Hi guys have a few questions that I'd like to get opinions on.

I currently have a 1999 dodge ram standard cab short bed 1500 with a 5.9 and automatic. It tows my 18' car trailer and race car fine around town, but I've got a move to Nashville soon, and want to get a 3/4 ton truck with a little more wheelbase for a bit more stability and safety for the move, and for daily driving/towing the car around duties once I'm in Nashville. Here's my question...

do the 3/4 ton rams have more power (5.9 gas to 5.9 gas) than the 1/2 tons? My truck is alright, but it's only that. Just alright. It's got gibson short tubes, flowmaster exhaust, and a modded kegger with hughes kit, and MSD 6A ignition, and, even after all of this, it's just alright. If the 3/4 tons have a bit more oomph in them, I could transfer all of my crap to it, and be happy with it, or if I go with a little newer truck, I could do the Hemi, and that's always an option too.

Really, I guess what I'm looking for is practical, real world facts from dudes that have these trucks. Obviously the CTD is going to tow the doors off of the other choices, but they are typically 5-10K more expensive, and diesel is 40-70 cents more a gallon, and its tough to find one without a jillion hard miles on them for a decent price. Is the V10 a practical choice, or will the daily driver mileage be bad enough that it's a better bet to go with the CTD? Oh yeah, and I'm really trying to stay away from the automatics. Dodge builds a great truck, but the auto trans leaves a bit to be desired, so did dodge even make the 8.0L with a stick? I haven't come across any.

Thanks in advance

 

The 5.9 was the same in the half and 3/4 ton versions IIRC. The hemi really isn't that much more powerful torque wise than the 5.9 (only about 35-40 ft/lbs in stock form), so I'm not really thinking you're going to notice a huge differnece between the two.

As far as diesels go, the initial cost difference is where you're really going to lose out on, you'll never really make that up unless you put a ton of miles on it. The difference in fuel price you can make up in the difference in fuel mpg (calculating current cost of about 4.15/gal diesel @ 15mpg = 27.6 cents / mile VS 3.45/gal gas @ 10mpg = 34.5 cents / mile).However, the ease of towing might make that initial cost worth it to you.

How heavy are the loads you haul?

 

The 5.9 gas 3/4 tons would be even doggier then the 1/2 tons due to the extra weight and more power robbing axle/trans. The chrysler tranny problems are over exagerated and if people stuck with mopar trans fluid, good coolers and didn't run monster tires with hwy gears, you'd hear a lot less about them. I sell used parts and get far more calls on GM and Ford trannys then I do Dodge trannys. IMO the 5.9 gas and 8.0 will get about the same mileage in a 3/4 ton but the 8.0 as detuned as it is will blow the doors off the 5.9 gas and a stock cummins (later year over boosted cummins do rock and roll pretty damn good). The 8.0 was available with a stick, so they are out there. With the price of diesel fuel and the extra cost of the trucks themselves it will be awhile before (if ever) it makes up the difference in fuel savings. I don't know much about the Hemi's, but I hear they are only marginally better on fuel then the 5.9 gas motors and don't have near the torque of the 8.0. Avoid the 4.7's at all cost IMO, they are too weak for a Ram and they are blowing up out there in the real world.

 

look into the v10 for sure, there isnt anything i have put behind mine that made it struggle. it just seems to have endless power.also my v10 is stock i have heard with some mods you can get upwords of 500tq. also note i tow heavy loads so im speaking from experiance. ie: my skid steer,my 8k pound tractor, my 31foor camper which weighs right at 10k fully loaded. and so on.

 

The Hemi isn't a very good choice for hauling real loads. Nice car engine though. With fuel prices the way they are it's a coin flip, pay the $5-10Kpremium for the Cummins and even with the better diesel mpg, you'll have to drive a lot of miles to recoup that premium.

 

excellent guys. thanks for the replys. I'm looking into a few options, and I'll let you guys know when i make a decision.

Goldpro, what kind of mileage do you get towing heavy loads? Mine will be in the 7K range, with my car/trailer/race stuff.

 

ummm honestly i never really checked the mileage while towing, i wouldent be a fair assesment as i live in a VERY hilly area and am always pulling up mountains and hills. but i can say it gets the same if not better mileage as my blue 5.9 litre gets while not towing. so id assume it prolly gets better milage as my blue 5.9 litre while towing as it doesnt have to work as hard.