Here's What I'm looking at...But let me explain the whole spheeel of things before we get too far into this...[/align][/align]I've currently got an 01 Wrangler with the 4.0L I-6 in it, And I'm leaning towards getting a Diesel, and its definatly going to be a 2500...[/align][/align]Currently, With the Gas in Colorado Close to 3.00 a Gallon for Regular Octane, And Diesel being 3.24+, I've already gotten the point that the gas is going to cost me more...So We can eliminate that from this portion of my question...[/align][/align]The Second Piece of this is I Live in Greeley,Co (North of Denver) And Work West Of Colorado Springs (Dont ask, but it's about a 160 Mile Drive one way, 99% Highway though, Takes about 3 hours) SO, What I'm trying to put into perspective is the Cost effectiveness of having a Diesel rather than a Gas....I'm spending about 38 Bucks Every other day (when I'm down here) Just to fill the Jeep up, And If I can Substantiate the notion that if I were to Buy a Diesel, The Gas would not only Last Longer, But Be more cost effective in the long run...I'm definatly going to buy it...[/align][/align]SO, THE QUESTION....What Do You all out in Dodge World Get for MPG on the Highway with the 2500's....Mind that the vehicle I'm looking at is an 01 Short Box Quad Cab 4x4 with 180k on the block (if that matters)[/align][/align]Really, Any information on the MPG that you all are getting would be SEVERELY helpfull![/align]Thanks in Advance![/align]Nate[/align]

 

I own a 04.5 2500. . .if I run straight highway I can average high 18's to low 19's if I keep the speedo 70 or lower. my mileage would be better if I didnt have 4.10's in my axels.

there are many things you will need to look at before you commit to that 01. google search '53 block'. there is a potentialy nasty disorder with those blocks and the exhaust side water jacket being cast too thin. also ask the owner if the lift pump has ever been replaced and with what. with 180k on the ticker I would say it has been atleast once. also ask if the VP44 injector pump has been replaced.

the VP44 was not a bright spot for Cummins and the ISB. if it looses fuel pressure from the lift pump it will die very easily. also the most HP I know of out of a VP44 without drugs is 600hp. but I doubt you'll want that much. as long as the engine is taken care of and maintained regularly it will run well for a long time.

one thing you may want to look for is either a 94-98.4 with the 12 valve, these are the million mile engines. many drivers have put well over a million miles on these engines with very little ever being done to them other than regular maintenance. . .also it is one of the easier to modify engines, 1000hp is not uncommon

another to keep an eye out for are the 3rd gens. these engine are steadily proving themselves to be just as reliable as the 12 valves.

these two year stretches (94-98.4, and the 03 and up) have the fewest problems. the 3rd gens can be quirky at times with strange ticks and rattles, however if the 12 valves and VP44 driven 24 valves were as quiet you would hear the same thing. now I am not trying to discourage you from getting that 01, I am just letting you be forwarned of issues that are specific to that model.

I am going to redirect this post to the cummins section.

 

Take it from Dr. Drew here. He knows whats up....

 

My '96 w/242k on the clock will deliver 20mpg highway if I'm careful. I know little to nothing about the newer trucks, but I can attest to what Drew said about the earlier 12Vs.

If anything happens to this one (meaning a serious wreck or some other catastrophe; I don't expect the engine to quit anytime soon), I would probably look for another solid '96-98.

 

My 2007 6.7L diesel gets roughly that same highway mileage as my 1991 4.0L Wrangler (around 17 mpg). You'll get better mileage with a 5.9L truck (look for 3.73 gears) and you'll get more range (close to 600 miles) on a tank, but you'll be paying over $100 per tank.

Take if from me, the truck will be a much more comfortable "commute" than the Jeep. Go for it.

 

[/align][/align]I'd Gather that it would probably be rather hard to find the CTD with 3.73's in it, Although I'm sure it's possible to come across...Most of the Trucks in Northern Colorado, And down here in the springs all have the 4.10's....I dont mind the Jeep for the Drive, But being as the Agency I work for is up at 10,000 Feet, IN the winter and with a Soft top on that sucker, It Kinda Starts to Get a Touch cold![/align][/align]IF at all possible (and Thanks Drew for the info), How hard is it to come across the 3.73's with that 5.9L I-6?? I Know the one that I'm debating on has the 4.10's...And The Other 2500 I had with the Gas Block had those as well...That was a rather expensive endevor for a couple of months until I traded it....[/align][/align]I can deal with payin over a c-note for juice if I can get OVER 200+ to the tank...The Jeep is on E at the moment, and I've only driven 169.4 Miles since I filled it...Granted too that the Altitude and so forth has a lot to do with it...But it still doesnt help that much [/align][/align]Being that the 01's have issues (and I've got a couple different oppinions from people that I work with who own the Same Truck) I'm not sure if I should lean away from it or not...I did have it checked out by my mechanic here in town, He's told me that the Entire front suspension (Ball joints, Control arms, Steering dampener, and so forth) are going to need to be replaced...When I presented the info to the Dealership, They took the truck down from 16K to 14k, And It's going to drop lower here in the next couple (according to the sales guy I've been dealing with) But I'd doubt that they have any knowledge if the parts on this one were replaced or not...[/align][/align]Is there anything Else that I should be watching for With the 01's? Or is everything that was mentioned above all I need to be concerned about?[/align]Nate[/align][/align]

 

for the trucks built before 03, 3.54's were standard, and 4.10's are an option, 03 and up 3.73 is standard where as 4.10's are also an option.


finding a truck with the lower geared axel shouldnt be hard. . .if you want to know just pop open the glove box and look at the build sheet. if it doesnt list an axel spec then you know it will have 3.54's for anything built before 03. and 3.73's for those after 03.

 

Wont it also list the Axle spec's on the inside of the door as well?? I really doubt any of these dealerships here are going to list that as a specific On their Window Stickers ::Groans::

Sometimes buying a Newer Truck (Or in this case, my 28th vehicle) is proving to be more of a hassle than I Expected!

 

My 2001 2wd quad cab gets about 22-26 on the highway depending on my speed which ranges from 70-85. It didn't get that until I added my hypertech programmer though.

 

it wont list the axel ratio's on the door, they will be in the glove box. . .however if you want to know the build list PM member parts/service with the VIN, he'll get back with you on what came on the truck from the factory