V10 2500 Ram info requested.....

[Bobbed06]

I had a 97 Ram 1500 with the 5 speed manual trans, 5.2 VG and 38 inchers on it. I sold it because it wasnt very impressive on power, and I was always eyeballing the cummins diesel with the NV4500 trans. Plus the front axle was always killing wheel bearings with the 38 inchers on it.

I found a 2500 with the Dana 80/60 axle combo, NV4500HD manual trans, and the V10 engine. I dont know much about the V10 engine but on paper it performs as well as the Cummins, albeit with much lower MPG than the Cummins but I am OK with that considering the diesel fuel is higher priced now.

Please enlighten me on anything I need to know prior to buying this truck.

Thank You

 

[RamV10]

The only thing with a V-10 is they like gas. I get 8-13 mpg. My V-10 has pulled the same weight on the same 7%, 7 mile grade as the same generation Cummins (10,000#). My V-10 pulled 35 mph in 3rd & topped the pass in 4th @ 48 mph. The Cummins pulled in overdrive half way up then into direct @ 40 mph over the top. My V-10 has a NV4500HD with 60/80 3:55 gears. The Cummins was a 4x2, 3500, auto, 3:55 gears, with a Banks Turbo & trans kit.
But I drove that Cummins 1000 miles & only avg 15 mpg @ 70 mph. There was nothing wrong with it. It belongs to a buddy of mine.
The V-10 is fast & has tons of torque & is too fun to drive. I wouldn't trade mine for a diesel even straight across.

 

[E-carp]

Go for the V10. You'll be in love. It's smooth as butter and almost dead silent compared to the Cummins.

I get 11 MPG unloaded, 10 loaded. It really doesn't get much better or worse than that.

 

[WhiteExpress]

The only real downside I can think of beside MPGs is that you can't put a loud exhaust on em. Man the truck V10 sounds worse than a volvo!

 

[RamV10]

The only real downside I can think of beside MPGs is that you can't put a loud exhaust on em. Man the truck V10 sounds worse than a volvo!

I agree. I put a MagnaFlow two into one muffler & left the 3" mandrel bent tailpipe. It isn't loud thank God but sounds about like a split manifold old Chevy 235 6 cyl.

On the road I can get up to 12-13 mpg towing a 6000# TT about 8.5-9 mpg. Towing 10K & up about 6.5-7 mpg. The problem is it will pull on the level as fast as if it was empty.
I love my V-10 Dodge