3rd gen owner, getting 4th gen. What years are better?

[hobby10k]

I have had my 3rd gen for 10 years and have extensively upgraded my truck, and while I still love my truck it’s time to get a newer truck.

I’m looking to spend around $35k so it will have to be in the 2011-2013 year range.

What I am wondering, is there certain years that offer better hard parts around that year range. Like what year did a better transmission get introduced, or better internal engine parts, better rear ends etc. or is there years to avoid around that year range etc.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

There is a lot of info on this site answering your questions.

Also you should read the buyers guides - they also answer all your questions:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/content/tdr-members-only/buyers-guides.390/

 

[hobby10k]

I clicked the link and it took me to a paid article?

 

[GrantP]

The link worked for me, you might have to be a paying member for access.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Sorry, didn't realize you were just a web subscriber (or whatever they term it). For $35 you get full access to a LOT of GREAT info here. Every year it has paid for itself for me. I highly recommend you consider that if you are interested in getting great info on the trucks. A lot of info is also supplied by factory or retired factory employees.

In the link I showed there are articles for:
TDR Buyer's Guide - All Years
TDR Buyer's Guide - 2017
TDR Buyer's Guide - 2016
TDR Buyer's Guide - 2015
TDR Buyer's Guide - 2014
TDR Buyer's Guide - 2013
(you get the idea)

Hundreds of hours went into making those and I don't feel right copying anything here.

There are pros and cons to every year. I personally wanted the later that had the DEF for the advantages I was seeking. I went with a 2016.

Not trying to ignore you, it's just that there are SOOOO many variables that those guides do a GREAT job at describing - exactly what you are asking! If you are looking at spending 35k on a truck this will be the best $35 you ever spend!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

And another benefit - they arranged another tour of the Cummins assembly plant and the Indy race way. I'm going!

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/cmep-tour-sign-up-now.266440/

 

[CoastyAV8R]

The Aisin transmission is the heavy duty transmission and was available in 2013 but is only available in 3500's. 2013 and later has a much more robust and less problematic emission system. Unless you plan to delete, I'd stick with a 2013 and newer.

 

[SnoKing]

In 2015 they started to really have their act together of the DEF vintage trucks. 2015 had power folding mirrors, might be a trim level item. 2016 got park sensor on front and fixed the issue with the bed view camera only on the small rear view mirror display.

3500's got the new frame in 2013 and 2500's in 2014. Early DEF trucks have dual radiators that have a problematic Y adapter that tends to fail.

Options to look for, 5th wheel pucks and goose next hitch. 3500 with Aisin. If going with SRW, the 3500 with Aisin's lower 1st and 2nd gears works just find with 3.42 gears, which creates a freeway cruiser, plus a truck that easily tows to its factory rating. 80 MPH is 1750 RPM and good mileage. Trip: If transmission dip stick is on drivers side of engine, it is a Aisin, passenger side is 68RFE RAM transmission.

We like our full front center console, 8.4 display, sound system, steering wheel controls, voice controls, on and on.

Learn to roll into throttle and dead pedal does not raise it's head.

Some complain about vibration at speed. In 54k miles and two different sets of 275/70R18's we have not had that issue. I think the Laramie 18" wheels are the best looking of the lot.

We traveled 1350 miles the first 48 hours with the truck in Sept 2015 and had motel receipts for two nights. Monday at 12:25 to Wednesday at 12:25. Northern Colorado to NW Washington. Learn a lot about the truck right off John Elway's lot in Greeley, Co.

 

[hobby10k]

So the aisin is 2013 and newer. I’ve heard of the aisin but haven’t done any research. A better transmission alone would convince me.

I’ve done two rebuilds in my trucks transmission and that’s with billet TC, valve body and shaft, and clutch upgrades, so I’d rather spend a little more and get a better transmission.

So do all 2013 3500 have the aisin? Or did they start I certain month. I’ll have to see what they look like so I can recognize one under a truck.

 

[RVTRKN]

The Aisin is an awesome trany and is leaps and bounds better over the 68rfe. However, with SRW 3500 trucks your stuck with 3:42 diff ratio. Everyone swears by the 3:42, but I won't, I drove a 2014 2500 CTD 2WD with the 68rfe and 3:42. I absolutely hated it, unless I paddled shift it, it was never in the correct RPM band to get the most power to fuel economy ratio, and it would ping smothing terrible. I know after this post your going to get the "Oh you didn't XXXXXXXXXXX to keep it right. But you asked, I responded. 4:10 pulling heavy (why own a CTD if your not) is the best, not only it'll tame the Dead Pedal issue as well.

 

[SnoKing]

So the aisin is 2013 and newer. I’ve heard of the aisin but haven’t done any research. A better transmission alone would convince me.

I’ve done two rebuilds in my trucks transmission and that’s with billet TC, valve body and shaft, and clutch upgrades, so I’d rather spend a little more and get a better transmission.

So do all 2013 3500 have the aisin? Or did they start I certain month. I’ll have to see what they look like so I can recognize one under a truck.

NO, the Aisin is an option that has to be spec'd. I posted on how to tell which transmission is in an used truck for you, based on the tanny digstick. SnoKing

 

[Cummins12V98]

Seems like 2015 and up are very trouble free.

 

[hobby10k]

Hey thanks everyone. I think I’ll definitely be looking for a truck with an aisin. I was leaning towards getting a 3500 anyways, so works out good for getting an aisin.

 

[hobby10k]

Seems like 2015 and up are very trouble free.

Hey cummins12v98 is there anything that’s particularly different with the 15 models vs the 13 & 14 and models? Will be good info to know.

I’ll need to get at least a 13 model to get the aisin transmission.

 

[SnoKing]

Hey cummins12v98 is there anything that’s particularly different with the 15 models vs the 13 & 14 and models? Will be good info to know.

I’ll need to get at least a 13 model to get the aisin transmission.

Did you read my post on the dual radiators? There were issues with the track bar mount of 13 and 14's, and buy backs by RAM.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Hey cummins12v98 is there anything that’s particularly different with the 15 models vs the 13 & 14 and models? Will be good info to know.

I’ll need to get at least a 13 model to get the aisin transmission.

“Y” pipe for dual radiator that has been a problem. 15 and newer single radiator. My trans and engine run cool even in 100 degree weather pulling 6% or more grades at 35k combined.

 

[crazy jerry]

if it was my money 14+ with upgraded drivetrain

 

[Cummins12V98]

“Y” pipe for dual radiator that has been a problem. 15 and newer single radiator. My trans and engine run cool even in 100 degree weather pulling 6% or more grades at 35k combined.

Pic from a few days ago pulling long grade coming up to Pahrump, NV for May Madness. 35k combined double towing

 

[hobby10k]

From what I’m seeing trucks out of state are WAY cheaper than WA State. Like $10k cheaper in Texas and lots of Southern states. I can’t even touch a 2015 in WA for $35-$40k. I always like to look a rig over top to bottom before I buy, might have to decide to find one out of state and fly down to get one.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

From what I’m seeing trucks out of state are WAY cheaper than WA State. Like $10k cheaper in Texas and lots of Southern states. I can’t even touch a 2015 in WA for $35-$40k. I always like to look a rig over top to bottom before I buy, might have to decide to find one out of state and fly down to get one.

I live in Oregon and it's the same way here when it comes to the cost of used 4th gen Dodges. Have you chatted with Dave Smith in Kellogg Idaho and Dennis Dillon in Boise? I was like you looking to buy a used one and found the price difference from those guys between a new one and one that is in good shape and a few years old wasnt that much. Also the 2018's will be cheaper with the 2019's coming out now. Dillon had the best price for mine
www.dennisdillonchryslerjeepdodge.com

If you are set on a used one, Texas is a great place to look but you'd have to plan on a few days down there to go look at them before you buy.