New and trying to get things together for my journey

[GotSmart]

1500 = 1/2 ton, 2500= 3/4 ton, 3500= 1 ton

I don't know where you got that.

In 2000, gas mileage with the 3.7 was the same, but the 360 went up to 13/17 and the 318 was 13/19 for the van, and 12/16 for the wagon (for the 3500 model), substantial improvements. The 36RH automatic had been dropped, leaving the 32RH and 46RE. Dodge wrote:

Instead of a body-on-frame chassis design, Dodge Ram Vans and Wagons are built with Unibody construction [the 1997 press release claimed body on frame!] that allows increased payloads and cargo room on most models -- all the way up to 4245 lbs. and 299.5 cu. ft. on the 3500 Maxivan and the 15-passenger 3500 Maxiwagon -- the most available payload of any full-size van. Magnum engines deliver the power for big loads: a 175 horsepower (230 lb.-ft. of torque) 3.9-liter V-6, a 230 horsepower (300 lb.-ft.) 5.2-liter V-8 or a 245 horsepower (335 lb.-ft.) 5.9-liter V-8 that -- when properly equipped -- tows trailers weighing as much as 8600 lbs. [Equipped properly, Dodge itself listed the maximum trailer weight as 13,500 pounds!]

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/b-vans.html

 

[steamjam1]

The thing to have them check on is the front end. Tie rods and steering system. Everything else is almost bullet proof.

Yes I agree. The Dodge B series "Achilles heel" is the front end, and the transmission's (A999 and especially the A500/518) lack of proper cooling. I replaced most of the front end in anticipation of problems when I bought my B150 and added a light duty transmission cooler. Everything else is nearly bullet proof. IMHO the old slant-6 is a better motor then the LA3.9 V6, but thats just because of the 3.9's tendency to vibrate and shake itself apart. A well maintained slant-6 will go 300,000 or 400,000 miles between rebuilds. Now that I am shopping for another van.. It will be powered by a slant-6!

The LA318/340/360 are great engines. I find the F.I. to be abit primitive, but its totally reliable. (Well, OK. Mines a TBI. Later Dodges got real FI..) All of all service parts are common and in stock at just about every auto parts store anywhere in the US, Canada and Mexico. Not to mention its all super cheap

The 100/150/1500 are 1/2 tons. 200/250/2500 are 3/4 tons, and 300/350/3500 are 1 tons. The difference? Axles, springs and brakes.

 

[GotSmart]

My 91 has a trans cooler built into the radiator. The slant six had a reputation for dependability. No argument there.

While most people will list the B~1 series as 1/2 ton, 2 as 3/4, and 3 as 1 ton, the factory specified payload as 1,500 lbs, 3,100 lbs and 3,295 to 4,245 lb payload. (The 3500 showed greater improvement in suspension parts as the years went on.)

Semantics. They are a work horse, and you have a hard time overloading them. I will stick with Dodge.