Looking for a 3rd gen

[sleddog]

What's the best year. automatic. ?

 

[macdaddy]

Why an auto?. Just curious.



Mac

 

[JJPage]

They are all good years!



Some of the newer models have upgrades that are improvements(lighting), and some upgrades that are not improvements(emissions programming and equipment).



If you can find one that has had good maintenance and records to prove it, you should be ok.

 

[sleddog]

Have driven a 5 speed for 10 years. legs falln off.

 

[Grizzly]

I sure like my 05 and my son sure likes his 04. 5, but like JJPage said all 3rd gens are good.



I also had a 5 speed for 10 years and now I have a 6 speed. I still prefer that to an auto.

 

[BrianJ]

If I was in the market for a 3rd gen Auto equipped CTD I would look at the 2006-2007. The 48RE programming was updated in '06 and allows for the use of an exhaust brake. Not to mention you avoid the potential of the plastic intercooler in '05 and it seems as though there are much fewer injector problems as they got the bugs out the later years of the 5. 9.

 

[Motorhead]

Have driven a 5 speed for 10 years. legs falln off.

I drove UPS trucks (stick shift)for 30 years and that is why when I bought my FIRST Dodge/Cummins powered, I bought an automatic. My '01. 5, A 2wd automatic I thought was going to be my LAST truck. I hated the automatic for towing... even though I had a full DTT build on it. I found that there was too big of a gap between DRIVE and OVER DRIVE on the hills.
I sold it and bought my DEC. '06 built, '07, 5. 9 with the late ratio 6spd G56. Also got 4wd. I LOVE this truck!!! It is a perfect tow vehicle. I will be testing it out this weekend towing our TT from the coast to Las Vegas.
I think that an '05 would be a good year as it still has a standard electrical system in it and not the CAN-BUSS system the '06 and later has.

 

[JCrockett]

I sure like my 05, 325HP, 610ft-lb, Auto, only problem I have had was the plastic intercooler caps poped, bit it was replaced with a steel cap unit under warranty. Other then that is has been a great truck for 45k miles. I have upgraded suspension and steering componets just cuz I wanted to. Dealer would not replace my BJ because they "were still in tolerance" but I replaced them with Carlis and have had no problems.

Personally I like the dash layout and front clip better on the 03-05 trucks rather then the 06+ trucks too.

 

[Grizzly]

I sure like my 05, 325HP, 610ft-lb, Auto, only problem I have had was the plastic intercooler caps poped, bit it was replaced with a steel cap unit under warranty. Other then that is has been a great truck for 45k miles. I have upgraded suspension and steering componets just cuz I wanted to. Dealer would not replace my BJ because they "were still in tolerance" but I replaced them with Carlis and have had no problems.

Personally I like the dash layout and front clip better on the 03-05 trucks rather then the 06+ trucks too.

I believe you have the perfect truck, however I still prefer my NV5600 6 speed over the auto.

 

[Chief USA]

I believe you have the perfect truck, however I still prefer my NV5600 6 speed over the auto.

I am helping a friend look for a used truck. He is considering anything from a 2001. 5 to a 2006. The 2001. 5 thru 2002 trucks are getting very difficult to find in decent shape as time goes on. Which truck overall is the best year to buy in the 2003 thru 2005 2500 manual shift trucks?

 

[Grizzly]

I am helping a friend look for a used truck. He is considering anything from a 2001. 5 to a 2006. The 2001. 5 thru 2002 trucks are getting very difficult to find in decent shape as time goes on. Which truck overall is the best year to buy in the 2003 thru 2005 2500 manual shift trucks?

Well, I believe any 03 through 07 with a 5. 9 is good. I like the 03 through 05 with the NV5600, 6 speed. I do however hear good things about the G56, 6 speed that came out in mid 05.

 

[RVTRKN]

Look at sig, they both are awesome, and would not recommend any MY lower than 04. 5. and stay away from 07 5. 9. The 07 reason, is Dodge loves to get rid of parts they wont need into their vehicles. My wifes brother had a duster from the last MY and he could not keep rear wheel bearings from failing. He found out the rear end had numerous different parts that didn't belong there. That cost him lots of money to get it right. The 03 to 04 has the lower the HP ratings and you might end up with a California detuned or SO output which is a little higher than the California detuned version. It is the main reason for the CTD 600 in 04. 5.

 

[Matt400]

If I was in the market for a 3rd gen Auto equipped CTD I would look at the 2006-2007. The 48RE programming was updated in '06 and allows for the use of an exhaust brake. Not to mention you avoid the potential of the plastic intercooler in '05 and it seems as though there are much fewer injector problems as they got the bugs out the later years of the 5. 9.

X2, I have an 05 and its great but EB use required some changes and the 06-07's get to have both a T/H and O/D off function.

Get a 4x4 if you want to move heavy stuff on inclines cuz the 48RE ratio's are too high and low range comes in very handy.

The 6 speed auto in the 08+ is what I would like to have but am not sold on the long term issues that may pop up on the 6. 7's emission equipment.



Some day I might consider an dual range unit. Would be nice to have the factory ratio for unloaded and a set of 4 gears all lower in ratio for towing.

 

[Regcabguy]

Look at sig, they both are awesome, and would not recommend any MY lower than 04. 5. and stay away from 07 5. 9. The 07 reason, is Dodge loves to get rid of parts they wont need into their vehicles. My wifes brother had a duster from the last MY and he could not keep rear wheel bearings from failing. He found out the rear end had numerous different parts that didn't belong there. That cost him lots of money to get it right. The 03 to 04 has the lower the HP ratings and you might end up with a California detuned or SO output which is a little higher than the California detuned version. It is the main reason for the CTD 600 in 04. 5.

Aside from a brief(but scary to say the least) bout with dw,my '07 5. 9 has been trouble-free with zero trips to the dealer. I almost didn't buy another Dodge after all the problems with my '98. 5 CTD. If you find an '07 5. 9 with a good repair history scoop it up. Best truck I've ever owned.

 

[CamarosRus]

03 and early 04 (before Jan) 305HP/HO before govt emision new rules and cat convertor



I have 03' Q. C. Longbed with 6spd stick, 11"/3:73 Diff.



These misc facts have been told to me by Cummins Customer Advocate at Chrysler

 

[SVick]

Got one 4 sale in Ca.

I just listed my 04. 5 3500 SRW 4x4 Quad cab Laramie with 73k for sale. It is a HO engine and the 48RE auto. Original owner and never a problem. E mail ar call me at 530-644-2206 if interested. Scott.