best year

[cmills]

thanks for all the great info, I remember reading about (and one of you mentioned it) some driveline vibrations, did that pertain to a certain year and what was the cause?





Cory

 

[DPKetchum]

Kinda pertains to ALL year models without a definitive repair. What fixed one did not fix another. Haven't heard or read about that issue on 6. 7 trucks. Dodge isn't the only manufacture with this issue. Its also on the Ford and G. M. sites just seems it was not a wide spread.

 

[Matt400]

Now that you bring that up, just the other day I did front & rear U-joints on an 03 LB 4x4. Afterwards there was a vib traced to the front driveline so had to pull it for re-balancing.



I found this odd as having worked in the automotive field a long time and never recall such a thing. I have heard of techs dropping drivelines and putting the pieces back out of phase & this happening but this was not the case. The balancing shop is seeing more of it they say and feel its small variances in the U-joints.



I wouldn't worry about that kind of thing when looking to buy. A vib can be located and corrected, we do that stuff in our shop all the time.

 

[cmills]

Boy, you guys make it hard to decide. Seems to me I would be best off with a 04. 5 since I can get the 325 engine and still have the ability to lock it out of overdrive.



All the 04. 5's have the 48re right? Where do I look to find the axle ratio?



Is there anything I should look or listen for when I go to drive them?



Sorry for all the questions

Cory

 

[rbattelle]

Where do I look to find the axle ratio?

There's a sticker in the glove box.



Ryan

 

[Matt400]

What I look for in a used vehicle is how clean it is inside and out, shows some appreciation for their investment. Unmodified and older owner gives me a warmer feeling for how hard its been driven.

Mods are not all bad though cuz you stand to get a few bonus items.



Have you looked in the TDR classifieds? I have seen good deals there from time to time.

I would consider a flight out to get this one and drive it back if it all looked good.



Or a quick search here is a good one.

 

[cmills]

thats a nice truck, but I need a quad cab long bed.



Could you tell me if all the 04. 5's have the 48re and 325 hp engine?

 

[Matt400]

Could you tell me if all the 04. 5's have the 48re and 325 hp engine?

Yes to both, unless it has a manual trans

 

[BHolm]

I've had a bunch of third gens. I am now finally in the one I consider the best. I like the '06 for the vastly better headlights, not the look, though I do prefer it now, but the function. The early trucks have a poor design with pathetic high beams. The bright box or some such mod doesn't come close to the '06 and up redesign. The seats in the '06 are better to my bottom. The bottom cushion is longer for better thigh support. I also prefer the new dash design, fake wood and all. If you are looking at an auto, the '06 gives you BOTH a tow/haul feature and OD lock out. The '06 also avoids the cheesy double bubble chevy tailights the '07s adopted and sticks with the same as earlier models. The only thing missing in the 23 mpg I got with an '03 QC SB 48re

 

[tmh1955]

I LOVE my 2006. Previously owned a 2001. The Tow/Haul mode of the auto transmission is excellent. Shifting is much firmer that the 2001. Combine this with a quieter engine and more HP, I can recommend a 2006 most heartilly.



And the diesel exhaust smells completely different now ;-)

 

[cmills]

I'd like to go with an 06 but just don't think I can afford it.

 

[cmills]

temp gauge

one other thing, do the 3rd gens come with a transmission temp. gauge

 

[RankRam]

one other thing, do the 3rd gens come with a transmission temp. gauge

Nope... .....

 

[cmills]

imagine that!

 

[Jaysyl]

I have an 05 and like it. The 06 48re might be better, I think you can install an exhaust brake. The headlights are better on the 06. I think two mini-mag lights would be better the headlights on my 05.

 

[Grizzly]

I have an 05 and like it. The 06 48re might be better, I think you can install an exhaust brake. The headlights are better on the 06. I think two mini-mag lights would be better the headlights on my 05.

I agree that the headlights on the 03 to 05 are not good. So, I drive with my fog lights on all the time, which really helps to light up the front of the truck.

 

[BHolm]

I agree that the headlights on the 03 to 05 are not good. So, I drive with my fog lights on all the time, which really helps to light up the front of the truck.

I run mine that way on the '06 as well. The big problem for me is nighttime in the country on the narrow DARK two lanes I drive. The high beams on the '06 are way better than the early trucks. The other morning I counted 8 fresh deer kills on my 25 mile drive



An '06 may or may not be out of reach. I picked up a 70k mile '06 for about $26k. The miles on a truck like this mean little to me, it is hardly broken in yet.

 

[CKennedy]

Yeah, you may be able to find one at a good price. Im trying to sell my 07 with 7500 miles for 31k

 

[cmills]

yeah, if I could get a deal like that it probably wouldn't be bad on an 06

 

[Jeepr]

Regarding the OD lockout on the 05, there is a TSB for the dealer that can enable it, but you lose tow/haul mode. As someone mentioned, if an exhaust brake is important for you, you can get a dealer-installed one on 06+ autos.