Best all around 3rd Gen Truck

[blacksheep4x4]

I would have to say I liked my 03 the best. Had the best milage, better power and went 247,000 miles before I sold it. I did have rearend issues when I first bought the truck(bought it new). Other than that it was a work horse. I should have gotten rid of one of my 06s before that 03.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

I seem to never hear about a guy with an 03 having any issues I think the 03's and early 04's where the best. very little emissions crap and the best mileage, so lets go with an early '04 with an nv5600 as the best truck of the bunch.

 

[jjdiesel]

I'll go for that!

 

[DHuffman]

I'm happy with my '07 5. 9L.

 

[LesStallings]

I seem to never hear about a guy with an 03 having any issues I think the 03's and early 04's where the best. very little emissions crap and the best mileage, so lets go with an early '04 with an nv5600 as the best truck of the bunch.

Amen! No cat, no dpf, no third injection event.

 

[mlewis73]

Bought a new '06 in June of last year from Fusz Dodge in St Louis. Had a couple issues with temp sensor "rationality" that were fixed by flash. 2nd flash seems to have decreased power and changed the torque curve slightly, but I've gotten used to it or it was all in my mind.

Truck hauls... HAULS... when pulling my 30' gooseneck horse trailer (about 7500-10,000 pounds depending who/how many horses I'm pulling. ) Never been disappointed while on the road towing. I'll let Fords pulling at 80 go by me, as I won't intentionally exceed the speed limit by more than 2-3mph when pulling the horses, but haven't ever been passed by a Ford or Chevy pulling a trailer uphill.

LOVE the manual transmission--definitely made the right decision. Won't win any races from light to light (well, actually... I dusted a PSD awhile back from a stop) but I've outmuscled all trucks I've come up against when pulling in the hills. Would be nice to see a road test of the Dodge six speed manual transmission truck against a dmax or psd. Dodge with the auto didn't do too well in one roadtest against the other 2, which had more gears available.

Other than the temp sensor, no issues. Don't love having a new truck payment, but love having a truck that makes my job easier when pulling a large trailer.

Don't suspect you'll find an '06 for what you want to pay, but good luck with what you do find!


Mike

 

[gsbrockman]

Another vote for the 2003>>2004 305/555 CTD's.



I owned an '03----a first-year Common Rail, and it was great. Zero problems ! As noted previously, great stock power, no emissions items, easily maintained, and the NV5600 is a tough manual transmission.



I hope my 2007. 5 6. 7L 350/650 is as reliable and trouble-free as my 2003 was... . picking it up early Monday morning !



Greg

 

[jjdiesel]

Greg, we need a translator to read your new sig!! Good luck on the new ride!

 

[gsbrockman]

Greg, we need a translator to read your new sig!! Good luck on the new ride!

Sorry !



D18P81 RAM 3500 Laramie MegaCab 4x4

2FH Laramie 2FH Pkg

ETJ 6. 7L CTD 350/650

DG7 6-spd 68RFE Automatic

PB5 Electric Blue Pearl Coat

APA Monotone Paint

GJD5 Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats in Slate Gray

XJL Front Hood Protection

NHK Block Heater

DSA Anti-spin Differential

RAK am/fm/cass/6 disc CD

LN7 Clearance Lamps

XME Under Rail Bedliner

AR9 Single Rear Wheel Group

GPG Power / Heated Trailer Tow Mirrors

GWA Power Sunroof

3CG Bluetec Diesel System

NEN Diesel Exhaust Brake



It came in Friday around 6:15 pm, but the dealer's service folks go home at 5:00 pm. I'm getting Big Blue Monday at 8:00 am ! Oo. :-laf



Greg

 

[jcarew]

002 c,c, 24v made into a M.H.

We have an 002 M. H. built on a Dodge Cummins cab chassis after 3 lift pumps a high buck inj pump bought in Reno$$$$ a couple of broken rocker arms I would would gladly buy another 12v and bury the 24v. My old 92 ext cab had 185k NO Problems I did not even know where the lift pump was. Major repair was to adjust valve clearance. loved it. The fella I sold it too ran it to about 225k an got Hemiitis an bought a new 4dr truck. The main reason I sold it was because it weighed to much to tow behind our M. H. Guess I could have put a hitch on the front of the M,H, and towed iy with the 12v pickup. Things see to have improved since I had the Fass put on and took the exhaust brake off to protect the valve train. of course no one else had the valve problem but me, Anyway good luck with whatever you buy. 12v forever:-laf

 

[MOWPAR]

Seeing how I've been a 3rd Gen owner for almost 24 hours I feel qualified to answer that 06 are the best... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... at least the best that is sitting in my driveway

Traded in my 2nd Gen and got a killer deal on a leftover.



Jim