Hey guys, First post in the Ram section. Have a 318 dakota that I am looking to upgrade to a 2 gen Ram.

My reasons are
for more interior room (Have 2 kids and I think I can get a car seat in an ext cab ram)
For more power (I have a 1500lb(empty) 8' X 20' flatbed tandem axel trailer that, when loaded with 4 sleds will be gvw 3500.

I am am hoping to keep it around/under $10,000 for a 1500 or 2500 4x4 ext cab.

My 318 pulls the trailer, but it is definately more than it is meant to handle.

I am turning to you guys for info on what motor would be suggested.
I am hesitant to do with the 360 as I am not sure it would be efficient in pulling. I came across a v10, but have heard bad things about that motor so I am thinking 12v ot 24v diesel. Or is the 360 sufficient?

What is the diff between the 1500 and 2500?

Any thing to watch for that is common with these years/models?

Thanks guys!

 

BTW, dont tell the dakota boys im over here...

They get kinda territorial, if ya know what I mean!

 

I would say that the 360 would do fine with that kinda weight. I bought my 360 off my dad and when he had it he pulled a 30' camper up and down the mountains of PA and the truck diddnt even flinch. Now i dont know if i would do it again without getting a tranny cooler first but as far as power it did fine. I pulled 200+ feet in a sled pull i enetered last year which was about average with the stock class so the 360 can hold its own pretty well i feel. (sorry that i dont have any exact weights for you and dont want to make estiments.)

 

The 360 would be fine. I don't think too many have the V10 here but haven't heard very many bad comments on it.
The 2500 has bigger axles and brakes and stiffer suspension.

 

Thanks for the quick replys guys! would the tranny be the same in a 1500 and a 2500 with the same motor?

 

No. the 1500's have the 46re and 2500's have the 47re.

BTW the 318's can pull there own weight. I pulled 7500lbs with my ram before and it did pretty well.

 

3/4 ton Rams with the 360 have the same transmission as a 1/2 ton, the 46RE. If I were you, I would look for the perferable Ram, 2500s with a 5-speed NV4500, 360, and 4:10 gears. That would pull anything with ease and with not many modifications.

 

That sounds like a good match for what I want. And I wouldnt mind at all going back to a manual trans.
I have seen quite a few 360 rams in my area, both 1500 and 2500, but have yet to come across a manual transmission. Maybe I need to expand my search area a little.

I think you guys narrowed it down well for me. I didnt know if the 360 was much over the 318. Im on my second 318 dakota now, and as much as I like it... I just want something bigger. American Way I guess!

Thanks guys! May have saved my wallet from a life of diesel.

 

Just so you know the 360 1500 only came in automatics if you want a 360 5spd you have to get a 2500 or switch one over yourself...

 

Nope, Purple is right. The 47RE is only with the V10 and diesel. A 1500 or 2500 with the 5.9L V8 has the 46RE.

The 318 (5.2L) is a decent engine, so is the 360 (5.9L). The 360 generates more power, but the 318 holds its power a little longer in the high RPMs (4000-ish and above).

I used to have a 1995 Dakota with the 5.2L V8 that weighed in at just over 4000 lbs when I was in it. I now have my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 (see sig) with the 5.9L V8 that weighs in at (estimated) 5200-5500lbs-ish. Yet to get it on a scale, but in theory its around that. Anyway, my Ram has more power and speed than the Dakota did, even before my upgrades.

The 360 is also majorly detuned from the factory and can be "opened up" more than the 318 if you plan on "mods" and upgrades.

Good luck on the diesel for under $10k. Unless its a fairly old one and/or with high mileage, they don't go for under that very often. The Cummins engine literally adds 50% or more to the market value of the truck out here in the midwest, I'm assuming its similar elsewhere. It gets decent mileage and has a lot of power, and can be get even more major power from a tuner.

Summary: A diesel would be tough for under $10k without making sacrifices in mileage or model year. A 1500 with the 5.2L V8 or 5.9L V8 will pull 7100-7500 lbs (rated) just fine, if not more (not recommended). The 5.9L V8 is only available with auto tranny in 1500s, the 5.2L you can once in a while find in a manual.

Its not to important when looking at trucks, but be forewarned, a 5.2L's maximum MPG is around 16-18 best case scenario, usually 16 or less if you have decent tires. A 5.9L V8 is gonna net you around 14-16 highway, 10-14 in town (again, with decent, not cheapo, tires). If you have a spirited driving style like myself: 10 in town stock, 12 after my upgrades.