buy a diesel... There is no justification needed. They are simply better trucks.

 

meh leave him be...he is afraid of having something that will save him fuel and have almost no maintenance...shaking in his boots afraid.

he's thinking OMG if I get a diesel: what am I going to put in the what did you do to your ram today thread?

no worries vdub...there is always the junk steering dodge puts in these trucks for you to work on

speaking of diesels...saw a 97 2500 extended cab 12v cummins with an auto and 4x4 for 5 grand in craigslist. 150k on the clock.

also saw a 93 W350 12v cummins 5-spd 4x4 flat bed for around the same price. both looked in decent shape.

pretty cheap for this area...

 

Damn that's cheap. Send me a link to it and PM me if you're willing to check it out. I might just "mail order" that thing provided it doesn't have an 8' bed.

 

looks like they both sold already.

doesn't surprise me though with how cheap they were. something that cheap in an area where they are usually ridiculously overpriced...probably sell in less than 24hrs.

here is another one though...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3809353964.html

seems worth it...94 2500 reg cab 4x4 12v cummins with a built auto in it, 80hp injectors, rebuilt injection pump, and some other goodies for $8,700

95 2500 2wd 12v cummins in rough shape on the truck, and they claim the timing cover on the engine is cracked but they have a new one for it included... $2700
Engine swap donor truck anyone?!
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/3783641483.html

you just gotta search for "cummins" on craigslist sift through the crap and the overpriced 20-30k trucks and you find these little diamonds in the rough...

if you think about it..other than the deal wombat got with that 01 3500....2700 for a donor truck with a 12v, trans, and rear axle that can handle it...not bad...just need a 4x4 xfer case and you can make your 1500 a cummins!

 

I'm sure either Mark (wombat) or myself would be willing to check out a truck locally for you if you find one you are interested in...

 

Not a second Gen, but still a Dodge: 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck 4x4 Quad Cab

I've always been sketchy about the Hemi engines and I can't find any information about the 5.7L gasser. Seems they have enough low-end torque for pulling, but what about their reliability?

 

Ask the 3rd genners.

Most of those guys have zero issues, but something major pops up every once in a while.

 

Third Gen guys are no fun. No one has responded to the thread I started in their General Forum.

Anyhoo, I found two more trucks and now I'm having a tough time deciding which to get, although the 2006 looks like a no brainer.

2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck 4x4 Quad Cab
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Truck 4x4 Quad Cab Laramie

 

I would not get the 06. Dunno why, but something doesn't seem right about it. The left front headlight looks torqued, the front bumper looks weird, and the rear bumper looks like it's rusting.

 

I'm not seeing any of that except maybe discoloration in the rear bumper, which could be a reflection of Oklahoma's infamous red clay.