Hey guys, great site. Got a question for you guys. I have a 97 dakota slt cc 4x4 5.2 auto that I know is not up to my towing requirements so I am looking for a 95-99 Ram 4x4 ctd and was wondering what your inputs are on them. Any problems that I should be aware of? whats the big difference between the 12 valve or 24 valve besides 12 extra valves. New to the diesel world and just dont know. Looking to pull my Haulmark enclosed 24ft trailer and my race car. Total weight will be around 8-9000 lbs at the most. Been looking at 25/3500 series and duallies.....thanks for the help guys.......Dallas

 

There is only 1 choice. A 94-98.4 12 valve CTD. Give it a heavey duty TC if your goin with an auto tranny, or a double disc clutch for a standard. Now go ahead and increase the engine hp/tq.

Make horsepower and torque the old fashioned way,.....MECHANICALLY. The way it was meant to be.

Good luck with your ride.

 

dieseldemon is way too biased.

basically any CTD is gonna pull that with no problems at all. the old 12V cummins were all mechanical...no electronics controlling the motor. the 24V is newer and is computer driven.

pros and cons of each? well, the 12V is said to be more reliable, although either CTD is gonna last longer than the truck will with no problem. if you plan to add power, its extremely easy with a 24V...just add a programmer, and you can add hundreds of ft-lbs of torque immediately.

just remember: if you want to pull stuff around, any cummins will do it no problem.

 

[edit] Engines



Years
Engine
Power
Torque

1994-2001
3.9L Magnum V6
175hp (131kW)
220-225ft·lbs

1994-2001
5.2L Magnum V8
220hp (164kW)
300-310ft·lbs

1994-1997
5.9L Magnum V8
230hp (172kW)
310-330ft·lbs

1994-1995
5.9L Cummins B5.9 12-valve Diesel I6
175hp (131kW)


1994-2001
8.0L Ram Tough V10
300hp (224kW)
400ft;lbs

1996-1998
5.9L Cummins B5.9 12-valve Diesel I6
215hp (160kW)


1998-2001
5.9L Magnum V8
250hp (186kW)
345ft·lbs

1999-2001
5.9L Cummins ISB 24-valve Diesel I6
230hp (172kW)
460ft·lbs

The 24 valve is the strongest, but not really necissary for what you're towing so it's really a matter of prefference.

 

ok guys, thanks for the info. Now the next question, if I do go with the 12 valve, can I use biodiesel without any problems?......What is a good price to pay for say a 96-98 25/3500 4x4 xtra cab auto tranny?.......Dallas

 

I don't think you will have any problems with biodiesel...just buy one and enjoy.
I do highly recommend "Drew's Brew" (see the sticky in the diesel forum) for any CTD.
I paid 10k for mine out the door (see sig)

 

1997-1998 12V Cummins are the best years for economy
but the auto trans is weak
and needs to be rebuilt to later year 48RE specs

 

found a 99 2500 ctd 4x4 on ebay, what do you guys thineBay Motors: Dodge : Ram 2500 (item 300081741182 end time Feb-21-07 19:15:13 PST)k

 

That looks good man, and it's got the carfax thing on it too, 187,000 miles on a cummins is nothing.

 

is there anything I should be aware of like tranny or fuel problems when looking at this 99 ram.....dallas