04-06 owners. How was your truck?

[FJfonda]

04. 5 DRW QC 48RE Smarty Jr mild setting

Truck is either pushing snow, towing or sitting... very few unloaded miles . . 75,000. Sitting for long periods of time definitely affects the rotor rot and caliper piston corrosion due to the northeast excessive use of salt.

Front u-joints
Steering box/pump for stalling steering
Driveshaft u-joints 2X, then a one piece install
Front rotors 2X/calipers 1X
Rear rotors 1X/calipers 2X
Parking brake 1X
FCM
Accessory belt idler
Accessory belt 3X (last was to replace a noisy non-OEM belt)
#6 injector
Clearance light leaks
IPM C3 and C4 corrosion
Batteries
governor Pressure sensor 3X
shift selector seal replacement
steering box input shaft seal (still leaking)

Overall happy with the truck although the corrosion on engine components has me a bit worried.

 

[SpeedBeef]

My 2006 is just over 100K and has been trouble free. I'm starting to get the dreaded rust bubbles under the paint on both rear wheel wells. Other than that, no problems. About 40-50% of my miles are towing a travel trailer or a tandem axle auto trailer.

 

[jwduke]

My 2004. 5 I bought new in Feb. 2005, has had the usual, some I think unusual problems. I tow 80% of the time, mpg towing my 31. 5' Hitchhiker camper is 10-11 mpg, with up to 22 mpg on the road.



The only warranty issue I had was the waste gate valve replacement, and a adjustment to the heater doors.



I've replaced the batteries (this year), tires once (this year due to weather checking), ball joints, front u-joints & unit bearings at 46,xxx miles. Also replaced the two switches in the transmission at 46,xxx problems.



I think 46,xxx miles on the everything in the front end is very poor. But fixed that problem with a Spyntec part-time kit. The transmission problem is unacceptable too, but I would still buy another one. I have spent $3000 in 9 years, which is rather cheap I feel.



My Dodge still looks like new, and with proper care, it should last a lot more years.

 

[Stretch]

I have almost 200K miles on my 2005 Dually. Some of the items I've stayed on top of are the Ball joints, U-Hoints, and other standard wear items. The only thing I've ever done with my motor is change the oil - using Amsoil 15W40 full syn since the 1st change with a BP100 Bypass filter - and adjust the valves at my local Cummins service shop. I recently installed a Banks Power Pack system with the Exhaust Brake; no smoke and a butt-load of power.



I have been hauling a 4k+ pound Arctic Fox Camper and towing a snomachine trailer with either two sleds or a side-by-side and a four wheeler. Hitch is TorkLift Super Hitch w/ 48" extention. Recently bought a 36' Raptor Toyhauler weighting in at 12k loaded. The truck is a daily driver and has spent all of its life in South Central Alaska with two trip up and down the ALCAN Highway. Have not had any issues with the truck other than standard maintenance items mentioned. This is the longest I've ever owned a vehicle and couldn't be happier. You cannot go wrong owning a 3rd Gen if you are willing to take care of it.

 

[jmtandem]

'05 4x4, auto with 120,000 miles. So far serpentine belt, radiator fan clutch, one tail light, tires, brakes at 100K, and oil/filter and fuel filter changes. Best vehicle for reliabilty ever owned. Did have the drivers seat rebuilt as it was tearing at the handle. Carried 4000 pound camper and now tows 8000 pound travel trailer. Needed air bags and energy suspension bumpers to carry camper even as it is a dually. Would buy another without hesitation. At a steady 65 mph it gets more than 20 mpg not towing. Be careful how hard you push on the top of the tailgate closing it as it can slightly dent easily.

 

[puller]

I have a 2006 Ram 3500, yes there have been a few [rob;ems.

Transmission went at 62,000 miles
Had to replace the ECM at 95,000
A/C door at 35,000
Seat at 27,000 and 52,000
Engine at 123,000
Vacuum pump at 73,000

We pull a 5th wheel that weighs 19K

Would I buy another, I am not sure some of the others are looking good.

 

[AH64ID]

What took out your engine?

 

[campertruck]

I have 2006 3500 SRW with 104,000 miles
Rear ujoints @85,000 miles
Tie rods 90,000 miles
6 injectors 104,000 miles
Transmission 104,000 miles
This truck has been great however as you can see once it broke 100,000 2 major jobs blindsided me. All said and done the joy of the diesel and the great fuel mileage savings have evaporated with the costs of a transmission and injectors.
Too bad that for probably $100 Dodge could have put in place the correct parts to prevent both failures.

 

[TGVET]

You don't even want to get me started. However, if you REALLY want to know I'll fill you in.

PS. I JUST got a Technical Service Bulletin from Chrysler in the mail yesterday about the failing Left front tie rod STUD... All I can say to that is: F YOU Chrysler for the "timely notification". NOT !!! 8-1/2 years later ? Are they SERIOUS ?? I took care of that problem a year ago by upgrading AT MY OWN EXPENSE. So, KMFA I will NEVER, EVER take my truck to a dealership....

God how I wish the A-holes at that company would visit this site. Maybe then, they just might get a clue how crappy of a product they put out. But hey, I'm a realist, if they built something that DID NOT have engineered failure designed into it, how could all those union workers keep getting their automatic annual cost of living increases, benefits till death and retirement ?

 

[Wayne M.]

This thread has been going on for a couple of years. I think I posted twice. I still have my truck, I still love it. No intentions of moving on. I just drove it +/- 400 miles the other day.
I have started a 2um fuel filter project based on the GDP kit.

Keeping on keepin on.

 

[TGVET]

This thread has been going on for a couple of years. I think I posted twice. I still have my truck, I still love it. No intentions of moving on. I just drove it +/- 400 miles the other day.
I have started a 2um fuel filter project based on the GDP kit.

Keeping on keepin on.

Are you saying you are just now putting it on ?

I installed mine a long time ago and glad I did. I change the OEM and the GDP 2u filter every oil change and I'm certain the only reason I am still on the stock injectors at a hairs breath under 300K is because of my maintenance schedule. Thank you NAVY.

You've been on here long enough to know of other members here that have posted FI problems way EARLY on.

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes. I've been rolling the dice. Finances and time consumed by a young family dictate otherwise.

 

[AH64ID]

PS. I JUST got a Technical Service Bulletin from Chrysler in the mail yesterday about the failing Left front tie rod STUD... All I can say to that is: F YOU Chrysler for the "timely notification". NOT !!! 8-1/2 years later ? Are they SERIOUS ?? I took care of that problem a year ago by upgrading AT MY OWN EXPENSE. So, KMFA I will NEVER, EVER take my truck to a dealership....

Maybe I am missing something, but if you upgraded to the 08.5+ style steering then this applies to you. If you are still in your stock style steering it doesn't apply. The original steering was stronger, but might have caused death wobble. I am still on my original steering at 95K but will go with the new setup when the time comes.

On a side note, what is the 08 HD Swaybar in your sit?

 

[Wayne M.]

I have close to 110 k hard NYC pothole miles. Still on my original steering except for the steering stab and the pitman end of the drag link. I'm just now getting enough looseness to set up mild shake under the perfect speed over the perfect ripple in the road.

 

[rscurtis]

I change the OEM and the GDP 2u filter every oil change.

You're throwing money away on the second filter change, and maybe the first. If the OEM filter still looks decent, leave the GDP filter alone. I cut mine open after about 40K miles and it was still like brand new inside. Every time you touch a filter, the risk of contamination is increased.

 

[AH64ID]

You're throwing money away on the second filter change, and maybe the first. If the OEM filter still looks decent, leave the GDP filter alone. I cut mine open after about 40K miles and it was still like brand new inside. Every time you touch a filter, the risk of contamination is increased.

Yup, I think it was Cat that had a service bulletin about over servicing fuel filters. A used filter works better than a new one.

I change all 3 of mine every 18-24 months, or at the sign of a pressure drop. I end up with around 20K miles on them.

 

[mwilson]

Yup, I think it was Cat that had a service bulletin about over servicing fuel filters. A used filter works better than a new one.

I change all 3 of mine every 18-24 months, or at the sign of a pressure drop. I end up with around 20K miles on them.

Air filter elements are the same way, if your over service them you actually add to the problem.

 

[TGVET]

Just spoke to Chrysler and from what I was told mine is OK. I had mine replaced as well as the HD sway bar in October 2012. What I don't like about the new linkage setup though is, that there are NO grease zurc's for the tie rod ends.. How LAME is that ?

Oh, but wait ! All I have to do is drill and tap my own in.. #@$%!

 

[AH64ID]

Just spoke to Chrysler and from what I was told mine is OK. I had mine replaced as well as the HD sway bar in October 2012. What I don't like about the new linkage setup though is, that there are NO grease zurc's for the tie rod ends.. How LAME is that ?

What is the HD swaybar? That's a new one for me, and searching turned up nothing.

 

[TGVET]

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