Hey guys,

I need your help with some pros and cons when buying a new truck (well new to me).

I have had a 01 auto, 05 stick, 10 stick (dads), and a 12 stick (dads)... all 2500's 4x4. I know kind of what I like and don't like, but I am not 100% sure on the direction I want to go from here....

So... here is the deal... I am looking to buy a 3500 cummins, 4x4, with a stick, unsure of SRW or DRW yet.

I will be pulling a 48ft enclosed trailer with all the racing fixings..So this thing will have to be stout and reliable. It will not be a daily driver.

Here is what I am trying to decide between (all stick shift, 4x4):

I have kicked around the idea of a 12v.. but they are hard to find with low miles and not all torn up.

I really like the 5.9 platform in the 03-06's, however it is hard to find one with low miles, you also have to watch EGTs, and they probably don't ride as well as the newer trucks. The are reliable and don't have the emissions.

I like the 6.7's from 13-15 as long as they are deleted. The 12 my dad had actually blew up with 40k on it (stock). I understand they can make good power and be reliable, but without the emissions garbage..

Or do I look at a newer 16-17 truck? From what I understand they make good power, but once again they have all the emissions garbage as well as DEF....

I have been searching for the right truck for awhile now, but haven't found anything that has really called to me.... If I found one with a duel disc, FASS, maybe tuner, and tow bags that would be ideal... But that can always be added down the road.

What do you guys think? If you were going to buy a new tow vehicle what would you go with and why?

Thanks for the help!

How many miles are you anticipating putting on annually and are you using it as your daily driver as well?

I may put 3-4000 on it a year if that.

It will not be a daily driver. Just for towing and some other odds and ends.

Thanks,

working on them.... the 13 and newer have actually been a pretty decent package. I don't see any common probs like the 07 to 12 trucks dealt us. Personally I think your a fool for going with the "de-rated" stick shift trucks, but to each their own. the drivability of the auto equipped trucks is really nice and I'd go that way all day long.

I was hoping you would chime in.

What do you mean by "de-rated" for the stick shifts? I just like driving manuals better is all.

Casey

Can you elaborate on the problems with 07 to 12 trucks. I've got a 2011 Ram 3500 with 89K & zero problems so far. What should I be looking/preparing for?

Thx

BTW I have to get rid of my truck for medical reasons although I really want to keep it. I'm losing control of my lower extremities and my 6-spd 4x4 SRW Cummins Crew Cab w/8ft bed is a beast. That's why I love it.

Parts for the 3500 and 2500 are the same....Your just adding extra weight if you go DRW 3500...What little that is different only hurts ride quality.

Me, I have had both, and I love my 03 2500...Best ride, best handling, best towing to date...Driven newer ones, mine seems faster, gets 18mpg and has been great...

At te cost of $2500 to deleting the newer ones....I am avoiding those at the moment. I see the mileage is only 12mpg on the newer ones...Ain't going there...

The G56 does not have the HP/torque ratings that the automatics do now.

The stick trucks have their horse power cut down due to the crappy clutches and pressure plates that can't handle the Cummin's torque. My 2012 2500 had the clutch go at 16,000 miles. Ram claimed it wasn't under warranty because the clutch is a consumable item just like brake pads. I claimed BS and said it was part of the drivetrain. After fighting with them they finally said they would replace the clutch if I paid $100. I told them that was fine with me. The Dodge mechanic told me it isn't the clutch that's causing the problems it's the weak pressure plates with not enough clamping force. After it was fixed I traded it in on an auto trans Ram 2500, happy ever since.

PS- I talked to the owner of Valair clutches, he said Ram has made him a rich man ever since they put the stick behind the Cummins.

Ah I did not know that.

Thanks for the information.

Casey

Soot, soot, and SOOT! “IF” these trucks were worked hard most of the time that greatly diminished the issues. HOWEVER!.... a great deal of these trucks might get used for occasional towing and people would drive them like a car which created poor heat cycles, which in turn created a snowball effect. $800 egr valves, plugged coolers, $2300 DPF..... repairs were often, and seldom cheap. Four guys where I work own this era of truck and they’ve all been deleted for a long time.

I was leary of the DEF system, but the 13 newer trucks have been really solid. Much better suited to light driving, the egr valve is utilized much less reducing soot laden exhaust back into the intake tract so no failed turbos. Mpg has gone up and the oil change interval has increased do to fewer regen events. We’ll be looking for a 14-15 3500 single long bed next year.

With the auto the ECM can manage the torque..... rpm get low while starting a grade, auto trans can be shifted down. Same scenario with a manual and it becomes a “tug of war” between the engine torque and the load on the other side of the clutch. We’ve seen stock and aftermarket clutch discs blown apart from what boils down to “driver error”.

Both of the autos available have been quite capable and I would go auto every time.

Casey

Here you go

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2003-dodge-ram-3500-laramie/6533928877.html

You aren't going to find a decent truck in O-HI-O but there are plenty here. Fly into Sacramento and drive home

Also only the newer trucks are de-rated. Older ones were basically the same. However some CA trucks are a little de-rated. Don't think you are going to notice the diffence

Morty

Nice truck but that price????????????

I am looking all over! This one is pretty nice!

Thanks guys
Casey

I have hauled heavy all over the country and went through 5 NV4500's and 3 G56's and would NEVER EVER consider another one of those transmissions! I have had issues with automatics too, and pretty much quit using newer trucks because of it. Clutches are one issue, but the transmissions are another, the G56 simply cannot handle the Cummins! I also would never consider a SRW with a 48' enclosed, dually only at the length and weight, been there done that.