Hi there, I'm new here and I need some advice.

 

Hi, what do you need and what year/model van?

 

Ok, sorry, I had a browser problem but now is fixed. Good evening every body. A little about me. I'm a Jeep guy. I've had 3 already and I'm a do-it-your self person. So,,,I always wanted to have a Van and I really like the Ram Conversion from the late 90's. The time to get one is very near, but I'll need some advise. I'm looking at some high top Dodge Ram 1500 from '99 to '02 online (craigslist). I'm undecided between the V6 and the V8 5.2; I've heard that the 5.2 is like the 4.0 in jeeps, very reliable, but that would mean more gas. At the same time, I think that the V6 is a little small for this size/weight vehicle, but this is only what I think so,,,.Any advice that I can get from you guys would be really helpful. I think is going to be a good buy so we can do trips more comfortably. Thanks in advance.

 

For example, I'm looking at a 2002 1500 high top with 133k miles for $3500, would that be a good buy?

 

5.2L, 46RE OD, Chrysler Corp 9.25 rear end. There are two wheelbases plus an extended version of the LWB (long wheel base). Personally I bought a SWB because it fits in my garage and is waaaay easier to park.

Hightops: don't care for them and wouldn't own one. But if you need one, there are other users here who can give you some info.

Generally:
The 3.9L gets 1mpg better in the city but 2mpg worse over 70mph.

The 3.9L is well known for cracked heads and being a little too underpowered to carry a full 1000 load at 70mph. The 5.9L 2500 or 3500 is the best choice if you plan to tow a heavy trailer or carry over 1000 lbs as your a standard payload on a daily basis. The 5.2L seems to be the best compromise as it has plenty of power to tow and carry heavy loads but the rest of the time gets you 2 mpg better than the 5.9, at least. The 5.2L has a slightly hotter cam than the 5.9L which is why the 5.9 has a lot more torque, but only about 15 more hp.

I recommend the 46RE OD transmission, the 42RE or lower is not sturdy enough for a 1/2 ton truck and with OD gets decent highway milage. Make sure you find one with the 9.25 Chrysler Corporate differential. They put a little 8.5" medium duty differential in all 3.9L vans AFAIK. Its easy to identify which is which if you look up differential covers online. Or just look at mine.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...be-change.html

 

Depends on what its equipped with, and how thrashed the motor/trans are. It's decent price if everything has been fully maintained and the transmission isn't failing.

 

Great!, Thank you so much. Now, how will I tell if it is 9.25? Any tag or stamping on both the diff. and transm.?

 

I saw it. that's a 9.25 right?

 

Do they come with disc or drum brake in the rear?. Sorry, I have a lot of questions.

 

Thats a Chrysler Corp 9.25. All Dodge Ram vans after 1999 come with rear anti lock drum brakes.