04-06 owners. How was your truck?

[AH64ID]

Mean to say HD sway bar linkage's. OEM ones broke.

Gotcha, I saw the BD Links in your sig as well and though they were different.

 

[TGVET]

I ewent through TWO sets of those before BD got there #$%# together and did a redesign. The stud was inferior as was the way it was attached. They made good on the two replacements and then on the third beefy one.

Chrysler is "supposed to" reimburse me for my expense on the HD steering linkage. I just need to send them my receipts.

 

[seafish]

Are you guys talking about these--

http://www.genosgarage.com/BD-SWAY-...00-00-09/productinfo/BD-1032050/#.UsG88SjB4qY

They look pretty nice!!

 

[TGVET]

Yes. Can't tell from the photo but I think they are the beefed up ones. OEM were skinny POS clearly NOT designed for heavy trucks like our Rams.

 

[AH64ID]

I went with the MAXX Links in my truck, they seem to work fine.

 

[TGVET]

Saw those too. Anything is better than OEM even if you never go off road which I don't do. The 4WD is for not getting stuck where conditions would otherwise make it very difficult if not impossible to travel in a 2WD.

 

[ELK311]

Purchased new in '05: 87,000 miles, replaced Michelin LTX tires at 45k, oil filter every 5k, air and fuel filter every 10k or annually, drain fuel catch after every fill, transmission seal was incorrectly installed during mfr replaced under warranty (small stain leak, no drips), replaced Jake brake pulley assembly myself at 60k ($150), replaced batteries 6 months ago just because they were "old" and I could and that's about it. Extremely low cost repairs, all things considered. I keep a spare serpentine belt and tow strap but have never needed either. Completely stock less the dealer installed Jake brake (love it) and speaking of, my brake pads are currently at 80%+ (stock) thanks to Jake.

Zero engine problems thus far! Mileage: 13-15 towing RV and toys, 16-18 around town and as high as 25 highway with average around 21. I've been a Ford man my whole life and now I have to think twice... I'd buy a Ford if it had a Cummins in it !!!

 

[AH64ID]

ELK311, you could save some money on fuel and air filters. The air filter minder is accurate, use it. The upgraded 4" OEM filter is quite good and lasts for 10's of thousands of miles. Over servicing a fuel fuel filter can be as bad as not servicing it, unless you are getting signs that it is plugged replaced it every 15K miles with a Baldwin PF7977.

Your mileage is quite good, are you hand calculating or trusting the overhead?

 

[CumminSense]

bought new 2004.5, quad cab long bed, 4x4, manual. Only major repair has been injection pump @180,000, $550 installed it myself. Still original batteries (11 years old!!), orig clutch, orig injectors. No engine, transmission or driveline problems at all. Avg 20mpg city or highway.

 

[Scottyg1]

I have an 07, with 143K on the clock. Only replaced normal wear items, U joints in rear shaft, had bad U joint in front axle, decided to just replace both hubs with Yukon Free Spin (Best thing I have done) all at aroung 132K, Batteries, brake pads and rotors,front replaced at 88K, rear just replaced at 142K. Currently on second set of Michlen stock tires with these only about 1/2 worn out. Shocks and stab bar bushings. that's it. Love truck. Oh did, replace drivers seat with a National Air Ride seat . Only complaint if any, 3rd Gen seats suck, period.

 

[jfluffy2]

I bought my 2005 last year with 175,000 miles on her and I put over 12,000 more miles on her, i have had no problems with her, it does not have any leaks on the engine or trans. Love this truck.

 

[mikeyb]

Bought my truck new in early 2003 and only let me down twice, once for a blown hydro boost line and the other dead batteries (my fault).

And I forgot about the pilot bearing.

 

[Wayne M.]

392576..... On the clock... Original injectors? Please tell us what your fuel filtration is? Thanks!

My sig truck now has 103,XXX (as I always say) mostly hard NYC city miles on it. Not a lot of towing- definitely never saw more than 8500 on a trailer- never been to the rockies- Never seen a power adder/ programmer. Engine's never been apart except to change the oil pan and the crankcase filter. Still got the original batteries, the (-) posts were only off once in the entire life of the truck for the oil pan job. It's been to the dealer once for warranty work back when all the CP3's were leaking, and Fullerton Dodge in NJ did a fantastic, leave no trace job. Since I share the same philisophy as Mr. Donnelly, I did the front hubs a bit before their time (see too many go without warning in the trade) and was able to afford spyntecs. At the same time I did the other components. Other one time replacements are; Rear shaft U joints, All brakes, the cab clearance lamps, and the left rear door harness.
Thats the only real gripe I have. Certain quality issues, like the brittle wiring in the doors. That's just uncalled for! When I made the deal for the truck, I thought I got a good one. I have no regrets as it's the first new vehicle I ever (will?) buy. I thought I got a decent value, since I see people paying more money for way less a vehicle. It's all mine now and every day it runs for me is like paying itself back a bit at a time.

Just to update from my last post, I still have this truck and I'm completely satisfied with it! In fact, I was just showing it off to the Advance auto parts clerk- who's never seen under hood of one. It's on short hop duty right now and needs a good trip. Sad news is that I recently flattened the front bumper, smashed the grille, and folded the hood. It's all fixed (by me) and amazingly, all the hardware I needed and the grille was still available from Mopar. I used a keystone bumper which I'm happy with, and had a small body joint supply and paint a cheap hood, which I'm NOT happy with. The right rear wheel lip is rotting.
The main plan is to get out of the city in 36 months, and once the truck helps me build my shop where I'm looking to relocate in central PA, It will get a proper restoration. I am serious about keeping this one for as long as possible!

 

[jgillott]

Just to update from my last post, I still have this truck and I'm completely satisfied with it! In fact, I was just showing it off to the Advance auto parts clerk- who's never seen under hood of one. It's on short hop duty right now and needs a good trip. Sad news is that I recently flattened the front bumper, smashed the grille, and folded the hood. It's all fixed (by me) and amazingly, all the hardware I needed and the grille was still available from Mopar. I used a keystone bumper which I'm happy with, and had a small body joint supply and paint a cheap hood, which I'm NOT happy with. The right rear wheel lip is rotting.
The main plan is to get out of the city in 36 months, and once the truck helps me build my shop where I'm looking to relocate in central PA, It will get a proper restoration. I am serious about keeping this one for as long as possible!

Still haven't figured out why you are coming to PA, but I digress.

Glad to hear you are still enjoying your truck. Mine are still moving along. Finally did the oil pan on the 04.

 

[jgillott]

Wayne, clear a little PM space. Forum is telling me your inbox is full.

 

[rsg1963]

I have (had as I just sold it) a 2006 3500 DRW Cummins. Had 181,000 miles when I sold it yesterday. Used her to tow an 18k 5th triple axle toy hauler for the last 90k of her life, and before that a 5th wheel car transport trailer (that held up to 3-4 cars). Before selling, I paid a local rear-end shop to go over the front and rear axle gears. Everything was well within spec. Then I took it to the dealership for a thorough safety inspection and everything checked out fine. Body is still solid, doors tight, all switches work, A/C blows cold heater heats. No leaks, no squeeks. If I was keeping her I'd likely replace the transmission in another 20k as I can feel it getting a little tired. Plus the drivers seat could use a little love. No tears or anything, just the foam getting a little tired on the outboard side. No need to tell about the engine as that was not what the OP really wanted to know. Suffice to say the Cummins is rock solid. My maintenance consisted of 4k oil and filter changes, 1-2 times a year fuel filter changes, 18-24 month transmission oil changes, 24 month rear end changes, 36 month front end. Also changed the PS fluid twice, and the brake fluid twice. Coolant only once at 100,000. Towing MPG was 11-12, unloaded was about 18. Hope this info helps. Chance to do it again, I would. Very reliable truck all in all.

 

[rsg1963]

Zero engine problems thus far! Mileage: 13-15 towing RV and toys, 16-18 around town and as high as 25 highway with average around 21. I've been a Ford man my whole life and now I have to think twice... I'd buy a Ford if it had a Cummins in it !!!

Ford does have Cummins options for a few of their trucks. Just sayin'