Shopping for a 3rd Gen What should I look out for

[towner]

I guess its time to admit that 3rd Gen trucks are excellent... . I never liked the 24 valve and have kept my 12 valves going and I love them but its time for a newer truck... Definitely a 3500 but haven't decided between a single and dually, has to be a stick



I've been looking at trucks with 40k to 80k miles on them and will spend somewhere between 25 and 30k... A few things I'd like you to help me with



>what year did they get rid of the plastic intercooler



>when did the nv5600 get replaced



>how do you like the 3500 single versus dually when towing light, less than 20k



>and most important..... all the other items I don't even think about



I appreciate all the info you can help me with

 

[roperteacher]

Hey there!! They switched over to the G-56 Manual trans in 05. I have owned all three Generations of cummins and have loved them all for different reasons. You will notice how QUIET the 3rd gens are compared to the previous engines. They are also a lot more comfortable! No real "Problem" areas. SOme have had injector knock problems but has not been my experience.



As for the Dually Vs. SRW. I pull a large LQ trailer and prefer the SRW unless you are going to pull super heavy. THis way you can keep a better MPG fuel economy and not quite so bulky. Hope that helps!

 

[Jengle]

My personal opinion would be to get an 04 over the 03s. Reason being, the 03 was a major change and had some growing pains, while the 04s were the same as 03s, but had the problems from the 03 addressed by the factory. 04. 5 was another change with lower fuel economy, but otherwise ok. I have towed around 15k with my SRW, and had NO problems, even up a steep driveway with the 3. 73 gears. I avg around 20-22 mpg mixed driving, and can get 24. 8 on highway at 70-75 with the A/C running.

 

[towner]

Thanks a lot... . I guess I'll shop 04. 5 and up



did the early 04's still have the plastic intercooler?

 

[SDunkle600]

Thanks a lot... . I guess I'll shop 04. 5 and up



did the early 04's still have the plastic intercooler?

I believe it was in 05 that they started putting in the plastic intercoolers. Mine is an 04. 5 and doesn't use plastic. From what I have read this was fairly short-lived. I think they changed them back and all 06's up have metal.

 

[Grizzly]

My 05, which was manufactured in Oct/ Nov 04, has the NV5600 6 speed. Another thing to check watch out for is that it wasn't in the New Orleans flooding. I have the DRW and I love. It is a little harder to maneuver in tight area, such as parking in shopping malls.

 

[roperteacher]

Is it possible that a New Orleans flood vehicle could have made it all the way to California????? I remember when I bought my 06 that had an 05 build date that someone warned me that it could possibly be a flood vehicle. I checked my Build date and ship date. My truck was shipped from Mex to Southern calif. ANd driven 80 miles to my dealership..... How could you tell if a vehicle was a flood vehicle????

 

[Grizzly]

Is it possible that a New Orleans flood vehicle could have made it all the way to California????? I remember when I bought my 06 that had an 05 build date that someone warned me that it could possibly be a flood vehicle. I checked my Build date and ship date. My truck was shipped from Mex to Southern calif. ANd driven 80 miles to my dealership..... How could you tell if a vehicle was a flood vehicle????

Back out screws under the truck and under the dash and check for rust. Look at wire connections and light bulbs for rust and/or mud.

 

[Triton]

The saleman

 

[NUKEMAN]

Everyone has their preference, but I love my '03. No problems to speak of at 70k.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Everyone has their preference, but I love my '03. No problems to speak of at 70k.

Me too, not sure about any growing pains on 03's . We had the alt bracket thing but that was minor. Seems like they got the best mileage and were the most dependable. About the only problems they have are the same stuff all the other years have like balljoints, lift pump and the like but seem to have fewer injector, HP pump or other eng issues.



Scotty

 

[Wiredawg]

My wife's 03 has 80K on it and has been trouble-free. I'm reluctant to brag though, because the last time I bragged about being trouble-free, a week later my 02's injection pump went out. :{ At least it was replaced under warranty.



Just one comment, though. In 03, some of the early trucks offered the standard output Cummins versus the highoutput and had the 47RE versus the 48RE.



Wiredawg.

 

[towner]

Still trying to figure out what years had the plastic intercooler and when the 5600 was phased out

 

[1965LONEWOLF]

04. 5 here and i love it , no problems ,

 

[Prairie Dog]

Still trying to figure out what years had the plastic intercooler and when the 5600 was phased out

03, 04, all So and 305 HP have NV5600 and no plastic.

 

[Semicrazy]

03, 04, all So and 305 HP have NV5600 and no plastic.

TO go along with what Prairie Dog said, the NV5600 was phased out some time during the 05 model year, and the early 05 model year had the plastic intercooler.



SO got NV4500

HO got NV5600



I just picked up a clean 03, I am picking it up next week and can't WAIT!Oo.

 

[Wiredawg]

Prairie Dog:



Early model 03 was the last SO 245 HP/460 TQ motor was produced. Not sure what month production provided only 305 HP/505 TQ HO motors. I waited until DC produced the HO w/ the 48RE.



Wiredawg

 

[redfuelrules]

The only trucks with plastic tanks on the intercooler were early 05's - like mine. They swapped back to all-metal intercoolers midway through the 05 model year.



They swapped from the nv5600 to the g56 at the same time. People seem to be really happy with both 6 speed transmissions. I believe the two biggest complaints are lack of available parts for the nv5600, and the low gearing in the g56, as well as the dual mass flywheel.



Whichever year 3rd gen truck you decide to buy, crawl under the truck & feel the top of the fuel tank for the two vents. One should be all the way in front & the other should be all the way in back. Many trucks were shipped from the factory with these vents left open. Sand and other contaminants can enter your tank through these vents. However, the fix is really easy. Take several short lengths of 1/4" heater hose and fit them over the vents. Fill the other ends with some sort of inexpensive filter. This can be done for under $10.



Also, Fleetguard now makes 7 micron fuel filters for the 01 & newer trucks.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Prairie Dog:



Early model 03 was the last SO 245 HP/460 TQ motor was produced. Not sure what month production provided only 305 HP/505 TQ HO motors.



Wiredawg

I would be curious to know that too, I'm not sure when the 48RE came out. Wiredawg the SO was 250hp, then there was the Cali version of 235hp (or was it 230?) that was around I think 'til the 04. 5 came out.



Vaughn

 

[mberry]

I have an 04. 5 and the only problems I have had are one loose connector that threw a code for the grid heaters and the clutch switch that was my fault when I installed the TST PMCR. I get around 20-21mpg unloaded when I keep it under 2K rpm. I have been considering getting or trading for a 12 valve truck to eliminate the payment.