Am currently looking at a 96 dodge ram 3500 dually with a v10 4x4. The truck looks like it is in pretty good shape with 132000 miles. I wanted to get some opinions. My last ram was a 97 2500 with a 5.9. I own a remodeling truck and will be using it for deliveries and driving here and there. I had a 95 f350 with a 7.5l which worked great but it was not a 4 x4 so it. Plus I wanted another ram.

 

it's a stout truck that will run circles around the gas V8 5.9, but it'll drink gas like a skid row drunk. if you wanted a 5.9 diesel, it would haul your gear with a lot better mpg.

 

With those duallies I don't think it has the turning radius to drive circles around a V8 5.9

 

A duallys gonna hurt your mobility and cost you more $ in tires. I know a few people who regret their duallys because they dont need it for payload/tow capacity and hate the navigating tight areas, parking, etc. and the $ to replace tires. Other thing is, obviously if its an auto check how well it shifts and if the PO ever overheated it or didnt keep up on maintenance.

 

I really want a diesel but there just so expensive around here. I don't want to spend more than $3500 on a truck. They had the 3500 for $2900. I did not buy it though. The front bumper was messed up the door to the bed looked like Freddy Kruger attacked and it wouldn't shut all the way. The rear driver side fender had a bad crack in it and it was falling apart. Id still like to have a decent looking truck.

I'm on the look for either a 2500 or 3500 with the 5.9 or v10. Has to be a 4x4 and at least an extended cab.

 

If you find a 5.9 in the configuration you want, I would want one with 4.10 gears. A long box extended cab lugging around the heavy 3/4 ton drive train is little much for the 5.9 in my opinion without the gears.

 

Biggest thing to watch out for when buying a used vehicle IMO.

Don't want to buy someone else's problem...

 

If you only have $3500 to play with then it's going to be hard to find a decent looking 3/4 or 1 ton truck + the extended cab + 4x4....you may have to compromise on one of those areas....if you had 5 to 7k on the other hand, then you might be in business...+1 on the gearing thing...I have the 4.10s in my 1500 and it makes a big time difference when towing

 

it's possible you just have to keep an eye out. but, there might be problems that you have to take care of. i got my truck for $3500, but it had tranny problems. the truck is ok otherwise. new tranny is getting put in & should be done this weekend. as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty or can get work done, you might be able to find something. otherwise, i have to agree with CSDavies....it's going to be tough to find something in that price range.

 

I'm on my way to look at a 98 1500 extended cab with the 5.9 and 4x4.