I grew up in a GM family and as such you can imagine there was some serious Dodge bashing around. I think of myself as more open-minded, and I absolutely love inline six engines, so naturally the Cummins was my first choice!

With that said, I've heard horror stories (I'm almost positive most are unfounded GM propaganda) about the second gen Ram pickups. From the perspective of Ram owners, are there any major weak points in the truck design in your experience? I've heard the automatic transmissions and steering knuckles are prone to failure, but I want a stick anyway.

Any help is appreciated! I'm looking into a '94-'98 regular cab, most preferably a five-speed. (Haven't ruled out Ford or GM, but like I said... inline sixes, mmmm).

 

other than the kdp (killer dowl pin) not realy.

the kdp is a alignment pin in the timing case that has been known to fall out. they make a kit to prevent it from doing this, but u can make ur own with just a flat washer and grind it down some to cover it up. the 96-98 5 speed's had the stoutest motor from the factory, and the weakest was the 94-95 auto's. if u leave it stock, the stock clutch will hold it just fine when u start adding power is when u will start to have issues with the clucth holding.

 

Cool, thanks for the reply. It would be stock for some time due to lack of funds, so just a basic work truck/weekend off-roader, etc, but I'd definitely be looking to start smokin' it like a freight train in the next couple years.

 

smoke is over rated and gives the diesel industry a bad name. that being said mine will black out a 4 lane road easily but there is a time and place to smoke. like a drag race or pull. when u make power out of a 12v u will get smoke, and thats what is importantimo is the power and u can get 100+ hp for free out of a stock 12v by doing some pump mods. but like i said in my previous post, when u turn them up, u might as well start saving for a clutch

 

Slight update. Any purchase of a diesel vehicle will be a couple years down the road most likely, but for some odd reason the 12v Cummins, 4x4 and standard are really hard to come by in my area. I'm looking at a '94-'03 7.3 Powerstroke. Apologies for not doing a more thorough search, just want some fresh opinions. Any major trouble spots for the Strokers of that era?

I'm looking mostly for a lightly modded workhorse vehicle, so I doubt I'll be needing any major performance upgrades for some time. How do the stock drivetrains hold up to launches (yeah... I'm definitely guilty of having a bit of a lead foot, haha!)?

P.S. Thanks for your patience and honesty in advance, I know you folks get a lot of young newbies asking ridiculous questions, haha.

 

Yeah that probably one of the most sought after combos for those Dodges

Although its nice having a 12v a 7.3 will be a really good truck too. If I was to own anything other than a 12v, a 7.3 is what I would have

 

yea if your going to get a ford get one that has the 7.3 in my opioun thats the best motor ford has made so far

 

International/Navistar built the 6.9IDI, 7.3IDI, 7.3PS, 6.0PS, 6.4PS........ not ford

 

Fixed it for ya. We'll just forget about those last two

 

IMHO the 6.4 has proven it's self quite well in the last several years, its a very nice engine with a lot of potential, I actually think that the 6.4 broke that barrier before the 6.0