3rd generation owners who previously owned a 2nd generation…looking for opinions…

[Doubleclutch]

Have you heard of ANYBODY dumping their third gen. and going back to a second gen?

Greg

 

[robert4570]

Have you heard of ANYBODY dumping their third gen. and going back to a second gen?

Greg

No , but i still appreciate the simplicty of the 12 valvers .

 

[2Gen3Gen]

I went from a 98 12v to a 2004 305/555 to a 2004. 5 325/600. . If I was to choose a truck, I would take my 2004 305/555. No Cat, lots of power, just a pull to the right that no one could seem to fix in 10 months, along with a set of front ball joints.

My 98 12v was a Fantastic truck! That truck I feel will be on the road once my 04. 5 is dead and in the junk yard. I never walked with the 98. It just kept on going!

My son likes the back seat of the 3 gen truck. To me, the exhaust just isn't the right smell. Kinda like a really bad dog fart.

 

[tschwab]

Frank,



I say go for it also, but time is running way short as you cannot order an '05 and the '06's will begin showing up in late august/sept. So, if you can find the set-up you want, grab it.



Sound - A lot of folks say they miss the sound of the 2nd gen, I do to a point, but the 3G has a nice distinct growl, (albeit quieter than a 2nd Gen).



As mentioned earlier, the improvement to the steering and brakes are enough to make the switch. Fuel economy seems to be on par (slightly less) than the 12V, but Much more useable power when towing.



Heated leather is awesome - as well as dual climate zones and CD/radio controls on the steering wheel, you might want to take a look at the Laramie pkg with those options.



Would I do it again? Absolutely.

 

[TMcDowell]

Had a 99 witha an automatic that was toast at 90k got an '02 powerstroke crew cab for the room which was completely worthless more time in the shop than in my house to bad the family never got enjoy the extra room. Then a '04. 5 Quad Cab but the milage was horrible, and vibrated found an '05 at the right price and right time and absolutely love it. I did like the interior a bit more on the second generation seemed more sturdy if you will. Although the bun warmers (heated seats) are nice on the '05. Also liked the noise on the '99 personal preference a diesel should sound like a diesel. Those items aside the '05 is much better in all other respects brakes which were a constant battle with the '99, power, and the fuel milage is about the same between the two 18 - 19mpg unloaded although i can't say that for my '04. 5 which got 13 mpg on a good day. It appears they have worked out the vibration and fuel milage issues with the '05's so lease away and enjoy. I wouldn't trade my '05 but I sure wouldn't mind owning another 2nd gen either just for fun.

 

[FJfonda]

Old 2nd Gen - '99 3500 DRW QC 4X4 5 sp Van AAken 140,000 miles

New 3rd Gen - 04. 5 see below. 23,000 miles



Positive aspects of the change:

- Quieter --> but getting louder all the time

- More rear seat room

- Steering much improved

- Brakes feel is more crisp

- Equivalent power without voiding warranty



Negative aspects of the change:

- Initial acceleration is slow

- Infinity stereo is mushy sounding

- Fuel milage is terrible



Would I do it again? Probably ----

 

[Doubleclutch]

Robert- I've still got my 12v

I just drive the "wife's" 4. 5... The '96 is like a P-51 or Bearcat... noise and power: The 4. 5 like an F-86 quiet (relative) speed and power. With the aFe torque tube and filter, the F-86 simile is even more pronounced.

Greg

 

[Dixie Dawg]

I traded in a 2001. 5 2500 w/ camper package. I like my 2005 2500, but I absolutly HATE the damn idle knock (sounds like a gasser with low quality fuel at idle and slow speeds). It is every bit as bad as the 7. 3 Ford 'cackle', and I only have 4,000 miles on the truck. Interior is nice, steering is fantastic, brakes are great... . but that damn knock when I put it in drive is pathetic, almost enough to make me wish I had gone with a 2005 Ford. Other than that it seems to be a pretty good truck.

 

[fkovalski]

Opinions on my 05, compared to my 96, conveniently provided here

Aha! Thanks- That was the link I was looking for! Good information.



SOooo..... Has this vibration in the drive train at 70MPH effectivly been solved? I have scanned the many threads regarding this. Is this complication the (ahem) "lift pump" of the 3G's?



Thanks for everyones replies!



Sidenote: I have not even driven a 3G yet! am planning to do so this evening.

 

[FJfonda]

Driving THE truck you purchase is more important that driving a demo. Make sure you drive at highway speeds and do a few full throttle takeoffs and check each for vibrations.

 

[KCJackson]

Aha! Thanks- That was the link I was looking for! Good information.



SOooo..... Has this vibration in the drive train at 70MPH effectivly been solved? I have scanned the many threads regarding this. Is this complication the (ahem) "lift pump" of the 3G's?

Over 6000 miles in 3 1/2 month, and no highway vibes at all, no fuel delivery issues as far as the pusher pump is concerned. The left front brake has developed an occasional squeal, but this appears to be a pad burr of some kind (has been mentioned by others that sometimes the pad may need to be buffed). It has no effect on braking - no degradation of braking performance, and there are no apparent scars on the rotor.

 

[Cattletrkr]

My '01 was a great truck. Had a few issues, the normal stuff like steering wander which wa cured with a DSS brace, lift pump. Had to put a head gasket in at 120K, external coolant leak. Other than that it was mostly trouble free for the 138K I put on it. Got rid of it while it was still worth something, and I needed a Quadcab.



"04. 5 has been in the shop more in 60K than the '01 ever was. Launch shudder 3 times. That was finally cured when the center u-joint was found to be assembled wrong at the fatory. It made it 55K before it totally siezed and took out the hanger bearing and rear joint with it. 4500miles later the front axle joints got replaced (last fri). None of these are a big deal since they are under warranty.



Steering is great on the 3rd gens. But a DSS on the '01 made it tons better than factory. Brakes were alright on the '01, I always have a trailer behind so I've always got stopping power. Interior was better on the '01. I don't like the center hump mess on the '04. 5, too much to get dirty and impossible to keep clean longer than 4days.



Everytime I write a check for this one, I wish I had the old one. The only thing I really don't like about the '04. 5 is the way it starts. It's certainly NOT a hard starter, it just doesn't pop off like the '01 did with little to no cranking.

 

[robert4570]

Robert- I've still got my 12v

I just drive the "wife's" 4. 5... The '96 is like a P-51 or Bearcat... noise and power: The 4. 5 like an F-86 quiet (relative) speed and power. With the aFe torque tube and filter, the F-86 simile is even more pronounced.

Greg

Go ahead rub it in .

Buddy of mine has a 12 valve 98 5 spd quad cab that is mint .

Garage kept since new , never been in the mud , come to think of it dont its towed much either.

Lifes not fair . :{



By the way guys , this is what's great about this site . Its great to see the exchange of info and not the ugly that rears its head from time to time.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Hey Buddy- I hope those big winds treat you OKAY this year!

Greg

 

[crobertson1]

Frank,



Did ya get it?

 

[msperos]

Frank, if ya are still pondering it, do it. I just traded my 01' quad cab 4x4 for an 05 dually, what a difference. It rides and handles soooo much better Oo. Oo.

 

[fkovalski]

... Did ya get it?

The price numbers, trade- in and payments are all looking good!... . BUT, I have a couple of concerns about whether the new ones are an improvement or what. Check out this thread: Camper Slide- In. At some point I would like to get a camper, but apparently Dodge does not want one to be put in the bed... EVEN on a 1 ton!

 

[DPelletier]

The price numbers, trade- in and payments are all looking good!... . BUT, I have a couple of concerns about whether the new ones are an improvement or what. Check out this thread: Camper Slide- In. At some point I would like to get a camper, but apparently Dodge does not want one to be put in the bed... EVEN on a 1 ton!

I have had zero regrets moving from my '01. 5 to my '03. The '01. 5 was a decent truck, but had a half dozen things fixed under warranty by the time I got rid of it. The '03 FINALLY had to go to the dealer for the first time in 1 1/2 years a couple of weeks ago. They changed the u-joints and ball joints (under warranty) and replaced a cracked clearance light lens. Best truck I've owned so far (and I have 6 trucks and have owned 12).



The camper issue isn't a concern to me until someone can show me a cracked frame or three. My '03 has been used to haul my Bigfoot 2500 for the last 1 1/2 years without any issues and my friend Mark has the same truck with a Bigfoot 3000 series camper.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[fkovalski]

Did ya get it?

Yea! I got it!



I am not sure if I like it though This 05 is WAY TOOOOoooo civilized! It's quiet ( I have to make sure I do not try to 'double start the starter' ); it has an OH console; power seats; CD player- Hell it even sits lower than my ole' 2500! I have already taken off (via off roading) the front air dam (damn!) What's with that thing anyway



AND... that damn panic button that I accidentally hit and didn't know how to turn off! #@$%! It timed out by the time I got to the right page in the manual :-laf . OH, I have to be going over 15MPH for it to turn off? I want to rip that button off- I usually can remember where it is that park any way!



I know b!tch, b!tch, b!tch- I'm worse that a woman (I mean that in a good way!) It will take time to get used to this new 'automobile' :-laf of mine.



Gotta' change the ole signature- and my e-mail too! It is currently "d2500ram" at that yahoo place. Wonder if I should change it to d3500?



Speaking of 3500... . I like to debadge all of my vehicles. I am thinking of taking off ALL of the letter emblems 'cept for just leaving "350. " Sort of a way to pay homage to the 1st Gens- but that might be an insult to a real truck :-laf Seriously though- If I take off all the letters then I am the only one who will know it's a 3500 unless you really know your Dodge's! Maybe I'll put the Cummins "C" that is on the fender in front of the numbers and call it a "C350". Let 'em wonder when they see it!



In all seriousness- it will grow on me over time. Thanks to all who replied with information- I'll never ask for your advice again (ONLY KIDDING)



-frank.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I do not regret trading my 02 on the 04 one bit. However, I do find myself jonsing about my 12v and looking for a 98 12v 3500 quad cab at times. Mainly, I dream of few payments and the 12v. Candidly, I go over the pro/con check list regularly and the "keep the 04" usually wins because: the steering, the 6 speed, the brakes, the frame, the gears (2nd/R suck in the 5 spds. ), the 3:73 on the highway, the four doors, the "extras" money I have invested in the 04, and I'm realistic to think that if things keep heading south on the fuel prices someday I might be trading in on something with a smaller better mileage diesel. Or I might keep the paid off 04 and persuade the wife to get a VW TDI