I've been thinking about getting a 2nd Gen truck, either a 1500 2x4 or a 2500 I6 diesel. I'll do some light hauling of my hobby stuff plus by motorcycles. Been thinking more about diesels and I've seen both the 12v and 24v engines. Is one better than the other? As far as the 1500's, Which years between 94 and 2001 are better?

Based on the higher price and fewer RAM 2500 diesels, I may end up with a 1500 anyway. Any opinions?

Thanks,
Jim

 

if u need it for hauling i would go with a 96-97 2500 12v because u can put an intake and turn it up and it will have plenty of power and b pretty fast to but a little heads up if u find a 12v and its not turned up it will be slow and not have very much power dont let this fool u it just needs to b turned up

the 24v is a good motor to but it takes a lot more money to give it more power and speed cause u have to by programmers injectors and stuff like that witch just for those to items just for ok one thats about $1200 and that's not even the best u can get so i would go with the 12v

 

I'm sorry, what? If you would please make an attempt at using punctuation, it would be nice.

As far as OP's question, I don't know much about diesels, but if you buy a 1500 with a gas engine, make sure it doesn't have the death flash, and make sure to do a plenum fix. As far as which engine is best, I really can't answer that question. The 360 is obviously the more powerful engine, but I prefer the 318 just because it is more reliable. But then again, I don't tow much with my truck.

 

The last statment here is subject to opinion (many guys with 5.2 engines say that to give them a warm fuzzy and make them feel better about the almost identical mpg the smaller 5.2 has to the 5.9)....318 has been around forever and was found in more vehicles (great engine) but the reality is both engines are identical except displacement. With same weaknesses like terrible intake manifold design and the detuning power robbing deathflash from dealership to cover it up. Still I've heard of both going to 400k in certian instances so...
Ideally you would want a diesel or the v10 if going gas for any real hauling....a 2500 would have better suited suspension, heavier duty tranny, hd tranny cooler and such....If you like having speed and better throttle response overall the v10 is better over the torquey but low rpm running desiel that lacks hp. on the flipside diesels run for a long time and have a mach higher resale because of it.
Myself I jumped into my ram (96 1500) about 4 months ago and so far the 5.9 engine is about the only thing thats worked great without issues until I discovered a small softplug leak but at 140k I'm happy and I love the truck. The weakest points you'll find are the front end steering and suspension design (tons of tsb's) the plenum and the buggy electronically controlled tranny. v10 aviods the plenum and the steering gear box is better along with tranny on 2500's so...

 

Thanks, this gives me something to think about. I like to do as much research as possible so I don't get burned buying something that stays broke.

Jim

 

Thank you. I really wanted to say something about how texting is ruining this world, but it wouldn't have been very nice or professional of me.

OP, It all comes down to what you need and or want. If you need something with a little more umph under the hood, then I'd look at a 5.9 diesel. If you need something with a little bit of power and something that's a little bit smaller but capable, then look at the 5.9 or 5.2 gasser. (There really isn't enough of a difference between the two in stock form to write home about)

As far as 12 valve and 24 valve question....

An I6 CTD 12 valve will be easier to work on and LESS prone to issues than a 24 valve. They are on the simple side of things, and that means less aftermarket support. Not saying there is none, but there is less than its 24 valve Brother.

IIRC, there were many complaints about the block being quite a bit weaker on the 24 valve over the 12.

Don't get me wrong, both are really easy to work on and the support for parts is there.

(You'll have to forgive me on the lack of detail about the I6, I've been out of the game with them for a long time now and focus a lot of my energy on the PS 6.0 sitting in our driveway (PS has more than one meaning in this house hold.))

As for an 8.0?

I'd leave it alone. Repair parts are becoming exceedingly rare for them, whether or not Miami would like to admit that or not, and they REALLY lack aftermarket support. By this, I mean, I don't think you can even find brand new headers for them anymore, and different intake manis and other bigger mods are non existent.
The 8.0 was a whole different maiden, and really, beyond its time. There were components on that motor that are just now becoming standard equipment. I'm not saying they are a bad motor, but you had best like it in its stock form and not have mod plans for it.