2006 model issues & advice from the experienced

[WMcGuire]

Just returned from a trip cut short by collision with a big Harley :{ :{ , love of my life, :{ had its life cut short at the same time :{ :{ :{ , only 14000 miles on the odo, :{ now in the process of replacement, searches in these forums havent turned up any recent posts on the G56 trans & Dual Mass Clutches, they must be working out well?? Need some input from owners of 06 models what to look for and what to look out for... .



Now lest you think I'm just a big cry baby and it was just only a big hunk of iron on wheels, I think I'm starting to understand the meaning of post partum. .

:-laf

 

[BHolm]

There is very little difference between your 2004. 5 and the 2006. There are new fenders, lights, grille and a revised interior, not a whole lot more. The G56 as you noticed seems to be holding up great. I don't even see the DMF problems that plauged Ford when they tried them.

 

[WMcGuire]

Thanks BHolm, I sorta had that feeling, "No News is Good News", I was at a dealer today and was told the 07 models will be the same as the 06 models until the first of the year when they will change to the new fuel configuration, and the 6. 7 Cummins will never be in the 2500-3500 model trucks, that is just a rumor acording to the salesman. . maybe have to start a new thread on this question.

 

[BHolm]

Sounds like the salemen, as usual, have no clue. The 6. 7 will have to go into the 2500,3500 trucks to meet emissions.



Now it wouldn't surprise me if the 5. 9 continued on in a 4500/5500 truck, they may be in a less stringent emissions catagory.



I personally would try really hard to get the 5. 9, it is the proven engine without a bunch of emissions junk strapped to it.

 

[Wdoucet]

Had an '05 with RE48 and ''70 mph vibe'' problem, got Buy-Back, purchase '06 with G56 both had 3. 73.



RE 48 would run 2000rpm at 70 mph, G56 runs 2200rpm at 70 mph.



Like the G56 better dispite the higher rpm's (just had to slow down a bit).

 

[SEwing]

If you put too much power to the DMF the clutch will be hating life. I quickly found that out, thank you Southbend clutch for helping me get rid on the DMF. Other than that I love my truck and wouldn't trade it for 3 fords and 2 chevies.

 

[ACF]

Wdoucet. I had the vibe in my 04 also. Also got a buy-back. I have an 05 now, but still have the vibe. However it is not in the front end, the Cummins just hums in the frame between 200-2500 rpm, just the way the truck is... ..... no fix. It takes a little getting used too. Not really annoying however. I think they all do this, with the stiffer frame.

 

[Lonestar]

One thing I have noticed with my 06' is the poor fuel mileage. I had an 03' that when driven moderately would yield 19mpg on the highway, and my 05' will get 19on the highway and 17 around town. My 06 gets 13mpg whether I'm on the highway or in town. I only have 13k on the ticker, so I'm hoping that it will improve once I get around 20k miles, but I'm not sure.



I get so frustrated, since guys with 06's on here are getting 18ish, and some are getting like myself around 13.



Other than that, I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[pwr2tow]

I have seen the MPG differences in every year model since I joined TDR back in 2000. I have seen 24 valves get better milage than some 12 valves. I think it's a crap shoot for any year model. Everyone always says the earlier the year model trucks the better the fuel mileage. I have not seen that trend. The best thing to do is test drive the truck before you buy it. If your serious about buying the dealer will Fill the tank to the top and drive 100 miles or more and then calculate MPG. IF you like it then buy it if not walk to the next one. I did this with my last 2 trucks and you can see my results in my signature.

 

[JAlford]

Luvin my '06

Have only a few complaints with the '06 MegaCab 3500. The auto trans takes getting used to, as my '99 was a 5spd. Heck of a long delay (5-6sec. ) from when you press the go petal to when the truck wakes up and says OK giddy up!

Other than some other things I liked better in my '99, I luv the truck. HUGE amount of room in the rear. Wish it had a long bed though, so I could pull my trailer.

New truck shopping is a great cure for post pardum... . :-laf

Jeff

PS - getting an average of 17mpg overall since I bought the truck. Most driving is hwy and I have 14,000 on the odometer.

 

[BHolm]

My '06 started out getting 13. 5-14 mpg, it was pretty depressing since I spent a year getting the '05 broken in Anyway, now with 27k on it I am back up to 17-18 mpg and am satisfied with that I guess. My '03 HO dually does better but what is a guy to do? The new ones also turn the oil black right away. I checked the '03 today and with 2500 miles since the change I can still see through the oil, not even close to black. Thats probably where all the extra fuel goes.

 

[Wdoucet]

ACF. Vibe was from the back, I agree, seemed to be comming from the frame but the 06 dosen't have such a noise. There seems to be more brackets between frame rails but I can't confirm that. I simply tried the new one and when I didn't hear the "hummmm", I bought it.

 

[MMerlino]

Have only a few complaints with the '06 MegaCab 3500. The auto trans takes getting used to, as my '99 was a 5spd. Heck of a long delay (5-6sec. ) from when you press the go petal to when the truck wakes up and says OK giddy up!

Other than some other things I liked better in my '99, I luv the truck. HUGE amount of room in the rear. Wish it had a long bed though, so I could pull my trailer.

New truck shopping is a great cure for post pardum... . :-laf

Jeff

PS - getting an average of 17mpg overall since I bought the truck. Most driving is hwy and I have 14,000 on the odometer.

I also have a 2006 Mega Cab. I installed the super glide hitch that allows me to tow a fifth wheel without worry. The super glide can now use a paint called "Slip Plate" instead of grease. This makes it even better and less maintenance. My 06 Megga with the G56 tows 13K easily.

MM

 

[rattlbox]

love my truck wouldn't trade it for the world... no real big issues just roll-over vent recall . and recirculation door replaced under warranty other than that great truck

 

[Brock]

22k on my 06 and love it... . no issues with transmission... . no issues with starting or performance. mpg was around 13-14mpg new around town/city and 17mpg hwy... . now recently it is averaging 16. 5 city and 19-20mpg hwy...

i have 3. 73 gears and 70mph puts me at about 1850rpms... . just below 2000... where the mileage seems to be best at 1800-1900 on highway... little bit lower around town for best mileage.



06 have better lights... . much much quieter engine from inside cab..... has Regular, Tow/Haul, and OD Lockout button for auto transmission.



I have no shake or vibration up through 85mph... not been faster. I am running Nitto Terra Grapplers in 295 series... with no wear problems rotating every 4k miles.



Enjoy your new truck as I have... .

 

[Lonestar]

do you attribute any of your mileage improvements to the Rokktech sensor? I have a mostly stock 06' thats in my signature, and the best I have EVER seen on the highway is 16. Thats including a 10% calculation for the tires. I do have 4. 10's, but with the nearly 36" tall tires, I am at about 1900rpm's at 70.



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[ldcemtp]

I have the truck in sig. below, I want to replace 265 70-17 with 285 70-17. I'm told that this will hurt my power and mileage a lot. I'm wondering if I will notice much difference with the taller tires.

 

[WMcGuire]

Well Guys, to put an end to this bedtime story, I spent a lot of time searching the internet Dodge dealers, all the local dealers and found an almost exact replica of my previous truck at about 4g's lower price than my insurance settled on the 04. 5 I totalled last September, !!Happy Days are Here Again!!, so far the new 06 has exceeded my expectations, I haven't towed yet but so far the overhead registers 19. 7 mpg, RPM's are higher at cruise speed but apparently doesent make a big difference on mpg's, I made the fuel tank vent mod but probably wont do any more mods other than convienence tricks, Bottom line, I is happy again!

 

[MAshley]

Why did you get a 2WD ?

 

[WMcGuire]

Why did you get a 2WD ?

2WD provides 99% of my needs, it gets almost 20 mpg and isn't even close to being broke in, I can usually improvise to accomplish the other 1% on my needs without 4WD, Why would I want a 4WD with the death wobbles, poor milage, howling gears, did I mention poor fuel milage?