3rd gen question

[DIESELWRKS]

just been pondering the Idea of going up to a 3rd gen. I have had a 04. 5 when the 600/tq was first introduced. but wasn't married or a kid. etc. went back to what I currently have. thinking it may be time soon to get a bigger cab. I know most if not all the problem area's on my truck I have have fixed and upgraded beyond. love the truck but looking somewhere between 05 to 06 possible mega cab pending $. havent decided on trannies yet. either way they both would need to be addressed. not talking power adding. but what type of issues upgrades are really needed for these years of 3rd gen. sorta like on my 2nd gen with the steering issures I have had to fix because of how dodge built it. so far only on my 2nd vp with 175k on the truck. dont know if I will sell my current truck guess depends on what I would be able to get for it. thanks for the 3rd gen help



2002 HO 6-SPD LB 4X4 QC HTT 62/14 SB-DD3600 TST PM3/*REVO-BETA*SMARTY MACH 4'S, RINGED AND STUDS, AFE/2 " FTE 6" STACK D/PRICOL GAUGES, FASS 150, VULCAN 1/2 DRAW-STRAW, 3/8 FUEL LINE, DSS-BOX DT PRO-FAB TRAC BAR, CONV-T STYLE STEERING,DUNKS TRACTION BARS, AIR BAGS,17'' KMC BLACK HOSS, 37" TOYO MT'S 6" RCD LONG ARM LIFT. :-laf... THANKS RIP DiPricol Gauges

 

[Scooby]

I really liked the interior of my 01. The 04. 5 I had seemed to be less supportive in terms of seating and just looked a bit less "rich" and too mini-van-ish. My 06 has better seats and than the 04. 5 and the interior is improved over my 04. 5. (all three trucks were Laramie editions).



I do really like the looks of a very clean 2nd Gen truck, though. I don't care for the additional plastic (all over) on the third gens... and that if you stare at one too long you can dent it! My 01 seemed to have better paint than my 04. 5... . in fact that truck's paint was so think you could see the primer through the white paint.

 

[JJPage]

Some of the 05 years had plastic end cases on the intercooler, they tended to crack, causing boost leaks. Some 3rd gens still have steering issues, mine has not developed any yet.



The earlier 3rd gens 03/04 have a weak lift pump, and depending who you speak to, they (03/04 and 04. 5+ yrs) all had quite a few injector failures. I believe most were caused by lack of proper filtration, so filtering down to 2 microns is highly recommended.



Nothing much else is coming to mind at the moment, they are all pretty good trucks if properly maintained.

 

[04blackcherry]

HEATER BOX. Make sure when the switch says floor heat, that's where it goes. JJPage it right on; the '03-'04 the lift pump is iffy. In '05 they put the pump in the tank. There's no CAT on the early '04. I believe a 6-speed will get you a 1-ton rear end in a 2500.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

so a 05 to 06 how are they for fuel system. I would plan on doing a fass set up draw straw if needed at first. would get a smarty and TST but getting ahead of myself. but I have heard the current manual 6 speed compared to the NV5600 the shafts are having issues. is this correct. also when did the nv5600 go away in the 3rd gens. thanks. I like the inside of the 2nd gen and still love my truck and everything I have gone through with it. just need more room soon.

 

[04blackcherry]

I believe '05 was the last of the NV5600.

My '04 is pretty comparable to the '02 in the cab. My buddy has two Gen 2 regular cabs to compare to. The big difference is the dash on the Gen 3. You could almost sleep up there. The extra glass lets a lot of sun in and it's kind of like sitting under a sun roof. I think I prefer his seats over mine too.

My Laramie has the electric transfer case, so there is no shifter for it on the hump. The back seats aren't made for three six footers to sit back there, but they are a 60/40 split so you can have cargo and people back there.