My name is James and I've just signed up. I've been doing some rounds, so you'll see similar posts other places if you post/read multiple boards. I'm looking to get a new truck, my current one is not up to par (never was(98 S-10)). I know I want a turbo diesel and, after doing some research, I've decided that it's prety much got to be a Dodge Ram CTD. The plan was at the end of this year, but it may be sooner then that if I can find something sweet sooner. I'm a country boy at heart, so the truck has to be 4x4, plus the winters here can be pretty harsh, I may find myself plowing a bit. I'm not new to turbos at all, but I am to diesel performance. I understand the basics, perhaps even more. But I need some advice on what to get. I'm going to get a 2500 because this will be my daily driver, so milage is a concern, as well as not needing the capabilities of a 1 ton. I know the truck is going to get modded pretty good. I think low 14's, high 13's will make me happy, as would gas milage comperable to my current DD. So, onto the questions. First, there seems to be many more auto's then manuals for sale, is a valve body upgrade going to be enough with my perfrmance goals, or will I need more? And if I get a 5 sp, is it going to hold with only a clutch? Next, milage: I saw a very well priced 5 sp with 250K on it. I'm a little weary of the milage, but have heard that these motors (with the exception of the KDP) have a great life span. Am I okay to to buy one with that much milage and just replace the tranny (or clucth?) with the savings? Also, how is this thing going to be in the winter? we hit 10 below a few times this past winter, I often times have to be at work at 6AM, I can't afford to have gelling/no start issues (should I stop looking at a diesel altogether?), the lack of glow plugs has me wondering. Also, why is it that the 12v is perfered for performance over the 24v? It would seem that the extra flow potential of the heads would offset quite a bit. Or are there diffrences in the block design? Thanks in advance for the help, and I appolagise for the long post, expect a plethora of questions from your answers
Welcome to TRC, you have some great questions, you would be better off posting them in the General Tow Rig Discussion or Dodge forum so more people can help anwser them, this forum is for introducing yourself and saying hello. waytogo
