2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 02 VS 06 3500 Help

[Onesmallsoldier]

Need some opinions here, Considering selling 02 3500 Ram, 44200 miles and getting an 06 model. It will basically be the same truck except the 06 will have more torque.



Question: Will the 3rd gen engines take enhancements take as good as the 2nd gen? (IE Banks)

Yet keep the everyday driving and also haul the 5th wheel with it when needed



Question: What about the rear end ratios?

It has the 6 speed manual transmission.



Should you make power with the Engine, or the Gears?



Any other Pro or Con against the change of the 06 verses the 02. :--)



Thanks for your input.

 

[RustyJC]

Something that would help is letting us know why you're considering getting rid of the 2002 as well as more information on your existing truck. If you need more room, that's one thing. If you think it's because the 2002 doesn't have the potential of the 2006, much less than the difference in what you pay to trade trucks could make the 2002 quite a powerhouse. Check my signature for the rear wheel dyno numbers my mild little towing rig puts down - and there's a lot more in there that I don't need for my application.



Rusty

 

[Onesmallsoldier]

RustyJC,

Have lots of talk and concern about the squeaking and rigid frame issues on the bed.



Other than that I would like a real detail breakdown of your inhancements and the cost to do, and also where I could get it done. I am located North of Beaumont.



I don't have the time (or knowledge) to do the job myself as I work away most of the time.

 

[RustyJC]

I'd suggest giving Michael at Hot Rod Diesels a call. He's located in Texas City and can recommend and install a modification package that will fit your requirements.



Rusty

 

[Onesmallsoldier]

Would like opinions on the frame rails being so rigid in the 02 , alot of people try to scare you off with the cracking problems, I don't think I have a cracking problem now, but do not want problems after I do all the enhancements.



Thank you for the website to "Hot Rod Diesels. Will look into that also.

 

[RustyJC]

Would like opinions on the frame rails being so rigid in the 02 , alot of people try to scare you off with the cracking problems, I don't think I have a cracking problem now, but do not want problems after I do all the enhancements.

I don't know what your truck's application is, but I've pulled heavy 5th wheels with 1996 and 2002 (both 2nd generation) 3500 duallies and have never had (or known anyone in my RVing acquaintances) with frame cracking problems.



Rusty

 

[nps]

Frame cracking problems on 2nd gens? Who is telling you that - the dealer wanting you to trade or someone that wants to buy your 'cracked' truck?



Think the only one on crack is whoever is telling you that.



Besides, why do you want one of those ugly third gens.

 

[Onesmallsoldier]

TDR Issue 49,Page 112, Dodge Won't Talk About Ram Frames

 

[nps]

I'll have to read the article and see what it says.



Other than the front spring perches on early 2nd gens, there are only 2 threads that talk about frame cracks, and one of the 2 concerns the front radiator mount. The second thread is attributed to a bad robot back at the factory.





Surprised there would be a magazine article absent of widespread discussion on these forums.



Still stand beside my 3rd gen claims.

 

[Onesmallsoldier]

Did anyone read the article about the cracking 02 frame??? Comments please

 

[RustyJC]

I did a search here on "frame crack*" - this will find posts with the terms "frame cracking", "frame crack", "frame cracks", etc. HERE are the results.



Can I guarantee that your 2002 won't develop a cracked frame? No.



Is frame cracking a significant problem with 2002 trucks? Based on my experience and what I've read and heard, no.



Rusty

 

[mgoncalves]

After just trading my 02 with 59,000 miles for my new 06, I say go for it.



The new truck runs great, has way more power than the 02 did stock. You can't make an old truck a new truck just by adding power. There are several things Dodge has fixed along the way.



Just my opinion.

Matt

 

[nps]

06's are even uglier than the 05's.



You can't make an ugly truck pretty by making it new. HOWEVER, I could 2-bag a Megacab Dually if a dealer would trade straight across for my paid off 01. 5 with 50K miles. :-laf

 

[Hohn]

After just trading my 02 with 59,000 miles for my new 06, I say go for it.

The new truck runs great, has way more power than the 02 did stock. You can't make an old truck a new truck just by adding power. There are several things Dodge has fixed along the way.

Just my opinion.
Matt

Congrats on the new truck, Matt!! No doubt it is very nice.

I find the look of the 06s growing on me. I liked the first 3rd gens right away, but the 06 I didn't care for at first. The more I see it, the more I like it.

I'm quite happy with my truck, especially now that the remaining payoff is only 4 digits.

For my purposes, the 2nd gen provides me the joy of high HP diesel ownership at lower cost than a newer ride would.

I hope you didn't have to buy it from the Dodge dealer in Ft. Collins-- they seem like a bunch of knuckleheads:

Me: "Got any MegaCabs coming?" (a month after it was announced)
Salesman: "What's a MegaCab?"

 

[mgoncalves]

I hated the 06's at first, but they have grown on me the fastest compared to other hated restyling's.



Now, anything else just looks weird :-laf







Justin, no I bought this at the Loveland dealer. Very impulsive, there is a beer store across the street that I went to, and decided to cruise the lot. Next thing ya know, I'm on the phone with the wife telling her to get down there. Oh well, no regrets, and I was very nervous that I would miss the 02.



Matt

 

[nps]

I hope you didn't have to buy it from the Dodge dealer in Ft. Collins-- they seem like a bunch of knuckleheads:



Me: "Got any MegaCabs coming?" (a month after it was announced)

Salesman: "What's a MegaCab?"

Not much better than the knuckleheads here in Vegas:



Me: "Got any MegaCab Duallys?"

Salesman (and the sales manager): "They don't make MegaCab Duallys"



At least they knew what a MegaCab was. This was only 6 weeks ago.

 

[RustyJC]

OK, I read the article referenced earlier. You might want to go back and read it again - it mentioned bed cracking that the author attributed to the lack of torsional rigidity in the frame. It never said anything about frame cracking.



AFAIK, there's nothing unique about the 2002 bed or frame relative to the other 2nd generation trucks. It makes no sense that Dodge would change the 2002 frame since this was the last year of the HD 2nd generation model. In fact, there was an editorial comment to this effect in the article.



Rusty

 

[Onesmallsoldier]

Appreciate the follow up on the 02, Think I will keep the 02, and put the $$ into it to fix it like I want it. Thank you for all replies. Oo.

 

[Matthug]

Don't 3rd gen's get worse fuel mileage? I hear most will be lucky to get 16 average, maybe 18 all highway. And towing, I've never heard of a second gen dropping below 10 no matter what the load, I've already heard 8 MPG from a 3rd gen in tow. Who cares if it has more power stock, a $400-500 ECU box and you have more HP and way more torque.

 

[JayWm]

Being that I have one of each I'm gonna chime in. Let me start by throwing a bomb, how's that VP44 and transfer pump? My 02 has already had one of each. Truck currently has 80,000 miles. The pumps died around 50k. Other than putting a p-pump on it I am not sure any of the other fixes guarantee that you will never lose another VP44. I have no illusions that the CP3 is the holy grail. Time will tell if its just a little better than the vp44, or way better, but I do feel it is better.



The 02 has a service bed on it. Truck weighs almost 10k with nothing in the service bed. Frame is holding up quite nicely. I have not seen any frame cracking issues on customers 02's either. I am very pleased with the service we have received from this truck so far. No power increases and none planned.



05 is used for personal towing. Tons of power. Ratios of the 6 speed suck empty. Unless you like driving slow. As to fuel mileage I have a lead foot. I went to Reno and back today and averaged 16mpg over the summit. This was while running 75-80mph. Mileage is not as good as the 02, but the 05 will flat out run it on any hill, any load. Cab space is better than the 02. I can actually get adults and a car seat in the back seat. That said, if I was gonna get another 3rd gen, it would be a mega cab. It fits my needs for interior space. Perhaps they will offer a mega cab dually that is a cab chassis allowing for a custom long bed..... that would be nice.



As to the style critics, well... calling one uglier than the other... dunno bout that. They both have their good and bad points. But I get a lot of compliments on my 05. I don't see many quad cab long bed dually's with the sport package in flame red. It's a lot of RED