98.5-02 or 03+ common rail?

[SmokinCummins]

It has been my experiance that the auto tranny trucks get the best mileage. The auto has the highest gear ratio (.069: 1) available in any Dodge Cummins application. That translates into less rpm. The differance is minimal though.

If you are considering a VP truck, beware the 53 block trucks. They are a weak casting and can crack.

Also, when you start modding a VP HO compared to a VP SO, the SO will make more power than a HO.

__________________
385,000 miles and 640hp to the ground on diesel only

2000 Ram 2500/ Automatic; 1 turbo, SO VP-44, stock cam, lots of fine tuning

[stevewes2004]

i wouldn't mind an auto, but for my application and preference im going manual. how do i know if a truck is an SO?

[Rollin Coal]

all autos are SO
all 6 speeds are HO
not sure about the 5 speeds

__________________
'01 - 2500, 47re 2wd, 53 Block 70k miles and counting.... no cracks
4" turbo-back - Intake w/ heat shield - Traction bars - AirDog 150 - Edge Juice with Attitude HOT - HX-40 limited to 36psi - Getting Close to Leveled, rear dropped 2" - 7x.010" Injectors - 285/60-18's on Black Rims w/ Machined Lip - Tailgate Spoiler - Black Projector Headlights - 7" White Miter Cut Stack
14.2 @ 100 6psi boosted lanuch(hx-40 making 35psi, pre-injectors)

[stevewes2004]

gotcha!!

[BBRam]

Originally Posted by stevewes2004

i wouldn't mind an auto, but for my application and preference im going manual. how do i know if a truck is an SO?

Originally Posted by rock kustoms

all autos are SO
all 6 speeds are HO
not sure about the 5 speeds

Not so on the 03 up though.

__________________

03-3500, DRW, QC, 4x4, DTT Trans, Mag-Hytec, R700 BD Twins, BD IC Boots, BD Billet Flexplate, Lockup Switch, SMARTY TNT-R BETA/TS MP-8, Eliminator Fuel System, Floor It Stage 3.5 CP3, F1 Flux ? Inj's, ARP Head Stud's, Springs, Fluidampr, ATS ARC-FLOW, AFE, Boost, Drive Pressure, Pyro, Fuel Pressure, Tran's Temp, Rail Pressure Gauge, GDP Ladder Bars, GR 7" Miters. Old #'s (R/T .021, 60' 1.76, 1/4 ET 13.14 @ 100.45 mph)

[CTD03]

Originally Posted by rock kustoms

all autos are SO
all 6 speeds are HO
not sure about the 5 speeds

in 03-04 you could still get and SO engine with a 5 speed, auto
in 04.5 thats when they all changed to HO no matter what tranny you got

__________________
03 S.O (non cal)turbo,CP3,injectors,walbro 392,quad rail pressure,bullydog pyro and boost.http://www.valairinc.com/
http://www.wickeddiesels.com/

[TheNatural31]

The 98.5-02 Vp trucks......SO was the 5spd and auto/ HO was the 6spd except like CTD describe

__________________
01 2500 4x4..NV45..3.55's..VanAaken Smartbox..BHAF..plugged wastegate..SR/MIA.. 5" FBD/TBE..Vulcan Big Line Relo Kit & Draw Straw..Holly Blue..Dipricol boost,pyro Fuel Pres..BD short/shifter..scanguageII...It May Not Be FAST, But It's BULLETPROOF!

[CTD03]

update you could get HO in 03-04 in the 6 speed

__________________
03 S.O (non cal)turbo,CP3,injectors,walbro 392,quad rail pressure,bullydog pyro and boost.http://www.valairinc.com/
http://www.wickeddiesels.com/

[stevewes2004]

ok...........my buddy has an 00 H.O. w/ an HX40, hp100 injectors, FASS, intake?, exhaust, and an edge/smarty stack; i know its a long shot but can anyone give an educated guess as to what kind of horsepower/torque he is making w/ those mods. its quite a bit quicker (seat of the pants) than my dad's stock 03 H.O. (305,555) ??????????

[Hot Stuff]

Hard to compare anything with manual trannys. Not sure bout your buddies, but your dads '03 should be a 6 speed right. There's to many variables to judge "seat of the pants" feeling. One may shift faster, have better engagement, ets. No what I mean? Your buddies should be faster than a stock '03. With all that's done anyhow. I know my truck was kind of a terd when stock.

__________________
'03 Black 2500 QC LB 4x4, H.O. 6 speed BHAF, 2" lift, not leveled, black H2's, 35" BFG MT's, B&W turnover, Juice w/ Attitude, 5" str8 pipe, BD lift pump, spin on fuel filters

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Last edited by Hot Stuff : 06-19-2008 at 01:18 PM.

[NavyDood]

I would love to find a great used 02 3500 dually QuadCab with the NV5600. I would almost trade down from my 04. Problem is.... I only owe 13K on my 04.

__________________
- 2004 2500 QC, SWB, 4x4, 48re w/Mag-Hytec DD, Smarty Jr, HOG 4" Exh, Modded Air Box w/Amsoil Drop In, Isspro Pyro/Boost/Tranny Temp, Quadzilla RPG w/fuel pressure option - B&W Hide-A-Ball w/5th wheel Companion - 06 Pilgrim Legends 30RE2SLF-5

[stevewes2004]

yeah i know what you mean hot stuff (that feels wierd calling somebody that) but i know for a fact that it is faster. i just didnt know if anyone on here had similar mods to give a ballpark estimate. yes my dads 03 is a 6 spd. he does have a torque tube, a k&n filter, and a 4" straight through style muffler instead of the boatlike stock exhaust. he has no fuel or electronic goodies though. i guess it is all going to boil down to what ever i find the best deal on....