JOHNNY_77_

Guys, wanting to tap in to the wealth of knowledge you all have. I'm considering upgrading my current truck (96 12V single cab w/long bed) to a newer 3rd Gen truck with 4 doors non-dully. I see many trucks around the Houston area for sale, most of which have high mileage and automatics. I read enough to know that the automatic trannys are junk and although I would prefer a automatic, a manual is OK by me.

My question to you all is, what should be my check list when considering a used 3rd gen? What signs should I look for? What simple test can be performed when looking at a truck, warning signs? It's hard to get owner info from dealers, so I would like to check it out as best as I can.

I'm no mechanic, so break it down to me in a way that a dummy can understand. Also, I have run in to a few trucks that have been owned by either the city or some corporate place. Prices seem better but I am worried about how they may have been treated. What thoughts do you all have on this as well.

Thanks in advance!

wellmax

I have a 2005, 2 wheel drive, got it with 41K miles. They are good trucks and its hard to find one without high miles. People buy them, work them hard and do not get rid of them until they are ready for some heavy maint.

mine has been great and i like the auto, if properly serviced and not treated like a race dog, the tranny should be fine,
most with tranny problems, like to seen black smoke rolling out all the time, or never have the trans serviced or pull loads way over the load limits of the truck, cause the motor will pull it.

mine is a great truck and mama thinks its comfortable
I am not going to tell you my mpg because you will call me a story teller.
but great mileage.

DodgeChallenger

A friend up here in Canada has a 2003 for sale 3500/6spd/quad cab/laramie/4x4. Has 300,000kms about 180k miles. Runs perfect and is actually better in the mileage department than my 2007 5.9. Can't say anymore except he is asking $13k CDN for it. His email moparnutz@hotmail.com

Fiftygrit

I have a 06 and think the 06 and 07 were the best of the 5.9, I wouldnt be afraid of the auto, mine has close to 100k on it and has been serviced twice, all fluids, filter, bands adjusted, the guy that does my servicing says it looks like brand new, I would look for a stock truck, no power adders, no lift kits, if you get what I mean, the 4x4s have to have the front ends done around 100k to maybe 125k. the only thing I have done is the front seal on the rear diff, shes been great so far.

notw

^^^X2. No tuners, lift kits, stacks, etc. It is pretty much the same as your 12V. Look for oil leaks, trans problems, smoke of varying colors. The front end is very similar to your 96 so you probably already know the issues there. No KDP or bad block type things to worry about that I am aware of. If you have tuned on your 96 prepare to buy at least a Smarty Jr.. The 03 I have was a dog compared to my 95 until I got the Jr.

I just upgraded last year and this is what I gathered on the 3rd gen 5.9. If you tow much at all a standard trans is the way to go. The 6 speed clutch is more durable than the 5 speed. The 03-04.5 have the best mileage and the least emissions. I read several posts by people who sold their 03-04.5's for newer models and regretted it. Other than that the body, seats, blah, blah, blah all seemed the same from year to year from what I could tell. JMO.

Enjoy the new ride whatever you get.

JOHNNY_77_

Thanks for some the input.

Will a 2007 Ram 2500 get as good or better fuel mileage than my 96?
I went to look at a 2007 Ram 2500 but when I checked the Fault Codes, I got 10 of them. See this other thread I posted:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...s-t295442.html

Maybe some one can give me their thoughts on that.

04.5HO600

Exactally why I would never sell my 04.5

04.5HO600

try to stay away from the emission plagged ones like after late 05-06 ish
i am not sure
My buddy had to fight to Lemon Law one
by 09 I think they had the bugs worked out