Good info!

On the diesel side, I looked at one today 98 2500 with 12v cummins. ext cab short box in very good cosmetic condition, but 178000 miles. 8500. not bad IMO!
But you guys may have talked me out of a diesel.

What would you say is "unaccaptable" or higher than desirable mileage for both gas and diesel in the years of 97 to 2000?

I know there is alot of years there, but I have heard that 10,000 per year is average. so 110,000 on a 98 is average. but diesels are good for much more, no?

 

Well, honestly, I would push for a diesel. Mileage on them don't bother me like they do on a gas does. IMO, I would pass on any gas motor that has over 170K on the clock. I also think that a good diesel motor really doesn't start sealing up and running good until they approach the 100K mark. Keep in mind that any kind of maintenance work is always going to be higher on a diesel compared to a gas.

If I were you, I would look hard at that 98. Hopefully it's fairly nice. The thing that worries me about getting a gaser to haul with is the gas mileage. It's going t suck once you get them loaded down. That Cummins is going to get 17+ MPG unloaded, and depending the therrain and how you drive it will get around 15 loaded.

Keep in mind that that 98 is the old 12 valve style, and they are super easy to make repairs on. Not saying you'll have to do that all the time, but it's nicew to know that you can work on tem failry easily.

 

Yeah, make sure that that 98 is an early model with the old skool 12 valve. Of course the 24 valve will get the job done (With some more power) but it wont be as easy to work on. Hell, 178,000 miles is just being broken in! My 318 has 172,000 miles on it and the body, and drivetrain are in great condition. They say that the Cummins engines in the Rams will far outlive the bodies and the rest of the drivetrain in the truck. But the 318 and 360 engines are tried and trued engines. I think that if you mantain it, the motor will go for at least 300,000 miles, but that is if your heads dont crack......

 

They did make a 1500 360 with a manuel trans cause there is one for sale by me.

 

A 5.2 Dakota should't have any problem towing a 3500Lb trailer with trailer brakes. These trucks are rated to tow 6000-7000Lbs depending on the options.

 

Lemme see in my FACTORY DODGE BROCHURE:
5.9 Magnum V8 5 speed Manual. Package # 25A, and 25G. Only avalible in 3/4 and 1 ton Rams. Sorry, but they didnt make them.

 

I'm gonna have to go with Laramie1997 on this one. I think you would be much happier with a diesel. I have a '99 with the 360, and I can't say I'm impressed with the way it tows, at all. I usually tow a single axle trailer that weighs about 2500lbs when loaded, and I can definitely feel it behind me. When towing on the highway my truck struggles to maintain speed in OD, and that's on fairly level ground. Don't even ask what happens when I'm in hilly terrain. I have a programmer, high flow exhaust, high flow air intake and a few other mods and it still sucks at towing.

If you want to tow, I wouldn't get anything with a 46re transmission. Otherwise you'll have to keep it out of OD most of the time. (OD unit may overheat causing tranny failure, it's a dodge thing) This means you'll be running 3k+ rpms on the highway = horrible gas mileage

If you do decide to go with a gasser, make sure it has 4.10 gears. I think the main reason my truck is such a dog while towing is because of the 3.55 gear ratio.

150xxx miles on a cummins is barely broken in. When properly maintained they'll last 300xxx+ miles (we have one at work with 320xxx and still running strong)

And the final reason for going with a diesel is...they're just so cool!

My 2 cents

 

My apologies after reading the ad closer it says 5.9L 318 so I guess a typo.

 

i can hardly even feel 3500 behind my 318, and thats with the 3.55 gears, i figure thats about what my jeep weighs, plus some more for the trailer

 

Sorry guys... Ive been out of town with work for a bit over a week. Tons of good info here! Thanks for all of the input. I am not going to jump in to anything untill I find just the right one. I guess, based on what I hear here, I 5.9 will work just fine, but the diesel would just be sweet.

With the diesels... I walked by one waiting out side the store today and didnt realize they were that loud. Is it common for them to be super loud even at idle!? I could heardly talk to the guy next to me till we got passed it! This could be a factor in my decision as I hunt. I cant imagin pulling up to a field just before dawn with something that loud with the intent of stalking an animal in the silent night!

Can they be "tamed down" at all?