Would you go with a 5.9HO or a 6.7?

[Grinder1]

Looking into replacing my trusty '95 12v 4x4. Would appreciate opinions on a 4x4 '05 HO with the 48RE vs a newer '07-'09 6. 7 with the 68RE. I've test driven a bunch of both models. The 6 speed auto is very sweet for sure, but I'm skeptical of all the added emissions crap, especially on the exhaust side. On the older 2005, how are those 48RE trannys holding up? On and off road experiences, good and bad, welcomed!:-laf

 

[RVTRKN]

I would consider the 5. 9 before the 6. 7, but it would depend on the condition of the 5. 9. The 48re can be built to withstand the Cummins if you want to invest in it. But my preference is the 04. 5 with the NV5600, look at sig. I wouldn't have sold it if it wasn't for my brother looking for one.

 

[MuddFlapp]

I picked up my 07 yesterday, it's 4" staight all the way back and runs out great. I love the 5. 9 and drove 6 hours one way to buy this one. I wouldn't have anything else.

 

[zman]

I had the same decision to make 11 months ago. My biggest issue with the 6. 7 was the DPF and all the other emissions crap they had to put on the engine. I went with an '06 5. 9 just because I couldn't find an '07 5. 9 anywhere close to me. Something else you might check on is fuel mileage of the 6. 7. The guys I know with the 6. 7 are getting about 15% less MPG than I'm getting out of my 5. 9.



Steve

 

[SierraRam]

I am a 5. 9 but agree that the 48RE will need help if you are going to to run over stock power. Still can't go wrong with any Cummins IMHO.

 

[jgillott]

Knock on wood, the 48re in our '04. 5 is holding up just fine after 200K+ miles of abuse. It has been left at the stock power level however. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one used if it was well kept.

 

[NavyDood]

If I had to get a newer truck I would love to get a 2010 and do all the deletes. Other wise I would settle for another 04 with the 305/555.

 

[Motorhead]

"07, 5. 9 for me. With fuel going up, any mileage advantage is a plus!

 

[Grinder1]

Thanks for all the replies guys. The TDR boys are spot on as usual. One rig I'm looking into is an '05 with 4. 10s and 48RE. How's the mileage compared to the 3. 73s?

 

[JJPage]

If you are going to tow all the time, the 6. 7 may be the way to go. The folks who are using them for what they were built for, seem to be getting along nicely without many problems. If your more of an "around town/grocery getter", stick with the 5. 9 unless your willing to do the deletes.



I'm not saying the 5. 9's not an excellent towing vehicle, their just getting hard to find, at least clean, un-molested ones.



I personally would not want 4:10's with the auto.

 

[Simplysmn]

Sorry guy's I am going to say get the 6. 7 the newer truck's ride better and handle better yes a little less on mpg but so what I put 92,000 on my 08 in 3 1/2 yr's never had any troubles with it other then a Stupid dealer screwing up but hand's down it was a great truck This was Totally stock nothing done to truck other then driving it like a truck best mpg was 19 mpg empty n towing was 16 mpg . I now have a 2011 and in less then 3 month's I have close to 8500 miles on it and love the way it handles and rides {much better then my 08 2500 } the 11 is a 3500 . basicly what it comes down to is your choice not our's get the truck that fit's you best .

 

[TimothyLong]

Without meaning to hijack this thread, what are the "deletes" to the 6. 7L? Just curious.

BTW, I have a 4. 10 in my '03 with a 47RE and I like it better than the 3. 73 in my wife's '04, though her 3. 73 gets a bit better mileage than I got with the 4. 10 when mine was still stock.

 

[Grizzly]

I would consider the 5. 9 before the 6. 7, but it would depend on the condition of the 5. 9. The 48re can be built to withstand the Cummins if you want to invest in it. But my preference is the 04. 5 with the NV5600, look at sig. I wouldn't have sold it if it wasn't for my brother looking for one.

I have an early 05, 5. 9 with the NV5600. Great truck.



Grinder1, If you're going to do any heavy towing, consider a 5. 9 with an NV5600. With that combination, you'll get some economy and a stout 6 speed transmission. Only downfall to an 03 to 05, poor headlights.



george

 

[Grinder1]

I'm sitting here thinking... ... ... ... ... ... . why can't you put a 68RE behind a 5. 9? That would be a sweet ride my friends. Anybody tried it? I'm sure all the computer carp nixes any possibility.

 

[Grinder1]

If you are going to tow all the time, the 6. 7 may be the way to go. The folks who are using them for what they were built for, seem to be getting along nicely without many problems. If your more of an "around town/grocery getter", stick with the 5. 9 unless your willing to do the deletes.



I'm not saying the 5. 9's not an excellent towing vehicle, their just getting hard to find, at least clean, un-molested ones.



I personally would not want 4:10's with the auto.

What specifically would be the issues with the 4. 10s and an auto transmission?

 

[Grinder1]

I have an early 05, 5. 9 with the NV5600. Great truck.



Grinder1, If you're going to do any heavy towing, consider a 5. 9 with an NV5600. With that combination, you'll get some economy and a stout 6 speed transmission. Only downfall to an 03 to 05, poor headlights.



george

I would agree that the 6 spd manual is much stouter than the 48RE. Only problem is that my left knee and clutches don't get along too well anymore.



Any way to improve the '05 headlights legally? I know they're WAY better than my '95s.

 

[bcbender]

I have the 04 with the nv5600 with 4:10s (April genos 2011 calander -laf)) , mileage not too bad, 15 al around, 11 towing my 5er, 17 @ 70 going to the beach ( with a topper), thats stock with a 100k on the odo. Id do it again, keep looking, one will come along like mine then snach it up, I looked for over a year. :-laf

 

[JJPage]

What specifically would be the issues with the 4. 10s and an auto transmission?

For me personally... . right now with 3. 73's I'm at 1800rpm @ 70mph in 0D, depending how heavy I am, and how hard of a pull I'm into, I can shift down into drive and still maintain 70mph at around 2000rpm, not going to do that with 4. 10's.



My truck gets fairly good and consistent mileage as long as I keep under 2000rpm, go over that and mileage is out the window. Plus, I do not like running my truck at 2200rpm+ for prolonged periods, even though that might be in the "meat" of the power band. That's just my preference, not implying anything wrong with that driving style, just not mine.



On a side note, when I was driving with/for my Dad, with his 220's, 250's, and 335 Cummins, he wanted you at 2250rpm as much as possible. Later with the 350/400's/450KT, Cummins changed fuel timing/duration and torque curve dropped, we were rattling down the road between 1600/1900rpm. I stopped driving for a living in 1992, quite a few changes since then also.

 

[Grinder1]

For me personally... . right now with 3. 73's I'm at 1800rpm @ 70mph in 0D, depending how heavy I am, and how hard of a pull I'm into, I can shift down into drive and still maintain 70mph at around 2000rpm, not going to do that with 4. 10's.



My truck gets fairly good and consistent mileage as long as I keep under 2000rpm, go over that and mileage is out the window. Plus, I do not like running my truck at 2200rpm+ for prolonged periods, even though that might be in the "meat" of the power band. That's just my preference, not implying anything wrong with that driving style, just not mine.



On a side note, when I was driving with/for my Dad, with his 220's, 250's, and 335 Cummins, he wanted you at 2250rpm as much as possible. Later with the 350/400's/450KT, Cummins changed fuel timing/duration and torque curve dropped, we were rattling down the road between 1600/1900rpm. I stopped driving for a living in 1992, quite a few changes since then also.

Thanks JJ. Hard as hell to find a good used 3 gen these days. Think I may have landed one, but the 4. 10s are causing concern. Anybody have an idea as to the cost of retrofitting to 3. 73s? and yes of course, it's a 4x4, so you get to do it at both ends:{

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks JJ. Hard as hell to find a good used 3 gen these days. Think I may have landed one, but the 4. 10s are causing concern. Anybody have an idea as to the cost of retrofitting to 3. 73s? and yes of course, it's a 4x4, so you get to do it at both ends:{

Test drive it and see what the RPM's are at 70 MPH, 2000 RPM is the sweat spot for the HO 5. 9. If you are going to tow more than getting the groceries, go with the 4:10.