Are you happy with your third gen truck

[Grizzly]

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!

If it's a furd I can argue. I've never had any luck with a furd.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

Well I just got back from looking. The payload capacity is down from my 01. My number one complant was there was not enough truck for the engine, so now they have a bigger engine and even less of a truck. To get a truck equal to mine I have to go to a 3500. The interior is horribly designed, looks like a bunch of cereal boxes glued together and a wrought iron park bench is more comfortable. 45k is a lot of money for a truck. My old one is really looking good to me.

 

[HNelson]

I'm a very happy owner of a 06 6 speed. It replaced a 05 6 speed that was totalled at ~12k miles. Both are awesome trucks. My dad made a mistake and bought a 2001 Dodge 1500. Worst truck ever! The 3rd gen 2500's are light years ahead of the 2nd gen 1500 in all the areas you would expect the 1/2 ton to have the advantage in. I could not sit in the 2nd gen seats for 600 miles in a day without my right leg falling asleep, the 3rd gen seats are way better for long days. I've done Sallisaw OK to Detroit MI without stopping in my 05 and still felt fresh. Ok, I stopped for fuel once... got over 20mpg on that trip.



The 06 is quieter than the 05... but adding the new weatherstripping to the 05 reduced wind noise to 06 levels. The 06 has had better initial fuel economy than the 05, but with only 2600 on it, it's not broken in yet. 05 went from 16 when new to 20 at 10k. The 06 started at 17 and is now at 18. Both 6 speed 3. 73 4x4's. Towing a 6k trailer I usually got 13mpg, 1/2 ton gassers got 10mpg while average speed was 10mph slower with same trailer.



I had a pair of Duramax/Allisons as rentals during the 3 months they tried to fix the 05 after the accident. I have nothing bad to say about that combo, but I happily ordered another Dodge when the 05 was totalled. If you're looking at an auto, I would give the 6 speed Allison a hard look though. The extra overdrive was awesome for interstate driving and it would even hold it pulling moderate hills towing my 6k trailer. The IFS was nice during light off-roading, it rides better than the solid axle.



Test drove 6 Ford's... didn't like them as well as the Dodge or Chevy. I read in all the magazines how the 6. 0 was quieter than the Cummins, but I didn't find that to be true. And all the trucks I drove had bad bump steer. Both times I looked at them I drove 3 samples (3 05's and 3 06's) because I kept thinking they were broken! The seats reminded me of the 2nd gen Dodge seats... if you like them that's a good thing, but I don't.

 

[BBRam]

I'm very happy with my 03. And it only get's better with every MOD.

 

[ZHutton]

I bought a used 03 at the end of feb of this year because I could not justify spending what a new truck would cost me.



I now have 6k miles on the truck and am very happy with it and could now justify buying a new one if this one got totalled or something.



I don't know how a stock 03 with the 6 speed manual performs but with the banks 6 pack on this truck I have no real wish for more power. I mostly just use level 4 all the time and never use levels 5 or 6.



I would say a stock 06 would be good enough until the warranty period ended. And I test drove a couple automatic 06 dodges but I wanted a stickshift and was unsure of price so I bought the used 03 instead.



I am unhappy with the tire selections. I have decided I can find tires to get the job done, but I am not happy with selections in stock dually tire sizes.



I had a 2000 gmc yukon 4x4 and this 03 dodge is light years ahead of the gmc in so many ways I don't try to compare the two vehicles.



Overall I am happy, there are some quirks like the 17 inch rims for tires that are annoying since I don't want to spend the money for new rims to get to tire sizes I prefer. None of the quircks made me avoid the truck purchase.