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

[GBrock]

You might also want to try Relentless Diesel in Willis, Texas. The owner there, Chris Strickland, is very knowledgeable about both generation Dodges and, most importantly, his is very honest... a rare quality in mechanics these days. His website is http://www.relentlessdiesel.com/



If your North of Beaumont, you can take HWY 105 west. It's probably a 90 minute drive from where you are. Texas city might be closer. Nonetheless, I highly recommend Chris. I have read from others on the forums how they drive thousands of miles just to have Chris work on their truck.



Personally, I like both the 2nd and 3rd gen dodges. Of course, the thrid gen is a much better product but it sure is nice having a low car note that I can payoff anytime with my 2nd gen. I was very much on the fence about whether to go 2nd or 3rd gen. In the end I wanted the lower payment plus the free rein to modify the rig without worrying about warranty issues. I also didn't want to fret about every scratch put on the truck as we use it for a construction business.



My goal over the next 3-4 years will be to eventually reach 800 HP and 1000 TQ. The aftermarket technology is out there to far exceed these numbers, it's all a function of time and money to get there.

 

[Matthug]

+1 for relentless diesel. Although I've never been to their shop since I'm in PA their customer service is excellent.

 

[Matthug]

My goal over the next 3-4 years will be to eventually reach 800 HP and 1000 TQ. The aftermarket technology is out there to far exceed these numbers, it's all a function of time and money to get there.

You can hit 1000 ft/lbs of torque with less than 500 HP... . with 800 HP you should be closer to 1400 ftlbs.

 

[rwitt]

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

Aw come on Jay, you're comparing performance of your "stock and loaded" 2nd gen to your "slightly bombed" and empty 3rd gen and the "old" truck still gets better mpg? I don't have everything done to my truck in my signature either .

Rich

 

[Matthug]

He's also comparing an automatic 02' to a manual 05'..... totally different worlds!!! Get an 02' ETH truck and then we'll see a somewhat fair comparison. No more torque converter drivetrain loss and 50 more ft/lbs of torque. My bro's 02' was a powerhouse even stock.

 

[mgoncalves]

He's also comparing an automatic 02' to a manual 05'..... totally different worlds!!! Get an 02' ETH truck and then we'll see a somewhat fair comparison. No more torque converter drivetrain loss and 50 more ft/lbs of torque. My bro's 02' was a powerhouse even stock.

I went from an 02 ETH/six speed to an 06 auto. You're right, there is no comparison. The 06 auto hands it to my old truck in every comparison except coasting down hill, I do need to get an exhaust brake to go with the auto.



Matt

 

[Matthug]

An automatic will always seem more peppy when unloaded, the 3rd gen's also rev higher and have a higher RPM power band. The automatic transmission will keep the engine in that higher RPM powerband and make it seem faster. This is why most average people like driving powerstrokes and duramax's, they are peppy and rev higher like gas engines and have horsepower but no low end grunt torque. Whats the most weight you have towed with both? Also what did you average in each as far as fuel mileage?

 

[mgoncalves]

You need to spend some more time behind a new automatic Dodge, they don't behave like your describing. I was impressed with how the auto stays locked in OD with the engine chugging along at 1600 rpm in the mountains.



So far I have not revved higher than 3200 rpm's and very rarely touch 3000 anyways.



This next week will be the first tow with the 06, can't really comment on that yet.



My 02 when stock got around 20 mpg at 65 without driving to careful. So far the best I've seen with the 06 is 17, at 65 being careful, but then again it's not been towed with yet. The first tow with the 02 really helped the mileage out, I'm hoping for similar results with the new truck.



Matt

 

[Matthug]

Cool. Glad you like it, it's just not for me I guess.

 

[GBrock]

You can hit 1000 ft/lbs of torque with less than 500 HP... . with 800 HP you should be closer to 1400 ftlbs.

Really? That much torque? Love it! I'm just getting back into being a Cummins owner again, after selling my previous dodge last year. This time I'm more committed than ever to achieving those kinds of HP/ TQ numbers. I decided to put boating on the back burner for two years (can't justify that passion at these fuel prices) and instead focus my discretionary cash on modiftying my rigs power.