I am thinking about buying a '01 2500 quad cab 4x4 with the Cummins and a 6 spd. I am wanting to use it off road. I won't be doing any towing or much hauling with it so I am pretty free to mod the suspension any way my budget will allow (which isn't much). It has the camper package with the auxilliary springs and sway bar in back. I was thinking of removing both of the affore mentioned items, flipping the overload leaf and getting disconnects for the sway bar in front. Will this increase my flexability off road or is the main leaf pack in the rear just too stiff for good flex? Also, I was wanting to know if the stock suspension benefits from longer shocks in front or rear or would that just be wasting time and money?
Thankyou in advance.
Brian

 

Nice rig just for off-roading. How about trading with me so I can use that Diesel to haul my trailer and car to the track [8D]

 

In my opinion, diesels are crappy for off-roading because of the weight of the engine. I have driven my brother-in-laws '99 Cummins 2500 on some of the same trails I take my truck on when I go to the mountains. I hated it. It's not that it didn't have the torque to go places, but my truck is just so much more nimble compared to his. Yes, they have a lot of torque, but you sacrifice so much in off-road ability because of that added weight. Wait till you get into some snow or mud with that thing too.

If you have to stay with a dodge truck (versus a Jeep Wrangler or something even lighter and more nimble), I think you would be better off with something light weight as possible and torquey. For the money it takes to buy a 2500 Cummins these days, you could get a used single cab, short bed Ram 1500 or 2500 (that had a V8 in it), and drop in a nice crate motor with tons of torque. Or get a supercharger on a 318 or 360. Probably won't cost you anymore then buying a nice 2500 Cummins and modding it.

Also, I hate trying to off-road with a manual trans. When you get into some tough areas, you can burn up a clutch really fast. That is a matter of preference though when it comes to off-road use.

Just my 2 cents from having driven a Cummins off-road.