Looking At Getting A '03 3500 Dually Gas Ram...

Thanks for all of the replies fellas, I really appreciate it!


To clear of few things up, yea most of you are right, I have absolutely NO need for a dually on a "regular" basis. The few things that I would need a truck for really wouldn't require a dually, except for the occassional car towing, obviously a dually would handle it a little better than a 3/4.

BTW, the truck has the newer 5.7 Hemi, 5sp auto, 4.11's, posi/locker.

As for the gas thing, I live about 2 blocks from where I work and 90% of my driving would be from home to work, so that's not as much of a worry as it might be for others. MPG so far for the 3days I've been test driving the thing has been around 10-12 city and 15-16 hwy, according to the estimater on the truck.

I know a CTD would be better towing and a little better on MPG but I just don't think I can pass up this deal. With the recent gas prices over the summer the prices on trucks here around Richmond VA have dramatically dropped, and now that the prices have dropped back down well over a dollar per gallon people are buying them up like crazy. Anywho, it's a 2003 SLT with the above mentioned options and only 24k miles, a one owner truck and they're only asking $21k for it. That's A LOT of truck for only 20 grand IMO.


I haven't made up my mind completely yet but I'm definately leaning torwards getting it. It feels like it has plenty of power for such a big truck, rides good for a 1 ton, and is extremely good condition inside & out. I've always wanted a nice big truck so that's part of it :


Any other relpies would be greatly appreciated!



Jon

Oh and also, for the few guys that were saying the 5.7 is way underpowered compared to the CTD, I did alittle research and found the factory ratings for both engines-

5.7 HEMI- 335hp 375lbs

5.9 CTD- 325hp 610lbs


Now obviously the torque difference is pretty great and I agree that it (the CTD) would be a better choice for regular towing and heavy towing.

But for the mostly daily driving I'd be doing I don't think I'd notice much difference in power just driving without a load. And, for the mostly lighter towing/hauling I'd be doing I don't think I'd notice a major difference.

The HEMI actually makes a tad MORE HP, and for what I'll be doing, a substantial amount of torque.


Like I said, it feels like it's got plenty of power for such a big truck.



Thanks again, Jon

Horsepower is number. But TORQUE moves the truck. Trust me drive a 3500 with a cummins and you will definitely feel the diference. Wether it is a daily driving or pulling down a house the power generated from the cummins is extremely effortless. I have had gas and diesel trucks and I was leary when I bought my first diesel but once you have expirenced an oil burner and all of its capabilites you will never go back to a gas truck again. When I read your post you said that it the future a small lift kit and 35's might be an option. As we all know when you start to change the set up of gas trucks the efficiency goes down (meaning less mpg). On the other hand, when easy improvements are made on diesels the mpg's go up. Even with bigger tires they produce excellent avg. mpg. I have a 3/4 ton lifted 3" with 33x12.50 tires and I still avg. 16.5 mpg city. Just my .02 cents but that is why the hemi's are so affordable. Gas prices are high and efficiency is low making the truck seem like a money pit. Good luck on which way you choose.