2016 Dodge 2500 or 3500 4x4

So I'm starting to look around at a bigger truck for upcoming needs. Yes I will be using it to tow some really heavy stuff around in my new line of work so that's I'm looking at it. Dose anyone have a cummins and the aisian trans buy chance? I drove a built 08 and it was a Bad mofo but having to shift all the time was a real pain in it honestly. It was fun to drive but I would not want to all the time.

Anyone???

Blue

 

Something like this

 

I'd imagine the power train in the 2500 and 3500 is the same, with the big difference between them being payload and towing (cause of suspension). You looking for a dually or just a single rear wheel setup? Sounds like you're starting a hotshot business

I don't know about the Dodges, my knowledge is mainly GM, but the logic is probably the same.

 

Actually the powertrain is different in them or can be depending on how you load them out. You can get up to 900ft.lbs. of torque on the 3500. But only 600 fr. Lbs. Torque with the 6 speed trans. GAY! Anyhow either way it will be able to pull well. No I don't want a dully just strait axle and most likely the mega cab for the extra room for my gear and cloths etc while on the road.

 

The gvw is up too 12,000lbs in one of them also.

 

I was always under the impression that the 1-ton only gives more payload and stronger brakes. My Dad has a 2006 3500 4x4 and tows a 12,000lb 5th wheel travel trailer 6 months out of the year with zero issues.

 

LOL 600ft lbs of torque is a lot, 900 ft/lb is insane! MORE POWER!

My father-in-law has always had tow vehicles, even way back to Econoline 1Ton Ford vans. He has always had good luck with overbuying your powertrain and suspension, as long as you're willing to give up a plush unloaded ride. He's had a handful of Dodge vehicles but no diesels, but you'll be hard pressed to find people who tow a lot and don't like Cummins. I do not have much help on the powertrain, I haven't had any direct experience with it.

 

I'm thinking the 1 ton strait axle with dana 60's under it with the aisian heavy duty trans is going to be the best for me in the long run as much driving as I plan to do down the road, that and a cummins i don't think you can go wrong really. Just sucks I can't get them with lockers but I'm sure I can get that issue fixed up by ARB down the road and also on board air.

 

This is a bad ass axle IMO.

The Silverado/Sierra and Tundras don't offer lockers either, and when researching they basically said the factory doesn't think the axle can withstand being locked and abused. They assume if you lock them up with an ARB and grenade them that it's on you cause you did it, not them.

But with a Dana 60, which is known as being a Jeep upgrade from the Dana 30's in the Sport / Sahara and 44's in the Rubicons, you can lock them up all day and beat on them. However, 900 ft/lbs is gonna break something probably !!!

Wait, I see what you're doing, you are going to buy this truck, drive it for 10 years, then yank the axles to SAS another 4Runner. Clever. Don't tell your wife.

 

I think the rear axle is actually bigger than an Dana 60 almost like a 70 or 80. There now made buy US Axle per a good source and he tells me they are strong! The ring and pinion is almost 12in. plus

 

Dang! 12" is a honkin' big gear...

Also I think a Dana 80 is the biggest Dana makes, isn't it?

I'd be more interested in what you COULDN'T tow with something like that!

 

It's not a dana that's under it but it's almost a 12 ring and pinion gear. I was doing some home work last nighr. ARB makes air lockers for that truck so that is no big issue that could be fixed and tou can upgrade to Manuel hub and 38 spline axles also and get rid of the weaker 30 splines. Really with just a few minor changes that rig would be about as solid as you can make it. It has the power the axles and with lockers. Fuck son that thing would just be bad to the bone. I just can't get over the torque it makes....

 

I've towed extensively with 1/2 ton and some 3/4 ton trucks, gas and diesel. I think the most TQ I've had was in the 600ish with a 6.6L duramax 2500HD. Towing a 11,000 lb travel trailer it didn't give a crap. 900lb I'd imagine you wouldn't even know it was back there unless you looked in your mirror.

 

This is true

 

So I went and test drive a new 3500 HD with the Aisian trans. All I can say is dang! It hardly ever comes off boost and it is smooth for a solid axle leaf spring truck.

I really liked how it holds gears in the auto once placed into 3rd 4th or 5th gears. It will wind out like a stick but the shifts are quick also so no loss of power. A very solid unit.

Now I just need to save up some coin so I can ha e a decent down payment.

Blue

 

Hey Brian! I was talking to my neighbor who's owned all three of the big 1-ton diesels. His observation over the years:
Dodge- the best engine of the three however the build quality of the truck around it flat out sucked. It fell apart but the engine was still chugging along at over 500K when sold.
Ford- opposite the Dodge. Best truck, worst engine. Nothing but problems with the 6.0 and 6.4... This does not apply to the International Navistar 7.3 which is definitely one of the best diesels of all time.
Chevy- the Duramax(Isuzu)is a great engine. Not as powerful as the Cummins but the build quality of the truck itself is superior.
For the record he's a retired diesel mechanic.

 

My Dad always says..."I bought a Cummins and a Dodge came with it"

 

I know I can always count on you for a strait answer buddy. When the hell you coming out to visit !

 

I will say that from a "put together" component, my Silverado was nice, no rattles, operated smoothly. Engine was fine (gas engine), but the clutch material they use in the Torque Converters are inferior to most designs. This, however, is for a gas and a 6L80 Tranny.

I'd say you're right about the Fords too. Those head gaskets were rampant in those 6.0L powermax.

Regarding the Dodge, I know alot of people say it falls apart, but we are talking 300 - 500k miles. Most people don't keep them that long, and if you do, you're fixing the parts yourself.

So I agree with Bryan completely, but rarely do people regret over-buying power on a tow rig. If you can't have it all, decide what the two things you can't live without are, and see if you can make the rest work out.

 

You should test a f250, the dodge is a good power house, the silverado is nice but full of issues.

 

My Brother owns the 2015 RAM dually to pull his goosneck trailer with camper and Unimog buggy on it. He Fucking loves it. I think he had a 06 Ford F250 with the 6.0 motor, Motor failed almost every trip He put about few thousand in to keep it run then he got fed up and fixed it then sold it asap.... He hated that truck.

here are a few shots...

 

That's one way to make your own Toy Hauler. It's creative, I like it.

 

I would love to visit! Get out of Kalipornia for a bit would be nice...
I've been looking at getting back into a full-size myself. Wife wants an RV if we're ever to camp again My younger son picked up a quad recently and is looking for a rail for Glamis season... Guess who's on tow duty
So I've found a few prospects so far... Leaning towards the '97s and older because they're smog-exempt. All are Navi 7.3

 

The 7.3 is a solid engine no questions about it.

 

That's sweet.

So imagine this in your head.bit was a hauler I saw at my local off road ranch.

Take am old blue bird school bus. Make that cab about 15ft long and close that up and has sleeping area in it. Take a bed of a roll back wrecker that slides back and drops down and put it all together. The thing was sick. I wished I got a pic of it. Total length around 35ft or so. It was cool as shit. Had a cool paint job also. Kinda like this but had a way better paint job
Blue

 

I wanna drive the white truck in that picture.

 

Uuuh I want that Old Ford single cab! Always like the square look.

 

This is why I love Unimog owners... they come up with the most epic shit...lol That is a awesome set up. Never really knew buses had so much potential.

This is what my One of the versions my bro unimog looked like back in the day. Doing what i does.... Taking a nap. Eventually got to beat over 14 years and he made it into a full buggy. Only things Unimog left are The Mercedes bens emblem Motor,Tranny,Axles and about a foot of Frame that has the VIN on it lol.

 

Oh speaking of too much abuse this is the final shot that made my bro go UNimog Buggy. Oh dont worry he lived and got out with out a scrach. Hes a professional roll over, and we build amazing cages.
https://youtu.be/PWaaSGoiDII

 

Me too! The top truck is a 97 F350, low miles, but it's a bare bones CD/CorpofEngrs. model. Has the kingpin Dana 60 frontend. The 97 F350 on the bottom is the one! Fully loaded, power everything, tow pkg., factory Alcoas, super clean, most of these trucks get used for plow duty. Twice the price tho! The 99 in the middle is an F250 with some nice upgrades.