Hey all so kinda goofy question, I am thinking of buying a 2001 ram 2500 5.9L Magnum 4x4 and mainly want to beef it up and make it a lot more Off road able but any ways my question pertains to the power train I don't know weither I should upgraded the 5.9 that's already in it to produce more HP or to swap another engine into it that's a little more updated and power hungry and I know I'll have to upgrade the Trans and transfer case. Are their any options that won't effect the BUS system or is that inevitable. And what are some Frame or body upgrades yall would recommend I'm currently looking at a steering stabilizer that Big D offroad sells but besides that idont really know if or what else to get well besides suspension rebuild componest and such

 

Steering stabilizer isn't really necessary. Just keep in mind that it isn't there if you are driving on rocks. Sudden movements of the steering wheel are part and parcel of that endeavor.

The 5.9 can be a good motor. They weren't exactly powerhouses from the factory, but, with a few mods, you can beef 'em up a bit. You already have D60's front and rear, so you can run whatever tires you have clearance for..... (and a lift will allow larger tires than stock.) I have 33's on my my 98, with NO lift, and there is room there for 35's, without trouble.

 

OK thanks for the info and also thank you for all your other respones to other peopls questions you have been quite helpful

 

What type of off road will you be wheeling in? Dirt roads, sand, rock crawling, mud, snow, parking lot queen, or something different. Lifting it? Amount of lift? What size tires do you want to run? What gears are in it? I'd get a gen 3 or later because of the support for the 5.7L. Not much for the 5.9G. The tranny has a lot of performance products. This truck is 23 years old, and parts are becoming harder to get in Box type auto stores. With any older vehicles, gremlins are just a key turn away.

 

welp right now I'm kinda thinking about going with a 1997 2500 mabey a 3500 since they have the 5.9L cummins but I would definitely put a 3 or 4in lift. don't know what size rims and tires I'd put on it. Only reason I want an old second gen is because my uncle has one and I've fell in love it. Although the third gens do have more availability like you said. I'm just going to have to do some more homework on this stuff

 

Whatever you decide to buy you need to go over the entire truck. Most likely you will have front end components that are worn. Depending where you live the rear brake line rusts out and bursts. I would suggest going with the 2500, If you look at the posts here people with 1500's always want to upgrade to the 2500 stuff. Plus the axles are stronger for wheeling.

 

Ah oki dokie ill keep that in mind thanks for everything

 

Early '97 is the 12 valve and late (97.5) is the 24 valve. The 12 valve is often cranked up for more power but that shortens the life of the engine and transission.

 

98 was the 12v, 98.5 was the 24v. If it was up to me I would go with a 2000 or newer simply for the upgraded brakes. Better dual piston design up front and discs in the rear. One thing that drastically improved off road handling for me was flipping the rear shackle and ditching the ridiculous factory 6" lift block, that was causing a lot of axel hop in sand and heavy snow. I have skyjacker soft ride lift springs front and rear. When I did the shackle flip I also added a skyjacker add-a-leaf to help with payload, this greatly improved road manners. If you have factory springs I wouldn't worry about an add-a-leaf. I would avoid the cummins if you plan on hitting really rough stuff or even poorly maintained gravel roads frequently. That motor is over 1100lbs. My 8.0 v10 is just above 800lbs (about the same as a duramax) and it's been kinda hard on steering components. Speaking of steering components, not all are created equal, do your research. The 5.9 is a great motor. Definitely re-gear for the tire you want. My 8.0 pushes 35s fine but a 360 would be a tall order, especially towing, without gears. The 5.9 can be a torque monster for a small block with the right cam, longtubes, and some work on the kegger.