I am currently driving a 95 Ram 1500 2WD with a 318 and an auto transmission. I like the second gen rams, and the 318 and 360 are good engines with lots of aftermarket parts available and are quite simple to work on. The second generation Rams just seem to work forever too.

I use my truck as a daily driver as well as towing and hauling pretty often, and the transmission is going out again and I'm thinking about upgrading in the next six months.

I want a second gen Ram, 4x4, with a 360 and a manual transmission. Extended cab (quad cab?) is pudding on the cake. I will do the usual bolt ons, TB, headers, open cat, flowmaster 40s, 1.7 roller rockers, and likely to do RT heads and a better intake manifold. If I don't have the beastly power I really want for pulling I wouldn't be opposed to a 408 stroker build.

The truck will be used for less of a daily driver, more of a working vehicle for hauling and towing. Towing will consist of medium weight loads most of the time, but will occasionally involve towing other vehicles on car trailers from state to state.

I'm sure that I want a manual transmission and the 360 engine, but what I'm not sure about is whether I'd be better off with a 1500 or a 2500. I'm looking for differences in brakes, transmissions, axles, and total weights.

If I go with a 1500 I'll want the 98 version, as that is the year the Ram got better brakes, but I don't know any particulars on the 2500 Rams.

Opinions? Specific numbers? Experiences good or bad with the 2500s?

 

I would go for a 2500 with the cummins, that way your sure to have all the towing power you will need without the need for upgrades. It would probley save you alot in the long run.

 

I don't think the manual was available with the 360 on the 1500's

 

If gas mileage isn't too important, find a good used V10 2500, '99 or newer. You won't need to do any upgrades for more power and it will flat out tow better than any V8 and cost a lot less than a diesel.

 

You are correct. Any 1500 with the 5.9L V8, bar a custom conversion, will have an automatic transmission.

The 2500s, on the other hand, could come with a manual with any engine (5.9L V8, Cummins, or V10).