Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Traded the 96 on the 05 on March 8 2005.
The 05 has definitely been a better truck than the 96 in most ways. The very few things I miss from the 96 are the better fuel economy of the 12-valve, and I prefer black gauges over white. Ironically, one of the few things I have a complaint with on the 05 was the same with the 96... the HVAC system in both trucks left a lot to be desired - both developed refrigerant leaks at the evap, which require a dash drop to fix. On the other hand, the Cummins has been flawless in both trucks, and has never required anything but scheduled maintenance, except for the throttle cable replacement in the 96.
When I bought it, I was driving 19K miles per year just commuting to work (35 miles each way), but after three years, my work situation changed and I've been working full-time from home for a company across the country. So in the last 9 years, the truck hasn't had to do much, and only has 75K total.
After a dozen years, the 05 still accelerates well, is rock steady on the road (I have never had a suspension or alignment issue, no Death Wobble like the 96), and even though the truck now spends a lot more time sitting around than it used to, it never complains and is ready to go when I turn the key. Only two age-related repairs... brake line failed in 2014 [see next paragraph], and the muffler/tailpipe needed replacement in 2015.
When that brake line gave, I was on a 50 mph 2x2 local highway, approaching a red light. Since I had just turned onto it, I was only doing about 40 at the time. I stepped on the whoa pedal and got nothing. I didn't have the full shoulder to work with because it was half blocked with plowed snow, but I was willing to bail there and possibly injure myself rather than slam into the cars in front of me. But my first choice was the parking brake. I quickly but smoothly applied it and it brought the truck to a full no-drama stop - no tire skidding, no problem. The cars in front of me stopped at the light had no idea there was a mechanical failure behind them. It was a Saturday, so I carefully limped it home with the parking brake, then had it towed to my mechanic first thing Monday morning.
After 12 years, it owes me nothing - I take care of it, and it takes care of me. Will be a couple more years before I can swing a new ride (moved to a new home last year, so that expense was priority), so I'll have it for a while more. I'm hoping FCA doesn't drop the ball on the next generation of Ram trucks... would love to get another 3500 diesel.
The 05 has definitely been a better truck than the 96 in most ways. The very few things I miss from the 96 are the better fuel economy of the 12-valve, and I prefer black gauges over white. Ironically, one of the few things I have a complaint with on the 05 was the same with the 96... the HVAC system in both trucks left a lot to be desired - both developed refrigerant leaks at the evap, which require a dash drop to fix. On the other hand, the Cummins has been flawless in both trucks, and has never required anything but scheduled maintenance, except for the throttle cable replacement in the 96.
When I bought it, I was driving 19K miles per year just commuting to work (35 miles each way), but after three years, my work situation changed and I've been working full-time from home for a company across the country. So in the last 9 years, the truck hasn't had to do much, and only has 75K total.
After a dozen years, the 05 still accelerates well, is rock steady on the road (I have never had a suspension or alignment issue, no Death Wobble like the 96), and even though the truck now spends a lot more time sitting around than it used to, it never complains and is ready to go when I turn the key. Only two age-related repairs... brake line failed in 2014 [see next paragraph], and the muffler/tailpipe needed replacement in 2015.
When that brake line gave, I was on a 50 mph 2x2 local highway, approaching a red light. Since I had just turned onto it, I was only doing about 40 at the time. I stepped on the whoa pedal and got nothing. I didn't have the full shoulder to work with because it was half blocked with plowed snow, but I was willing to bail there and possibly injure myself rather than slam into the cars in front of me. But my first choice was the parking brake. I quickly but smoothly applied it and it brought the truck to a full no-drama stop - no tire skidding, no problem. The cars in front of me stopped at the light had no idea there was a mechanical failure behind them. It was a Saturday, so I carefully limped it home with the parking brake, then had it towed to my mechanic first thing Monday morning.
After 12 years, it owes me nothing - I take care of it, and it takes care of me. Will be a couple more years before I can swing a new ride (moved to a new home last year, so that expense was priority), so I'll have it for a while more. I'm hoping FCA doesn't drop the ball on the next generation of Ram trucks... would love to get another 3500 diesel.
