Thinking of going to a 3rd gen

[esamuelson]

I am thinking of giving up my 12 valve and going to a newer truck. I am wondering what the best year is to get? Is the 6. 7 any good? A friend of mine just got one and is not real happy with all the emission stuff. Are the 5. 9 ok? I am going to go look at a 05 and an 06 with 6 speeds which is what I would like. Do the 5. 9 have any emisions? What about dmf?

Thanks

 

[goodguys75]

I would stick with the 5. 9... . Im not to blown away with the new motor... I have the 06 mega 3500, and love it... .

 

[rscurtis]

The 305HP engine is the one you want, it was used in the '03 and '04 model years. It has no emission controls, simpler engine programming, and in stock form, gives excellent FE and can benefit from extended oil change intervals, unlike any of the later engines.



The 325 engine in the '04. 5 and later trucks has the benefit of better valves and seats which might be a way to go if you want to mod it for any kind of serious power over stock.



I wouldn't trade the truck in my signature even for a brand new one.

 

[Jim W]

I have the 6. 7L engine and would never go back to a pre-6. 7L engine. I love the VGT with the exhaust brake and the 68RFE auto with the tow/haul mode. The new powertrain is excellent for towing and I tow a 5er so this is exactly what I wanted.



Not that there was not some issue with the emission equipment, but that is in the past. The truck is breathing right and the exhaust is going were it is suppose to be. I am using a Smarty and this helps a lot.



I would review the 6. 7L engine and powertrain posts under the forum heading of 3RD Gen's to find out more information.



I also attached a state by state review of the current emission checks for gas and diesel truck by SEMA. SEMA SAN - SEMA ACTION NETWORK



Jim

 

[esamuelson]

Does any of the 5. 9 trucks have the dual mass flywheel setup? Could you get the exhaust brake factory on them or is that only the 6. 7?

 

[goodguys75]

Does any of the 5. 9 trucks have the dual mass flywheel setup? Could you get the exhaust brake factory on them or is that only the 6. 7?

exhaust brake is aftermarket for that truck... . but buy the one that cummins sells..... you will have no problems..... Im sure some pac brake people will chime in and say they have no problems... .

 

[EDankievitch]

Dual mass flywheel came with the G56 6 speed in late 05. transmission is very good Ive got over 135,000 on mine. But the cluch sucks I babyed mine for 127,000 now I've got a South bend unit in and all is good.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

All the engines are good, but some don't like the extra emissions controls that were legislated, and hence required to meet EPA specifications. The 305 HP from 2003 and early 2004 has no external emissions devices, while the 325 HP used from 2004. 5 to early 2007 has a catalytic converter (and emissions camshaft). Valves and seats improved slightly for the 325 HP over the 305 HP but this is a minor effect. Extreme egt's can cause seats to come out of either head. The transition was covered in Issue 43, p. 30. The 6. 7 liter engine of 2007. 5-up has exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust traps, as discussed several times in the TDR, such as Issue 53, p. 34, and Issue 56, p. 44. You will also find a lot of good information in the TDR “Buyer's Guide” accessed from the website homepage, in the left hand column. The dual mass flywheel comes with the G56 aluminum-cased six speed manual transmission, as discussed in several issues, such as Issue 53, p. 98, Issue 68, p. 88, and Issue 71 in my column. Note that many have commented that they like the 0. 74 sixth gear ratio of the 2007. 5-up G56 better than the earlier 0. 79 ratio which gives less of an overdrive. The NV5600 iron cased six-speed has a 0. 73 sixth gear ratio.

 

[esamuelson]

I still haven't put this whole idea to bed yet, still researching and looking. Here are the conclusions I have come up with and correct me if I am wrong.



2003-2004 no emissions, nv5600 trans, possible valve seat problem if run hot.

2004. 5-2007 catalytic convertor, g56, dual mass flywheel, improved valve seats

2007. 5 and up has 6. 7 with all emisions, g56, factory exhaust brake.



If I understand what I read in tdr the g56 is not as stout as the old nv5600?



When did Dodge get the bugs out of the emision system of the 6. 7?



I am a little cancered about the type of driving I do for the 6. 7. I run short distance most of the time, potential problems with emisions system?



Will the g56 hold up the heavy towing ( over 10000) after changing to heavier fluid and clutch along with running a programmer?



When was the nv5600 no longer available?



I know there is alot of questions but trying to find the best truck for what I do and so far my old 12v has held up well but I would like to upgrade or else do a complete rebuild on current truck.



Thanks

 

[Cosmo]

The emissions stuff doesn't really like short trips, you might be better off with a 5. 9.

The exhaust brake is awesome. Heading down a ~6% grade I only had to tap the brakes once or twice due to curves, and that's while towing a 14k+ pound trailer.

 

[jakprince]

I love my truck but as far as engines go you already have the best as far as fuel economy and being tough as a nail.

 

[mhsmith57]

I have the earlier G56 6spd in an '05 QC sht/bed and we pull apprx 12K+ lbs and truck et al are holding up. Yes this earlier transmission has less of an O/D but when you're pulling, the transmission ratio and rear end, 3. 73, is like having 4. 10's back there. In 5th or 6th gear, I can maintain with most traffic. Good luck in your search.

Mark

 

[EricBu12]

I have a 09 3500 with the 68RFE.

If you do short trips, the truck will do regens more often... my truck year, they did a reflash just after I got it and so far I have not had another update and no problems. . I drive about 15 miles a day mostly freeway. .

I do some in town driving to stores and stuff but so far there has not been any DPF problems... The latest reflash I think helped some of the DPF problems for short trips.
One thing that was recommended to me was once in a while, take a sunday drive for 50 miles or so... so the DPF can do a de-soot. So all in all, the new engine and emissions are doing good. . read the latest 72 issue and a guy there did a observation on when the regen came on or off. . it was on more often when he did shoert trips. . when he did long freeway trips, it was on very little... he calculated it was about 1. 8% mileage penalty. . and over 5% in town. . so as long as the computer is keeping up with the regen, I don't see a problem with it. . just don't add any tuner to mess up warranty. . .

A guy in the TDR mag also got the Edge insight which is only a monitor for engine function and he was able to tell when it was going into regen. . plus other gauges and info. . good thing to get for the newer trucks. .

The G-56 transmission itself is good. . the only thing I have heard the dual mass flywheel and clutch are not good. . best to get a south bend clutch right away. . my last 2001 had the 5600 and I used a south bend and did good. . just the transmission had to be rebuilt under 70K. .

When I bought my truck, I didn't have the money to get a clutch redone and thought it might affect warranty anyway. . so I got the Auto... I have the 68RFE and it does very well pulling my 15K trailer. Also I like the auto when in traffic. .

 

[Grizzly]

First half of the 05 was the last of the 400 lb cast iron NV5600, 6 speed standard shift transmission.



The 3rd gen is greatly improved over the 2nd gen. The features I like the best are the true four doors with a larger rear seat, but not as good as the crew cab. The remote control, heated tow mirror. The big gain in HP and torque. Plus many other improvements.



I had a 2nd gen for 10 years, which I purchased new and it was a great truck. It was never in the shop once for anything, but I must say, I love the much quieter 3rd gen.

 

[bheiting]

I really like my '07 5. 9 with the better mileage. If you are doing serious towing, get the 6. 7. The only problem I have had is the AAM front axle u joint - dead at 29k mi.

 

[SRadke]

G56 showed up in mid 05. They don't have the weight of the 5600 but they do have the size. The aluminum case drops the weight. Don't be afraid of them, they're a great driving transmission.

 

[AH64ID]

2003-2004 no emissions, nv5600 trans, possible valve seat problem if run hot.
2004. 5-2007 catalytic convertor, g56, dual mass flywheel, improved valve seats
2007. 5 and up has 6. 7 with all emisions, g56, factory exhaust brake.

2003-2004, correct info. 3 versions SO (250/460), HO (305/555), and Cali (235/460).

2004. 5-2007, 04. 5-05 had a NV5600 and standard flywheel, 05. 5+ has DMF/G56. Emissions were done mainly with timing, but also piston design. 1 version, HO (325/610 (600 in 04. 5 if not flashed))

2007. 5+, correct info. 2 versions auto (350/650), manual (350/610). . 350/800 HO for auto's should be available any day now.



Some additional info. All 5. 9's in 3rd gen's have the same camshaft grind, which is very restrictive on the exhaust side and has no/minimal valve overlap to have an "in-cylinder" EGR effect. With the piston change in 04. 5 the EGR effect was increased, which is why 04. 5+ trucks respond better to cam swaps than 03-04 trucks. The injection timing was retarded in 04. 5+, and a 3rd event was introduced to reduce emissions, this can be advanced with a tuner. The turbine section on both the 03-04 and 04. 5-07 turbo is quite restrictive, which increases back pressure and reduces airflow, in turn aiding in the "in-cylinder" EGR effect.

Again 04. 5-07 have the main "in-cylinder" EGR, but 03-04 has some commonalities.

I am quite happy with my 05, but have also swapped the cam, turbo, and added a tuner. . but the blasted piston design still keeps my oil dirtier than an 03-04.

Maybe with EFI Live on the horizon it will help removal of the 3rd event and improve tuning for all the tuners, a little competition is a good thing!

 

[Hammer]

esamuelson... .

I see your down in the Peach Bottom area which is only a stones throw away from where I live outside of Red Lion. If you would want to drive a nicely built CR I would be glad to slip down and allow you to look it over and go for a spin. Maybe that will help you with your decision.



I will tell you this honestly... .

I was you not long ago,LOVED my old 12ver and hated to even think of parting company with it but I wanted something more modern and lower miles on it. I found a super clean 05 down outside of Cecil County MD which was built the way I wanted it and was really low mileage. I then went back to the gentleman who made the big offer on my beloved 12v and had a chat with him,he stroked the check and it went down the road. Do I miss the old truck,yeppers no doubt about it BUT I do really LOVE the tunability of the CR and the billet automatic over a truck that I had to row the boat every day in.



Let me know if your interested,I am free most every weekend unless we slip out to a show and would be glad to meet you somewhere... ... ... ... Andy



P. S. -Someone earlier mentioned something about the 03-04 trucks and their tuning,well that same tuning is in all the truck from 03-05 as it didn't change unitl 06. Thus the reason the EFI Live group has abandoned us older CR owners until last.

 

[AH64ID]

P. S. -Someone earlier mentioned something about the 03-04 trucks and their tuning,well that same tuning is in all the truck from 03-05 as it didn't change unitl 06. Thus the reason the EFI Live group has abandoned us older CR owners until last.

It's not the same tuning. It's the same style ECM, but very different tuning between 03/04 and 04. 5-05. 04. 5-07 all have the same tuning, just a ECM change in 06, but the base tunes are unchanged from 04. 5-07.

 

[RVTRKN]

AH64ID, don't forget about the C&C's in 06. 5 to present with the 305 HP, 6. 7 version of the C&C, I forgot what the TQ is, and are equiped with the G56 or the 6spd auto Aison trany's