What truck to buy... and why?

[MPerez]

I am considering getting a newer Cummins motor that happens to have a Dodge wrapped around it.



But I've spent all my time with my current 12V 2nd gen truck and on those forums so I have a pretty decent handle on their issues and what I'd like if I was trying to get one of those... So I don't know much about the good/bad and ugly issues that these third gen trucks have. What I want it to do well is tow things all over the country on a regular basis and I want a manual transmission 'cause I'm that way and a long bed. But what are the issues with the motors and transmissions, fuel systems that I need to know about before I dive in headfirst. What should I read? What should I stay away from?



Thanks, I know you all have lots of knowledge to share!

 

[1965LONEWOLF]

:-laf I Have Had A 96,97,2000 And Now A 2004. 5 Dodge Diesel , I Love The 04. 5 The Most Of All , I Like The Way My 2000 Sounded And I Can't Get My 04. 5 To Sound Like That But Overall I Would Go With A 04. 5 And Above , Get The 325/600 Or 325/610 Motor , All Kinds Of Mods To Be Done , I've Always Used My Head , I'll Get On It And I'll Stand On It Once In Awhile But I'm Not A Bonehead With It , 80% Of The Damage Done To These Truck Are The Boneheads Behind The Wheel Not Paying Attention , Stay With A Dodge My Friend

 

[JStrasser]

Mario,



I am very new to owning a CTD. First diesel.



But I have been reading this and other forums for quite some time. The 3rd Gen CTD's (especially the '06/'07 yearss) are much more electronically complex. Posts on the newer 3rd generation mention a lot of CEL codes coming up on non-bombed engines. In the first 6 months of owning our '06, I saw and cleared 1/2 dozen CEL's.

Particular problems? Two come to mind... .

-any trailer with even minor electrical bugs plugged into the factory harness has given several people fits with damaged (expensive) electronic components.

-altering electrical "draw" by changing to improved headlight bulbs for better nighttime vision has caused problems in some trucks.



We really like our quad cab, long bed, manual trans truck! (our 19 y. o. daughter really loves to drive it- and Cathy- DW- has no problems driving it, but she did learn to drive a manual trans on my Land Rover with no synchromesh. )



Early on I invested in a handheld scanner to plug into the diagnostic port and I keep it under the seat-diagnoses CEL warnings very well.



Good luck,

John

 

[rbattelle]

Here are a few links:



Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4



Ryan