Best 3rd Gen model year?

[OHale]

I own a 04. 5 I really like it. It has the steel intercooler and the easily owner serviceable engine mounted lift pump. I prefer it over the 05 for this reason and the because of the overdrive lock out on the shift column. The 04. 5 is better than the earlier models because of the higher power. I have never had the vibration, door molding problems of others. The cat doesn't bother me. A 4" straight cat on the Dodge is not going to be a problem on my un-bombed truck.



If I was starting out, I would purchase an 06. All of the problems with the 05 have been fixed AND the 48RE will take an exhaust brake. The longer they build them, the better they get. My 98 Jeep GC is a case in point. It is the most perfect vehicle I have ever owned.

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't realize there were a lot of problems with the 05s. What are they? I would never give up my 04. 5 by the way.

 

[JEvers]

I liked my '03 a lot and would still have it if not for two things:



1. The standard output engine (250 hp) was a little short on power.



2. The 47RE was not HD enough to handle motor upgrades.

 

[ChrisKringle]

Liked my '03 305/555 better than '04. 5 325/600, better fuel economy--over 600 miles per fill, and had chassis shaking torque when chipped from 1400 rpm on up. I've missed the old '03 comapared to the 04. 5, also they replaced the electric air bag lumbar support in the '03 with the manual crank of the '04. 5. Talk about cheap. Just going to get me an LLY.

 

[CHolman]

The 03's and 04's don't have the third injection event? So the quiter motor from 2003 (305/555's) on is from the common rail fuel system? I was wondering why mine was a little louder from the newer 04. 5's on...

 

[DPKetchum]

03/04 no third event,no cat. They seem to get louder with miles all of them.

 

[RailroadJim]

Well flathead I just did what you're talking about a few days ago, found a cream puff that was exactly what i wanted, so far so good, they can be found with low miles too(42K) if you're patient.

 

[DPelletier]

The real answer to the question is: It depends.



They are ALL good trucks. The only 3rd gen I'd shy away from would be an SO 47RE truck. As you can tell by my sig, I have sorta "one of each" and I'm happy with them all. The 305/555 is nice from the perspective that there is no cat and no 3rd injection event. I'd also suggest the 302/555 gets a hair better mileage than either of the newer trucks, but the reality is that the trucks are all slightly different and any comparison wouldn't be scientifically accurate. I'm not a fan of the 04. 5's plastic intercooler tanks and I still like the NV-5600 better than the G56 (not a DMF fan).



If I was getting an auto and leaving it stock, I'd be fine with a 2006 despite the weird looking headlights. If I was looking for a 6spd I was going to modify, then a 2003-2004 305/555 with the NV5600 would be best IMO.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[Dieselnut59]

I said 03 or 04 because of the lack of convertor and lack of third injection event as well as the quality of the trucks seemed better in the early stages.

I agree. I love my '03 and have a friend with a '03 with 300,000 miles on it, mostly pulling a trailer. We both have the BullyDog "triple dog" tuner on our trucks. He has had very little problems and I have yet to have any @ 50,000 miles.

No CAT is a BIG plus to me because I HATE the way those things smell and make my eyes burn, plus, I imagine they could clog pretty easily with a tuner box dumping additional fuel though it.

 

[DPKetchum]

Never a post YET on any forum I have visited about a CAT failure on a 3rd generation yet. Any one out there heard or read of one?

 

[geusterman]

Not heard of any cat failures... and the fumes are easier on my eyes from my 04. 5 than my 02 fur shure. Also... my inner cooler is steel, built Jan 9 04. If I did not have this truck and all the mods in it and was shopping... I would hunt down an early 04 HO. Best of all worlds... simplicity and benefits of 3rd gen.

 

[DGStrate]

03, 04.5, 05, 06...

Well, here is my take:



If you want the best fuel economy, go with an 03-early 04... My buddy's 03 will get 1-2 mpg more than my 04. 5 in same conditions, same fuel, etc...



If you want more power (rated, not necessarily seat of the pants), get an 04. 5. Advantages include more power gain with SMARTY box, nv5600 still available, metal intercooler caps.



05 is nice as it has more ECM memory, can be fitted (on 48-re) with an exhaust brake, but you risk getting plastic intercooler caps. Also, 05 brought the addition of the polished aluminum wheels (look NICE!)...



06 added definite 48-RE + exhaust brake compatibilty, new style headlamps, mega-cab available...



So - pick your poison and be happy... As many have stated, the 3rd Gens haven't suffered TOO badly from major issues. There HAS been some drivetrain vibration issues, rear axle whine, launch shudder, etc issues, but most are minor and can be fixed relatively easily, especially with all the helpful people on this forum!



Good luck!

 

[MChildress]

This is easy,MINE... . :-laf