Athansinis
Member
I’ve been driving Toyotas most of my adult life and I had planned on upgrading from my T100 to a 2005 or 2006 Tundra, but when I started looking at my build plans, I realized there’s no way I can stay under the GVWR, so I think I need to move onto a full size truck.
My goals are: lots of highway and back road travel in remote North America. I’m not interested in technical rock crawling, but I want something capable off road so I have more options in the backcountry. I spent a summer at a remote field station in the Arctic and I really miss the Brooks Range and want to take my partner up the Dalton so she can see the Brooks, Prudhoe, and the Arctic wilderness I loved so much and I want to explore the Yukon. At least for this build, I’m not interested in overseas or South American travel.
I’ve been reading through threads for weeks (months, really) on these forums and others, but I’m hoping to get some suggestions on what truck/engine/years/etc might fit my needs best. Originally, I was thinking I wanted a 2nd gen Ram2500 with the 12v Cummins (or a pre-2007 Fuso FG), but I’m starting to lean towards gas as I think the slight loss of mpgs and engine longevity is worth a quieter vehicle with more payload, cheaper fuel, and a cheaper cost up front. So now I’m leaning toward a late 2nd generation Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Magnum. I’d prefer a manual transmission.
Requirements:
Thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
My goals are: lots of highway and back road travel in remote North America. I’m not interested in technical rock crawling, but I want something capable off road so I have more options in the backcountry. I spent a summer at a remote field station in the Arctic and I really miss the Brooks Range and want to take my partner up the Dalton so she can see the Brooks, Prudhoe, and the Arctic wilderness I loved so much and I want to explore the Yukon. At least for this build, I’m not interested in overseas or South American travel.
I’ve been reading through threads for weeks (months, really) on these forums and others, but I’m hoping to get some suggestions on what truck/engine/years/etc might fit my needs best. Originally, I was thinking I wanted a 2nd gen Ram2500 with the 12v Cummins (or a pre-2007 Fuso FG), but I’m starting to lean towards gas as I think the slight loss of mpgs and engine longevity is worth a quieter vehicle with more payload, cheaper fuel, and a cheaper cost up front. So now I’m leaning toward a late 2nd generation Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Magnum. I’d prefer a manual transmission.
Requirements:
- 4x4 extended cab with 8’ bed.
- Payload capacity 2500lbs+ (really the more the better as I’m looking to transition away from FWCs and into a heavier camper, maybe an Alaskan, and would love a service bed)
- Reliable engine
- Relatively easy to work on (simple engine, easy to repair other parts)
- Decent gas mileage (ideally loaded would be 12mpgs or better)
- Single rear wheel
- Safety (partner has a bad back, so the safer it is in an accident, the better)
Thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!