Need advise on Buying New 2005 Dodge Cummins

[CrewCabDiesel]

Well after 5 or 6 years of my brother in law listening about my diesel powered trucks and the power they make, he is ordering a 2005 2500 4X4 Crew Cab Cummins SLT. He was convinced when I towed a front loader he rented 40 miles down a hilly and winding country road. The final straw for him was he test drove an 05 Cummins and then tried out a Hemi powered truck :-laf . He told his wife after the test drive that she would have to put up with the "diesel noise" :-{} .

So what (stock) items should he order on his truck?

He is currently going with the SLT package, Automatic (has bad back so stick is out). I told him to stay away from the 4:10 gears set and go with the highway gears like 3:54. His best price so far is $30,000.

Thanks

Kyle

 

[BHolm]

Do you mean to say that he is ordering an '06? At this point an '05 would have to come off of the lot. Finding one that fits is a good idea though, the incentives are pretty good on remaining '05s



SLT comes with pretty much all you will need. Gears will be 3. 73 or 4. 10, 4. 10s in a 2500 automatic would be rare, most will have the 3. 73s. I have had the 3. 73s in several of these trucks and it is a decent ratio unless you have a large house to tow get the limited slip differential, even though it isn't the best, I wouldn't be without it in a 4x4 truck. Otherwise just browse the brochure, there aren't that many options.

 

[Grizzly]

Sounds like he is doing all the right things. I'd go with a 3. 73 and limited slip. I'd also go with a 6 speed, but if he can't, I understand. Price sounds good.

 

[jwduke]

As Grizzy said. I have the same setup in my 2004. 5, and I get 19. 6 mpg empty on a trip.

 

[Pawpaw]

I would also advise him to get the towing mirrors (actually get the towing package) and fold-flat load floor.



Bob

 

[DMcAnulty]

Most important, if it is a 2005 and not an '06, drive it at 70 mph to 75mph and make sure it does have the vibration from the drivetrain/exhaust that is present in a number of the 2003 to 2005 CTD's. Dodge will fight you claiming it's "normal" and won't do anything to fix it after you've bought.



Having Lemon Law arbitration soon... ... ... .

 

[CPittman]

Get the sliding rear window (great for hauling long pieces of trim), and like Pawpaw says get the fold-flat rear seat / load-floor. Of course, get the clearance lights - my truck isn't a 1-ton, but nobody pulls out in front of me at night either... get the Infinity stereo - its not that great, but it is WAY better than the other option.

 

[Tomeygun]

Well after 5 or 6 years of my brother in law listening about my diesel powered trucks and the power they make, he is ordering a 2005 2500 4X4 Crew Cab Cummins SLT. He was convinced when I towed a front loader he rented 40 miles down a hilly and winding country road. The final straw for him was he test drove an 05 Cummins and then tried out a Hemi powered truck :-laf . He told his wife after the test drive that she would have to put up with the "diesel noise" :-{} .

So what (stock) items should he order on his truck?

He is currently going with the SLT package, Automatic (has bad back so stick is out). I told him to stay away from the 4:10 gears set and go with the highway gears like 3:54. His best price so far is $30,000.

Thanks

Kyle

Make sure he gets the "big horn" package or equilivent... Good content for the money

 

[Grizzly]

Well after 5 or 6 years of my brother in law listening about my diesel powered trucks and the power they make, he is ordering a 2005 2500 4X4 Crew Cab Cummins SLT. He was convinced when I towed a front loader he rented 40 miles down a hilly and winding country road. The final straw for him was he test drove an 05 Cummins and then tried out a Hemi powered truck :-laf . He told his wife after the test drive that she would have to put up with the "diesel noise" Thanks, Kyle

What diesel noise???