[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?

 

[BBRam]

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

 

[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

 

[CTD03]

CR trucks .

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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]

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?

:welcome:

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!

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[stevewes2004]

gotcha!!:thumbsup

 

[BBRam]

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?

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

Not so on the 03 up though.

 

[CTD03]

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

 

[THEGreenGoat]

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

 

[CTD03]

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