what to look for in 3rd gen trucks

[MWinters]

I'm thinking of selling my 2nd gen truck & upgrading to a 3rd gen truck, leaving behind lift pump issues, VP 44 problems, KDP, 53 blocks,track bars & whatever else that I've forgotten. What are the problems associated w/these years ?



Thanks,

Mike.

 

[ColoradoKing]

I have an '05, and am glad that I went with it. I like the headlights better than the '06 (personal opinion only) and it has more power than the '03/04, with less problems than the '04. 5 - based upon TDR Magazine articles I've read. The problems on the '04. 5 seemed to be based mostly on vibration, nothing too major. I do like the megacab, but it was more truck than the wife was willing to park. We got a killer deal on a lease return.

 

[Motorhead]

If you can afford a new one, My opinion is to find a new '07, 5. 9.

From reading the posts on the 6. 7, it seems that they don't have the bugs out yet.

I am selling my 01. 5 because I bought a new '07, 5. 9, G56 4X4. I LOVE the bigger rear doors, QUIETER cab and engine. My '01 though was and still is a GREAT truck. You will like the newer body. My . 02

 

[MWinters]

3rd gen trucks

hey Motorhead,



Does the 5. 9 2007 models have the bluetec emissions equipment, or did that come out only on the 6. 7 units ?



Thanks,

Mike.

 

[Motorhead]

I don't exactly know what bluetec entails but the 5. 9 doesn't have any of the junk on it like the 6. 7 does.

I think that bluetec is particulate reduction through a trap and regeneration unit. From what I have seen in the TDR on the 6. 7 emission equipment they have cooled EGR, 5. 9, no, particulate trap, 5. 9 no, and a 7th injector that is mounted on the particulate trap just to inject fuel in the trap to heat it up to burn off the diesel soot, 5. 9, no. All the 5. 9 has is a cat plus any fueling parameters to try to meet the earlier emissions. My bet is on the 5. 9. My opinion only.

 

[MWinters]

3rd gen trucks

OK, so I did a little searching over the weekend & have found 2 06 trucks within reasonable driving distance. Both are similarly equipped except for one being a 6 spd & the other an automatic.



I know this is pretty much a personal preference, but any reliability issues on the trans that I should be aware of ? & why do you prefer one over the other ? My last 2 have been manuals, & I have always thought them to be less troublesome.



Thanks,

Mike.



P. S. thanks Motorhead for the comments - I'm still going to check w/my local dealer to see what he may do for me w/the 07 & year end clearance deals.

 

[BHolm]

I've had '06s with both the manual and the auto. If you plan to upgrade the power on the truck, the manual is able to take more before an upgrade is needed. The auto will need an expensive/extemsive upgrade to handel more than a 100 hp upgrade. Of course, that is what I limited myself to on the manual as well.



The auto truck will get better fuel milage. They are geared taller in OD keeping cruising rpms down. My '06 Mega auto was getting 20 mpg regularly and my '06 QC LB is getting 17. 5-18 in the same driving. One difference though is that the Mega was all stock and the QC is modded lightly, and I definately drive it harder. If you drive out west a lot where the speed limits are 70-75 the manual for instance runs 2500 rpm at 80 with 285 tires. The auto is 2-300 rpm lower.



I prefer the manual myself. The ideal truck IMO would be an '07 5. 9 with the manual and taller set of ratios. There are two G56 gearboxs, the newer one found in many '07s has taller ratios bringing rpms down. I prefer the '06-07 trucks headlights from a functional standpoint. The look is different but the newer version works a whole lot better. The seats are better (IMO) on the '06 as well, longer bottom cushion for longer legs.



There is absolutely no reason to not upgrade to a 3rd gen. The suspension is vastly improved, the fuel pump issue is gone. There are less than stellar ball joints and u-joints to deal with but nothing major. The power, comfort and build quality is all way beyond the second gens.

 

[MWinters]

3rd gen trucks

Brent,



Thanks for the excellent post - very good info here that I can make some educated decision with. The 2 '06 trucks did not pan out, so now left with local dealer doing a search within Dodge inventory to see if they can come up w/an '07 for me before this rebate period ends - which is next Monday right now.



Thanks again,

Mike.

 

[JGrosso]

I have a 2005 3500 QQ, and my friend has the 2006 3500 Mega Cab.

My early build 2005 had a few issues, like the door seal tearing, the plastic ended intercooler and the 70 MPH vibration, but all is fine now and no problems to report. My friends 2006 came with the newer design door seals, and good intercooler, and he has not had any problems that I know of.

the 2006 has the different headlights and the under hood wiring is different (different connectors and such).

I would go with the 2006 or late build 2005 (check if it has the metal ended intercooler. )

 

[Motorhead]

Brent,



Thanks for the excellent post - very good info here that I can make some educated decision with. The 2 '06 trucks did not pan out, so now left with local dealer doing a search within Dodge inventory to see if they can come up w/an '07 for me before this rebate period ends - which is next Monday right now.



Thanks again,

Mike.

Mike, Go to Dodge - Trucks - Automobiles - Sport Utility Vehicles and you can search existing dealer inventories yourself. When you get into the site, go to "Find a dealer" by zip code. Find the best deal for YOU. Not the one your dealer can make the most $$ on you.

You can put into the search what you want. When I searched my '07, I put in 5. 9, 4x4 short bed, stick shift. I checked many dealers in other states and found what I was looking for 300 miles away.