I just wanted an opinion on what year 1990-1998 Dodge diesel stick shift truck can be hopped up to make the best HP for the least money? I have a 32' enclosed Sand Piper trailer that I need to pull. I have had a 2000 Dodge but I want to hop one up for more HP without having to worry about the warranty. I would like to see around 400hp and around 700+ on the torque. I own a Ford PSD now. I have it turned up to around 320hp and 650lbs but the darn truck is eating me out of house and home. Best mpg at 55 is around 15 on the hwy and in town I get around 10mpg empty. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Big B_B
12-08-2004, 11:46 PM
1998 12v. It's the last year they put the 12 valve into a Ram. The 98 quad cab 12V is rare to find, but a find it is!
PSiemens
12-09-2004, 12:25 AM
Best years are those with the most base hp. Look for 1996, 97 and 98 12 valvers with 5 speed manual trans. They came with 215 hp stock and they have the p7100 inj. pump. Power upgrades are mechanical and easy if you have some mechanical ability. The "Holy Grail" of trucks is the 1998 12v Quad cab. Not very many of those made.
Phil
Dodgezilla
12-09-2004, 04:43 AM
Any of the 12 valvers will make crazy horsepower but just be prepared to get a new trans when you start turning it up... 12 valvers also get better mileage. I had one in 92 and got 22 mpg right out of the showroom.....
isubigrod
12-09-2004, 01:58 PM
Im curious about you saying the 12 valvers get better mpg... i have a '94 and mine gets about 15-16 hwy, and less when i only drive in town. I have the 4.10 rear axle, does that make a difference, or is there something wrong?
Dodgezilla
12-10-2004, 03:44 AM
Yes that will make a difference. Mine had 3:55s and was kind of a slug but it towed great. The great thing is that you can add lots of power and your mileage may not even suffer.
Meierznutz
12-11-2004, 07:02 AM
If you stay with the 12v's, go for the latest model. The early 5 speeds were Getrags and were prone to lunching output shafts. The NV4500 5 speed is virtually bulletproof. Yes 4.10 gears will effect milage. I have a friend with an '02 6 speed that has been begging me to swap axles with him. He tried to change gearing but the chucks are different for 3.50's and up than 3.73's and down. The Chrysler book says the gears swap but he called the 1-800 tech line and they confirmed a different center housing part number.
My '02 gets 16 around town and has had a best of 21.5 on long trips towing a car. I only use 6th on long highway stretches.
