Would you go with a 5.9 HO or 6.7?

[Grinder1]

Looking into replacing my trusty '95 12v 4x4. Would appreciate opinions on a 4x4 '05 HO with the 48RE vs a newer '07-'09 6. 7 with the 68RE. I've test driven a bunch of both models. The 6 speed auto is very sweet for sure, but I'm skeptical of all the added emissions crap, especially on the exhaust side. On the older 2005, how are those 48RE trannys holding up? On and off road experiences, good and bad, welcomed!:-laf

 

[Whiteranch04]

I would find the last truck made with the 5. 9 with low miles, they bring a premium down here at lots and at auctions, evwrybody wants the last year or 2 they were made due to all of the assorted problems with the 6. 7 egr and pdf system. I had a choice of a dually 5. 9 or a single wheel 6. 7 sitting next to each other at the dealership when i bought my last new truck. The 1th generation 6. 7 is the lowest resell out there, peeps are paying more for a 5. 9 in a 06 and 07 than a 07. 5 with the first run of the 6. 7 egr system. I would not expect anything out of auto or even the manual transmission unless you replace the dual mass clutch with a southbend unit, mine went out at 50k miles due to throwout bearing letting go from water and mud. Make sure if you buy a new used truck you check out the front end to make sure it was not in the recall for updated tierod ends and drag link, mine fell off at low miles 2 times before i got a new recall setup from dodge, i had to pay for the 1th 2 due to no dealerships and no parts available when i tryed to buy when they were in the bankruptcy stage. Some of the later model 6. 7s have a lot of the probs ironed out, just remeber that if you have a egr valve go out, its over $600 from dealership plus install, there are none aftermarket or exchange, then if your 6. 7 dpf goes out its over $2200 plus install and a 3 day wait at least thats what i ran into, i got the rolling smoke smarty delete kit and 5 inch race exhaust for $900 shipped to me and am waiting on it to show up. My 6. 7 is prob the worst one i know of but several were in for the same thing when i had to haul it to the dealer and then back since they had no parts or anybody to work on them, most dealerships were clueless to the 6. 7's problems for over a year they would just pull off parts and replace them on Dodge;s dime. I would buy the 5. 9 ho nd fix it up or a gasoline truck but stay away from the 6. 7 unless you like redoing egr and pdf on your dime. lol

 

[DHuffman]

I would wait until you can afford a '10 or '11. The 4th gen trucks are much better than the 3rd gens. I'm on my second 6. 7L, and I have not had any issues with them yet.

 

[Grinder1]

DHuffman, I have driven quite a few like your new '11. They drive like no other new truck out there for sure. Handle like a big sports car. The crew cab is a bit longer than what I'd prefer though. Forking over the +$50k for one... ... ..... that's also something I'd prefer not to do in these uncertain economic times. The good news I hear is that guys seem to be happy with the latest edition of the 4th gen Rams. Could you sum up the top things you like better than the 3rd gen?

 

[DHuffman]

Could you sum up the top things you like better than the 3rd gen?

Cab space, seat comfort, windshield wipers, no more wind noise in cab. I do miss the quick steering of the 3rd gen.



You can get a pretty good deal on these trucks if you shop around. My $55k truck only cost me $46k. Still expensive, but I feel it was a much better value than my '08.

 

[AEdelheit]

If your set on a 3rd gen then id go for a 5. 9, only way id deal with a 6. 7 and emissions stuff is if I had the 4th gen body.

 

[Oasis-3]

I drive a Frightliner 24' box truck and we have a 2011 with the 6. 7 in it and it will flat out ,outrun any truck we have with the Cat or Hi in it.

My next truck will have a 6. 7 in it

 

[Hoefler]

I am in my 2nd 6. 7 equipped truck. The first was an 08, now an 2010. Would I do it again? Absolutely! While there was some growing pains with the new engine, but all has been worked out. Most of the problems can be traced to the way owners drove and treated the new engine, i. e. grocery getter's and idling for too long.

 

[Jim W]

I am still in my 08 truck with 40+K on the OD. The power is great and the 68RFE trans is assume along with the exhaust brake. I tow a 5er in the camping season with the Mega Cab and have no issues towing this camper.

My only complaint is the LH driver seat, after two hour my RH leg is hurting. I need to get out and stretch my legs for a few min's then drive for another two hours and do it all over again.

Jim W.

 

[AHarris]

6.7

I too am on my second 6. 7. 38K miles on the first one and 8K miles on this one so far with mostly daily driving and short commutes combined with regular maintenance. Loads of power, the infinitely useful exhaust brake, and never a single CEL or hiccup with the 07. 5 or the 2010. My only complaints are the slower steering of the 4G vs the 3G, mediocre fuel economy (07. 5 got better after 25K miles and broken in), and slightly increasing oil level (especially on the 07. 5). Like another poster said, the 4G is a much nicer truck in terms of comfort, cab space, and in my opinion a better overall build... but I loved my old one too!



I wouldn't hesitate to get a 6. 7. Based on reputation and fuel economy alone, I would hesitate to grab a 5. 9 either but I've never personally owned a 5. 9.



Bottom line: if it says Cummins on it, it's a great motor.

 

[Grinder1]

Thanks for all the input guys. I came very very close to pulling the trigger on a super clean 05 4x4 tonight. The 05 had 4. 10s, auto trans, and was pretty peppy around town but on the freeway it didn't feel quite like you'd want to drive it cross country. Wondering if maybe I'd better test drive a newer rig yet again, I decided to check out an 09 at another dealer. Naturally it's over $10k more but I gotta tell you, that 6. 7 coupled up to the sweetest 6 speed AT ever put in a Dodge truck, wins hands down IMHO. The gearing in the 68RE along with the 3. 73s seems to be a perfect combo. I will put up with all the extra emissions crap in order to have a more driver friendly rig. So for now I think I'll just keep looking for a great deal on a newer 3rd Gen with the 6. 7.

 

[Wiredawg]

My opinion about 3rd gen 5. 9L: only 2003/early 2004 HO motors w/ 3. 73s. six spead is good, but my wifes is a 48RE w/ HD aftermarket TC.



I have a 2009 6. 7 4500 w/ Aisen auto and 4. 44s (see sig). My extremely biased opinion is the 6. 7 C&Cs have different regen programing and possibly, heavier regen equip. I bought mine in Georgia, and it had a cool, irredecent State of Georgia "Clean Idle" certification. 80% of the 12,700 miles is short trips of 6miles round tript to work. The only signs of regen were once, while in town, the egt gauge alternated between 900 and 1200 degrees. No increase in transmission temp or coolant noted. I can tell ther regen cuz, my SS tip is light bluish yellow tint. That thang got hot!



Wiredawg

 

[Loren]

Grinder1,



My information is almost all second hand, so take it for what it’s worth.



As far as the engine is concerned, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the 5. 9 or the 6. 7 liter versions. The transmissions are a different matter, though. I think that the new six-speed that they are putting behind the 6. 7 engine is vastly superior to the automatics for the 5. 9's. That would be the main reason to buy the 6. 7.



I do have a 6. 7 (see sig) and my son-in-law drives one with the automatic. We both love our trucks. You won’t regret it if you get the 6. 7.



– Loren

 

[BIGNASTY]

I would wait until you can afford a '10 or '11. The 4th gen trucks are much better than the 3rd gens. I'm on my second 6. 7L, and I have not had any issues with them yet.

And with the new ones there is the portable BBQ just slap the burgers and steaks on and hit the REGEN done in no time. Just another bunch of CRAP to deal with.

 

[LBARTLETT]

I have both as per my signature, I love my 5. 9 but my wife's 6. 7 will run rings around it



the exhaust brake and 6-speed auto are great for towing

 

[BIGNASTY]

Just read an article in Diesel Power Mag about the exhaust system on a 6. 7 Fraud truck I dont know but ill bet not much different than Dodge. All the smog crap was 140 lbs. they had a list of all the different parts to it. Ill just stay with my old POS at least I can replace the exhaust in the shop if I have to