Best year 2004-07, looking for newer truck?

[salty]

Thanks for advice. My 95, 5 speed 4x4 is an excellent truck pushing 430k with the last 135k on WVO. But it's an old rig and I'd like to keep it for work use. I'm looking for a later 5. 9 with 6 speed and I "may" convert it to accept WVO, but not sure how the newer engines like it. Need a nicer rig for family use.



Looking for advice on which of these years has proven excellent. When were the auto tanny's upgraded? I've hesitated with them as I wonder about long term durability. NV4500 has been great. Will the newer auto's go 400k??



I'm also wanting to avoid the 6. 7 issues, so the 5. 9 would be my call.



Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

[AABEN]

If it was me I would look at a new one. There are some out there that will make you a very good truck. They have almost all the bugs out of them now. The auto tramission is the best on the market now and it is a truck you can work lots of power. Also you can find good buys out there some with no interest or very little shop around some on ebay jest put in dodge3500 07 to 09. ==GOOD LUCK

 

[WCounts]

04. 5

Billy

 

[BrianJ]

I would stick with a '06-'07 5. 9L, as they (Dodge) got most the bugs out of the newer 5. 9 by those years.



I would stay away from a '04. 5, as they had some growing pains as the introduction to the new CTD600 engines, in particular many injector failures and the less desirable filter mount lift pump. '05 had it's own issues with some having a plastic intercooler and different programming for the 48re (i. e. not approved for an exhaust brake with 48re's). 2006 forward will be the best bet as those prior issues were addressed (in-tank lift pump, etc) and they modified the programming for the 48re. From what I have seen there are far less injector failures 2006+ as well.



In stock configuration and proper maintenance there should be no reason that a 48re would not go 400k or beyond.

 

[ZBrooks]

I run bio through my pickup and it loves it. I got it because it was the last year before the dpf showed up on pickups with the post injection cycles to clean the dpf. If you don't get a 5. 9, forget about running bio or even wvo in greater percentages of 5%. I bought my pickup for $26k last fall and it works great for the family.

 

[Motorhead]

I would still stay away from the automatic. (I'll probably get flamed by someone for saying that!) I went from my '01. 5 2wd with a built DTT automatic to my December '06 built, '07, 5. 9, G56, 4x4. I learned on the TDR about looking for my '07 with the latest production date as it got me the late, 6. 7 ratio G56. I swore that I would never buy a stick, (I drove UPS trucks for 30 years and was sick of shifting!) but after finding that the automatic delt with too big a gap between 3rd and OD when towing, I went with the stick. I LOVE my '07!!!! I just finished the EMS lock out hub conversion and now have a Southbend clutch on the way.

The ONLY weakness for the G56 trucks is the lousy clutch and dual mass flywheel.

 

[AWise]

The 48re has proven to be a very solid unit. If you are looking for more gears like the newer 6spd autos, I would go with an after market overdrive unit like Gear Vendors. I plan to get one as soon as I save up the $$$. Oo.

 

[jgillott]

We have 2 3rd gen's here, a '04. 5 48re that my brother-in-law runs and my '07 G56. I really don't have anything specific to say about mine, but his '04. 5 is the one that just blows my mind.



As I have said on TDR before, I am convinced that his truck is the most neglected, over worked, hammered truck that you will find. It's hauled rocks, wood, and heavy water tanks all over rough logging roads. It's towed heavy almost daily at some points. It's been stuck more than once to the point of needing towed out with a dozer. To top that off, in almost 200K now, it has had exactly 3 oil changes, no maintanence on the rest of the drivetrain, washed maybe twice, and the dang thing just keeps going. He recently replaced the ball joints, brakes all around, and one universal, but that's it. I would never, ever think of treating a vehicle like that, but it is proof positive that even total neglect will not necessarily kill these things.



I know that you would probably never treat one that you would buy that bad. But, I'm confident that you wouldn't be disappointed with whatever specific model you would choose.

 

[Grizzly]

IMO the best Dodge truck with a Cummins is an early 05 with a 6 speed NV5600. With that you get the best of all worlds. I don't know if you plan on towing heavy, but if you are you can't beat the bullet proof 400 lb Cast Iron NV5600.

 

[salty]

Thanks all

I appreciate the comments. Probably will stick with a six speed NV 5600. Sounds like an 05 0r 06. The old 95 is just awesome but the seat is worn, paint peeling, headliner drooping etc. Engine is crazy awesome. If the next truck is even part as good as the 95 I'll be thrilled.



Still original ball joints!!

 

[Grizzly]

I had a 95, 5 speed standard for 10 years and yes, they are awesome. I'm here to say, however that the 05 is much better and far more power, even bone stock. If you want the NV5600, you better get the early 05 because about mid year 05 Dodge shifted to the G56 lighter weight aluminum. Nothing wrong with the G56. Some folks actually like them better because they are easier shifting, so I'm told, I never drove one.

 

[salty]

Reliability is key

While I am amused by moster power guys and am enough of a machinery geek to respect all that, I'm a bigger efficiency / longevity geek!! All these machines have ample power for me so the traits important to me are, quality, extreme reliabilty, enough working power without compromising engine life, fuel efficiency, long vehicle life, low cost per mile average over 500k or more.



I don't want to have to drop 4k on a transmission rebuild at 400k for example, or fuss about with clogged DPF's etc. I know many own a truck for 200k or less so much of this doesn't matter. For you experts with these trucks in this vintage I'd ask "If you had to pick one to go 1000,000 miles what would it be and how would you equip it?"



Again, thanks all for the comments. Very helpful stuff here.

 

[WCounts]

While I am amused by moster power guys and am enough of a machinery geek to respect all that, I'm a bigger efficiency / longevity geek!! All these machines have ample power for me so the traits important to me are, quality, extreme reliabilty, enough working power without compromising engine life, fuel efficiency, long vehicle life, low cost per mile average over 500k or more.



I don't want to have to drop 4k on a transmission rebuild at 400k for example, or fuss about with clogged DPF's etc. I know many own a truck for 200k or less so much of this doesn't matter. For you experts with these trucks in this vintage I'd ask "If you had to pick one to go 1000,000 miles what would it be and how would you equip it?"



Again, thanks all for the comments. Very helpful stuff here.

A 97 or 98 12V.

Billy

 

[macdaddy]

Ditto

IMO the best Dodge truck with a Cummins is an early 05 with a 6 speed NV5600. With that you get the best of all worlds. I don't know if you plan on towing heavy, but if you are you can't beat the bullet proof 400 lb Cast Iron NV5600.

Bone stock and now 75K with not one thing wrong.



Last summer I ran this dam thing 22 hrs straight from Mt Vernon Wa to Los Angeles Ca without ever shutting it down. I wish I could say I held up for that 22 hrs as well as it did.



Leave them stock and they will hardly ever argue with you!!



Mac

 

[Grizzly]

Bone stock and now 75K with not one thing wrong.



Last summer I ran this dam thing 22 hrs straight from Mt Vernon Wa to Los Angeles Ca without ever shutting it down. I wish I could say I held up for that 22 hrs as well as it did.



Leave them stock and they will hardly ever argue with you!!



Mac

We have the same truck, except mine has the 3. 73 gears. My truck is also bone stock.



I too intend on getting the PacBrake, hopefully from Jim Jelag in Spokane. I haven't seen a post from him in months. I hope all is well.

 

[Carlacee]

Good day all:



This thread is a good one for us "wantabee's". I'm soon to retire and would like to purchase a used 3500 QC 4x4 DRW (i think this stands for dual rear wheel) with a 6 speed manual trans.



In the past few days I've been reading up on the 3rd gens, Igillots post above is good info as I plan to go fulltime pulling a bigger toyhauler.



So, my question is, with a limited budget... ...



1) should I buy a 3rd gen? and what year would be the best?



2) should I save more money and look for a 2nd gen? and what year would be the best?



3) with a bigger toyhauler in the picture, would 3. 73s be the best way to go?



4) do the 3rd gens really leak alot in the cabs (windows and clearmarkers)??



5) feel free to cime in here as I'm REALLY new to all this and would appreciate any and all comments.



6) have no clue what all the trans numbers above mean.



I am sure of one thing thou, I firmly believe that I should be buying a Dodge Cummins... . no Ford, Chevy, or GMC!!



Please help, god knows I need it... . =)



Cee

 

[Grizzly]

1) should I buy a 3rd gen? and what year would be the best? 05 for reasons stated above.



2) should I save more money and look for a 2nd gen? and what year would be the best? NO!



3) with a bigger toyhauler in the picture, would 3. 73s be the best way to go? A 3. 73 will work, but if you have more weight a 4. 10 may be better.



4) do the 3rd gens really leak alot in the cabs (windows and clearmarkers)??

No, no leaks.

5) feel free to cime in here as I'm REALLY new to all this and would appreciate any and all comments. Get a truck with the trailer towing package and tow mirrors.



6) have no clue what all the trans numbers above mean.



I am sure of one thing thou, I firmly believe that I should be buying a Dodge Cummins... . no Ford, Chevy, or GMC!! I totally agree!



Please help, god knows I need it... . =)

 

[KParsons]

06

my stock 06 has not had any problems. i had a 8000lbs trailer,a few months ago. it was very strong. i could see how you could tow a lot more. kp

 

[crobertson1]

I say any truck from '04. 5 through a 5. 9 liter '07. My '04. 5 is a kind of late model year truck, so I think it's got all the best stuff. No plastic inter-cooler, NV5600 trans, with a lot of the bugs worked out for 3rd gens. I really like the looks and interiors of '06's and '07's.



I think the best year for 2nd gens is '01. 5 (which I had before the '04. 5) because they have all the best things without the cost saving measures that deleted things like wheel liners, and hood insulators like they did in 2002.

 

[jwinnie]

Early '04 has had 0 issues in 90k miles, just fuel, tires and oil. Although the front pinion seal is wet, could be my first "bug"