Ok back to the truck for a minute (if it is still an option). I had an 03 Dodge Dakota with the 4.7 and the 5spd manual. It was an amazing drivetrain combo. Got great fuel mileage, had plenty of power, and was reliable. Just to clarify though, the transmission IS a NV3500 and it does NOT have a true granny first. Dodge never put the NV4500 behind the 4.7L. Getting the boat out of the water on a steep ramp at the lake was an exercise in clutch slipping. Once moving in 1st my Dakota had no problems towing 5k worth of tractor and trailer around when needed. Make sure to always let the motor warm up fully before getting on it hard as it has iron block/aluminum heads. I am also glad to hear it has the 3.90 gears in it. These will help you out and if you don't put too large of a tire on there you should have enough power to keep you satisfied. My truck had 3.55's and still did alright. As others have said, watch your weights and keep up on maintenance. The Ram 1500 from these years is actually a good strong truck and the cabs are solid with very few rattles in the long run. The T-case should be a NV241HD if I remember correctly. I am assuming it is shift on the floor since it has the manual trans. Remember that 4.7 likes to rev so when climbing hills just downshift and let it spin. I was able to get 19mpg consistently out of my 2wd Dakota so that should give you some indication of what a larger 4wd truck should achieve.
'Nother truck question. Narrowing down my choices:
- Thread starter BIGdaddy
- Start date
My $0.02
Okay so I thought I would respond because my wife and I just went through a similar process. We do not have three kids, just one dog. Possibly kids in the future. I originally owned a 1998 Nissan Frontier (4 cyl, 4wd, 5 spd) with a topper. Our parameters for a truck were more cab space to fit 5 adults comfortably for a several hour trip, the ability to eventually haul a pop-up camper, and no worse mileage than my Frontier (I was getting 19.5 with 31" tires).
I researched different trucks for about 5 months. I used to own a Toyota and I have multiple friends with newer Tacomas and Frontiers with the full 4 doors. I have also driven a bevy of government full size trucks from the Big 3. Originally, I was thinking 2003-2004 Tacoma. However, after reading multiple forums I realized the additions I would need to make (airbags/springs, heavier duty brakes perhaps?), the over-inflated cost of used Tacomas ($12,000-$20,000), and the small size of the bed deterred me. I also looked at half-tons. Payload capacity was better, costs were much lower, but the brakes with a pop-up camper and boat/snowmobile trailer scared me. Also, the mileage on a Tacoma or 1/2 ton drops to 16-18 AT BEST.
In the end, I purchased a used 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the CTD and the extended cab in good shape with 135k for $9,000. I get 21 mpg as a daily driver and that is with the 285/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires that came with it. I am hoping with some narrower tires I will get up to 22 mpg. I work with a 2004 owner who gets 24 mpg daily driver, and 16-18 towing a fully loaded horse trailer. My 2001 fits 5 adults for short road trips and the suspension and brakes will easily handle a pop-up camper. If you really need the space, the 2004 2500 with the CTD has the full four door cab.
Now, I will say that the sacrifices are that I now own a diesel (which has both pros and cons), the initial cost was probably higher than a similar 1500 but much less than a Tacoma, and my Mom now has trouble getting into my truck
But, I do not regret the decision for our needs. Your needs might be different, but it sounds like we have some similarities. The last comment I will make is that it will be hard to fit 5 people to sleep in a pop-up camper. If you want indoor sleeping, you will either need to get one of the newer cabover campers with a slide out or a tow behind. Both of these will kill a 1500. The other option is ground sleeping which is what my wife and I do now. However, I purchased this truck to last 10-20 years so I am planning for the future.
Good luck with the decision process and no matter what you purchase, you will end up having fun with it.
Okay so I thought I would respond because my wife and I just went through a similar process. We do not have three kids, just one dog. Possibly kids in the future. I originally owned a 1998 Nissan Frontier (4 cyl, 4wd, 5 spd) with a topper. Our parameters for a truck were more cab space to fit 5 adults comfortably for a several hour trip, the ability to eventually haul a pop-up camper, and no worse mileage than my Frontier (I was getting 19.5 with 31" tires).
I researched different trucks for about 5 months. I used to own a Toyota and I have multiple friends with newer Tacomas and Frontiers with the full 4 doors. I have also driven a bevy of government full size trucks from the Big 3. Originally, I was thinking 2003-2004 Tacoma. However, after reading multiple forums I realized the additions I would need to make (airbags/springs, heavier duty brakes perhaps?), the over-inflated cost of used Tacomas ($12,000-$20,000), and the small size of the bed deterred me. I also looked at half-tons. Payload capacity was better, costs were much lower, but the brakes with a pop-up camper and boat/snowmobile trailer scared me. Also, the mileage on a Tacoma or 1/2 ton drops to 16-18 AT BEST.
In the end, I purchased a used 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the CTD and the extended cab in good shape with 135k for $9,000. I get 21 mpg as a daily driver and that is with the 285/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires that came with it. I am hoping with some narrower tires I will get up to 22 mpg. I work with a 2004 owner who gets 24 mpg daily driver, and 16-18 towing a fully loaded horse trailer. My 2001 fits 5 adults for short road trips and the suspension and brakes will easily handle a pop-up camper. If you really need the space, the 2004 2500 with the CTD has the full four door cab.
Now, I will say that the sacrifices are that I now own a diesel (which has both pros and cons), the initial cost was probably higher than a similar 1500 but much less than a Tacoma, and my Mom now has trouble getting into my truck
But, I do not regret the decision for our needs. Your needs might be different, but it sounds like we have some similarities. The last comment I will make is that it will be hard to fit 5 people to sleep in a pop-up camper. If you want indoor sleeping, you will either need to get one of the newer cabover campers with a slide out or a tow behind. Both of these will kill a 1500. The other option is ground sleeping which is what my wife and I do now. However, I purchased this truck to last 10-20 years so I am planning for the future.Good luck with the decision process and no matter what you purchase, you will end up having fun with it.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
We test drove and like them both. Trying to buy the newest, lowest mile 4x4 we can.