What Should I Recommend

[gpintler]

The Problem is -- A friend's 2004 Ford F250 with the dreaded 6.0 diesel came apart [leaving parts on the highway] after 190 K miles. He enjoys driving my 04 2500. I have to help him find his next truck. He is a ford man, but I am hoping to pull him to the other side.

I need opinions on what years of Dodge should I recommend to him. Yes we live in an area where we have
to pass smog regs. If you do not have your smog stuff on your vehicle you don't get tabs for the truck.

I am thinking 04 - 07 -- they started DPF when -- they started DEF when.

I know that all have some problems, but is there a year we need to stay away from ?

Thank You

 

[petersonj]

DPF started in '07.5 along with the 6.7 liter engine. '07 and older is the 5.9 liter enigne.

You should provide much more information as to what kind of basic vehicle your friend wants: automatic 4 spd, automatice 6 spd, manual 6 speed, 2WD or 4WD, etc.

Different years have different strong points and weak points. Pin down the basics so you can get the answers that are relevant.

- John

 

[AH64ID]

Does he like the Ford he is in?

http://www.destroked.com/

 

[Darkbloodmon]

04.5 and up trucks have a different piston and injector nozzle design along with additional pilot injection programing as part of the emissions transition.

Early 03 04 HO non CA trucks were the last "true" pre-emissions of the Dodge Cummins platform if you want to get nitty about the details, but as it was said above if you're concerned about DPF/related systems 07 and older.

Details about what he's looking for and to do with the truck would help. Is he leaving it stock? Is he looking for something already built? Is it going to be a daily driver? Is it going to be a consistent or off and on hauler?

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Does he like the Ford he is in?

http://www.destroked.com/

How would an engine swap work for emissions inspection purposes? Just curious. If the vin isn't matching the engine wouldn't that be an issue?

 

[AH64ID]

How would an engine swap work for emissions inspection purposes? Just curious. If the vin isn't matching the engine wouldn't that be an issue?

No, as long as the engine is the same year or newer.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

No, as long as the engine is the same year or newer.

Is that across all 50 states and territories or specific for state/territory?

off topic: I had this unanswered question when I was working in a garage about swaps. Essentially can any vehicle that registers for antique/classic tags come in for an inspection with only the frame vin being used for registration, have anything built onto of it? For example a 60s land cruiser frame with 16' LX470 swapped on it.

 

[BigPapa]

Here in TN, if you “combine” two vehicles, you’re SUPPOSED to bring both titles, have it inspected, and they will issue you a NEW VIN. I had a ‘92 D250 diesel and a ‘93 D150 short bed regular cab. I was going to put the engine, transmission, rear axle, and front suspension from the D250 in the D150. I asked our THP trooper that does our state inspections at the shop if I could use the VIN from the D250 or if I had to use the D150 VIN and that’s what he told me.

 

[AH64ID]

Is that across all 50 states and territories or specific for state/territory?

off topic: I had this unanswered question when I was working in a garage about swaps. Essentially can any vehicle that registers for antique/classic tags come in for an inspection with only the frame vin being used for registration, have anything built onto of it? For example a 60s land cruiser frame with 16' LX470 swapped on it.

Not sure and some states have weird laws, but all the research I’ve done indicates it’s an easy swap with a same or newer engine.

Here in TN, if you “combine” two vehicles, you’re SUPPOSED to bring both titles, have it inspected, and they will issue you a NEW VIN. I had a ‘92 D250 diesel and a ‘93 D150 short bed regular cab. I was going to put the engine, transmission, rear axle, and front suspension from the D250 in the D150. I asked our THP trooper that does our state inspections at the shop if I could use the VIN from the D250 or if I had to use the D150 VIN and that’s what he told me.

Interesting, and I don’t think that would be a legal swap most places. Maybe that’s the new VIN? Thou I’ve never heard of a new VIN on vehicles with a previous VIN.

 

[BigPapa]

I was telling a friend about it and he had an uncle that built a rail buggy with a VW drive train. He said they’d given him a VIN for it.

 

[AH64ID]

I was telling a friend about it and he had an uncle that built a rail buggy with a VW drive train. He said they’d given him a VIN for it.

Did the rail buggy have a VIN before the VW drivetrain?

Frames get VIN’s not drivetrains.

 

[gpintler]

I know that the 48RE has a bad rep, but it got that from all the jobbers buying the dodges and then pulling the 12k pound back hoe all over doing work. If you are pulling a 10 pound travel trailer, a BD shift kit will last a long time. In Idaho it will be a 4X4.

 

[bcbender]

Is that across all 50 states and territories or specific for state/territory?

off topic: I had this unanswered question when I was working in a garage about swaps. Essentially can any vehicle that registers for antique/classic tags come in for an inspection with only the frame vin being used for registration, have anything built onto of it? For example a 60s land cruiser frame with 16' LX470 swapped on it.

When I lived in CA over 20y ago, it was that the engine needed to be newer (have correct emissions equip than the frame, or have the correct emissions equip for that engine for the model year of engine to match the year of the frame. Here in NC they check vehicles more often than CA, but none of my vehicles that are 30y old (or more) have inspections at all... Not even the basic safety (lights, brakes, etc..) so no way they (DOT) would know what is in it or under it if it is pre-1992 as of now. It was the main reason I bought my Bronco as a 95' model, to keep OBD1 (not OBD2) so no plug in as I was going to put a 4BT in it, but in a couple years she wont even need to go in anymore. Of course if you plan to sell it, in my case gas--> diesel.. I would need to apply for a fuel type change perhaps, but nobody is really looking at the older cars anymore. Just FYI Myles.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

When I lived in CA over 20y ago, it was that the engine needed to be newer (have correct emissions equip than the frame, or have the correct emissions equip for that engine for the model year of engine to match the year of the frame. Here in NC they check vehicles more often than CA, but none of my vehicles that are 30y old (or more) have inspections at all... Not even the basic safety (lights, brakes, etc..) so no way they (DOT) would know what is in it or under it if it is pre-1992 as of now. It was the main reason I bought my Bronco as a 95' model, to keep OBD1 (not OBD2) so no plug in as I was going to put a 4BT in it, but in a couple years she wont even need to go in anymore. Of course if you plan to sell it, in my case gas--> diesel.. I would need to apply for a fuel type change perhaps, but nobody is really looking at the older cars anymore. Just FYI Myles.

I'm familiar with anything over a designated age not needing an inspection, but I just didn't think it was all encompassing to do what ever you want with it and put insurance on it. In contrast to the motor vehicle import law this seems like a really stupid work around.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

I know that the 48RE has a bad rep

No Chrysler(Stellantis) just fills their transmissions with piss and cig butts from factory. I had a 2014 5.7 Hemi standard cab with a 65RFE, no hard driving, no hard towing, daily driver. Less than 50K mi and the torque converter started slipping and sounding like dragging chains taking off from a stop.

Now Chrysler is figuring out its just better to outsource their trans mfg. to ZF and ASIN for the 5th generation trucks. Close friend of mine has a dedicated XJ Cherokee for wheeling, not one of these 70K Wrangler mall crawlers, built cage, braced, stiffened, fenders cut, etc. Still has the original auto trans from factory as much as he beats the thing to hell on trails with 35s. That trans was sourced from Asin Toyota, same trans in the 3rd generation 4 Runners with minor differences for application.

They were outsourcing units back then, but they wanted to keep throwing cupcakes at the wall hoping something would stick I guess.

 

[bcbender]

Yeah... It's kind of funny what they care about here.. I guess its all about the money, they follow where the most revenue can be obtained. Guys (and Gals) have been putting V6s in 4cyl cars and V8s in small cars for years, nobody really cares, now if you are trying to insure something for lets say "agreed value" like I have on my Chevys, then you have to provide documentation of what it is you have, in my case photos was easy enough, you can always go one step further are title as a "custom" but most dont bother.

 

[NIsaacs]

I know that the 48RE has a bad rep, but it got that from all the jobbers buying the dodges and then pulling the 12k pound back hoe all over doing work. If you are pulling a 10 pound travel trailer, a BD shift kit will last a long time. In Idaho it will be a 4X4.

I recommend '08 or above. That will get you the 6.7, 6pd auto and factory exhaust brake.

 

[slowmover]

I recommend '08 or above. That will get you the 6.7, 6pd auto and factory exhaust brake.

I wouldn’t trade my ‘04 for one, but for a new guy that’s a great recommendation based on tech. (I haven’t looked up MY problems in saying that).

 

[AH64ID]

I wouldn’t trade my ‘04 for one, but for a new guy that’s a great recommendation based on tech. (I haven’t looked up MY problems in saying that).

Sold my 05 for an 18 and I can honestly say I wouldn’t go back. Better in every aspect, and that 05 was a fantastic trucks… likely still is.

If I were shopping for a used Cummins it would be a 13+ HO 3500, preferably 15-18. DEF is your friend with intact emissions on a 6.7.

 

[BigPapa]

No, it did not. I was just using it as an example. My question to the trooper was if I could move the VIN for the 250 to the 150. If I had built it, I'd have just went and titled the 150 with no mention of the build. Wouldn't have been a big deal since they're both old trucks and no inspection would be necessary.