04-06 owners. How was your truck?

[hobigusn]

I'm looking into the longevity of the 04-06 trucks. I've heard nothing but praise about the cummins but what about the truck it is put in? How did the truck hold up for the 4+ years you owned it. What sort of things broke. What sort of mileage did you get while you owned it? Your input and stories would be great help.

 

[Wingate]

HVAC doors, had to have the front end updated, and had to have a software update done for the interior lights acting up... .

Truck doesnt have alot of miles, but it works hard when it gets driven. .

 

[LHarper]

I have a 2005 CDT, 4X4, Laramie, auto, 3500 single rear wheel with 3:43 axle ratio. 58,000 miles with no problems except for a gps problem. I get 16 to 18 around town and up to 22 on the freeway. I have been lucky enough to have many different trucks in my life but this one has been the best. You can usually tell how a truck has been treated. I would also take the vin number to a Dodge dealer and have them run a history check on it. Also ask to see service records. With care these engines run a very long time. Transmissions, brakes and front ends can be another matter. Those are good years you are looking at. Just find one that has been taken care of. Best of luck. Lon

 

[JSooter]

I've had basically no problems with my 04. 5.

My only gripes are the mileage; ~15 around town. ~ 18 highway. ~ 10 towing 10k trailer.

Also the EGT's easily reach 1300 while pulling up a hill... although at 1200, I can usually maintain 55-60 miles/hour.



All in all, I'm happy with mine. Heck, I'm still on my OEM batteries.

 

[Superglide]

I've basically had no problems with my truck. 135,000 miles and I've changed the ball joints once and had a C-108 connector problem which was cheap to repair. Towing about 9,000 I get 13 mpg; city 17 mpg and highway 22 mpg.

 

[AH64ID]

I have an 05 and love it. I bought it Nov of 2007 with 10K on it, it was 3 years old to the date. I now have 58K on it and it's been great. The only real issue I have had was the stock plastic IC let go on me, but it was covered under warranty.

Here are my mileage logs.

-

 

[mattk50]

210,000 on mine bought new in May of 04. Replaced left front u joint @ 160,000 water pump @ 183,000 lift pump @ around 60,000(warranty). Still running factory clutch and injectors and I tow a lot. Putting it in the shop to do the clutch next week. not slipping but worried about pilot bearing etc.

 

[Wertles]

Front end parts, carrier bearing, turning signal stalk, transmission rebuild. Oil every 5,000, air and fuel filters never more than 10k. Still with original batteries but I will change them before winter just because. Still a great truck and except for the accident last week, still looks new.

 

[butchb]

o4 3500 srw nv 5600 3. 73 18 to 20 hwy 9 to 10. 5 pulling 14000 fifth wheel fuel pump at 66000 under warranty

 

[mhsmith57]

I have an '05 2wd quad-cab s/b, G56, 3. 73, 78K + mileage and basically stock except for the Linex bedliner. I get 21mpg continuously and usually no faster than 65mph which puts it in the sweet spot of 2050-2100 rpm. I know the dual clutch will have to be replaced eventually with a Southbend but for right now, I only tow 12K lbs probably 25% of the time. I love this truck. Bought it used 3 yrs ago with only 37K miles, 1 owner, and got all the maintenance records through Dodge dealer.

Prior owner kept up with all oil/air filter changes. I'll keep this truck as long as I can shift!

Hope this helped.

Mark

 

[EGroeneveld]

2005 bought brand new sold at about 78,000 miles.



Ball Joints (this was at about 55K miles and shocked me)

2 U Joints

Batteries at 75K miles

Serpitine Belt (this left me stranded)

Oil/Filters

Fuel Filters



Besides the Ball joints I'd say nothing real major. Was a great truck.

 

[p-Bar]

04. 5 lift intank warranty 78k , waterpump at 117k easy change. Mileage not what I was hoping for about the same as JSooter. Would I buy another one YES

 

[Andres]

I just sold my 2006 quadcab auto last week. I bought it new and it had 147,900 miles on it. Overall, in terms of quality/satisfaction I'd give it a B.

I'm not recreational towing like I used to, so commuting in a full size diesel isn't real practical. If I were to buy another diesel pickup, I'd buy another Dodge.



The 5. 9 motor performed well. I did have a cracked #4 injector line (twice around 110K miles, $30), but no other engine, transmission, t-case, or differential issues.



I replaced a the rear driveshaft's u-joints at around 70K miles. Front and rear brake pads, a wheel bearing and upper and lower ball joints on one side. Did the work myself.

At 140K I replaced the original drag link, tie rod, and stabilizer - real easy. Zero issues with injectors or the lift pump.



As for the Dodge stuff - A broken blend and mode door, and a faulty TIPM/wiper issue (disclosed to buyer)- could be the multifunction switch.



I noticed the top of the tailgate gets beat up easily, the LineX was well worth the money invested. I had a Quadzilla on it was very satisfied with the power /mileage/performance.

I have a Smarty on my other Cummins. Except for the Quadzilla, I kept it stock with stock 265's, although an MT snow/mud tire made winter driving tolerable. The Michelin LTX A/S is decent summer tire. Some occasional wind noise from driver's door.

 

[TFucili]

A/C evaporator 10K-Glad it was in warranty



Serpentine Belt 28K-No biggie, but I expected longer life



Ball Joints(All) 37K- Very disappointed with this



Water Pump 43K-No biggie, but much sooner than expected



Injectors ???- MPG is down, EGT and smoke are up, lie-o-meter is even more inaccurate than it was, truck just turned 52K, and I'm gonna be ****** if I have to spend $$$$ on injectors at this low mileage.



Overall, I love the truck. I've owned all of the Big Three and this is the best of them, but I have been very disappointed with the component failures that I have had. If you are going diesel, the Cummins stands alone, period, nuff said, end of discussion.

 

[GCroyle]

110,000 miles. Purchased new, used as daily driver and just lately recreational towing 9,000 Lb trailer.



Doesn't leak any fluid, has not left me stranded, head has never been off. Tightened #4 line and modified washer to clamp better. 20 MPG hand calculated. Just put 3rd set of tires on it. Shocks came off early, rep'l with Rancho adjustables, too much front end porposing. Current dissappointment, AC performance at stop and go, working thru diagnosis. Give me a do-over I'd buy it again, might go 8' rather than 6' and not sure I'd do any mods at all, leave it alone and enjoy the built in strength and reliability. Just rep'l the batteries one was mostly dead.

 

[BGlidewell]

Probably the best truck out there during the year of manufacture. I drove all three and was warned away from ford by ford owners. Still nothing compares.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Curious why the OP bypassed the 03's? Perhaps the best year ever!

 

[rscurtis]

I agree. The 305 engine is the best of the CR engines IMO.

 

[JJPage]

My 03 has been my favorite vehicle to date.

 

[ENafziger]

I have an '06 that has been perfect!!!! I love it!!!

... except the dash cracked, but that's just to be expected.

... and expcept the ball joints wore out and needed replaced, but that's ok.

... and except the Jacobs dealer installed vacuum pump failed twice and left me stranded, but put on a PacBrake now, so that's good.

... and except the dash cluster is shot and places a large current draw on the batteries all the time such that they go dead if not driven for more than 5 days.

... oh, and except that the back windshield leaks water terribly and fills up the rear under seat storage with several inches of water if the truck isn't under a carport

... oops, and except the transmission just lost 4th and 6th gear, but a few thousand dollars should have this fixed up!

... and except the transfer case wouldn't go in 4wd a month after I got it, but they replaced that and it worked great! ... until a few weeks ago anyway

... oh, and except the transmission always popped out of reverse when backing down a hill, but there was a recall for that!

... ummm, oh yeah, and my fuel tank sucked in a TON of dirt because of a deficiency in the tank vent system... but there was a recall for that too, so no big deal, just 40,000 miles of dirty sucking fuel

... oh, and ya, the steering linkage was shot and I upgraded it with the new '08 style, but it was kinda fun doing that anyway

... ha ha, that reminded me though... . the steering gear box and the steering shaft also developed a lot of play at about 80k miles, but hey, a person has to have something to work on and keep them out of trouble, right?

... oh, and ya, the hub bearing assembly went bad, but nothing that a $2,500 dynatrac kit couldn't take care of!!!

... oops, and I almost forgot about the wet-knee trick that the truck plays on you from rain dripping through the grab handles! It does keep you awake though on long drives

... lol and speaking of grab handles, they broke too... but they sell replacements, so no big deal!

... oh... and speaking of not driving it everyday... the trunions on the rocker arms had really bad scarring and wear at 55k miles The good news is though, that a set of Harland roller rockers are only $4k or so, and they look prettier

... oh, except, don't get the leather wrapped steering wheel, cause mine started pitting badly??? If they would make it out of the high quality vinyl that they make most of the "leather" seats out of, it would be better

... lol, oh my, which reminds me of the seats!!! Ya, they didn't hold up so well... trips over 4 hours continuous make my legs fall asleep and ache for a few days. Throw a bar of soap under the sheets though and your legs don't seem to cramp nearly as bad though!!! Plus keeps things smelling fresh!

well, I have to go, but basically, I've not done anything to the truck, and it just keeps on going!!! Except, that it's not going now... it's been parked for 4 months while I save up for a transmission, but really it's a great truck!!!

--Eric