98.5-02 or 03+ common rail?

[stevewes2004]

URGENT, READ MY LAST POST ON PAGE 4!!

I need some opinions here. First off is the budget. Im limiting myself to about 20k. If I buy a truck for 18k then I have 2k for goodies. Get it? My question is, what would you guys do? Find a 98.5-02 24v for cheaper and put more goodies on it or max my budget and find an 03 or an 04 which already comes with a little more power? Or is this a matter of personal preference?

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Last edited by stevewes2004 : 07-22-2008 at 07:26 AM. Reason: URGENCY!

[BBRam]

Personal preference has alot to do with it. The next thing is, do you want the VP44 or the CP3.

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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 3.8'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)

[stevewes2004]

i know the vp44 is pretty quirky, but i dont know enough about them to give you an answer

[dobienut]

Man, you should've been on here asking that about a week ago..we could've pointed you towards Calebs truck he was selling (2005) for around that price. Looked like a wicked truck

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2002 245Hp HO CTD,6 Spd 4x4 quad cab short box ,Glacier Fuel BOSS mechanical lift pump! Shake, Rattle and Roll...Cummins! http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6...lmediumsp2.jpg

[CTD03]

CR trucks .

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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/

[Hot Stuff]

Kinda depends on if you want a reg cab or a quad cab.... I love the '03+ quad cab. It's bigger than a extended cab, but not as big and a full crew cab. And sure beat the hell outa backwards opening doors! Just my .02!!

I'd go with the CR myself. Oh wait, I did!!! I was in the same crisis. I went with the CR mostly cause the cab.

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'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

[SmokinCummins]

I would much rather have a VP than the third gen injectors. The VP is much cheaper to fix. I would rather have a 03 or newer truck to drive because they handle better and more cab room.

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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]

thanks for the input. it sounds a lot like personal preference, i know they are both good trucks. i do like having the quad cab a lot though.

[rufushusky]

Originally Posted by stevewes2004

I need some opinions here. First off is the budget. Im limiting myself to about 20k. If I buy a truck for 18k then I have 2k for goodies. Get it? My question is, what would you guys do? Find a 98.5-02 24v for cheaper and put more goodies on it or max my budget and find an 03 or an 04 which already comes with a little more power? Or is this a matter of personal preference?

Given diesel prices today you can now actually find Common Rails for well under 20,000 if you look hard enough. Now one thing that I think you need a heads up on with the 98.5-02 and 03-04.5 trucks is they both have HORRIBLE lift pumps, the biggest difference is if the LP craps out on your 03-04.5 the truck shuts down and other then some minor aggravation you are ok. If the LP fails on your VP44 truck the fuel lubed pump starves itself and dies.

Like Brian said it really does come down to personal preference for a lot of it. The VP44 trucks seem to get a little better fuel economy cause they usually have higher gears available. The VP44 trucks also sound outstanding that said I love my common rail. I would say look around and see what prices are looking like around your area and best of luck!

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Dennis
04.5 Ram 2500 Reg Cab 4x4 5.9, 48re, AEM, Smarty, TS Ramifier, Banks High Ram,FASS HPFP, Boost/pyro/trans/FP/RP gauges, 5" Exhaust, Cat 2 micron fuel filter, Amsoil Bypass

[Dad]

One thing to consider that applies to both types of trucks, the manual transmission will get a little better fuel mileage if that is important to you.

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High Rider: 98.5 Ram 2500 4x4, 5 Spd, SB 13", A3000 turbo, DDP Stage 3 sticks, studded, 4" TB,, AEM Intake, Gauges, FASS95, S-Chips Tune
Low Rider: '06 Chevy 1/2 Ton, Victory Red, 2/4 Drop, roll pan, sport mirrors, rollin on 20's

[stevewes2004]

yes a manual is a must for me, and another thing........if i get a NON H.O. will my upgrades bring me to the same power level as an H.O.?? what are the differences between the two (electronics, heads, fuel, etc.????)

[Rollin Coal]

compression ratio is a little higher. it becomes a non issue once you start bombing it. unless you get a 01-02 S.O. it comes with a different turbo.

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'01 - 2500, 47re 2wd, 53 Block 76k+ 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 38psi - 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 - Roll Pan - 451hp 975lb/ft, 76*F 92% humidity - 14.2 @ 100 6psi boosted lanuch(hx-40 making 35psi, pre-injectors)