Onpoint: As long as you are dreaming of a new truck let me relay this.
Back in 1996 I bought a brand new Dodge diesel 4x4 extended cab (Dodge did not offer the four door model that year) 3/4 ton with 5 speed manual transmission.
I have grown to LOVE this truck - it gets very good mileage (23 - 24 highway) as I drive it slower and on cruise a lot.
I have 120,000 miles on it now and have never had a problem with the engine or any other running gear - radio did puke though.
This 1996 Dodge diesel was the last year of the 12 valve models before they went to 24 valves and mileage suffered for some years after that.
I am not a mechanic nor very mechanically savy but I hear people I know and trust state their preference for these older 12 valve engines???
Again this diesel engine is a GEM and without flaws that I am aware of.
I wanted a truck to last "the rest of my life" and this may be it?
But if I were to have to buy another truck I would NOT buy a diesel!
Simply because of my outrage over the ongoing diesel price gouging!
Best of luck in your search - here in the west it seems all "used" trucks I come across for sale, are "high milers" (gas or diesel).
Again best of luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
