Looking at 5.9 Mega Cab

[JTruelove]

I am looking at adding another truck(Room for the children). Just like all models, what should I look for when I'm looking into a 5. 9 Mega Cab?



Thanks

 

[goodguys75]

you might want to be a little more specific, like the yr, 4x4, 2500 or 3500. . stuff like that... . I have one and it is great except for the a/c in the summer , but i live in the desert.....

 

[AWeiman]

i really like ours. if you werent aware 5. 9's in megacab were only available for 06 and early 07. aside from the usuall things you would look for( a clean, unbombed, good driving truck) my only two real complaints, as stated above the air flow in the back seat is not always the best cause the cab is quite big and there are only two vents on the floor. also the mpg arent as great as we had hoped for but it is my understanding the later cr motors where not as fuel efficent as the earlier years. the only other thing i would throw out there is unless you really think you would use it dont buy one with a sunroof, just one more thing to eventually leak air.

 

[firefighter_2000]

I did this

I have a 99 2500 quadcab and was looking to add a mega cab to my driveway. I wanted one for close to 5 years before I finally bought one. Found a one owner 06 with around 80k on it. It needed a few things like tires, brakes, tie rod ends, batteries, lumbar seat adjuster, oil & fuel filter change, and it STILL needs the heater blend door fix done. I haven't spent a fortune getting it back to going 100% and Im VERY VERY pleased with it.



I opted for the 2wd because I dont really have a need for it and I wanted the better fuel milage. I'm averaging around 22-23 mpg on the highway. I plan on using it for trips and such and the fuel economy is whats important to me. In the winter we usually only have one or two icings and I bought a GOOD set of chains for my 99. I also dont go off-road so it wasnt an issue either.



Check out auto trader (there's even an Iphone app from pickuptrucks.com that might help you). When you do the search, do a specific search and enter the word "mega" in the text box. You can also narrow it down to any other criteria you want to meet.



Bottom line is, you WONT be dissappointed in a mega cab. I've had mine a few months now and I LOVE it. Hope you find a good deal on one and love yours as much as I do mine.

Craig

 

[JTruelove]

I want a 4x4 auto. I have heard about the airflow difference from the front and back. Is there a fix for this from Dodge?

 

[goodguys75]

I want a 4x4 auto. I have heard about the airflow difference from the front and back. Is there a fix for this from Dodge?

no. dont worry about it... i live in a desert and its not that terrible once you get moving down the road... just buy it

 

[ChrisOlson]

I will follow this thread

I love my 99 as well but i have been eyeballing the megacab cause i would need more room for the grand kids found a beautiful one here in Oregon kinda scared to buy one because i don't want payments.

a beautiful red one

Chris

 

[AWeiman]

no. dont worry about it... i live in a desert and its not that terrible once you get moving down the road... just buy it

i agree. nothing to worry about that much.

 

[mwilson]

Don't worry about the Heater/AC. It just takes a little while to catch up but not a huge issue.



I love mine. Period.



'06 is the best year in my opinion as you get the 5. 9 with the 100 pin ECM (same as a big truck), the fairly smart transmission and a HUGE cab.



Two grandkids in car seats fit in it very well... ... .....



Rides great, quiet (Doors seals, cab, etc. ) and at 106,000 miles is still as tight as the day I drove it home new with 70 miles on it.



Leaking FSA fixed under warranty, behind the turbo coolant hose leak fixed by me, ball joints and knuckle u-joints by me at 70,000 miles. Almost forgot, a new louder muffler at 95,000 miles.



I have added an Edge w/Attitude, a Jake Brake, a rear overhead DVD player and a bunch of stainless trim.



16-17 mpg at 75 mph. 20 mpg at 50 mph. Towing the fifth wheel 11-13 mpg depending on load and speed (try to run 63 mph on interstate if possible).



That is it, all the rest is unmolested virgin truck.



Do it, you won't regret it. Oo.



Mike.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Do it

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[jraker]

My wife and I were in the same situation. Then we purchased one this last July. It was an 06 2500 SLT 4x4 with only 18k miles. The previous owner only used it to pull his 5th wheel. Since we bought it we haven't looked back. It will drive different than you 2nd gen. That took me a little to get used to. I had a DTT in my 2nd generation, this one doesnt kick like a mule when it shifts. Kind of miss the kick. However it seems like it has more power stock than my modified 2nd generation. The airflow is a little weak as they have said, however I had a powerslider put in and don't have any issues. Our 2 kids (5yr and 6mo) ride back there along with our two 80lb labs. My wife can climb back there when the little one gets fussy and there is still room for all. You will find you can cram a lot of stuff behind the seat too. Like others have said do it and you won't regret.



Also didn't know if you already knew about Katskinz, but you can put leather and seat heaters in for 1800. The leather looks factory. This was a must since my 5 yr old has a tendancy to spill milk or juice.

 

[JTruelove]

Nice looking truck. What is a powerslider?

 

[jraker]

Powersliding rear window. There is no hope. opening a manual slider under way, even with my gorilla length arms.

 

[bheiting]

Read the "Buyers Guide" here on the TDR home page - left hand column.

 

[gtobey]

Don't pass one up!

Don't worry about the Heater/AC. It just takes a little while to catch up but not a huge issue.



I love mine. Period.



'06 is the best year in my opinion as you get the 5. 9 with the 100 pin ECM (same as a big truck), the fairly smart transmission and a HUGE cab.



Two grandkids in car seats fit in it very well... ... .....



Rides great, quiet (Doors seals, cab, etc. ) and at 106,000 miles is still as tight as the day I drove it home new with 70 miles on it.



Leaking FSA fixed under warranty, behind the turbo coolant hose leak fixed by me, ball joints and knuckle u-joints by me at 70,000 miles. Almost forgot, a new louder muffler at 95,000 miles.



I have added an Edge w/Attitude, a Jake Brake, a rear overhead DVD player and a bunch of stainless trim.



16-17 mpg at 75 mph. 20 mpg at 50 mph. Towing the fifth wheel 11-13 mpg depending on load and speed (try to run 63 mph on interstate if possible).



That is it, all the rest is unmolested virgin truck.



Do it, you won't regret it. Oo.



Mike.

Dittos from me. If you can find one, by all means, buy it! There are minor things, but hey, it's a machine... a piece of history, and best of all, Dodge/Cummins... You will not regret it once you go on a trip, especially with friends! They'll love the back seat, and the fact that they recline! They're awesome!



GT

 

[FFL8N]

I bought mine in 08 with about 32,000 miles on it. I love it and have put a few accessories on it now

 

[Axion]

Do it!

I've had mine since new and you can count on a thumbs up from me. Oo.



Had a couple of motor issues, a broken pushrod on #5 and a broken rocker arm on #6, but both were repaired under warranty. The fresh/recirc door busted on me and fell down onto the fan so we had no airflow while on vacation in Denver in the summer. Had to cut the days activities short to wire the door in fresh air mode till I got home. I'm around 120K miles now and have redone the front brakes once already and they are due again real soon. I'll also be doing the rear brakes this time around. Not too bad considering I tow about 40% of the time and I have no engine brake, yet!



I've made a few mods, but only in the name of longevity as I tow a 5th. Mag hytec pans and temp sensors everywhere, a FASS system and some extra lights up front. I've also got a complete engine driven air system now. Soon I'll be able to adjust the airbags from in the cab and an air ride seat is waiting for me at home.



Right now I am accumulating parts for the front end rebuild. The front suspension puts the bump stops to work way too often and the steering has loosened up a tad. I am putting in the 08+ steering linkage and installing a Carli front end upgrade with the leveling kit. We'll see if these uber expensive ball joints stand up to the hype. Again, not bad, considering how long I've had the truck and some of the rig roads I've pounded down.



Overall pretty minor issues for a complex mechanical device and I would not hesitate to buy another one.