Used 05 or 06

[cmills]

I have been looking for a used 05 or 06 quad cab long bed with the auto and 4. 10's, and it seems like everything I find has 3. 73's. Am I just unlucky or did 90% of these come with 3. 73's?

 

[Jeepr]

Most came with 3. 73's. FYI, a few differences between 05's and 06's for you to be aware of... First, the 05's have the older style headlights and interior, which was my preference. Also, the 05 still had the 7/70 warranty and 06 was 3/36.

 

[BHolm]

Yep, at least 90% came with 3. 73s. I happen to prefer the '06 lights and interior, more functional on both counts. Of course I think I posted that in your last thread.



Why do you want the 4. 10s? I have run 285/70-17 tires on all of my 48re 3. 73 trucks and hauled max loads and beyond. I live in the mountains of CO and have scaled at almost 25k lbs. Even with that kind of wieght on I am passing cars approaching the Eisenhower tunnel. I also ran the '03s I owned commercially hauling big goosenecks all day every day with the 48re 3. 73 set up.



I guess unless you plan to run seriously large tires, I don't see the need for the 4. 10s, in fact I would avoid them. The trucks get better milage with the 3. 73s.

 

[AABEN]

I have 03 6 speed 3. 73 pull A fithwheel that scales out 15;752Lb also 100Gal tank in truck + 35Gal in truck tank that is around 1;100LB. Run all over TX>NM>AZ>CA> OK>MO>IL>IN> I an very happy with it . 4. 10 will not get the fuel milage that 3. 73 will get.

 

[Grizzly]

I believe the 3. 73 gears is the most ideal ratio for most applications, even towing in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[cmills]

it's just hard for me to buy a new truck that won't pull as good as my 99 with 260,000 miles on it. I know some of you guy have 6 speeds with 3. 73's and I would say that would work fine, but I really thought that even the auto would do better. Do you guys think I would be best off with the auto and 3. 73's and maybe putting some sort of really mild box on it or would even that be hard on the transmission and hurt the fuel mileage?

 

[BHolm]

The truck I have now is the first one I ever modded at all, it is also my first six speed. The '05 or '06 will out pull your 99 by light years even stock, even with a 48re and 3. 73 gears. There really will be no comparison. You do not need the 4. 10s, that is a big part of why you can't find one, pretty much nobody needs 4. 10s. There isn't near the difference as there was when you had to choose between 3. 54s and 4. 10s. The spread between 3. 73 and 4. 10s is about half the spread you used to have to consider. Frankly, I would have loved to have a 3. 54 option, and seriously have considered 3. 23s, knowing full well I could still pull anything I want with ease. Go with the 3. 73s, you wont be sorry.

 

[cmills]

I would still like to know if I was to go with the auto and 3. 73's, is there any mild "box" that I could go with and still do all my towing but not hurt the transmission or lose fuel mileage? Or is stock all the auto can take?

 

[bedroc]

I'm running a Smarty on my 06 on level 3. The extra boost in power is great, throttle response is greatly improved. I wouldn't go over level 3 unless you beef up the TC and transmission.

 

[TexasDieselBoy]

I run a Smarty on level 1 and an Edge EZ on level 3 and it is fine for me.

 

[JSchooley]

If your choice is 05 or 06, definitely go with the 06. The 05 transmission programming is not ideal and apparently Dodge is not going to change it. I have finally figured out how to lock it out of OD going downhill. Two Dodge dealers couldn't do it.



I definitely vote for the 373. I had a 99 with boost elbow and mild chip, but was marginal on the transmission. I upgraded to the 01 HO with the same chip and manual. Great combination!!



My current truck is the 05 stock with 373. I think it would pull about even with the 01 chipped.



My number one need being out West is an E-Brake.



It is probably too far away, but I will be upgrading to the 08 1/2 or 09. My 05 is loaded and pretty and only 19,000 miles. I will be selling it when I upgrade.

 

[CharlesHoward]

How does one lock the 05 transmission out of OD going downhill?

 

[JSchooley]

One way is to shift into T/H mode with your foot off the accelerator and brake. It will shift out of OD and stay there until you press the accelerator. Maybe also if you hit the brake pedal, I can't remember about that one.



Another way is to engage the cruise control 5 mph slower than the speed you want to maintain going down a hill. When the speed exceeds the cruise set speed by 5 mph the transmission will shift out of OD until you get down to the set speed, or press the accelerator, or hit the brake pedal.



I mostly use the first method and modulate my speed by using the E-Brake. It's not ideal, but it works pretty good.



John

 

[BILLUA]

BD Overdrive Lockout

How does one lock the 05 transmission out of OD going downhill?

The other way is : 2005 Dodge OverDrive LockOut



Works awesome~!



Cheers, Bill

 

[JSchooley]

Thanks Bill, that looks like a good solution.



John

 

[BILLUA]

You're welcome John. I have had this for about 6 months and it is awesome.



Cheers, Bill

 

[Jeepr]

Bear in mind also, that the dealer's have a TSB that they can reprogram the computer and put OD lockout on an 05 transmission; however, you loose Tow-Haul mode then. So, it's one of the other.

 

[mberry]

it's just hard for me to buy a new truck that won't pull as good as my 99 with 260,000 miles on it. I know some of you guy have 6 speeds with 3. 73's and I would say that would work fine, but I really thought that even the auto would do better. Do you guys think I would be best off with the auto and 3. 73's and maybe putting some sort of really mild box on it or would even that be hard on the transmission and hurt the fuel mileage?

If it were me, I would choose the auto with the 4. 10's, or the 6 speed and 3. 73 since from everything I've seen the final drive ratio's are just about the same. Also, I wouldn't add any box that puts out more than 40 extra hp. and timing is what will yield more mileage rather than more power.

This is just my opinion.