Which 3rd gen. motor is best?

[JWey]

Hi, I am considering getting another truck for work. Currently I have a 2001. 5 with a 6spd. , 4x4, Edge EZ, 4" exhaust, DD2's, and a few other things. It is a total blast to drive but I've thought of buying a 3rd gen. and am curious if there are years that are better than others or if they are all pretty equal. I would not modify any heavier than the one I have now more than likely. I have also consideed the 6. 7 but am a bit nervous of a brand new engine. Are there still new 2007's with the 5. 9 sitting on lots for sale? I haven't looked around too much yet. Your thoughts are appreciated. Thanks for the help!

jwey

 

[LRobison]

I just bought a 2007 Mega 2500 4WD and what sold be on the 5. 9 is that in rural Nevada the ULSD is not available readily at every fuel stop. In addition the engine does not have all of the associated emmission controls that the 6. 7 does and aftermarket power adders can easily bring up the power level if that's a concern. My two cents worth. I bought my mega a month & a half ago, so there should still be some 5. 9's still on the lot.

 

[hummincummins2]

i would buy the 2003 my dad has one and its pretty sweet, plus i dont like the look on the new dodge ram headlights, too big and ugly. the 5. 9 he has looks good under the hood and it doesnt have all this new junk that basically will maintain and run the engine all by its self. waste of money if you ask me unless your not into modyfing it and tunning it. then i would buy it if i was a contractor or builder of some kind.

 

[CPittman]

The 305/555 is best. Biased?! Who's biased?

 

[WUnderwood]

I like 04. 5+ trucks, more performance mods(mainly downloaders) you can do to them, and a little bit more power

 

[Signal73]

I like my 06 with the apps on the firewall instead of the engine, less clutter. This should turn into a ******* contest:-laf

 

[gsbrockman]

The 305/555 is best. Biased?! Who's biased?

My 305/555 has been great, too... ... but I'll be happy when the 2007. 5 RAM 3500 MegaCab rolls in.



Greg

 

[HighRanger]

I have a quote in my email from a few different ppl. Names not to be mentioned but I asked a few well respected aftermarket company's the same question. Survey say's 03-04. Mainly for ease of aftermarket parts price and availability, other reasons were that a few reputable shops have seen some 04. 5's with serious motor failures. And it was stated that the 03-04 gets better milage for some reason.

 

[Grizzly]

The one that's paid for, my 05 5. 9.

 

[Cummins724]

My brothers 04. 5 runs sweet with Crazy Larry..... not available for 03-04 trucks. It definately runs better than my brother in laws 04 [both in stock form]. I would pick a 04. 5-05 model myself. Anything later is like buying a muscle car after 74'.

 

[1965LONEWOLF]

04. 5 Model - I Have Driven A Late O5 And 3 - 06's And I Like My The Best -Oo.

 

[Turbo Kidd]

Final answer... . 2003, 305/555. I have never had any problems, tons of power, lots of mods available and good fuel economy. However, I'm sure all of the other years are great motors too. I mean that is why we all come here right? One word... . Cummins!

 

[WPeschel]

The one that's paid for, my 05 5. 9.

X2..... 03 305/555... . Now I have more money for the mods... .

 

[Prairie Dog]

X3!..... 03, 04 305 HP get the best mileage too.

 

[Dieselnerd]

All the 3rd gens are pretty good motors. Some of the early 3rd gens had the 47RE autos so that might be a drawback. There are also more lift pump failures before they put them in the tank in '05. I think the motors themselves are all pretty solid, some had injector problems, most didn't. Mileage varies with driving style, my '05 4x4 with 4:10's gets better mileage towing than my '96 4x4 with 4:10's did and with the '96 I towed a lighter trailer.

 

[coobie]

My good friend and neighbor who works at the crysler proving grounds here in Michigan as a product design eng. tells me to hang on to my 305/555 motor in my 2004,if that tells you anything Oo.

 

[Kry226]

04 305/555

 

[CATCRACKER]

yea 04. 5 make more power... . but you might want to tell that to browns diesel b/c he made close to 900hp with an SO 305's they seem to have much less injector problems and get the best mpg

 

[CPittman]

... And it was stated that the 03-04 gets better milage for some reason.

The 305/555 motors had only two fuel injection events per stroke (this is part of what made the 3rd gen motors so much 'quieter' than the 2nd gens). The 04. 5 and newer trucks use three fuel injection events per stroke - some people think this may be part of the reason the newer trucks fuel mileage is a little worse.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

My brothers 04. 5 runs sweet with Crazy Larry..... not available for 03-04 trucks. It definately runs better than my brother in laws 04 [both in stock form]. I would pick a 04. 5-05 model myself. Anything later is like buying a muscle car after 74'.

I agree totally, Im an 04. 4-05 man myself. As stated above I think the new head lights are extremely ugly (I still would drive one though)