to 3rd gen or not to 3rd.

[ChrisOlson]

Hello



I am very unhappy today 4th lift pump in 57000 miles!!

do you guys who have traded the 2gen in for the new 2004 340/600 have any input for me are you happy with the new trucks???



I love my 99 plenty of HP/tq but tired of lift pumps and steering problems.



yes I have the DSS for the steering. and every one says FASS but some FASS installers I have talked to says that the electric motors are failing as well.



Well what do you guys think to 2004 or not to 2004 that is the question



thank you in advance

 

[LightmanE300]

Most guys that do anything performance wise to their 2003+ trucks put FASS on so you're back to the same concerns - although I haven't heard of any FASS failures yet. As far as the stock lift pump is concerned, its not a common failure item like 2nd gens. Overall the truck is better in just about every way than 2nd gens, aside from mpg.

 

[curatchko]

I dunno... every time I see a 2nd gen, 2500 diesel, all stock and clean looking I get a little nostalgic... missing my 99. I still think the 2nd gens looked better on the outside. But as for structure, interior, drivetrain, etc... . can't hold a candle to my 04.

 

[EBottema]

Stick with your 2nd gen... . A better truck, will last a lifetime.

Just say no to 3rd Gens

 

[SAvery]

Well I can say the the advantage to going with a 2005 is that there is no longer a lift pump (just a pusher from the tank) and the steering is a lot better. The truck is also quieter

 

[EBottema]

In Tank fuel pumps are a worthless joke. Can't wait till the 05' owners are getting angry about having to drop the tank to pump a new fuel pump in. Quietness is negative in this aspect. It is a diesel, if you want quiet, buy a gas engine.

I am very disturbed about this possibility. The new 05's dont have a TPS for the transmission. To replace this, does the new trucks have fly-by (electronic) pedel instead of a good old throttle cable. Let me know im curious because that would be a mess in it self.



Erik

 

[ata]

Save your money and keep the 2nd Gen.

 

[mberry]

Hello



I am very unhappy today 4th lift pump in 57000 miles!!

do you guys who have traded the 2gen in for the new 2004 340/600 have any input for me are you happy with the new trucks???



I love my 99 plenty of HP/tq but tired of lift pumps and steering problems.



yes I have the DSS for the steering. and every one says FASS but some FASS installers I have talked to says that the electric motors are failing as well.



Well what do you guys think to 2004 or not to 2004 that is the question



thank you in advance

Love my '04. 5. Much better in my opinion. That said, if you like your '99 that much and want to keep it, check out the RASP on DTT's site and the thread here in the 2nd Gen forum. It's a mechanical pump and I have been following the thread closely. It appears to be a much better system for getting fuel to the VP-44 and appears to be in the same price range as the FASS. The only negative, imho, appears to be the plumbing required, but there may be a kit that comes with it to make it easier.



If I wanted the noise and the auto transmission, I would have kept my '02 and put a RASP on it.



And to those who think that quiet is bad, I love jet airplanes and was an aircraft mechanic in the USMC, but that doesn't mean I like living close to the airport.

 

[Sarge]

Well Chris, the VP44 is what made the final decision for me. I liked several things about the 04. 5, but I also liked my 01'. I decided to take the plunge and have not regretted it. The ride is far better, and the towing capacity is great. Note that the 01' was a 2500 SRW LB, and the new ride is 3500 DRW LB. Still, I love the new truck. PS, I sold the 01' with 44k on the clock. The guy I sold it to called and told me a month after the purchase the VP44 died... ... ... Sarge

 

[Tomeygun]

no more steering/trackbar problems, thats what did it for me,



And that I could get a 3500 SRW - Nice!

 

[Bertram65]

Stick with your 2nd gen... . A better truck, will last a lifetime.

Just say no to 3rd Gens

How can 2gn gens be better when they have

-less power

-weaker frame

-smaller cabs

-smaller, problem prone brakes

-problem prone steering and front ends

-weaker automatic transmissions

-weaker transfer cases

-lower capacity for both hauling and towing





These all seem like pretty important things to me, perhaps not to you. Nothing against the 2nd gen but the 3rd gen is better in almost every way, this is not just opinion, it's fact.

 

[CChase]

Bertram..... it's called trolling. Don't waste your keystrokes.

 

[ChrisOlson]

Bertram..... it's called trolling. Don't waste your keystrokes.

I really am interested in what everybody has to say that is why i posted the question?? I myself am not trolling, sometimes other people see things in a totally different light, and the wealth of knowledge here is why I pay my subscription fee. I have counted on TDR and every member that has replyed

to any question and for advice. the response to this question is very helpful so far and I thank everyone that has contributed, This was not to start a battle between 1st,2nd, or 3rd gen. owners I really am very unhappy with the problems I listed with my original post.



thanks again

chris

 

[EEdmondson]

Chris,

I would pay more attention to those who have had both.

 

[Elite1]

I switched from a 96' 12 valve 2500, to a 03' HO 3500, I really love the 3rd gen. , it has more power, better steering, better brakes, nicer interior and I think it looks better. BTW I get about the same mileage, about 15 around town and 20 on the road...

the last time I checked I got 18. 5 mpg and that was on a long trip I was in a hurry, averaging about 85 mph.

 

[CChase]

I really am interested in what everybody has to say that is why i posted the question?? I myself am not trolling, sometimes other people see things in a totally different light, and the wealth of knowledge here is why I pay my subscription fee.

Sorry, I wasn't aiming that troll comment at you. I can't give you any objective (or even subjective) comparisons on the two because I'm a Ford IDI convert.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I sure liked the engine in my 98 12 v. When it comes to a 2G 24v I wouldn't hesitate to go 3G - been there done that.



As for the wrapper. The 3G doors, steering, brakes, suspension, gear ratio, six speed, and interior I definately favor the 3G over the 2Gs I've had. Plus I beat the EPA doodaws (cat and third HPCR pulse)



Biggest plus is I (heart) my 3500 DRW.



Pipe dream is a 12v in a 3G wrapper.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I do have both (1997-12 valve and 2004). I did not get a 98. 5-02 24 valve but others have posted plenty about them. The new ones are great. I have the diesel Dynamics fuel pusher pump kit but the stocker seems much more reliable than the old 24 valve lift pump, so long as you don't add a lot of power and need more fuel flow capacity than it can deliver.



I believe what I wrote in issue 43 about the new Rams, and put my money where my mouth is. I still have my 97 and it is a great truck too, but that didn't keep me from getting a new one.

 

[rfoust]

Of the 8 CTD's I have had this 04. 5 is by far the best truck of them all. Brakes, steering, power, comfort,interior, quality, general driveability, etc---all leaps and bounds above the previous trucks I owned. I guess I'm a lucky one because my MPG's have never been better than this truck.

 

[lmills]

I really am interested in what everybody has to say that is why i posted the question?? I myself am not trolling, sometimes other people see things in a totally different light, and the wealth of knowledge here is why I pay my subscription fee. I have counted on TDR and every member that has replyed

to any question and for advice. the response to this question is very helpful so far and I thank everyone that has contributed, This was not to start a battle between 1st,2nd, or 3rd gen. owners I really am very unhappy with the problems I listed with my original post.



thanks again

chris

Chris, I really don't think the comment was pointed towards you. There was a slightly heated debate on here the other week started by one of the individuals that has posted in this thread. I think the comment was heading in that direction.



Now for the question at hand. The only thing I miss about the 2nd gen was the sound of a real diesel! When people heard it they didn't have to second guess what it was. The thing I don't like about my 3rd gen... ... ... why do the injectors have to cost sooooo much.