Upgrading to 3rd generation quad cab?

[tarheel]

Would appreciate any thoughts and ideas. I currently have '97 2500 5spd 4x4 that has done me very well. Am thinking about "upgrading" to 3rd generation quad cab with an automatic. Yes, I know history on autos and that is why we have a 5spd for towing. However, is there a year when the autos got upgraded and are desirable? Also, what years in the 3rd gen are the desirable ones and what experiences are you having with the 6.7 in this generation?

Thanks,

Keith Fowler
Richmond
'97 2500 5spd 4x4
M1008 CUCV
M1009 CUCV

 

[DNDracing]

Tarheel, Can't help with all your questions, but I can say that I "upgraded" from a 95 to a used 2005 6 years ago, also going from a 5 speed to an automatic. I have the 48RE in my truck, 190,000+ as I type this, and no transmission issues. Struggled with axle joints and ball joints up front with mine. Finally tired of replacing them and went with axle joints from Quad 4x4, and the Carli ball joints. Only 30K on the axle joints, and 15K on the ball joints, so jury is still out on durability. I would crawl underneath and check out the oil pan, as I had to replace mine, because it rusted through and got a hole in it. Was a pretty significant job, although maybe not as big an issue down in VA compared to the salted roads during the winters here in MI. Other than the oil pan swap, and the superficial upgrades in my signature, everything I've done to the truck has been routine maintenance IMO. I would recommend my "vintage" truck to anyone without hesitation.

 

[goodguys75]

there is not a problem with the transmission on these trucks...they run just fine...just when people up tune there stuff and then it is an issue...or depends on how you drive also...zero problems with mine

 

[jgillott]

I will agree with everything said so far. No worries with the 48re if you can find one in a well maintained and not modified truck. Our '04.5 is pushing 340K on the stock 48re with no issues.

 

[RVTRKN]

Stay away from the 6.7 3rd Gens, the DPF system had growing pains. My favorite truck was the 04.5 in my signature, loved the power reliability and looks, but you'll only find high mileage versions, hot shot truckers love the 5.9 with the NV5600.

 

[Jim W]

Stay away from the 6.7 3rd Gens, the DPF system had growing pains. My favorite truck was the 04.5 in my signature, loved the power reliability and looks, but you'll only find high mileage versions, hot shot truckers love the 5.9 with the NV5600.

I disagree I love my 08 Ram Mega Cab. I almost bought a 2007 5.9L with the automatic transmission but could not agree on pride ended up buying the 08 for the same asking price as the 07 from a different dealer. I am so glad I did, with the exhaust brake and the 68RFE transmission I could not be happier. The truck has almost 77,000 miles on it now towing my 5th wheel trailer.
We are now in Maine and heading to VT on Saturday to the White mountains, I know the exhaust brake will get a work out there.

Jim W

 

[Prairie Dog]

I disagree I love my 08 Ram Mega Cab. I almost bought a 2007 5.9L with the automatic transmission but could not agree on pride ended up buying the 08 for the same asking price as the 07 from a different dealer. I am so glad I did, with the exhaust brake and the 68RFE transmission I could not be happier. The truck has almost 77,000 miles on it now towing my 5th wheel trailer.
We are now in Maine and heading to VT on Saturday to the White mountains, I know the exhaust brake will get a work out there.

Jim W

Me too. The problems were dealt with via s/w fixes and those trucks are as durable and reliable as any other Cummins.
The only minor down side to those truck IMO is having to clean the EGR cooler every 67,500 miles - but that wouldn't keep me from buying one.

 

[cerberusiam]

The 6.7 has it issues. The engine design and the plaform with the emissions have hamstrung its potential unless a lot of that stuff is ripped off and thrown away. It is not "bad" like a 6.0 IH engine but it is far from the reliability and simplicity of the 5.9 platform. There is a reason the 5.9 3rd gen trucks are holding their value so well.

Not everyone has the same issues but a LOT have the typical ones, head gaskets, turbo problems, EGR problem, DPF problems, fuel contamination in the oil, and the ever present mileage hit. Thats just the engine, the 68RFE has it sknown weak points and suffers the same as all the rest by being under clutched and over managed. The lone bright spot is the Aisin equpped trucks but that means a CC in a lot of the earlier years. They are a different critter and expecting to tweak them like we do the older ones will end being a loosing propostion. Buying one of 6.7's without a warranty can quickly get expensive in a lot of areas.

The problem is you just don't know if you are buying someones elses headache that they gave up on and traded, or, a decent one that is worth the investment. There is no way to tell for sure. A lot of things that stops me from even considering a 6.7 from 07.5 thru 2012. If investing in a brand new one and dealing with the million mile umbilical is not an option, the 05-07 5.9's are the best choice. Even then, you are buying an unkown used vehicle. Price accordingly becasue there is no way to know how they have been cared for and driven. Transmisison and injectors are the most expensive areas and the easiest to destroy.

 

[Bob V]

If it is possible in your area to "tune" a 6.7 they are great trucks. I went from a 1997 5spd to a 2005 6spd to a 2011 automatic. The 11 is the best by far, great steering and brakes, smooth power, close to the same MPG event though the 11 is a dually and the heaviest of them all and the roomiest cab, but it has been "tuned". Just about all the 5.9s are in demand and the prices reflect that. A friend just sold a 2006 mega, manual trans, w/215,000 miles for $30,000. I think you will find that a nice 3rd gen 5.9 is not much less than a lower mile 2010-2011.

 

[Bob V]

The 68rfe HAS BEEN proved to be a good trans if used as designed. Turn the power up and try to drag race you will have problems. There where problems with the earlier 6.7 turbos, but that seems to have been fixed. I do agree that the emissions on the 6.7 did cause problems, especially if used as a daily driver/ grocery getter, but if USED like a truck there where not as many problems. In my opinion, part of the stigma of the problems with the "turned up" 6.7s is that they started at the HP/torque that the 5.9s where after they had been modified. That leaves little room for the stock Trans, Turbo, and headgasket to hold up. Just about ANYONE will recommend AT LEAST head studs if you are over 400 Hp, and that is a MILD tune on the 6.7s. with 200,000 miles on the 1997, 150,0000 miles on the 2005, and 90,000 miles on the 2011, the 2011 is BY FAR the best of the three

 

[Shadrach]

I like my 305 HP 03, except for the back seat. If you have big kids or carry 4 adults they won't like the back seat for comfort unless you get the 06+ Mega Cab, but then you will have to live with a short box. My "next" truck will be an Auto. They can be beefed up good for towing if you don't mind spending some cash. It all depends on what you are going to be using the truck for and also what you final budget is. Don't get caught up in " making more power" but rather put you $ into improvements. David

 

[RVTRKN]

I sold my 2500 in 2010 to my brother at a very cheap price, after all he is family, and he managed to get a loan for 26k to pay off his 2500 gasser and give me 18k. That was probably 75% of its true value, banks just don't loan money on street value. Now try that on a 3rd gen 6.7, if you think the 6.7 is trouble free, then you can find the same truck, but at a lesser price, but you better get some kind of warranty though.

 

[ACerf]

160,000 on my 03' with the 48RFE. I would suggest getting a Mag-Hytec trans pan. The added fluid really makes this transmission, last longer and run much cooler. I have had this truck pulling a 13K trailer up 7% grades and the highest the temperature ever got was 175 Degs. Of course you need to pay attention to your speed up hills, your EGT should stay under the 1250 deg mark, and if you need more power turn off the O/D or Over Drive depending on year truck you have. It maybe necessary to down shift in the next lower gear, that will allow the line pressure going to the transmission to increase and help keep it cooler. You don't want to get the transmission fluid to hot where it burns it, otherwise it is just varnish at that point, not good! Also, I like having the Quad Cab, the back seat is not the best for long rides. But with the seats up and the selves fold out, it is great for hauling things you don't want outside. The 03' models and I think the 04's had the metal selves some of the later ones have some sort of cheap cardboard looking stuff. If were buying a new one I would get the Crew Cab myself, just to give riders a more comfortable seating.

 

[RVTRKN]

I believe it was in between MY, 06 and 07 production that they went to a cheap plastic Fold Flat setup, my C&C was ordered with the premium seat package to get what I had in my 04.5, then dodge deleted it on the assembly line. Even with a lot of *****ing, they refused to take care of it, and wanted to charge me $1200.00. I found a set on eBay for $150.00, the seller took the set out to fit his Kickers in the hole.

 

[Regcabguy]

The 3rd's brake,handle better and are quieter,quicker(stock) and more comfortable in my book.
My '07 has been very reliable.

 

[JohnHaggerty]

My $.02. My truck is an 08 and only has 38K miles.

Engine, normal use, no problems. Run e-brake full time. Mileage sucks (EPA stole it)!

Transmission, problems. Still trying to define problem; I suspect it's a transfer case problem. I suspect something is not actuating fully, sometimes not allowing the truck to move.

Body, it's a Dodge (cheap). Leaks at both front drains in sunroof, leak at cargo/brake light, most uncomfortable seats, dully fender paint mismatch, thin body metal, air leak at door seal, caliper problem, basically cheap.

With all this, I'm currently looking to order a 5500 C&C Ansin. I see no other truck that can beat the Cummings/Ansin/RAM combo.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Uh John, It's a "Cummins" and an "Aisin".
Don't make us come over there and tear up your membership card!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Go to the TDR homepage and look at the Turbo Diesel Buyer's Guide for lots of info.