I am looking around for a diesel truck (used) and would like to know what year dodge diesel would give me the best bang for the buck.


Light towing.......up to 6000 lbs and mostly a fun daily driver that i can do some mods to.


I live in Canada and so far its either a 2002 crew cab Duramax for $34,000 or a 1998 dodge dually for $16,000.


If i can save a pile of money on an older dodge that can be modded to pull like mad that would be great!


Thanks.

If it is a 98 with the old "P" pump, go for it. If it has the V-44 pump, (electronic fuel pump) I don't know, depends on several things, auto or 5-speed, miles ect. I have heard a lot of people say the early 98's with the old style P pump,(fuel pump) was the best that Cummins ever made. I had a 95 that I put over 400k on and it was modified some and never had a bit of problems with the engine. The electronic pump was a problem because of the lift pump. If it failed, you smoked your fuel pump, (big $)


I guess what I'm saying is if it is a early model 98 with the P pump jump on it.

How do i check to see what pump it has?


Thanks.

On the left side of the engine toward the front. If the pump is about a foot long it is the P pump. If it is smaller and round it is the V-44 pump.

If you look on the door of the '98 it will say 24 Valve or it won't. If it does it has an electronic pump, if it doesn't the whole shebang is mechanical and still a 12 valve engine. A lot of cummins guys want the 12 Valve engines. There is no box for these ones but they can make gobs of power with them via fuel plates, injectors etc. I would say anything post 91 for a cummins is a good bet save for excessive Kilomiters. The pre 91 1/2 engines were not intercooled. Also unless you really hate rowing gears, a standard transmission will be more reliable than a stock DC auto.


As far as the pump - I believe they changed from the rotary pump in '94 to the inline pump that was in the 94 to 98's. The 24 valve engine introduced in 98 1/2 went back to the rotary for controls reasons. The make up of the inline was not condusive to the eletronics they were using to control emissions at the time. I believe the rotary pump was in use from 89 to 93 and then again from 98 1/2 through to 2002 until they switched from the ISB to the current ECHO that is found in the 03 and up trucks.

Thats a lot for an 02 but, im not sure the conversion for Canadian dollars. I love cummins to death I had a 94 and that 12 valve treated me so good! Especially with the bigger plate and turned up pump. I got it up to 300hp.


If you plan on doing any turning up definately go with the 5 speed man. Those automatics suck!.


Just last week my buddy sold his early 98 quadcab with the 12 valve and turned up to 375 hp for 16k and he just bought an 04 High output quad cab for $31,736.