Okay doing a big build, alreayd know what I am doing d60/70 will be getting 5.38s, detroits, hydro-assist, 41" IROKs, long arm lift, EMS extreme hub kit, EMS CAD delete, Thuren Fab steering and tracbar, etc...

I was sold on getting a 98-02 1500 reg. cab Ram with 5.9L with low miles for this, mainly for the short wheelbase. After searchng though it seems the 2500s have some beefier parts besides the axles (which would be swaped onto the 1500 anyways) So what all is actually better on the 2500s to make it worth having the longer wheelbase? I know 46re vs 47re, but is it really any better since the 2500 would have been worked harder, etc? ANy other parts? frame differences?

Also for longevity, which is better 360 or v10? I assume MPG won't be too far off each otherin this situation...

 

sounds like you gotta it pretty well figure out. the 2500 is just a sturdier frame. go for a 2500 Cummins, it will outlast out perform, and get way better mpg then the 5.9 or 8.0

 

I would agree that for power and durability, a 2500 with the cummins would be the way to go. Start with the heavier duty parts and you will have less to upgrade in the drivetrain.

 

how much lift are you planning? The 2500 frames are about 2 inches taller or so. The good thing about the 2500 is that you'll already have the axles and won't have to modify your driveshafts. The bad is that you cant get a regular cab shortbed. As far as i know, you have to go custom on a shackle flip. BDS doesn't make one...i thin AIM makes one i'm not sure since the rear springs are 3 inches instead of 2.5 inches.....

 

Well I am shying away from a diesel even though I love the Cummins. It adds alot of weight and enough torque to break more parts. Also the price difference is big..found a 99 2500 ext. cab v10 4x4 with 51k for $10k, closest diesel is like $14k and 100k+ miles.

 

7-8" of lift and trimming, good point on the frame. Yeah the 118" wheelbase is a nice factor on the 1500....still not convienced to not go that route.

 

2500 would just be smarter, you can find short box reg. cab 2500s. The higher GVW 3/4 tons already have 60/60 or 60/70 combos.

Also it'd be WAY easier and cheaper to just get an old Ford D60. Its drivers drop, Kingpin instead of crap *** ball joint, and '78-'79 are High Pinion. Much cheaper then getting the Hub kit and CAD removal kit.

I can point you in the right direction if you want.

 

you cannot buy a 3/4 ton reg cab short bed, they never made them

 

lighter duty 3/4 tons had 60/60 v8 motors
v10 and dieselhad 60/70, unless it s a dually, then its an 80 out back

 

Transfer case, driveshafts, brakes. And yes, the frame is beefier.

Both engines hold up very well. The V-10 is Direct ignition, which is always lower maintenance (albeit more expensive if it fails). That V-10 really is a smooth running powerhouse. They just sound like ****, IMO.

And no, fuel economy won't be much different. Vehicle weight and driving habits will be the same, and those are the primary factors in MPG. But either way, it's gonna be crappy with 41's and 5.38's. I'd expect single digit city and hwy.

They've been made, but not in over 40 years