Hey, I have a 2000 dodge dually, having lots of problems with it. so its going to be traded in. I'm looking for a 3rd gen. truck. my dad has an 06. drives nice but i was wondering which would be the best if i wanted to modify it, box, programer, injectors. pretty much make it my project/toy. any input would be aprecciated. thanks

 

This has been talked about at some length.

My thoughts are go for an '04 HO 305,555. They have no cat, get good mileage, and have all the HO internal upgrades. I love mine.

You'll have to upgrade the LP and the shox.

Very nice driving trucks with excellent brakes. The big consideration will be stick or auto. The automatic is the 48RE. Get a Smarty if you want more power and it will really come alive.


John

 

well hmmm i'll look into finding one. I really perfer stick, but i know i'm gonna want the speed so i'm debating with the auto. too many choices, i wish i could find a decked out ctd. thank you for the input John

 

Look for an '05 it seems like there is a lot more power available from them!

 

If you get an '05 you'll have to deal with the cat and possibly a plastic intercooler. And with the third injection event, worse mileage. For big power you might need more lift pump and, I think, they are in the tank in '05. They also, again I think, have a computer controlled waste gate. Don't have any reason to think that's better. And I don't know of any reason why the '05 might be capable of more power.

Have fun with your search.

John

 

the 04.5 to 07 is the HO 600 motor.. definatly easier to get more power out of the box.. ask anyone who has owned both and they will tell you that if you want a truck that has the most power from the factory and responds well to mods then get the 04.5 and up HO.. not to mention you get the stronger 48re instead of the 47.. a cat takes 10 minutes to cut off to get a whole lot more noise for little power..

 

I have had both a 04 305 hp 555tq and the 06. The 06 has way more power then my 04 had. Fuel mpg is about the same when pulling maby a little less when just driving empty. I think one of the biggest limiting factors with the 555 engine was the factory turbo is to small. Of course that can be fixed

 

I have an 03 with the 305/555 HO and NV5600 6 shooter and really like it. I've made a few mods and it definitely has all the power I need for what I do, which is tow. People say cut out the kitty but get caught without the factory kitty and it's a healthy fine especially in states like CA. Some people will say 03's and others will say 07's. How much do you want to spend and what will be done with the truck also determines what you end up with. Good luck in your hunt!

L8r,........dogger

 

Well so far i guess its still between 03 to 06. i'm leaning toward an 06 since that is what my father drives and we could test the mods on the same trucks and possibly share them from time to time. this is the one ive been looking at. looks nice, seems all stock except for that big-*$$ lift. would that kill the fuel economy? what do yall think of it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...140150403&rd=1

 

Nice looking truck and yes the lift/tires will kill your mileage. Most people who complain about their mileage have a lift and big tires.

 

the quickest commonrail truck that ran a 10.85 in the 1/4 mile was a 305/555 motor. Just takes a little more to get to that power range than the 04.5s and up. I love my 04 mainly because I like the interior better than the new ones and a little more comfortable, and not a single problem.

 

With products like the Smarty, the playing field becomes level in a hurry. You can get to 500 rwhp in trucks 03-06 relatively easily. Just have to have your fuel and tranny/clutch keep up.

 

Somewhere I might have missed something, or had a senior moment, but in the 5.9 third generation the HO is only with the 6 speed? Only 06 and later automatic is approved by Chrysler for the Jake brake?
No plans on getting rid of my 02.

 

I agree with what he said. some of the really hot programs wont work on 03/04 trucks. if you dont plan to mod it then any year should work. you can get an intercooler out of an 03/04 also for cheap. its what I did on my 05 and it held 52psi of boost for a while. I had an 05 and I liked it alot. less issues out of it than my 06. I like the interior on those trucks better also

 

'03 and newer HO has either a six speed manual or a 48re auto.

Jake is for '06 and newer.