Can anyone help me figure out which type of ram I should be looking for?

//z · Apr 16, 2015

I've gotten pretty far borrowing work trucks but I think now is the time I need to buy my own truck. I've been looking at 2nd gen rams but I know absolutely nothing about them. I do a lot of motorcycle riding so having a long bed is a must to throw some bikes back there and I would defiantly want a cummins to pull a 12 foot motorcycle trailer. I really don't like 4 door trucks and I really like manual transmissions so my question to you guys is that how common are the 2500 diesel extended cab long bed with a manual??????
Is there any model years I should look for? I would't mind a single cab but a extended cab is what I like the most. If I really had to, I may settle for a auto but if I waited this long, I guess I can hold out for a manual if they're not common.

Which models offered the high output cummins??

MagSport · Apr 16, 2015

00+ offered h/o motors. Qclb trucks are more common than rclb trucks with the cummins. So you're in luck there but qcsb trucks are most common. All model years offered some variant of that however 98 trucks and older did not have opening back doors. They were considered a club cab compared to quad cab with doors. Manuals are available usually at a price though. You will pay more for a manual transmission in these trucks as opposed to an a/t.

dodge dude94 · Apr 16, 2015

Ahem.....97 and older trucks did not have opening rear doors......

BBartow · Apr 16, 2015

Yep QCLB are super common and much less $$ than RCLB/QCSBs.

//z · Apr 16, 2015

MagSport said:
00+ offered h/o motors. Qclb trucks are more common than rclb trucks with the cummins. So you're in luck there but qcsb trucks are most common. All model years offered some variant of that however 98 trucks and older did not have opening back doors. They were considered a club cab compared to quad cab with doors. Manuals are available usually at a price though. You will pay more for a manual transmission in these trucks as opposed to an a/t.

Interesting.. Thanks for the info. I seen one manual 2500 on ebay for 20 grand. I'm not sure what's the average value on a cummins is but that seems like a lot for a 15 year old truck.

dodge dude94 said:
Ahem.....97 and older trucks did not have opening rear doors......

Wait, they do? I just googled a bunch of 97 and older rams and they look stationary

dodge dude94 · Apr 16, 2015

//z said:
Interesting.. Thanks for the info. I seen one manual 2500 on ebay for 20 grand. I'm not sure what's the average value on a cummins is but that seems like a lot for a 15 year old truck.

Wait, they do? I just googled a bunch of 97 and older rams and they look stationary

lol Re-read my post.
1997 and older do not have rear doors.

//z · Apr 17, 2015

^ lol whoops missed that

Wow, I can't believe I just found the same type of truck I was looking for
ram 12 valve stock. excellent cummins
I'm scared to ask him how much. I'd be lucky if it was under 12k. too bad it's not silver or gray

BBartow · Apr 17, 2015

2WD. Probably $8K considering how clean it is. At least down here.

dodge dude94 · Apr 17, 2015

^I will mirror that statement.

//z · Apr 17, 2015

I may just be in luck if that's the case. The truck scene isn't that big in New Jersey so sometimes nice trucks can cost a premium or they can go really cheap. Southern jersey is the equivalent of all the Southern states combined. So many trucks.

I'm not sure how I feel about no 4wd. I feel like for this trucks purpose, I wouldn't need it but it wouldn't hurt to have. I guess it's one less thing to break

ADudeOnSkis · Apr 17, 2015

Remember Murphy's law... if you don't have it, you will need it.

dapepper9 · Apr 17, 2015

+1 to that IMO

00-02 trucks with the h/o motor are good because they come with a 6spd manual. Around here in Iowa they're almost as easy to find as auto trucks.

If i remember correctly 97 and older trucks didn't get qc or maybe it was 96 and older. Not sure. If you get a 98-00 24v look between the oil pan and injection pump on passenger side and see if it has the number 53 stamped on it. If it does dont buy it. 53 blocks have thinner side walls and have a tendency to crack blocks under anything more than daily driving

bassslayer25 · Apr 17, 2015

Have you heard the saying 'Its better to have extra than not enough?' Apply that to trucks. Id rather have the 4x4 even if you arent gonna use it. Theres always gonna be that situation you get into where you wish you did.

dodge dude94 · Apr 17, 2015

53 blocks are actually the most common block I've heard. lol;
I've also heard you don't actually want the HO due to the fuel system not being up to par with it.

ADudeOnSkis · Apr 17, 2015

Try and find a 98 12 valve or a post 00 24 valve.

//z · Apr 17, 2015

ADudeOnSkis said:
Try and find a 98 12 valve or a post 00 24 valve.

Is there a reason for this? Are the 12 valves more reliable? I defiantly want the most reliable engine since I'm going to keep this truck for as long as possible.

bassslayer25 said:
Have you heard the saying 'Its better to have extra than not enough?' Apply that to trucks. Id rather have the 4x4 even if you arent gonna use it. Theres always gonna be that situation you get into where you wish you did.

lol yea I'm just getting a little desperate. it does snow a lot by me so I would defiantly use the 4x4. it's hard to pass up a nice 4x2 though

dapepper9 · Apr 17, 2015

12v aren't so much more reliable but they're much simpler and easier to work on.

bassslayer25 · Apr 17, 2015

//z said:
Is there a reason for this? Are the 12 valves more reliable? I defiantly want the most reliable engine since I'm going to keep this truck for as long as possible.

lol yea I'm just getting a little desperate. it does snow a lot by me so I would defiantly use the 4x4. it's hard to pass up a nice 4x2 though

Oh I know what you mean. lol It may sound like a good idea right now when the weather is getting nice. But come november and the first snow is on the way your gonna wish you had waited for that 4x4 lol

//z · Apr 18, 2015

So, which manual trans is better for these trucks? 5 speed or 6 speed?

dapepper9 · Apr 18, 2015

From what I've been able to find the 5spd is the way to go. 5th and 6th gear are pretty much the same ratio on the two and the 6spd is slightly better for driving and towing but isn't as strong and they don't make parts for it anymore. 5spd is reliable and stronger especially after the 5th gear fix (nut backs off, havent looked into the fix) but its much cheaper to fix if something does go wrong.

Can anyone help me figure out which type of ram I should be looking for?

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