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Should I buy a used 2007+ 3500?

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I'm looking to get a newer truck, but not a brand new truck. I have a 2001 quad cab and need a true 4 door cab for the family on the long trips we take towing our trailer. I was looking at the 2006 models (before the smog junk), but I want a Lararmie edition and they are hard to find. I do find newer 3500 DRW models that are Laramie's, but now I'd have to have the 6. 7 engine.

I haven't had my ear to the ground on the newer engine satifaction with the owners and I know about the new smog PDF stuff. :confused:Would anyone recommend the newer 6. 7? I've heard the automatic transmissions are pretty good with the newer trucks.



Any feed back on the 2007+ models would be greatly appreciated.
 
If it has all the latest and greatest flashes done and not been modded, I would say go for it. They have been trouble free for quite a while now. Just load it, drive it!! Avoid the short drives and you will be OK.
 
They are much improved in every way over the earlier trucks. If you use one of them as they are intended it will make a fine family tow vehicle. Using one as a grocery getter for frequent short trips is sometimes not a good idea and can result in soot issues in the turbo and CELs.
 
Thanks for the input. From what I've read in the 2007+ section, and the info here, it seems that I may be a perfect match for one. I only use my 2001 3500 for towing, it only has 74,000 miles and sits in my shop when we're not camping. When it is used it highway miles pulling my 5'er.



What about an automatic transmission? I've got the NV5600, which I love, but I'm getting lazy in my older age and when sitting on an offramp with an uphill grade, I get a lot of bouncing getting that 5'er moving with the metallic clutch in there.
 
The new MOPAR six speed automatic is excellent by all reports. It is fully integrated with the engine and exhaust brake feature, all computer controlled. I have only heard of one 68RE failure and that is on a very highly modified truck a fellow TDR member owns. He acknowledged his failure was caused by very high hp and torque and hard use and had it rebuilt.

For towing heavy fivers I would not buy one unless it has the 4. 10 gears. The standard and most common differential ratio is 3. 73 but Dodge rates it to tow much less weight, about 3500 lbs. less than 4. 10 geared trucks. Engine rpm won't exceed 1600 rpm at 65 mph with 3. 73 gears which requires lots of downshifts and is too high for heavy towing. Study the gear ratios and road speeds and you will see what I mean. Some will disagree but Dodge agrees with me.

The G-56 manual six speed transmissions are a German, Daimler Benz design, built by a Brazilian company for German medium duty box trucks. Most owners are very pleased with the transmission but the dual mass flywheel/clutch assembly chosen by Dodge to reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) has proven unreliable.

Many TDR members have reported failure of the DMF system in as little as 25,000 miles and one new '10 Ram owner has already had his clutch replaced twice in only a few hundred miles. Some diehard manual transmission users will defend them but the evidence is pretty clear that they are not as reliable as conventional solid flywheel set ups. SouthBend Clutch sells a solid flywheel/clutch conversion set but owners report that combination often delivers a grabbing clutch and transmitted noise.
 
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