On the fence, considering trading up from my old truck

[bcbender]

150 K in 2.5 yrs! That's a lot of seat time.

Well, the truck is a 19' so could almost be 5y old depending on when it rolled off the lot, 150k in 5 y is 30k a year, not too bad for a working vehicle.

 

[Diesel85]

150 K in 2.5 yrs! That's a lot of seat time.

Yes it is! We do specialized construction services in many states. 50/50 chance the truck will have trailer hooked.

 

[SBeretz]

I have had an 06 Megacab, 14 Megacab and now a 20 HO/Aisin CC LB and hands down, this newest Ram is the nicest of the bunch. The 14 MC rode the best, but all of the rest goes to the 20. It tows, moves family, whatever I ask of it without drama. Great rig. My biggest issue was getting my entire fuel system replaced when it went TU, but other than that, it has been a great truck.

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Made it's 3rd trip to Wyoming this past fall and just motors down the road.. Even with 37's on it I haven't felt the need for more power.

 

[bcbender]

Did you lift it to clear the 37s? Nice looking setup!

 

[SBeretz]

Did you lift it to clear the 37s? Nice looking setup!

I added the 2" leveling kit in the front about 2 days after owning the truck then 1.5" wheel spacers to get rid of the rubbing. It's amazing how normal the truck looks with 37's on it and how well it pulls even when hauling the toy hauler around.

 

[bcbender]

cool... Ya Id like a bigger tire, but my 5er limits how much taller I could make the truck, so definitely could not lift the rear. I was looking to go to a 35ish,... starting to shop for tires this year as my Trans-trash are worn out at 34k... From what I've read that's pretty good.

 

[SBeretz]

cool... Ya Id like a bigger tire, but my 5er limits how much taller I could make the truck, so definitely could not lift the rear. I was looking to go to a 35ish,... starting to shop for tires this year as my Trans-trash are worn out at 34k... From what I've read that's pretty good.

I have a 41ft fifth wheel tri-axle toy hauler and I have to be mindful of how much air I put in the air bags so I don't push too much on the rear axle but otherwise it rolls well down the road.

I am not sure if you have them available to you or not, but I have Mastercraft Courser CXT's on the truck right now and have about 45K miles on them which is about 10K or more miles better than I have done with about any tire other than a plain old Michelin on the truck. They have a very grippy tread design. I run a bit more aggressive tread since most of the time the truck is used is to pull a camper, gooseneck with my tractor or hunting out west. I hope I can find another set of them as my current tires are getting down pretty good, but it pretty much sits all winter, so I have some time to look.

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[AH64ID]

cool... Ya Id like a bigger tire, but my 5er limits how much taller I could make the truck, so definitely could not lift the rear. I was looking to go to a 35ish,... starting to shop for tires this year as my Trans-trash are worn out at 34k... From what I've read that's pretty good.

Look into 285/65R20’s. That’s what I plan to run.

Not sure I’ll wait for the Trashforce junk to wear out thou.

 

[wyosteve]

I have 37 Nitto Ridge Grapplers on mine with the 2 in. Thuren leveling kit. Looks better once I got fender flares installed, but don't have pics of that.

 

[SBeretz]

I have 37 Nitto Ridge Grapplers on mine with the 2 in. Thuren leveling kit. Looks better once I got fender flares installed, but don't have pics of that. View attachment 139575

Great looking rig!

 

[bcbender]

Look into 285/65R20’s. That’s what I plan to run.

That was the tire I've been looking into in the Nitto Recon Grappler but considering others also

 

[AH64ID]

That was the tire I've been looking into in the Nitto Recon Grappler but considering others also

Im looking at the new Duratrac RT-LT, Cooper AT3 XLT’s, and the Falken Wildpeak.

 

[wyosteve]

I had Duratrac's on my Power Wagon and was very happy with them. Traded it at 45k miles and still lots of tread left.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Ok already. Zero and below here almost 22 k miles on my 2022 3500 ho now. Drove up to Willow yesterday to see Denali the great one beautiful bluebird day crystal clear but really cold. This truck is awesome. I just love driving it. Very smooth lots of power.

 

[SHobbs]

I went the other way, picked up an 04 6 spd and selling the 13. Call me crazy, I missed having a manual and the simplicity of it not to mention engine parts for the older models can be easier on the wallet. The new ones are nice but, with all the electrical items, difficulty working on them without removing a ton of crap and the higher parts cost I just prefer the older models. No offense to anyone but, I would need my head examined if I had a truck payment equal to a mortgage every month. I just can't see paying the prices for the new ones.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Good choice for you then

 

[Diesel85]

I went the other way, picked up an 04 6 spd and selling the 13. Call me crazy, I missed having a manual and the simplicity of it not to mention engine parts for the older models can be easier on the wallet. The new ones are nice but, with all the electrical items, difficulty working on them without removing a ton of crap and the higher parts cost I just prefer the older models. No offense to anyone but, I would need my head examined if I had a truck payment equal to a mortgage every month. I just can't see paying the prices for the new ones.

If I lived down south, like in southern TX, AZ, NM, or other places that don't get salt on the roads, my first choice would be to buy a clean 1998-2002 Dodge RAM.

 

[crispyboy]

My worries about having an older truck is obsolescence of parts. My truck is a 2009 in reasonably good condition but some of the body parts or electrical switches and wire harnesses are getting more difficult to find. I have shopped for parts at a salvage yard for past vehicles but I really don’t have the time or inclination to do that.

 

[User113]

Even though your state doesn't have diesel emission testing, it's a Federal component! You could be checked when traveling on an interstate highway whether commercial or not!

Already Colorado and Virginia are using completely passive drive-by emissions sensors and license plate readers to verify a vehicle's emissions compliance on-the-fly. So far they are just using the systems to let drivers skip coming in for their otherwise regularly required emissions inspections. (Of course, they would still have to pay for the inspection!) But any state could easily expand the technology to sniff out emissions violators in the future. Can you say "probable cause"?

 

[Bug Out]

All,
I am on the fence and frankly have not kept up with anything 4th gen as I own a 3rd gen 5.9. However I am to the point where I don't know if the creature comforts are enough to push me into a new one as mine is entering its 18th year. My current 06 is a slightly dressed up SLT with leather and seat heaters that both need to be replaced. The comfort has never been there from day one and I regret getting rid of my 01 quad cab for the mega cab but the space with the growing family and dogs was needed. The new trucks are so much more comfortable but wow the price. They are about three times what I paid for the 06! I have also modified my 06 with longevity in mind and didn't just add power, in fact that was the last thing I did after everything else had been addressed and it was just mild tuning after all the filtration, head studs, springs, trans and the list goes on. I just drove a well equipped Rebel and really liked it. So much nicer on the inside and the seats are way better. I just have no idea what to expect and how much you have to do to the new trucks for longevity. I am pretty much over chasing the horsepower thing, I always like a little punch but hate chasing down the next weak link. I have heard that the 6.7 is happy when you get rid of the DEF and DPF and EGR systems. I have no idea what problems that may cause. In TN, they don't test like they did in WA. Seems like the Rebel suspension is just Bilstein shocks and mud tires. My buddy has a 16 tradesman and his turbo actuator went out at 20k miles but he has been problem free with the Geno's replacement unit. So I understand some have had trouble with the actuators. With longevity in mind and wanting something that will just work day in and day out like my 5.9 do you need to do anything, like enhanced filtration. Are the new CGI blocks an issue? or should I just put some more money in my 5.9 and forget we ever had this conversation? Thank you for your time and education. Joel

I really miss my no emission 2005 Dodge 5.9 6 spd. I love the 2020 power etc, but I have to say, I frequently see 2003 to 2005 5.9 3500 for a possible purchase to keep beyond DEF etc etc. Its a hard choice knowing that your entering into the dealers zone. Pre 2007, your free to do what you want. My 2005 was trouble free for 100K but I wanted MORE towing CAP.....I got it at a price..