Are you happy with your third gen truck

[OHale]

Better than second gen, with vp-44s and lift pumps? I'm thinking of trading. Either going diesel again or with the Hemi.

Very Happy.

 

[macdaddy]

Wish the 05 had the sound of the 99 (engine clatter) .



Used to love pulling into those quiet campgrounds with that clatter.



Mac

 

[brods]

Very nice truck, awesome towing machine, though all I have to compare to are late 1980 vintage trucks. Stock. No problems other than the door seal.



Mileage..... is good for such a heavy vehicle but disappointing after reading all the 20+ mpg claims posted here on the TDR. Cruising 55 mph on flat ground and resetting the overhead only produces 20 mpg. Thats 20 mpg just to keep the empty truck rolling at 55 mph! No way this truck could ever average 20 mpg when including starts and stops. Best tank was a little over 18 mpg. 23,000 miles with an overall average of 15 mpg. Must be quite a mpg variation between trucks. No noticeable increase in mileage after "break in" as is frequently mentioned.



Fuel additives, much higher price for diesel..... maybe just paranoia from all the concerns on this site over fuel lubricity, injectors, filters, etc, etc..... the Power Wagon with the Hemi would get much more serious consideration if I were to do it over again.

 

[Gray 5.9]

Very good

The steering, braking, and handling is alot nicer than my '94 was. I now have 82,000+ on my '03. Other than replacing the alt. bracket and front end alignment, I'm very happy with the reliability of driving it hard 660 miles a week and only use half a quart of engine oil every 10,000 miles . Though that old truck got 19 mpg had 250,000 on it when I sold it, and would leave my '03 and a new truck in the dust, and smoke . Gosh I hate thinking about the way a 4" exhuast sounds on a 12 valve

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

My best fuel mileage was 22mpg. I got that ONCE, and don't know what I did to get it. I get about 17 in town, which seems good to me. I usually don't drive on the interstate without towing something, but I did a little test today. Short distances, so take with a grain of salt: 70 mph got me about 18 mpg. 75 dropped it down to 15.



I towed my boat (5000 lbs) back at 75, with quite a bit of traffic, and got about 11. 5.



Towing 16k at 70 mph I get between 8 - 9.

 

[MRFost]

My previous truck was regular cab long bed with V-10. Although I thought the '96 drove fine, the '05 is far superior. Heck the fuel pump REALLY worked on the "10!". Much better fuel mileage with the Cummins. THe brakes on the '05 are stellar. I don't tow anything, but I load the bed very heavy.

 

[dcochran]

Never thought the day would come when I would compare the quality of a "truck" to some of the vehicles I've owned over the years (MB/Acura/Toyota/Honda) but I do. The fit, finish, bank vault sound/feel of the doors closing, and the list goes on - is amazing. I've dropped the rear of my 06 in order to move my 5th without taking the underside of it out on the dips/ramps/etc. , and done the cold air filter mod - added a few odds and sods and don't have many miles on it yet altho I'm optimistic as can be re: a short "heavy haul break-in with trailer" next week. My 2000 which was super (DTT/DD2,s/Comp Box/etc. ) was nice, but this one, mostly stock so far, is nicer. Super Truck.

 

[2Gen3Gen]

Actually, I liked my 1990 1 ton 4x4 ctd better. Better economy by far and never made me walk. The ride on the 04 is better but that is about it. I really like the classic look of my 98 12v 4x4. But, (booo-hisssss) Im really liking my 2002 Ford CC 4x4 Duelly Powerstroke. (It was free from my dad) Ya cant argue with free!

 

[DavidBurt]

My 05' is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. Stock and has never had 1 problem. 17 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway empty and about 14-15 with 6K behind it. Good fit and finish and great power.

Dave

 

[JasonBrown]

Absolutely positively the most satisfying truck to drive and own I have ever had. I have never kept a truck more than 2 years before so everyone laughs at me when i say I'm keeping this one 20 years. I'll show them!!!!!

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

Ok how about stick shift? I personally feel that alot the problems with my truck was the automatic. Granted it never gave me trouble, but when I started to get on it you could feel the truck defuel.



Gary

 

[RVTRKN]

Ok how about stick shift? I personally feel that alot the problems with my truck was the automatic. Granted it never gave me trouble, but when I started to get on it you could feel the truck defuel.



Gary

Check signature, love the NV5600 and would never have auto behind any Diesel of any make

 

[RobertP]

19,000 miles here and no problems to speak of. i average about 19 mpg. no complaints here

 

[Grizzly]

How about fuel mileage?

Expect to get better mileage on the 3rd gen.

 

[TSpecht]

So far I've been quite happy with my 2005. I've got about 25k miles on it thus far (aquired it on ~Oct. 27 2004). The only problems I've had have been a U-joint at roughly 18k miles which was promptly fixed under warranty and the door seal issue which I still haven't been concerned with enough to take it in and get fixed.

Mileage if I drive relatively easy in mostly non city conditions tends to be between 19 and 22mpg (relatively unloaded)...

 

[DaveHess]

I came from a 1995 Ram with the 5. 9L gasser and bought my '03 new in '03 because I was tired of feeling totally stressed out from a day of towing. I truly love this truck. The love the brawny looks and the power to tow at will. I wish the interior was a little better appointed and the A/C worked a little better but it is a work horse and for that it fits the bill without question. I had a lift pump fail at 5,000 miles and a water pump go at 21,000. Otherwise it performs flawlessly. I now have 31,000 on the clock. As for MPG. Towing has been between 10 and 12 at 70 MPH. I have since (addition of a VA C3. 1) slowed myself down to 65 and recently got 12. 5 towing 9,000#. At 55 MPH I have gotten 24. 9, 65 netted me 20 something and 75 got me close to 17.

 

[DZink24]

Love my 04. Had a 98 1500, (see sig) and this diesel motor is no comparison. It is mind boggling how this truck can go for hours on end at highway speeds thru the hills loaded, cruise set, and never skip a beat. If I had to do it over again, all I would change would be to get a 6 speed and a different color. The interior is awesome, and the major worry (complaint) I have is the paint. Simply put; it sucks. Look at it wrong, you will scratch it. Above all, a motor with the ability if needed, to tow over 7 tons, and also the ability to push 20 MPG on a 7,000 lb truck is mind numbing. My 98 360 would do 14... if I were lucky.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Happy as a pig in doo doo!!

Had a 1990 first gen that I traded for a 96 Powerstroke. Had Stroker for 8 years till I bought my 04. 5 CTD. I just LOVE my truck, especially after I installed the Kore Chase system. Rides/handles like my wifes VW Passat (cornering is a breeze at higher speeds) and the towing power is awesome.



Love my 6 speed, as my Stroker had an auto (big mistake).



Mileage is normal, from what I can see. 18 empty (hand calc) and 13 or so towing my enclosed trailer. This is at about 65-70 mph.



Wouldn't trade it for a Bow-tie or Blueoval ever!!! :-laf :-laf



Wayne

 

[coobie]

Only real problem is with the U joints... ... ... ..... they suck!



Other than that it's a great truck, last truck was 98 12v(wish I still had it though). Drivability of 3rd gens are so much better.

I agree with the u-joints suck. I replaced all of mine(35,950 miles) with percision greasable ones,other than that great truck. coobie Oo.

 

[J&LRam]

A/C problems and wind noise around the doors/windows on my '03 are my grips. With the 305/555 engine and six speed this truck is gettin' 22+ mpgs on the highway and 12. 5 towing my 11200 lb 5er. These are averages and pencil figures.

Had a '01 235/460 2500 auto but the Cummins was loud enough to kill brain cells. The '03 3rd gen drives and handles better than the '01 2nd gen did. For my use the NV5600 VS the auto was a no brainer for towing duties and a 110+ mile a day commute.



JIM