Hello all, first post.

I'm in the market for my first diesel and I want it to be a Dodge.

So I have lots of questions (mod, please move if in wrong area) and I really don't know where to really start. I'll first start off what I know I want.

04-07 Dodge Cummins Diesel
4x4
Long Bed.

I am not sure what are the types of motors are really available for these years so any help would great.

Any real benifits of the HO Turbo Diesel over the Turbo Diesel?

Remember hearing to 'stay' away from some motor other then the 5.9 (any truth to that, and if so what is the motor)

As I do plan on buying a used truck, what are some items I should look at more closely with this age of vehicle.

Will start with this and welcome any and all comments.

 

04-07 are all 5.9 liter, unless its an 07.5 then its a 6.7 liter which has exhaust gas recirculation and a diesel particulate filter which can become problematic. 03 and 04 engines are pretty similar and came in High output, Standard output and there was a California edition too which included a catalytic converter. The 04.5-07 engines all came with Catalytic converters and I believe they were all labeled HOs. 03s and 04s usually get the best mileage out of the group due to a lower horsepower and torque rating, and the injectors fire two times per combustion cycle compared to three on the 04.5+. The 03-04 HOs are rated at 305/555 hp/tq. The 04.5-05 are rated at 325/600 hp/tq and the 06-07 are rated at 325/610 hp/tq.

 

heater mode doors/blend doors be sure they all work.

box rusting inside by the wheel opening. take out a tail light and you can see in there good. (if it is from the north)

when i was in the market for a 03 & up to 07, i stayed away form any that had signs of aftermarket performance box or exhaust.

these years have expensive injectors, but all manufacturers do. so if you could buy one with new injectors that would be a plus. i was just told by a fuel shop they can fail anywhere from 60,000 to 200,000 miles.

some good reading here:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d-t121535.html

 

This is great info guys... keep it coming.

Good to know on the injectors. If ones had been replaced... what are some good ones or one to stay away from. Any way to tell if any of the injectors are going bad?

 

Nothing wrong with the 03/04s. 04.5s+ got a better turbo and more power. You can put an 04.5+ turbo into an 03/04 and add a chip.

People say the 03/04s got better mpgs than than 04.5s+. Either is a good choice.

What are you going to do with it. Leave it stock? Mod for towing? Racing?

 

I would use it as a daily driver... half the time. But also for towing and back/log roads. No serious 4x4'n, but to get to some places less traveled.