Looking for a 3rd gen

[Royk]

I have an '02 quad cab that is no longer going to be big enough for growing kids on very long trips. I have not followed anything regarding 3rd gen CTDs and therefor know nothing about the different model years. All I know is I want another 2500 CTD with a 4 door cab. What are the pros and cons of the 2003 and up trucks? It needs to be 4WD and able to plow snow. I prefer manual transmission, but would consider automatic. The longest possible bed is also a selling point. Thanks!



Roy

 

[JJPage]

03/04s have a weak fuel lift pump, easily remedied. Their valve seats are prone to dropping at 1400+f egt's, for prolonged runs. The headlights on 03/04s are not as brilliant as the newer models, but imo, they are more cosmetically acceptable.



They(03/04)have a bad rep for failed injectors, which is not true, 04. 5+ years have far more instances of faulty injectors. 03/04 have 8 hole tips w/2 injection events, 04. 5+ have five hole tips w/3 injection events & with a narrower spray angle, allowing more advance timing.



03/04 models have no cat/less emissions, I would not trade my 03 for anything newer, I am sure there are 04. 5+ owner's who feel the same.

 

[rscurtis]

Agreed. None of the newer trucks from any manufacturer can match the simplicity and fuel economy of the '03-'04 Dodge.

 

[Royk]

Thanks for the replies. No cat and less emissions complexity sounds good. The only thing is I have never cared for the styling of the 03-04s, both interior or exterior. The '03s were out when I bought my '02 and I could have had one then. But looks aren't everything as the saying goes.



I'd still like to hear from some 04. 5+ folks though.



Roy

 

[Edgemann55]

My 05 has been flawless for 70000+ miles. Other then fluid changes,filters ect it is has not had a thing replaced. The 05's had plastic endcaps on the intercooler and can blow-mine has been fine but I have not gone crazy with power. Just run Smarty Jr on level 3. Truck gives me a honest 21mpg on the road. I do run additives(PS & MMO) every tank and my injectors are fine. I think you would be happy with any of the 3rd gen trucks no matter what year. My 05 is the best truck I have owned in 40 years and I have had a few. Hope to keep this one for many,many more.

 

[Royk]

What year did the VP-44's go away?

 

[CodySanders]

in 03 when they switched to the common rail

 

[CodySanders]

they now have cp3 pumps

 

[RVTRKN]

My 04. 5 has 60K on it and the cat only changes the smell of the exhaust. The lift pump replaced with in tank at 32K under warranty, other than that, I LOVE IT. The 325HP/6spd pulls my 5ver over any grade I've ever been on without any issues. The dropping of valve seats is new to me, I have no egt gage but if you pull within GCVWR and chose the correct gear it will stay within specs. I have asked many techs about their opinions on adding a EGT probe, and all of them have told me, in stock form with the proper RPM it will never go over the designed specs and if they were prone too it, there would be a factory EGT gage, but then thats another subject/argument.

 

[Royk]

Good to hear they lost the VP in '03. So have they lost the lift pump setup yet?



I've heard some crazy stuff about diesel emissions control, like having to replenish some kind of urea NOX capturing setup. Has that been instituted yet?



Roy

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Good to hear they lost the VP in '03. So have they lost the lift pump setup yet?



I've heard some crazy stuff about diesel emissions control, like having to replenish some kind of urea NOX capturing setup. Has that been instituted yet?



Roy

not in these trucks

 

[Royk]

So are they still using lift pumps these days?

 

[Forrest Nearing]

yes, they moved them to an in-tank setup in 06