04-06 owners. How was your truck?

[Barry]

BTW, there is an '03 2500 auto lwb here in Florida with 36,000 original miles on it. If it had the 6 speed, I would be all over it like gravy on a chicken fried steak!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I get the feeling you guys only love me for my truck (73k miles BTW) :{

 

[Barry]

Well, I dunno... ... ... ... ...



If I could draw a picture of what I am looking for, it would be an '03 to an early '04 3500 SRW LWB 2WD 6 speed QC... ... ... ... ... . No dark colors.



Now you know why I have not found one... ... ... ... ... ... I would even take a 2500 and install air bags or shocks on the rear.



My plan is to put my truck and another truck side by side and swap all the equipment that would fit. I already have a buyer for my '06.

 

[AH64ID]

I wouldn't limit your search to the 3500, as you mentioned, the difference is the rear overloads that are essentially useless below a 5500lb RAW.

 

[Barry]

TRUE!



But on very rare occasions, I have run 7500# on the drive axle... ... ..... that is one of the reasons for the Ricksons.

 

[AH64ID]

TRUE!



But on very rare occasions, I have run 7500# on the drive axle... ... ..... that is one of the reasons for the Ricksons.

Airbags are much better suited for that, IMHO...

 

[Bill Stockard]

Bill did you get the power steering vibration recall? It involved putting a weight on one of the hoses... GW

Yep, I sure did and forgot about it. I think they replaced the hose with one that had the weight pressed on it at the factory. I had it done the same time the door seal was replaced. There was a recall on a transmission cooler line that I had done at the same time. Also in the same recall, an electrical connection to the PCM was checked.



Bill

 

[Grey Wolf]

Yep, I sure did and forgot about it. I think they replaced the hose with one that had the weight pressed on it at the factory. I had it done the same time the door seal was replaced. There was a recall on a transmission cooler line that I had done at the same time. Also in the same recall, an electrical connection to the PCM was checked.



Bill

Tell me about the door gasket recall?

 

[Bill Stockard]

Tell me about the door gasket recall?

It wasn't a recall. As I posted earlier, it was one of the only two warranty claims filed on my truck. The problem was the rubber weather strip was tearing where the front corner of the front driver and passenger side doors passed over the weather strip when the doors were opened and closed. The weather strip was replaced with an upgraded type of weather strip which eliminated the problem. The front doors tearing the weather strip was a common problem with early build third generation trucks and I presume was repaired on a "fix as fail" basis since not all trucks had the problem.



Bill

 

[AH64ID]

Tell me about the door gasket recall?

It was a TSB. I had to purchase the ones for my truck as I was out of warranty when I noticed, no biggie less than $40. The issue was fixed by '06.

 

[Grey Wolf]

OK My son and I noticed the difference in the way the gasket was molded from his '05 to my '06.

 

[CBarr]

Have a 2004. 5, single cab w/112,000 trouble free miles. No repairs except for lift pump @ 96,000 miles. Stock except for air intake modification. Shocks replaced at 75,000 with Bilistin, still original batteries, clutch, tires ( replacing soon as new tires arrive) An excellent truck that averages 22 or 22. 5 tank after tank. Never drive over 65 mph, which I'm sure helps milage. Uses no oil between changes Tow about 15% of milage and then for short distances only, but heavy. I would recommend Dodge to anyone looking for a new or replacement truck. Mine is a work truck, w/no short trips.



2004. 5, 6 sp, single cab, 5th wheel & tag along hitches, 112,000 miles

 

[T Mike]

I have 73,000 on mine. 21 mpg on the hyway and 15-16 around town, 10 towing 12,000 lbs. Nothing done except oil and filter changes. Brakes were checked this spring and 1/2 of pads left. Changed batteries just to be safe last fall.

 

[pjorlando]

I bought my '06 3500 dually in September 2010. It had 70,000 on her when I bought it. I've put 20,000 mixed miles on her. I got the truck really, really cheap. From a Dodge dealer, it had a few electrical gremlins that must have been driving their techs crazy. (Only reason I can come up with why they sold me the truck so cheap. ) Aside from the turn signal (multifunction switch) and wiper motor problems, both by the way I fixed with suggestions from the TDR, the truck has been great. I did install an Air Dog II system and use Fleetguard filters for my fuel system problems, as well as a BD steering box stabilizer. I drive it locally and on long trips, sometimes towing about 7000 lbs. I love this truck!!

 

[RMachida]

FCM replaced under warranty to fix a problem with the horn going off in the middle of the night. Both rear door harnesses broke due to very cold temperatures. Other than that, no problems and nothing beyond normal maintenance.

 

[rashwor]

218,500+ and still ticking. Lots of maintenance, but not that many true problems. Nothing unacceptable. See my truck profile for the current list.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have a 04. 5 3500 dually 6 speed. It now has 116,020 miles on it. MAYBE 500 miles not loaded to 20,000# gross. I had to take it back to the dealers once for a faulty horn. I replaces u joints and the front cartridge bearings. I have had no other problems, not even any burned light bulbs. This has been by far the best truck I have ever owned.

 

[GElliott]

Bought mine brand new. Had several "truck guys" tell me it's a great engine with a crap truck wrapped around it.



Repaired HVAC doors twice, multiple front end joints, AC has never been right, transmission as smooth as a coffee grinder, poor paint and upholstery, multiple bad injectors (warranty).

Currently looking at $1500 for power steering pump, and limping along on a failing $1600 fuel pump.



Pampered it's whole life. Maintenance to the T. Mostly a daily driver that pulls light trailers (2-5K) some weekends. Wouldn't buy another on a bet!

 

[Barry]

Sat down in my '06 when it was brand new and stepped out of it with almost a quarter of a million miles. Still had the original brakes. My 6th brand new one in a row. Most all of which never saw a dealership again... ... ... ..... It's the Anointing Factor.

 

[DZink24]

i have an early '04. taking power, mileage and reliability into account, possibly the best of the motors. i wish i could say the same for the rest of the truck. whereas the body and interior look the same, if not better than when i bought it, the driveline components are total garbage. A/C is worthless, 2 rear U joints in 60k, a transfer case that is louder than the engine, calipers and pads on all 4 corners, ball joints, and best of all, i cannot tow a trailer at night because the PCM is fried and i have no lights. would i do it again?? let's just say i need to hold on to this truck as long as i possibly can. but IMO the best looking of the 4 generations.