Thanks for the replies (well some of them, anyways... )

Let'* make sure we stay on topic with this one... I would like to know about any common problems or issues associated with the V10 engine and corresponding automatic transmission. My parents (trikefarms) are looking at one of these trucks as a general farm/work truck to pull a loaded livestock trailer, haul heavy items, etc. They found a nice one for $6500, and they might want to ****** it up quickly if it'* a good buy. I just don't want them to get something they'll regret.

I thought I had heard the Dodge trucks of the '90s had crappy automatic transmissions?

A friend of mine has an earlier one, not sure of the year, motor finally blew, but he'* got it lifted and has been beating on it for years. To last that long under his care, it had to be a decent truck.

Little off topic, but if you're gonna be hauling stuff, why not get a diesel? You can get a good early 90'* dodge cummins with a 5 spd. for around 5 grand, and it'll get 17mpg.

If the Dodge is anything like my F250 it will be happy only when pulling something heavy around.

I notice a small increase in MPG when I'm pulling maybe thats me but.... MEH

As for my Black Beauty she'* a 01 F250 V10 76,000 kms I get **** for MPG but then again I drive her the way I drive my car lol

but I'm with chadow on this one

My experience with the Dodge V10'* in a 3/4 ton or full ton capacity is that they tend to eat suspension parts when used for their intended purpose. For the most part..I think the trans are good on them until you begin beating them badly.

Gas mileage is 10mpg at best. (Sorry Eagle..I'm being realistic with real life numbers...have your buddy check his math, 20 is unheard of in my lifetime).

strip off the body panels? get rid of the bed? I know, 17 TOPS downhill in neutral while wind assisted

You would like this Eagle

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/fe...ram/index.html

years, The short time i've been a mechanic, 4 years, i've never once worked on the engine of the v-10 dodge, (replaced plenty of front end parts in them) they seem to be very reliable. The v-8 dodges however are different stories, upper intake gaskets and bad valves are very common on those. If it were me i would go for the Cummings instead of the v-10, they get better gas milage and have much more power.

I know diesel is the way to go, but they haven't had a lot of luck finding an older diesel truck that'* in the price range and mileage range. Thanks for all the responses... it sounds like the Dodge V10 might be a solid motor if they decide to stick with gasoline. They will greatly appreciate the opinions.

Yes diesels in my area are hard to come by when it came to the year/mileage i wanted. before i bought my v10 i found an 01 cummins for 16500... and it had 301k miles! make sure that your folks know that dodge v10 > ford v10.

Dodge'* is 488 right?