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2000 Dodge Ram 3500

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Comfort And Safety Upgrades to Consider

Though second generation Dodge Ram trucks were the result of a lengthy and controversial redesign process, they are representative of old school trucks and don’t come close to offering today’s comfort and safety features. Still, with a few cost effective upgrades, you can greatly improve upon your experience and safety.

Mirrors

With the release of the second generation Ram, away went the first generation’s bracket mounted mirrors and in came an integrated power, heated mirror system. Though this was a significant upgrade, the problem with them is they are small and are not very helpful when pulling wide trailers. They also lack moon mirrors which are very helpful in eliminating blindspots.

For a few hundred dollars you can upgrade your gen 2 mirrors to a more modern design that is not only compatible with electric adjustment and heating system but they don’t look out of place. They also feature builtin moon mirrors, a manual fold up trailer mode, and a manual fold in parking mode. One option is the Trail Ridge mirror set.

Windsheild Clear Tint

Most second generation Rams shipped with factory air conditioning. Dodge’s AC systems are reliable and good. Still, Ram Club Cab options create a lot of interior space and in hot climates the factory AC can reach its limit. The quickest way to lower summer temperatures and make the air conditioner more effective in any car is clear, heat reducing windshield tint. Go do some research and talk to your local window tinting shop.

Carhartt Precision Seat Covers

Let’s face it, the second generation Dodge interiors are really dated. One can chalk much of it up to charm but when it comes to the cloth seat option, they are hot, stick to your clothes, and hard to clean.

Carhartt makes a precision seat cover systems out of tightly woven fabric that stays cool, repels water, and are really easy to clean. When ordering these seat covers you are presented with options to accommodate head rest shapes, seat through seat belt designs, seat back, and center console options that varied greatly in second generation Rams. They also make a custom dashboard cover. Though a bit pricey, this is a comfort upgrade you will not regret.

Modern Radio and Mobile Setup

Single DIN radio upgrades have been commonplace since the 70’s. Back when gen 2 Rams rolled off the assembly line, radio replacements were actually an upgrade. The the evolution of mobile telephones and car entertainment integration, radio upgrades don’t make as much sense. Recent innovation in single DIN units actually afford older car owners a modern upgrade.

The Pioneer SPH-10BT is a $150 upgrade that not only brings hands free phone into your cab, it has a simple fold out phone holder that allows you to see Waze and Google Maps safely while driving.

How Many Valves And Which Injection Pump?

Fans of the Dodge Ram Cummings platform frequently discuss generation 1 and generation 2 body styles. These discussions spill over to the classic 12 valve vs. 24 valve engines debate. There are actually several overlapping elements to this discussion and this article seeks to provide timeline clarity.

cummins cylinder head injection pump timeline

Body Styles

The Generation 1 body style was produced from 1983 to 1993. In 1989 Dodge incorporated a B Series Cummins diesel platform into Generation 1 trucks. In 1994 Dodge rolled out its long awaited Generation 2 body style and continued to offer the Cummins B Series platform.

Cylinder Heads

Dodge incorporated B Series Cummins engines with two different cylinder heads. Dodge Ram trucks from 1989 to 1998.5 featured a 12 valve cylinder head. In 1998.5 the platform switched to a 24 valve cylinder head.

Injection Pumps

Between 1989 and 2001, Dodge Rams equipped with B-Series Cummins engines featured 3 different mechanical fuel pumps. Diesel trucks manufactured between 1989 and 1993 featured Bosch VE injection pumps. Those manufactured between 1994 and 1998.5 rolled off the assembly line with the infamous Bosch P7100 injection pump. In 1998.5, in conjunction with the introduction of the 24 valve cylinder head, the VP44 pump was incorporated into the platform. The VP44 was the first computer over mechanical design which relied on a computer system control timing and other parameters of the mechanical pump.

Common Questions


Dodge Ram generation 1 body styles were produced in what years?

Dodge shipped generation 1 style trucks from 1981 to 1993? (source: Wikipedia)

Dodge Ram generation 2 body styles were produced in what years?

Dodge shipped generation 1 style trucks from 1993 to 2001? (source: Wikipedia)

What year model Dodge Ram’s offered 12 valve Cummins turbo diesel engines?

Dodge Ram’s manufactured between 1989 through 1998.5 featured an optional 12 valve 5.9L Cummins engine. (Source: CarThrottle)

What years did Dodge offer optional 5.9 liter Cummins turbo diesel engines in generation 1 body style trucks?

Dodge offered a diesel power plant in generation 1 trucks from 1989 to 1993. (source: DrivingLine)

What years did Dodge ship 12 valve Cummins turbo diesel engines in generation 2 body style trucks?

Generation 2 Dodge Ram’s featured 12 valve Cummins turbo diesel engines from 1993 to 1998.5. In 1998.5, Dodge introduced 24 valve cylinder heads to meet increasing emission requirements. (source: DrivingLine)

What years did Dodge ship 24 valve Cummins turbo diesel engines in generation 2 body style trucks?

Generation 2 Dodge Ram’s featured 24 valve Cummins turbo diesel engines from 1998.5 to 2001. (source: CumminsHub)

What year model Dodge Ram Cummins turbo diesels shipped with a P7100 injection pump?

From 1993 to 1998.5 5.9L Cummins powered Dodge’s shipped with P7100 or “P Pump” injection pumps. (source: DrivingLine)

What years did Dodge ship the VP44 injection pump in Dodge Ram Cummins turbo diesel trucks?

The VP44 injection pump was shipped in 24 valve Cummins turbo diesels from 1998.5 through 2001. (source: DrivingLine)

When did Dodge phase out mechanical injection pumps in Cummins turbo diesel powered trucks?

The last truly mechanical injection pump, the P7100, was phased out in 1998.5 when it was replaced with the electronic over mechanical VP44 pump. (source: Jalopnik)


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