3rd gen quick facts

[Wyomingcowboy]

Hey all

I've been around for awhile but almost exclusively on the 2nd gen pages. I'm considering trading up to a 3rd gen and am hoping to get a little info. I know some absolutely hate it when people ask these questions but then again some seem to like it. Anyway, what years/combos would you suggest to someone? What are the biggies to watch out for? I could answer these questions about nearly an 2nd gen stuff but have seriously slacked and not paid much attention to 3rd gen at all. I like the NV5600 in my '01 but I also have a gf (hope to soon be wife) and she's not crazy about standards. What year did they beef up the autos? Are they at all as reputable as the allison?

TIA

 

[Shadrach]

Some 3rd gen tidbits:

Some people claim the 03-04 (305 hp ) are better than the 04. 5-07 (325hp ) versions. ( Early 03 with auto were only 250 hp. ) Everyone has an opinion. If you want an exhaust brake with an auto and you don't want to beef up the trans then you need 06+. Dodge won't warranty an auto before this with a brake installed. 6. 7's are harder on fuel than 5. 9's in general. If your gf can't drive a stick all the more reason to get one :-laf Gear ratio choices are 3. 73 ( most common ) and 4. 10. They are quieter than 2nd gens. Install an AirDog or Fass as the stock fuel pump ( just like 2nd gens - same but different ) sucks or doesn't as the case may be. If you want a sunroof or mega cab you will need to get an 06 or newer. Injectors are more expensive and fuel filtration is even more critical. So is air filtration as there were lots of cases of air filters being "sucked in". My . 02 Shadrach

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Thanks, Shadrach.

Anyone else?

 

[04blackcherry]

From experience with my '04.
-Make sure that the AC/heater vent controls function properly. A lot of "no heat to the floor" and "only blows out the vents" threads out there.
-No cat on my early '04 305HP.
-Make sure the horn works (Check if the fuse has been removed, it doesn't solve the real problem of short in the horn pad and drains the batteries if not driven daily).
-Improved Track bar design (no more having to buy a lifetime warranted one)
-I believe being a Heavy Duty and a manual trans means the bigger 11. 5" ring gear on the 2500.

I grew up with the idea that all trucks should be manual shift. My Dodge is a stick by choice. The NV5600 is supposed to have 6th gear questions. The 5600 is not manufactured anymore. The newer trucks have the G56. My brother pulls a horse trailer with his '05 auto 3500 with no problems. I have never had a standard trans leave me stranded. They usually tell you when something is going south but let you get home before a catastrophe.

Being a current Dodge man, you will be able to ask the right questions before you spend all that money.

 

[DaveHess]

I love my 03. 5. My only complaint has been the 48RE automatic. It had an indecisive shift from 3rd to OD. Woth that being said, I added a Smarty Jr and the shifts have been almost perfect. The Smarty has no input to the 48RE in 2003. 5's because the PCM was a standalone controller. My opinion and that is all this is, the Smarty changed my power band and the transmission is finding the change more to it's liking. I am a soft throttle kind of guy. I try to keep the EGTs below 600 and therefore keep the boost down in an effort to keep MPG up. Just my two cents. Otherwise I love this truck.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

What is the difference in '04 and '04. 5? How did the HP increase? When did they start referring to them as the Cummins 600? (600 ft lbs torque) I thought it was '03?

What year did the G56 come out?

Are you tired of me yet?

 

[04blackcherry]

I believe '06 was the first year for the G56. The '04. 5 had the 325HP HO and a cat was added because of an EPA mandate. I think that was the 600 ftlb motor also. If I remember right my '04 says 550 ftlbs and 305HP. The lift pump went in the tank on the '05. The label on the rocker cover tells all when it comes to the motor's HP and Torque. Lift some hoods. Most of us are very proud of our trucks and like to stand around and look at the engine (while the wives shake their heads).

 

[Barry]

Somewhere deep from the cob-webs of my mind.

1) 03 thru early 04 had the "Last of the clean engines". I think the cut-off date was Jan 1, 2004. It was 305 HP.
From then on it was called the 600. More smog. Catholic Converter. And they called it a 600 so we would buy it.

My 03 with just an Edge EZ would run circles around my 600 and get better fuel mileage while it did!!... ... ... But I had to have the new 600!!

All of my trucks have had 6 speeds... ... 00, 01, 02, 03, 04. 5 and my 06.

The real surprise came when I picked up my '06 with the new G56 trannie. It is tight. When running empty, I only use 3rd, 4th and 6th. The original G56 with 3:73 gears is like driving a 5600 with 4:10s. I understand the later G56s were completely geared differently and the ratios are much like the NV5600.

Maybe we can get Uncle Harvey Barlow to weigh in on this. He is a better historian than I am... ... ... .

I have had bolt action trannies all my life. But now with the advent of this new Aisin 6 speed auto, I think I would go that route with 4:10 gears. For what I do, as tall as the OD is in the Aisin, I would want 4:10s.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Out here in God's country we have no emission regs at all. Could I cut the cat off or is it part of a "greater, cleaner" system that won't run right without it?

 

[Barry]

Dang thing fell off my '06 several years ago. Never went back and looked for it. :-laf

 

[JJPage]

03/04s had 3 different hp/tq ratings, 235, 250, 305, not sure of the tq on the 235/250hp models, I believe 450tq, the 305hp is 555tq. These engines are basically the same mechanically(305 had piston skirt changes to include oil cooling squirters), their ECM programming was different, which a good programmer will make equal in horsepower.



03/04 engines have 8 hole injectors with 143* spray angle and 2 injection events per stroke, 04. 5+ years(325/600/610) have 5 hole injectors with a narrower spray angle of 124*, and 3 injection events per stroke. The 3rd injection event is believed by some, to be the reason for poorer mileage in the 04. 5+ trucks, however the narrower spray angle allows them more advance timing without spraying fuel outside the bowl and onto the crown of the piston.



The fuel filter mounted lift pumps on the early 3rd gens need upgraded asap, or carry a spare. Some of the 05 years had plastic intercooler caps which split and leaked. All of them before 06, sooner or later have heater door issues. The 48re is a good trans, if you are going to bump up the horse power, then an upgraded tc and valve body at a minimum, is required. 03-05 headlights do not perform as well as the later years, however I have no complaints. Mid year 06 trucks went to a canbus electrical system, good/bad, depends who you speak to.



All in all, they are great trucks, find one, any year, that's been maintained properly and it will serve you well.



Jess

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

With all of the problems I have had/continie to have on my '01 I've moved into the realm of thinking I own a lemon and am currently pricing '03-04's. Anybody got one? I'm not in any particular price range at the moment but I am thinking below 20k. Some MUST haves are 4x4, long bed, and 4 door. I am open to most anything else.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

btw - what is the stock exhaust size on the 3rd gens? When did they bump up to 4" OEM? And what kinda turbo do they have?

thanks a bunch for all the info guys!

 

[seafish]

4" exhaust with a HE351 turbo (61mm compressor wheel)

 

[jjdiesel]

Pretty sure 04. 5 was the first full 4" from front to back..... perhaps someone could verify?

You won't be sorry moving to a 3rd Gen truck... quite an improvement over the 2nd Gens.

 

[04blackcherry]

I just saw something that might help you. The TDR Turbo Diesel Buyers Guide. You can download it off this site.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I just saw something that might help you. The TDR Turbo Diesel Buyers Guide. You can download it off this site.

Did that just last night

 

[JJPage]

Pretty sure 04. 5 was the first full 4" from front to back..... perhaps someone could verify?

You won't be sorry moving to a 3rd Gen truck... quite an improvement over the 2nd Gens.

You are correct, 03/04 had 3 1/2" off the turbo cast elbow, and downpipe to the muffler, then to 4". 03/04 from the factory were HE341, quite a few have been upgraded to the HE351.

 

[DFairhurst]

05 was the first year of the g56 and i belive the better auto trannys were 4. 5 and newer, 07 they changed to the latest trannys i belive ,and yes 4. 5 was the first year of the full 4" exhaust - the inside of the muffler 03 - early 04 the down pipe off the turbo was 3. 5... . im pretty sure . the valve cover on the driver side will say 325hp if it is an 04. 5 and if it says 305hp its an earlier 04 or 03 model..... but if its gots a cummins in it you really cant go wrong... just all the junk in between. . like mopar steering lol

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Knowing that I can cut the cat off of an 04. 5+ would that be the way to go? Was it just that cat that led to poor mileage or was it other stuff, too?