I am looking around at trucks.......
Power is my main concern.
I wondered if anyone has had any of the same vehicles and could compare to this one.
I am looking at a 2000 2500 quad cab shortbed 5.9 gas 4x4 5speed, don't know the rearend ratio.
I have never towed with or had this set up before.

I have or have had the following trucks-All are/were 4x4's
1996 Ford F250 x-cab 8ft bed 460 5speed 373 rearend
1997 Ford F350 reg cab 8ft 460 auto-od 3.55 rearend
1996 Dodge diesel x-cab 8ft bed auto-od 4.10 rearend
1989 Dodge Diesel regcab 8ft bed auto-non-od 3.07 rearend

The 5.9 5speed qc seems to be a rare combo....
It will be used as a back-up tow vehicle for my 96 Diesel

Thank You,
GJ

 

Power for what? Towing? If so, what are you towing?

That combo is really not that rare. A 5.9 gas is ok for towing when you have a manual trans, but it will never compare to a Cummins. I'd skip it and get a diesel.

 

Ford's diesel V8 will get you there faster; however, their diesel engine has been problematic for years. The Cummins straight-6 will give you more torque than you can imagine.
Same for the gas engines. If you're going to do some serious hauling, get the 5.9 mated to a standard.

 

Towing approx 8k when I do tow. Only have a GN right now, gonna pick up a car trailer soon to make the load lighter.
I have found a few 5 speed diesels most of them but they are either rusty or worn out.
Or out of my price range, right now.
If the 1996 I have had a different gearset in it I'd swap the auto out for a 5 speed.
I love the truck but the 4.10's and 5 speed would be a bit much.
Again the down time would kill me.
My future plans are to sell the auto and find a diesel stick.
I just can't be without a truck.

Thanks, GJ

 

From my experiance a Powerstroke/Navistar/international will run hard but won't have the power a Cummins will, the life, Duriability. Don't get me wrong a Ford has the best ride out thier but engines...... just..... well......suck. The best Cummins to get is the 12v They pull better and are more reliable than the 24v and to get the power just swap out the injectors for a set out of a 97-04 24v or just get ahold of Forest Cunningham and he will have it runing 50%-85% more power at a flip of a switch and just flip it back and you have stock tune.

Never get a Cummins with a slip-o-matic/Auto-tragic/automatic and expect it to tow large loads cuz you WILL just pull the tranny apart. A 5 speed or a 6speed is best for heavy towing.

I heard a guy down in south Mo. that takes the F-350, F-450, and pulls the drive train out of them just make them real trucks and puts Cummins12v/24v engines and CC trannys so you get the best of both worlds.... Great ride and the power and durability of a Cummins.

 

Where are you looking for trucks? Check online in places like Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, etc. You'd be better off in the long run finding one online and either driving out to get it or flying.