Should I trade?

I have a 2010 ram 1500 with the 5.7, coming really close to 200k miles (197k at the moment) and it still runs and drives like it should. However, I do quite a bit of towing with most of it over 5000lbs but nothing over 10,000lbs and although my truck does alright its definitely rough on it. have been looking for a 2500 as I’m looking to upgrade to a gooseneck trailer soon although still staying under10,000lbs. I found someone with a 2001 ram 2500 that is willing to trade for my truck. Has the 5.9 magnum, auto trans, 4x4, ect and best of all only 60k original miles. I’ve never owned or driven a ram the 5.9 gas but how do you all think it would tow in comparison to my current truck? I know it will be down on power compared to the newer gen hemi but will it still have enough for what I want or will I regret the decision? The truck will be somewhat of a daily driver but I don’t really care about the comfort of the truck, mostly just it’s capabilities so if anyone has any experience or anything to add fee free to comment.

Also looking for opinions on how fair the deal sounds or if there is a considerable difference value wise. The 2500 is very clean for being an Indiana truck and has no issues. My truck is pretty clean as well however has way higher miles. Here’s a couple pictures of each truck.

I laughed at myself when I misread your first post and I wrote a completely different response. I was going on the premise that you had a Cummins first of all haha.

That 2500 looks built and maintaining those tires is going to cost you in the long run for sure. I like the flatbed also and I just don't know why he would straight across trade it tho. Is it too good to be true trade? I suppose you will need to be the judge. My gut almost tells me it is too good to be true but I think I am having the same fight/struggle you are too.

Would he be willing to let your mechanic have a look over the rig?

I know I may be biased as the owner of a 2001, but that’s a really cool looking truck, and those are really low miles for a truck that old. The biggest questions I could see for you towing would be a) what rear end ratio, and b) what transmission? You could also help your final ratio a good bit by putting slightly smaller highway tires on it (but I know that doesn’t look as cool). The 5.9 will not be winning any races, but it has plenty of power and is very reliable. The other thing to check is the condition of the dashboard. They are known to often fall apart from brittle plastic. If the top is bad, it can be replaced. If the bottom portion of the dash is bad, there isn’t anyone making a replacement part for it yet (although there is one company in the process).

You have to weigh your options there. Do you want a towing work truck? Or do you want a comfortable family vehicle that can do some light work?

*btw you posted this is in the 5th Gen section. Neither of those trucks is a 5th Gen. Might be better moved to the 4th Gen section. Mods?

KoboldTaco said:

I laughed at myself when I misread your first post and I wrote a completely different response. I was going on the premise that you had a Cummins first of all haha.

That 2500 looks built and maintaining those tires is going to cost you in the long run for sure. I like the flatbed also and I just don't know why he would straight across trade it tho. Is it too good to be true trade? I suppose you will need to be the judge. My gut almost tells me it is too good to be true but I think I am having the same fight/struggle you are too.

Would he be willing to let your mechanic have a look over the rig?

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Well the owner actually lives in the same town as me and has ties to my family so not really a “to good to be true”. I guess that answers my question on the value part as it seems you think his truck is worth more than mine so helps my choice out some. I maintain and work on my own vehicles so will definitely check it over before we trade. Thanks for the input!

Let us know what you end up doing. But yeah, spend a few moments under the truck and under the hood. Good luck!

Spike95 said:

I know I may be biased as the owner of a 2001, but that’s a really cool looking truck, and those are really low miles for a truck that old. The biggest questions I could see for you towing would be a) what rear end ratio, and b) what transmission? You could also help your final ratio a good bit by putting slightly smaller highway tires on it (but I know that doesn’t look as cool). The 5.9 will not be winning any races, but it has plenty of power and is very reliable. The other thing to check is the condition of the dashboard. They are known to often fall apart from brittle plastic. If the top is bad, it can be replaced. If the bottom portion of the dash is bad, there isn’t anyone making a replacement part for it yet (although there is one company in the process).

You have to weigh your options there. Do you want a towing work truck? Or do you want a comfortable family vehicle that can do some light work?

*btw you posted this is in the 5th Gen section. Neither of those trucks is a 5th Gen. Might be better moved to the 4th Gen section. Mods?

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I’m not sure on the axle ratio, I’ll definitely check that if/when we meet. Is has an automatic and from what I’ve read there was only one auto option for this generation? As long as the 5.9 has enough power to tow upwards of 5000lbs comfortably then I’m not concerned about much else drivetrain wise. I just don’t want it to have be running at 3000-4000rpm to just maintain 60mph. I will check out the dash as well. As long as a get a more capable truck I’m not concerned on how comfortable it is.

Sorry didn’t realize I posted it in the wrong section, any idea how I can move it?

KoboldTaco said:

Let us know what you end up doing. But yeah, spend a few moments under the truck and under the hood. Good luck!

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So based on your opinion you think the 2500 is worth more? I’m not sure what that year truck is worth so just don’t want to trade down any.

Totally an option here And not based on any working knowledge of that year Ram. But as I see it and if that truck has been well-maintained shoot, just the tires alone are worth more than the truck itself haha.

Have a really solid look at the truck. I have a checklist anytime I buy something used to make it mine and I also create an interview checklist anytime I buy a used motorcycle. Since I won’t ride anymore due to my crash, I will still buy old airheads and rebuild them. I ask a bunch of common questions since I know the motor and common issues with them. Create a list to keep yourself on track. Things like:

Did they maintain a maintenance record? If so could you see it.
Last time oil was changed and condition
Trans oil change and condition
Rear diff service etc...
Any ticks
etc etc...

Get on google and see if you can pull a list of common issues with these machines. Also, realize Dr. Google always says the patient has a life-ending disease so be careful rushing to conclusions. @Spike95 had some good ideas as will others

If you really want a 2500 and this truck is right in front of you plus if you know the family, he has to run the risk of seeing you in the future...the odds you will get screwed are lower but always still there.

dkelly3103 said:

I’m not sure on the axle ratio, I’ll definitely check that if/when we meet. Is has an automatic and from what I’ve read there was only one auto option for this generation? As long as the 5.9 has enough power to tow upwards of 5000lbs comfortably then I’m not concerned about much else drivetrain wise. I just don’t want it to have be running at 3000-4000rpm to just maintain 60mph. I will check out the dash as well. As long as a get a more capable truck I’m not concerned on how comfortable it is.

Sorry didn’t realize I posted it in the wrong section, any idea how I can move it?

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Don’t worry about spinning too high rpm. I’d be more concerned with it being too low and putting extra strain on the transmission. For towing I’d be looking for the 3.92 or 4.10 gears. The 3.55 is a bit anemic with big tires. I have 4.10 gears and spin about 2100 at 70mph with 33” tires. Peak efficiency for that engine is in the 2000-2500rpm range.

S

Spike95 said:

Don’t worry about spinning too high rpm. I’d be more concerned with it being too low and putting extra strain on the transmission. For towing I’d be looking for the 3.92 or 4.10 gears. The 3.55 is a bit anemic with big tires. I have 4.10 gears and spin about 2100 at 70mph with 33” tires. Peak efficiency for that engine is in the 2000-2500rpm range.

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So you think the 5.9 would still handle towing fine? I looked up the specs on it and it’s quite a bit lower on hp and tq than the hemi in my truck but it looks like peak torque comes alot lower on the 5.9

dkelly3103 said:

S

So you think the 5.9 would still handle towing fine? I looked up the specs on it and it’s quite a bit lower on hp and tq than the hemi in my truck but it looks like peak torque comes alot lower on the 5.9

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Yes, the engine is fine. Plenty of torque. The weak link on these era trucks is the automatic transmission (if it is the 46re that is used on the 1500. Hopefully it is the 47re). Having the more aggressive gear ratios will take stress off of the transmission.

Spike95 said:

Yes, the engine is fine. Plenty of torque. The weak link on these era trucks is the automatic transmission (if it is the 46re that is used on the 1500. Hopefully it is the 47re). Having the more aggressive gear ratios will take stress off of the transmission.

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Given it has pretty low miles, how much life can I expect out of it? I don’t drive very easy but so far the 545rfe in my 2010 has held up great so can I expect about the same on the 01?

I’ve consistently gotten 80k miles on my 46re before it has issues. Each time it has an issue, I have it fully rebuilt (my choice). That said, I used to have 3.55 gears on it while running 33” tall tires. That was putting extra strain on the transmission. I also was not good about servicing the transmission when I was younger and less knowledgeable…
So that has been my experience. I’ve known other people who have well over 200k without any issues. I don’t know anything at all about your transmission, so I wouldn’t be able to compare the two. I just know that the 47re is a tougher trans and was used on Cummins trucks, so I would have more confidence in it for a towing rig. I wouldn’t let the transmission scare you away either way.

Spike95 said:

I’ve consistently gotten 80k miles on my 46re before it has issues. Each time it has an issue, I have it fully rebuilt (my choice). That said, I used to have 3.55 gears on it while running 33” tall tires. That was putting extra strain on the transmission. I also was not good about servicing the transmission when I was younger and less knowledgeable…
So that has been my experience. I’ve known other people who have well over 200k without any issues. I don’t know anything at all about your transmission, so I wouldn’t be able to compare the two. I just know that the 47re is a tougher trans and was used on Cummins trucks, so I would have more confidence in it for a towing rig. I wouldn’t let the transmission scare you away either way.

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What’s a general price to have one rebuilt? If I do end up trading I’ll definitely put on a external cooler, and I normally change my trans fluid every 20-30k miles so hopfully that should extend the life of it. I’ve put about 25k miles on my 2010 in the last year alone so I just dont want to have to deal with transmission issues every couple years on the 2001 if I get it. We are meeting up Sunday so I’ll pay close attention on how the transmission acts and if it feels fine I’ll probably go for it.

Alright so I got the vin number and used a decoder and it looks like it has 3:54 gearing so not ideal for what I’m wanting. I’m hoping since it looks to have had some work done to it that it’s been re-geared at some point but I won’t know until I drive it. I also didn’t find anything on the transmission model on the decoder website. Was the 46re that was in the 1500s the only option for the 5.9
2500 as well or was there a heavy option it could have came equipped with?

dkelly3103 said:

What’s a general price to have one rebuilt? If I do end up trading I’ll definitely put on a external cooler, and I normally change my trans fluid every 20-30k miles so hopfully that should extend the life of it. I’ve put about 25k miles on my 2010 in the last year alone so I just dont want to have to deal with transmission issues every couple years on the 2001 if I get it. We are meeting up Sunday so I’ll pay close attention on how the transmission acts and if it feels fine I’ll probably go for it.

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I think I paid about $1500 for my last one. I had them beef it up a little, added a shift kit, and added an external trans cooler. I don’t remember the exact price because I had other things done at the same time and don’t remember the break down.

I would just add an external cooler, stay on top of maintenance, and if it does eventually require a rebuild, have them beef it up for you. Also, disable overdrive when you tow.

Well went and checked out the truck today and I don’t think it’s going to work out. Not as clean rust wise as I was expecting although still better than most around here I guess. Took it for a drive and it’s completely gutless with the 35s on and 3:55 gearing, my 4cyl ranger is quicker. The interior rattled quite a bit, it had a lot of bump steer and floated all over the road. It drove like it had another 100k miles of hard use. Without even hooking up a trailer I can already tell my 2010 would be a way better tow rig for what I do.

I'm not surprised you found the 5.9L Magnum wanting after getting out of a 5.7L Hemi! The difference between the two engines is night and day, and the chassis you're used to is much more refined than the older truck's, although the older truck might be rated a little higher in towing capacity. If you have 17" wheels and 3.92s in your 2010 along with the factory tow package, you're probably good to go for 10,000lbs of towing.

If I were you, I'd start saving money for your next newer truck instead of trading now. The 2011 I paid $25K for in 2013 with 30K miles would now cost me $35-$40K to replace with a used newer truck. Get as much mileage out of the 2010 as you can before something expensive happens to it, then retire it and replace it. Stuff like replacing the seat covers, doing a good interior cleaning, touching up the paint, etc., can go a long way towards refreshing your current truck and making it more enjoyable to drive. My '11 has 97K on it, still drives like the day I got it, no visible rust, and is paid for. If I get another 100K out of it like you've gotten with yours, it will be overall the least expensive vehicle I've ever owned.