May be looking at 98-02 Cummins Rams with manual transmissions. I prefer a manual and understand that there were two manuals available? A five speed and a 6 speed? Is one preferred over the other?Also, any years to stay away from? Any issues with these motors? I have specifically found a 2001 Ram 2500 with a 5.9 Cummins and a six speed manual with 179k miles..... and a long bed. My Dad has an 03 Crew Cab 2500 and has over 200k on his Cummins.... He is shooting for 400k and I honestly believe that he will get there. I want something like this as well. One more thing, those who have owned both.. is there a big difference going from a big block gasser to an older Cummins Diesel? Thanks!Jeremiah

Lift pump problems. Not a big deal but upgrade to FASS system when it goes out. And yes when I was looking prior to getting our 01 with auto there was something about manuals that when re-building people were putting a tack weld on some threaded shaft to prevent something from unscrewing. Might have more luck finding answers at http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ if no answers show up here.

I've owned both the five speed and the six speed manual Cummins in Dodge pickups.Six speed is the winner. The five speed in my 2001 was always one gear short of where it needed to be (and this was in the 2-3-4th gear ranges). The six speed in my 2006 was perfect. Then I got tired of rowing and traded it off for an automatic.

We had a '99. It was a fairly trouble free truck that got superb fuel economy, but it was extremely noisy, smelly and rough riding. I, personally, would much rather have a little newer big block gasser than a stinky, noisy, smelly rough riding old diesel.

4x4ord wrote:We had a '99. It was a fairly trouble free truck that got superb fuel economy, but it was extremely noisy, smelly and rough riding. I, personally, would much rather have a little newer big block gasser than a stinky, noisy, smelly rough riding old diesel.Yeah, the newer 6.2 SuperDuty would be sweet. The old 99 V10 is pretty rough riding. Its probably not worth enough to trade it. LOL. Who knows what we will do. 9-10 mpg is pretty rough for empty driving. Thanks!

path1 wrote:Lift pump problems. Not a big deal but upgrade to FASS system when it goes out. And yes when I was looking prior to getting our 01 with auto there was something about manuals that when re-building people were putting a tack weld on some threaded shaft to prevent something from unscrewing. Might have more luck finding answers at http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ if no answers show up here.I would also rather have the six spreed, but they are costly to rebuild.The only real issue with the 01 is weak lift pump which will take out the VP44 injection pump. The cure is simple install a FASS or Air Dog lift pump that can put out 15 to 20 psi to the injection pump. This is a $300 to $600 investment. I run a FASS DDRP-02 which is a better than stock pump and get 15 psi. I put a small chip, DS Power Puck and have no issues moving an 11K 5er in the hills of western Oregon. Mine currently has just over 260,000 miles, and is still a great towing machine. I also installed a Pacbrake exhaust brake, now no issues getting up the hills, and no issues slowing down on the down hill side. Dad's shooting for 400K, I expect at least 500K, currently 10K oil changes, and use about a qt. in that 10K.

98-02 Cummins questions | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 14, 2013
Great trucks!

With the manual you get the beefy Dana 80.

Upgrade the lift pump and throw in a set of stock Bosch 275 RV injectors and you will have a more fuel efficient and powerful truck for little cash. As mentioned the rear disk brakes and upgraded front disks are very nice.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 14, 2013
4x4ord wrote:
We had a '99. It was a fairly trouble free truck that got superb fuel economy, but it was extremely noisy, smelly and rough riding. I, personally, would much rather have a little newer big block gasser than a stinky, noisy, smelly rough riding old diesel.

Woose ; )
Ram4Sam
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
May be looking at 98-02 Cummins Rams with manual transmissions.

I have specifically found a 2001 Ram 2500 with a 5.9 Cummins and a six speed manual with 179k miles..... and a long bed.

An excellent choice.....

One more thing, those who have owned both.. is there a big difference going from a big block gasser to an older Cummins Diesel?
Big time.....
Thanks!

Jeremiah
ib516
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2013
Kennedycamper wrote:
As has been posted, the 53 block issue, but I think they are pretty few by the 01' model year. The lift pump needs to be dealt with. one way is a Vulcan relocation/big line kit, and the other is a FASS or other aftermarket pump. I have the stock Carter unit relocated, and carry a spare; however, I haven't had to use it yet. I would put a gauge in either way, and pick the pressure right at the input to the VP44. 10 psi or greater is sufficient for the injection pump. Also a Exhaust gas temp gauge & boost gauge is nice to have. Then an edge EZ, and also a 4 inch exhaust. Add a set of RV275 injectors, and you have one of the best all time trailer pullers. Good power & great MPG's for not a lot of money.

I had an 02, added the rv275 injectors and Edge EZ. It was a pleasure to tow with. It did ride rough, and it was noisy. I liked it.
Kennedycamper
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
As has been posted, the 53 block issue, but I think they are pretty few by the 01' model year. The lift pump needs to be dealt with. one way is a Vulcan relocation/big line kit, and the other is a FASS or other aftermarket pump. I have the stock Carter unit relocated, and carry a spare; however, I haven't had to use it yet. I would put a gauge in either way, and pick the pressure right at the input to the VP44. 10 psi or greater is sufficient for the injection pump. Also a Exhaust gas temp gauge & boost gauge is nice to have. Then an edge EZ, and also a 4 inch exhaust. Add a set of RV275 injectors, and you have one of the best all time trailer pullers. Good power & great MPG's for not a lot of money.
45Ricochet
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
Block 53

Also had a Killer dowel pin issue up until 98 I believe.

Lift pump as already stated.
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
Dad has an '01 HO (505tq rating with the 6spd). ~240k on it now.
He still runs the stock-style lift pump, and has had a couple fail. He carries a spare LP under the back seat; they aren't very hard to deal with, even in a parking lot or on the side of the road. Still has the factory IP-VP44! A fuel pressure gauge is a good investment to watch for a failing/failed LP.
For a replacement LP, there is an in-tank retrofit from Dodge (good), FASS or Raptor (better), AirDog (I would avoid personally, too many complaints read on CumminsForum).

The 6spd manual is the best way to go!!! The 5spd man trans has gear ratios that are just a little too spread apart. The 6spd closes those gaps and is a much better towing trans.

Dad has had Edge-EZ to boost it to ~600ftlb since around 60k miles. Woke truck up, pulls almost any hill in 6th (3.55 gears, 4wd, stock size tires) at 20k gross weight.

His is a comparable in towing to my 3rd Gen (see sig) truck. The 6spd really makes a difference in towing abilities. My 3-4 ratio gap is huge, and that is where his 5th gear fills that void. I wish I could have found 'my' truck with a manual trans...
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2013
I have specifically found a 2001 Ram 2500 with a 5.9 Cummins and a six speed manual with 179k miles..... and a long bed.

I had a '01 2500 Dodge/Cummins 235/460 3.54 gears short bed 47RE. Swapped it in for my present '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO 3.73 NV5600. Much quieter much more towing power and 3-4 more mpgs.

The '01 2500 Dodge/Cummins NV5600 should be the 245/505 engine. It should accelerate like any 245 hp diesel or gas engine in a heavy pickup and pull loads at road speeds like any 505 ft lbs diesel engine.

I know its been mentioned :) but do the FASS system or a similar system to protect the VP44 pump. Spend some time on some of the Dodge/Cummins websites in the 2nd gen forums on the subject.
Those types of webs are a much better source for tech help (any diesel truck) than a RV web. Yeah, even than RV.net :B
Trail-Mate
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
As other mentioned Lift Pump, Air Dog Raptor works fine did that one on my son 02, Factory Oil Pressure gauge is more of a simple switch than a gauge so a good oil pressure gauge is a must. My Son's tuck has more then 300K On it and still running strong.
SteveB
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013
Lift pump, as mentioned, I use a relocated stock pump and fuel pressure gauge. Also watch out for the 53 block. Check with TDR, or Comminsforum for details. 6 speed is better as it comes with the HO engine. '01.5 has rear disc brakes instead of drums.

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