Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

[tiresmoke!]

Kinda off the normal topic material here, but it IS relevant...

Most of us have a truck as a daily driver/junk hauler/tow rig. I currently own my late grandfather's '85 GMC Sierra Classic 1/2 ton 2wd, factory heavy half(big brakes). It's been more of a driver/junk hauler than tow rig(305's just don't cut it).

It's done it's job, but to be honest, it's worn out. The tin worm has definitely taken it's toll.

I've been wanting an extended-cab 4x4 for a while, and had been leaning towards an 88-98 Chevy/GMC Z71, but have been seriously considering a Dodge of the same variant.

I like the styling, and their extended cabs are WAAAAY bigger(I have kids). I know the 318's will run forever as long as you treat them right, and I haven't seen too many of them clapped out due to the aforementioned tin worm.

Will most likely get a 1/2 ton(3/4 if the price is right)...should be enough to handle a small car trailer.....anyone have any advice/suggestions/warnings? I know DF has that 3/4 ton V-10 powered Ram, let's hear about it...

[VWMMP]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I guess some of it depends on your budget. I went newer with a 2005 4door dodge with the hemi- Found one stripped down on options. Hemi with a tow-package, no other options- No power windows or locks (with kids power locks would be nice). It was comparitively cheap where I live. No one wants to drive a truck in traffic with the miliage so prices have plummeted here. Those that do buy a fully-loaded model or an SUV.

For the year you are looking at my son has a 96 F-150 with the 302. He has over 200K miles on the original motor. Starter is starting to act up and is getting replaced today but otherwise runs great (a little performance note-Exhaust on this truck is really restrictive, more so than most). The first owner did the front suspension at around 150K miles - Clutch at the same time. My son is the second owner. I really like the way his truck drives - towed our little race-truck from Virginia to Maxton (NC/SC border) multiple times down the freeway without a hitch and getting 14MPG.

[10secvega]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

The only problem with the Dodge's are automatic trannies and poor fuel mileage.
I also thought about buying one when i was shopping,there was a ton in my price range.But my buddy at the tranny shop changed my mind on that.
I wound up buying a 96 Chevy 1 ton 4wd dually.350 Vortec/4l80e.I'm not disapointed.gets decent mileage 14mpg empty and 11 pulling my 22 foot car trailer.

[Two Lane Blacktop]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

Ditto re: mpg. Rightfully or wrongfully Dodge trucks
have a rep as monster fuel hogs. Not very desirable
with today's ever upward gas prices. Friend owns a
car lot & will not take one in on trade. :o

[Eric68]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I've got a '97 Z71 that needs an engine (fuel injector stuck and had a crankcase explosion). Otherwise in fantastic condition. When I'm done with the engine (before spring) I may consider selling. Shoot me an email if interested -- I live about 4 hours north of you. [email protected] I am not 100% sure I want to sell it though, we'll see.

[min301]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

You gonna add some upgrades while it goes back together? ;)

[CudaZappa]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

there's more rust issues in the 94-97s. Bumpers mainly.
the 98-01s (and 02 3/4 and 1 tons) are pretty reliable.

I heard the same about transmissions. But for every person that blew a trans, I've heard of several that didn't need it. Also, almost every complainer has been a 3/4 ton or one ton owner. My 01 just hit 54k today.

Oh yeah, gas mileage around town sucks. No two ways about it. But its still cheaper for me to have one nice truck rather than one nice car, one beater truck, or one nice truck, one beater car.

Oh yeah, the quad cab is roomy. 98+. 97s and earlier may have a third door. Can't remember when they started that.

[Eric68]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

You gonna add some upgrades while it goes back together? ;)

An upgrade injector set is a for sure. I'm undecided on the 383 route, but am seriously considering it. I'm thinking with a 383 it would make a fantastic tow vehicle if I kept the stock cam and just upgraded the fuel injection to handle the extra cubes. Who cares about turning lots of RPMs -- I'll just make minor mods for low end grunt and keep it 100% dead reliable.

Before I get into the truck though, I need to finish my Camaro. This new wiring harness project is taking FOREVER! Of course I am soldering all the connections and that takes some time . . .

[PYSCHOWard]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I like my 95 Ram Ext cab5.9 powered 2wd, it averages 16 mpg,cost about $5-7 more aweek to drive than the beater Escort.
While the trans is weak, i don't need to drive it everyday anyhow, but i like it.

[JOES66FURY]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I have a 99 Ram since new and its been great no real issues @80K but it is a gas hog (both the 318 and 360),.....if you go Dodge get a diesel, the mileage is way better and the late modles can be had rather inexpensivly....There are a few things you need to look out for on these trucks tho....the track bars (on the 4x4) go bad @ around 50K and if not taken care of will destroy everything on the front end. Seriously consider the diesel, the gas engines run well and are reliable but gutless....and expensive to mod.

[BigDad]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I've bought ..New 94 Sport 4 x 4 with 360
New 96 ext cab sport 4 x 4 with 360
New 99 quad cab sport 4 x 4 with 360 ..all 1500's
New 01 with cummins 2wheel drive 2500
New 04 quad cab hemi 2 wheel drive 2500
Not one of them was ever to dealer for anything .. I traded all my 1500's off at 50,000 miles
The cummins had 70,000 miles ..were any of them misers ? No, they are big old pickups ..I had zero transmission porblems with any of them (so far) all automatics .. I take proper care of them and they seem to hold up well

[JRoberts]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I have a 2002 Ford F150 that I bought new in December of 2001. It has been a great vehicle. Only two problems one a hard to use trunk latch, dealer fixed without a question. The other was a recall on the Cruise control wiring harness. Fixed at the dealer in less than 10 minutes. No other problems. I now has 107,000 miles and runs like it was new. It is a 4x4 so gas mileage could be better. Tow pretty well. We towed a '62 Studebaker GT Hawk back from Florida with it without a single problem. My next truck will be a Ford as I have no complaints about this one.

[Freiburger]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

My first new car was a '99 Ram 2500, V10, five-speed, 4x4, regular cab. Still have it. I think it's the perfect generation of truck, as I don't like the newer ones. Mine has 77,800 miles on it and not a single problem until last week when the engine light came on and it started to idle rough. Some sensor somewhere, no doubt.

[Mopar Jim]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I had a 95 extended cab Ram 1500 with the 360 and 4 speed auto trans up until November 2006 when I stepped up to a new 2006 Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab diesel. My wife has horses and we use our trucks to tow a 2 horse gooseneck trailer so they need to be able to haul a load. My 95 never had any issues with the transmission in over 10 years and almost 80,000 miles, but I did have to replace the rear end twice. However, that is really my fault as I was trying to go cheap and use a light duty truck for a medium duty job and the penalty for that was wearing out rear end bearings every 25,000 miles or so. We never had any other problems with the 95 Ram 1500 and everything was working perfectly (including the 2nd new rear end) when we sold it early in 2007. I will say the 2006 diesel gets far better mileage, but that is because of the diesel. The 360 in my 95 gave me about the same gas mileage as my neighbors' Chevys - but none of them is economical and anyone who tells you otherwise is pulling your leg. You already know that being a truck guy, but that's the truth.

[tiresmoke!]

Re: Time for a "new" P/U truck....thinking 94-98 Dodge....suggestions?

I appreciate the responses guys....

Still on the fence yet, just browsing around. Like I said before, my first choice was an extended-cab Z71, but they're over-rated in my neck of the woods in terms of price.

The Dodges aren't dirt-cheap, but are slightly less expensive(with the exception of the diesels or V-10's)....I've heard the stories about the transmission issues, real or overblown.

Haven't really thought about a Ford.....the styling does nothing for me. They're tough as all hell, but just not a big fan of the exterior.