it, it is an engine the doesn't die, but I'm more interested in the 24V, the addition stock power is preferred.

 

If possible try to get a 01.5 or 02. They came with rear disc brakes. Big difference in stopping. Also the 24v is nice cause you can use a programmer and have on the fly power. Just a word of advise when buying a 24v check the fuel psi. You dont want anything lower than 10 psi at wot. Anything lower than that and its taking out the vp44. First thing to buy for them is an aftermarket lift pump(fass or dtt assassin) and a good fuel psi gauge(auto meter or isspro)

 

"wot", I don't know the reference, what does it mean?

And what is a vp44?

Sorry, I've never dealt with any work on diesels or have had a 5.9

 

WOT = wide open throttle.

VP44 = some sort of injection pump for your diesel - I googled it. I also googled the price ... 1100-1900 for one ouf.

 

You have much to learn young grasshopper. I was in your shoes around this time last year. I had no idea about diesels. Go on to cumminsforum or just google "what to look for when buying a 24v cummins" or something along those lines. Do some reading and it will further help you understand them.

 

I shall listen to wise and experienced master

Okay thanks I will