OT: Dodge 2500 V10
 

Guys..opinions on the Dodge V10??

thanks in advance!

:)

Just watch out for those Transmissions. I have had a few friends that had the Dodge's and the biggest problem was tranny failure.

Otherwise nice trucks, strong motor, good looks

Unless your last name ends in Shell or Amoco don't even go there. Buy a diesel.

joey O

I bought a new one in Nov ’99. My only complaint is that it gets 10 mpg around town or 9.5 towing a 32’ Fountain a short distance to the lake. It doesn’t seem to care if it’s loaded or empty it’s still about 10 mpg. I’ve never towed any long distance but I don’t think it would make much difference.
It’s quieter than a V-8 and has the torque of a diesel. If you tow long distances the Cummins would be better, in my opinion, because of the extra 8 or 9 mpg. That is if you can stand the noise and like the diesel smell.

I drove a 98 today..real nice shape..big cajones'!..I'll be towing about 8500lbs..mostly to the local races here in Jersey...maybe a road trip here and there..I really would prefer a diesel but it adds 2-3k to everything I look at..

GAS GAS GAS GAS
ASK DAVE .P HE`LL SELL HIS TO YOU
MIKE(I LOVE MY 1500 4+4)

CALL ME

Bodyshot, 2-3k is nothin compared to the amount of fuel you will be pissin away. The diesel will pay for itself in the first year. Believe me I supported two of those pigs at the same time.

joey O

Well, I'm lookin now too and will share some research.

The Cummins Diesel is a $4625 upgrade. I think the V10 was about a $1 grand, but don't recall exactly. So about $3k diff financed over 5 years is about $60 a month.

The diesel is generally considered to pull better. It generates more torque at a lower RPM so you get better gas milage by about twice over the V10. It is good for 200,000+ miles, and has better resale value.

My truck has to double as a daily driver which led me to consider the V10. The V10 is quieter, gets similiar tow ratings, and gasoline is more convienent, so those are definitely +'s.

Now the tricky part with Dodge... the Tranny. Since my truck has to double as a daily driver I want an automatic. Dodge doesn't have a great auto. For quadcab 4x4 with the diesel and 3.55 gears you only get a 9,450 lb tow rating. Pretty weak if you ask me. Moving to 4.10 gears, they rate you to 11,500 but you just lost some of the gas mileage benefits. It's still 1 ton under the manual transmisstion rating.

Now the Duramax/Allison automatic splits the difference using 3.73 gears, giving you 12,000 towing and a whopping 22,000 GCWR.

Still researching the Ford, but at this point I'm definitely leaning toward the Diesel over the V10 even though it will be my daily driver. And leaning toward GM or Ford over Dodge even though I'm currently a happy Dodge owner.

Three words.....run.......run.......run.

Watch out for the tranny.

No resale value.

If you buy a Dodge get the Diesel.

Buck
#183Rmemeber.....Loud pipes save lives!

C54DRVR - My buddy has a 2000 2500 V-10 4:10? tows 8500, I, 2000 PSD F350 3:73 tow right @ 10,000. When we hit Jellico on our way to Norris, guess what happens? I leave my cruise on @2100/70 in OD and run the enire grade (as long as its clear) he drops down to 45 or so and is always pissed off. You're from this area, do you know what % grade that is? Well not to knock his Dodge, but that's what happens.

My 02

POWERSTROKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

besides the powerstroke..more Dodge V10 stuff guys..

I bought my 2500 4x4 Dodge in 11/94, v10, auto,4.10 axle. I have to keep looking back when towing my boat to see if it is still there-lots of power. On the other hand I am very glad that I get to drive a company car to and from work, it's pretty rough on gas.
Dave

Kentz

The Powerstroke has 555 ft lbs of torque; the V-10 has 450 ft. lbs. Everybody’s V-8 only gives 320-350 ft lbs and a way different torque curve. That’s why the diesel is the choice for long distance towing and the V-10 is a welcome alternative for people who don’t want to listen to the rattle.

I'll bet your buddy can go thru the McDonald’s drive thru without shutting off his engine.

Marty,

I just ordered a 2002 Dodge 2500 Regular cab V10 for towing my 32' Velocity. The towing rating is 12,950 lbs. either 3.55 or 4.10 gearing (see page 23 of 2002 sales brochure) which is 650 less then the diesel. I got it with the free 7 year/100,000 drive train warranty so I feel pretty good about things - I may be inconvienenced but it won't cash out of my pocket. I only plan to use the truck when I need to tow or haul stuff - perhaps 3,000 to 4,000 miles max a year so the lower MPG gas engine made sense in my case.
I understand from my sales rep that Dodge is now (Jan. 2002) building the 2500 in the new 1500 body style but I haven't been able to confirm this. I guess I'll wait and see when it shows up next month.

See you at the NJPPC A/C party!

Rick E.

Revelocity - That's only if you ordered the manual transmission. The sales brochure is misleading. If you ordered the automatic, you better have the dealer check the "big book" of specs. I was looking at ext cab 4x4, which reduces ratings, but I'm pretty sure no Dodge model/engine/gear/automatic combination was rated to 12,000, let alone 13,000.

Just giving you a heads up, just went through all that myself. At first the dealer didn't realize the automatic ratings were different either! You don't want to have to fight that battle when the sticker comes in with too low a rating!

Mach1Shorty,

Thanks for the heads-up and I'll be anxious to see what the rating is on the sticker. I checked the brochure's fine print and no mention of degradation for auto tranny but they did say "maximum" tow rating which probably provides them wiggle room. Fortunately I don't need the full rating as I'm towing 8,600 lbs wet. Sure glad I didn't skimp and go with the 1500 since its tow ratings (manual!!) were pretty close to 8600 lbs. Thanks!

You can call the Dodge cust svc people and they will fax you the correct ratings. When I bought my 01 Cummins SB QC with 5 speed I had lit that said Gross 20k and 18k, then the truck showed up with a sticker that said 16k. They confirmed that 20k was the correct rating. Pay attention to the different configurations between the 2500 and 3500- there used to be inconsistencies all over the place- it's the same auto, tire size, axles, brakes etc. You'd think they would have their lit together on a truck that's been out for eight yrs. Good luck!

I have a 2500 V-10 Quad cab 4:10 gears and tow package.
No tranny problems yet.
My friend is a service writer at a dodge dealer and said no major problems
with the trans. unless you get a rig without a tranny cooler, I believe all V-10's come with them.
Replaced single pipe with twin turbo muffs and also K & N filter.
Best MPG 12.4 non towing but sure beats with CHITTY-CHITTY-BANG-BANG of a diesel.

I've got a 98 cummins with 95k. Just changed the tranny fluid for the first time last week. Only because i noticed the rear axel seals were leaking when i went to do the rear brakes for the first time. also had to replace the tracking bar in the front end also but thats not bad for the first 100k miles. My question is when the tranny finally takes a crap, isnt it possible to have a custom bad mother of a tranny built for my truck. I mean hell fire trucks have auto trannys, lots of weight lots of torque and they only get babied right. :rolleyes: any of you tranny guys have any ideas.

Dono,
Check out http://www.turbodieselregister.com/
for tranny upgrades, and ask questions on the discussion forums, lots of knowledgeable people on this site(not including me!!!!)
paul

I hear everyone talking about Dodge tranny problems. My 96 2500 Cummins had 186,000 on tranny no problems. My 98 2500 Cummins had 240,000 no problems. My partners 1998 3500 has 390,000 lost a torque converter at 310,000.
We pull everything from ski boats to 38 Fountains. The one ton usually sees 26,000 lbs gross at least twice a month.
Very simple rules for tranny life. Service every 40,000 and NEVER use overdrive when towing over 5,000 lbs.

Boatrep is correct - service tranny regularly and never ever pull over 5,000 lbs in overdrive.

I use my 96 Ram 3500 with V10 for all boat hauls with never a problem. Installed Borla headers when truck was new and saw a major increase in both gas mileage and engine torque.

Here's a much easier AND CHEAPER ROUTE,Don't get an automatic!!!! this is the best solution, Sticks rule. Autos are for sissies and yuppies! This should start something :p :p
Simpleminded in Big Rapids

Oh, by the way, Brian,
GASSERS SUCK!!!! they are not loud enough, and don't rattle, plus you get ****ty mileage. the Cummmins gets 12.4 towing the big dick Powerquest :eek: :eek: !!!
I'll bet you answer me now, LOL!!!!!
Paul the dickhead

Kick-ass truck!! I have a 2000 2500 V10 4x4 and we absolutely love it!! If I'm not mistaken, the tranny & brake problems were with the mid 90's models. Our lifted truck hauls ass even with 33" BFG's turnin' and tows our 6000 lbs. of boat like it's not there. I hear a lot of negativity about the Dodges, but ours has been problem free after 30,000 miles. I can also say that it can smoke a duramax Chevy and Ford V10 off the line without any problem! I know from experience, sorry Ford/ Chevy guys! :)

The only thing we would change is getting the 4-door when it comes out next year.

Also, we did all the math on the whole mileage thing and figured it would take me 5 years to make up the difference in price between the diesel and V10. Remember, it does get ****ty gas mileage, but for $4,600, I'll take the quiet, better smelling, cheaper gas, & cheaper oil changes. Ours does 10 mpg in town, 12-15 on the highway, and 7-9 towing.

Definitely go for the Dodge, you won't be dissappointed! :) E-mail me with any questions. [email protected]
Brad :D