buying a 2006,what are thier weak points?

[GreggNoble]

hi, considering on giving up on the 2001 2500 and getting an 2006,but bfore i do i`d like to know a few things.

i can`t get a year out of ball joints on te 2001,is the 2006 like this?

all the torque lock/unlock issues has this been fixed with the 2006?

what is the main things i should check this truck for before i buy it? thanks

 

[AH64ID]

Balljoints are still an issue, thou once a year seems excessive. There are some quality joints out that should last a while.

Biggest thing with any common rail is fuel filtration, and stock isn't as good as it needs to be.

 

[HBarlow]

The '06 was the first year that could be ordered from Dodge with an automatic transmission and Jacobs Exhaust Brake. The brake was not installed on the assembly line but was shipped in the box on the back seat floor for dealer or buyer to install. I had one I ordered as soon as I learned I could get an automatic with exhaust brake.

The eb was fully integrated with the ECM, PCM, and under ordinary deceleration the computer would close the eb then at some speed, perhaps 40 mph, momentarily open the brake, blip the "throttle" (increase engine speed), downshift to third direct, and activate the brake again. The driver could manually downshift to 2nd gear and activate the brake down to 10 or 15 mph. The 48RE locked in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

Even if the truck doesn't have an eb you can retrofit a Jacobs or PacBrake and integrate it engine, transmission, etc. in either manual or automatic transmission trucks.

The '06s and '07s ran very strong and held up well except for the transmissions and clutches if consistently towing heavy. Lots of performance rebuilders can make the 48REs bullet proof if you have a big credit card.

The weakest element was the manual six speeds with G-56 aluminum case and lousy dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly. The flywheels and clutches will fail at lower mileage and more frequently than the 48RE. That comment will anger some and produce fierce defense but it is true and accurate.

I put 230k miles on an '06 in one year and nine months pulling heavy trailers almost every day of its life when I was transporting and the RV industry was strong. It was an excellent truck. A lot faster accelerating than my '08 C&C and pulled very strong also.

 

[GreggNoble]

when you say that the transmissions were weak,do you think they are weaker that they were in the 2nd gen trucks? my 2001 has nearly 200000 miles and no transmission issus other than the trade mark torque lock/unlock issue that they all get .

how much is an 2006 2500 4x4 sport quad cab9no leather) worth it has apx 77000 miles on it? thanks

 

[AH64ID]

The 48RE is tougher than the 47RE, but the motor also has more power. Stock power and good driving habits can lengthen the life, similar to your 2001.

 

[AMink]

My transmission has been fine (I'm at 75,000). Worst part is the seat. It sucks. The only other thing is my tach is screwed up. There is a thread on it. Doesn't affect driving, just annoying.

 

[GreggNoble]

how many miles warrenty is on the transmission?or years.

 

[HBarlow]

Yes, agreed. The 48RE and particularly the '06 and '07 were much tougher and the best ever produced.

The G-56 is not as tough as the NV-5600 manual six speed and the dual mass flywheel clutch assembly is the weakest part of all.

 

[RAton]

I have almost 90,000 miles on my 06 3500 SRW. I tow a 32' TT with no problem. When not towing, it handles so well that I can race the little sporty cars through the winding roads that are Hwys 199 and 101 in Del Norte County. The only fix I've had to do is replace the ball joints and front brakes at 80,000 miles, I upgraded everything in the front end at that time. I had a friend who bought an 08 get irate when we compared MPG, mine is so much better then his. The seat is a problem but is easily repaired/upgraded. (Check posts on TDR for directions) I love my 06.

 

[Motorhead]

I upgraded from an '01. 5 to my '07, 5. 9. I have never looked back. I went with the 6spd from an automatic.

Much quieter cab, better back doors, better visibility, quiet engine (especially from my '01. 5), much better heater, so-so A/C.

I installed some lock-out hubs on the front axel and my mileage is real close to what I got with my 2wd, '01. 5

 

[GreggNoble]

thanks guys, would i be beter off looking for a 2008 model, sounds like there hae been some important front end improvments. is the 08 transmission stronger and heavier built than an 06? are the ball joints and wheel bearings the same?

 

[AMink]

thanks guys, would i be beter off looking for a 2008 model, sounds like there hae been some important front end improvments. is the 08 transmission stronger and heavier built than an 06? are the ball joints and wheel bearings the same?

Personally I'd stay with the 5. 9 engine. I'm not totally up to date on the 6. 7's but I know there were some growing pains with the DPF and other emission related parts. I believe they are rated at the same, or very close, HP and torque. Don't know about the 68.

 

[Wingate]

MANY of the 06 models got the 08 and newer steering updates... as for the bearing... they are ALL junk. . Dodge, furd, gm... . etc. . they are all as disposable as a used baby diaper. . good thing is that many aftermarket companies remedy this bean counter engineering.

I hear the new 6sp. auto is an improvement, but there again, if you add power, expect to spend $$$ on the trans...

Ball joints... . while there are better ones in the aftermarket, as long as were hauling 1000 lbs over the front end, ball jints will need replacement... though aftermarket parts are ususally better.

 

[mhsmith57]

The G56 transmission is a M/B designed transmission built in Brazil for medium-heavy duty M/B trucks. Aluminum casing is to dissipate heat vs. the N5600 iron clad casing. Granted the dual mass flywheel is a weak link but after replacing that... it's all good. I have 75K miles on my G56, still no problem.

Mark

 

[jrmott]

I have a 2006 Dodge and trans failed at 83,000 had to have a major rebuild on trans torque converter and hard parts bone stock engine 2500 slt c. c 2 wheel drive truck . i do work the truck every day and pull heavy loads but have never over loaded truck trans is just weak from factory. other than that it has been awsome very pleased with truck. No ball joint issues as of yet did have to change one of the joints from sway bar to lower control arm ball broke cup on drivers side went back with moog part no problems since repair.

 

[Wertles]

I love my O6 Mega. Had to have trans work done at 50,000 (covered under extended warrenty), two sets of brakes, not really for wearing out but for corrosion issues, ball joints, and u joints in the back. The tail pipe rusted out in year 4 and I replaced it with a MBRP. I have not had any issue with the seats or tach. Replaced the rear shocks at 75,000 with bilsteins, will most likely do the fronts this year to match. Besides the transmission, nothing that I see out of the ordinary for the truck in this part of the country (salt country).

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

i agree about the seat. it does suck. My tach went out as well and apparently this is a very common problem that cost upwards of $500 to fix. (which is why i'll do without. )

 

[GreggNoble]

i`m surprised that the isses that were common among the 2nd gen trucks hasn`t been fixed yet,surely there has been enough knowledge about 2nd gen troubles, transmission issues and ball joints,wheel bearings,lift pumps, i was really hoping to be told that an 2006 was a much much more reliable truck than my 2001 ,but i`m not convinced,maybe i`ll reconsider. Especially the transmission , i can put ball joints,wheel bearings in myself and most other repairs but a common guy cant repair a auto transmission these days. i dunno!

 

[SierraRam]

Lift pump issue has been fixed with the in tank pump, transmission is fine at stock HP levels and the front end is a crap shoot at best, some have good luck and some don't.



By the way the 4th gen has the same front end suspension, lift pump, wheel bearings and ball joints.

 

[GreggNoble]

what are the guys talking about when they say that when replacing thier front end parts they used 2008 year parts supposedly they are improved?