Thinking Of Buying Gen 3, Need Help

[dragrcr1005]

i am thinking of upgrading my truck to a dually. i would like to get the newer body style but i have some questions. first, my gen 2 has had most of the dodge problems handled by mostly this website. such as discovering the dss bar for the loose steering,the lift pump and vp44 problems(which were both replaced at 100k), the trans sloppy shifting which was fixed with a valve body upgrade, and so on. my question is, what are some of the problems like the ones listed for the gen 2's do the gen 3's have. any special things to watch out for? any info would be great. i hate to say it but i have even considered a powerstroke. i just hate to give up my truck which has been great to me and is problem free. thanks again!!

 

[GeoffParker]

I have owned a 2004. 5 and now a 2005 almost identical 3500's 4wd dually silver Laramie's with 6speed manual..... 04. 5 was the NV5600 and the 05 is the G56... ... So far no problems at all... ... . I've also owned a '93 2500 5sp, '94 3500 auto and '96 auto... ... 3rd Gen's are so much more refined than the previous gen's... . Fit and finish is better in my opinion... ... Steering is much better, engine in my opinion is strong enough as is so I'm not bombing (yet)... ... Chose the Laramie because my wife likes the heated seats, dual climate control and leather.



Other guys may have the info you are looking for... ... Best news to me is no problems with both of my 3rd Gen's.

 

[abdiver]

I didn't vote as I have only owned a gen 3, but I would think the gen 1, would be the most reliable and best overall as to less electronics. As my old auto shop Instructor would always say a 6 cly was more reliable that an 8 cly as the 6 had less moving parts.



I would also think driving a gen3 is lots nicer than a gen 1 just because.



Hope you get a lot more to vote to make the poll a bit reliable.

I really like my truck

 

[MFalkinham]

The poll is somewhat subjective because everyone has different needs and different ideas of "best". I voted for 3rd gen because it is much more refined than the previous 2 generations from a ride and noise standpoint. However, 3rd gens still have their weaknesses including lift pumps, ball joints, and u-joints. My old '92 seemed just as mechanically reliable as my '03 is, but I sure hated to drive it any distance due to the incredibly rough ride. It was a real workhorse, though.

 

[CPG]

comparing trucks

Never had the 2nd. generation truck but had a "93" 1st. gener. It was a good truck but lacked the refinements of our 3rd. gener.

Our 04. 5 is night and day compared with our old ist gener. It took a football field to turn the old truck around and park compared to this one. The "little women" have a lot to do with changes made. My wife loves to drive this one, but hated the old one for handling. Also the body fit and quality is way over our old ist. gener.

Just my opinion here.

 

[wcjp]

The electronics are scary to think about on my 06'. No problems to date. Better ride than my sold 96' 12v. Never drove a NV5600 equipped rig. My G56 6spd shifts smootly.

 

[DPelletier]

Problem is "best" and "most reliable" are two different things.



IMO the 1st gens and 12V second gens are probably "most reliable" all though "best longevity" is probably more accurate.



on the other hand, I have no problem stating that I believe the 3rd gens are the "best" trucks of the three generations. Certainly they are more comfortable and more refined and there have been great improvements from earlier trucks in;

- cab space and comfort

- steering

- brakes

- more stock power

- stronger auto transmission

- CP3 more reliable than VP44 (or at least less susceptible to damage)

- lift pump improvements over 2nd gen 24v trucks

- no more KDP

- no more #53 blocks



my 2 cents,

Dave

 

[jjdiesel]

Problem is "best" and "most reliable" are two different things.



IMO the 1st gens and 12V second gens are probably "most reliable" all though "best longevity" is probably more accurate.



on the other hand, I have no problem stating that I believe the 3rd gens are the "best" trucks of the three generations. Certainly they are more comfortable and more refined and there have been great improvements from earlier trucks in;

- cab space and comfort

- steering

- brakes

- more stock power

- stronger auto transmission

- CP3 more reliable than VP44 (or at least less susceptible to damage)

- lift pump improvements over 2nd gen 24v trucks

- no more KDP

- no more #53 blocks



my 2 cents,

Dave

Well stated Dave... ... I would only add emphasis to the injection system improvement with the CP3 and Common Rail, to me, a HUGE leap over the VP. That system was a step backwards when compared to all other fueling systems incorporated on the Dodge Truck application. If you can't tell... I strongly dislike the lack of reliability with the VP 44.

 

[BigDan]

Ive owned both a brand new 02HO a 130K used 99 and a 40K used 03.



The brand new 02 was great and its only problem was the VP44 went out at 30K.



My used 99 didnt feel as solid as my 02 probably due to the fact that is was well worn. The steering was sloppy, the brakes sucked, and had a few other small problems.



My new to me used 03 is the best by far. Way more tighter feeling in the steering and brakes, hence 4 wheel disks with ABS vs drum w/o ABS.



The 03 is better in every way and it get the ladies way more then my 99 and 02. That and the cab is much larger and cush.

 

[dragrcr1005]

Ive owned both a brand new 02HO a 130K used 99 and a 40K used 03.



The brand new 02 was great and its only problem was the VP44 went out at 30K.



My used 99 didnt feel as solid as my 02 probably due to the fact that is was well worn. The steering was sloppy, the brakes sucked, and had a few other small problems.



My new to me used 03 is the best by far. Way more tighter feeling in the steering and brakes, hence 4 wheel disks with ABS vs drum w/o ABS.



The 03 is better in every way and it get the ladies way more then my 99 and 02. That and the cab is much larger and cush.

i just looked at the pics of your crashed gen 2. WOW!! what the hell happened??? i would say that you are pretty luck to be alive.....

 

[bighammer]

i just looked at the pics of your crashed gen 2. WOW!! what the hell happened??? i would say that you are pretty luck to be alive.....

Wow, no kidding! That looks UGLY.

 

[BigDan]

I decided to go head on with a logging truck at high speed.



I dont have the slighest idea how it happened. I lost my memory from that day. Just woke up in the ICU... . It was my first accident and could of been mechanical malfunction or my fault... unknowen???



Story here

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147595

 

[MickeyMiller]

Big Dan,



Just looked at your story thread... I need to loose 38 lbs. but I don't think I'm up for your technique!



Best wishes and hope you've had a full recovery!



Mickey

 

[BTighe]

another thing to consider is a new truck should last you longer than a rig with 100k on it. i had a 12v that cost me almost the same per month as my 06 with all the repairs. i made change because i got burned out on spending my weekends fixing crap so i could work the next week. if i could do things over i would have 2 12v's. i wouldnt have been so pressured to work on the truck if an issue arised. on the other hand, i spent like 800 bucks on steering parts and my new truck is still way ahead. same with the breaks. transmission rocks too. milage sucks. i know what my truck has been through since 4 miles on the odo. i can hear the radio. i cant fool the warehouse guy into thinking there a big rig in the parking lot anymore.

let us know what you use the truck for and what your priorities are.

 

[dragrcr1005]

i will be mostly using my truck for commuting about 30 miles to work. on the weekends i tow my boat and my enclosed 28 foot enclosed trailer for my race car.

 

[2Gen3Gen]

Ive had a 1990 1 ton 4x4, a 1998 Qcab 2500 4x4, a 04 2500 Qcab4x4, a 04. 5 Qcab 4x4 3500. I now have a GMC Sierra Z71 4x4 and a 02 Powerstroke CC Duelly 4x4 and LOVE them both. Diesel here is $3 a gallon and the 3rd gen Cummins got crappy mileage. I liked my 98 12v but as far as the best one, I would have to say my 1990 4x4 1 ton was the best of all!

It never made its way back to the dealer in 200k miles.

My 98 lived at the dealer,

My 04 was a total POS, and

My 04. 5 just didnt impress me at all.

If I ever go back to Dodge, I will try and find a clean 1993 Club Cab 4x4.