lco

trying to decide what year 3rd gen i'm gonna buy. i've been reading alot about the different years and probly the main thing i'm worried about is the tranny(6spd), how will either handle 700hp and are there any upgrades out there that will help(besides clutch duh). i've heard of people swaping in nv4500, and from what i'm hearing about the 5600 i might just bit the bullet and build a bulletproof trans from the go instead of waisting time..... what do you think....

Tacsavage

If you are worried about the tranny and definetly want a manual, then look for an 04.5 or 05 with the NV5600. They changed to the G56 in the 05 model year, so it you will have to look at each one you find to see which it has. You can still get an 03-04 with the NV4500 or NV5600, but I recommend the 04.5 and 05 due the higher stock horsepower and a little easier on the modding. Not to say that the 03-04 is bad, there are some awesome ones out there. I just think it is a little harder to get to the higher numbers. Maybe some others can chime in on the differences. I know that valve seats, mechanical wastegates, etc, are some other issues but I'm not an expert on the 03-04. I have heard that the 03-04 tend to have better fuel mpg. Hope this helps some. Tac

Gary Emerald

if you've got the money, get an automatic... build the auto with high quality parts, and it'll hold more than any manual out there.

I have driven 4500 trucks, 5600 trucks, and G56 trucks... I prefer the 5sp personally... lighter, cheaper to rebuild, doesn't really seem to be any weaker than the 6 speeds IMO, and one less shift while hot rodding around.

if you sled pull or tow heavy, a 6sp will give you more gears to choose from obviously

I prefer the 5600 to the G56 as far as strength, but from a pure cost standpoint, I think I'd almost rather have a G56 because if you have any problems with it, you can find a nice, low-mile pull-out unit to put in your truck.

rebuilding a 5600 is expensive!!!

with that said, I currently have an early '04 6sp truck and previously had an '03 5sp truck. the 03-04's are plenty easy to get power out of, they just need a turbo upgrade sooner than the 04.5+ trucks

I prefer the '03-early 04's because they get better mileage, they sound better (no 3rd injection event), and they have NO catalytic converter from the factory

I live in a state where diesels are not subject to smog inspections, but they do technically have to pass a visual inspection... now, they don't really pay much attention, but the writing is on the wall no matter where you live, and I love having a twin turbo truck with 5" straight exhaust and being perfectly legal

oh, and as for valve seats, it is my understanding that the 05's were the best year for valve seats... I have twins on my 04 so EGT's never really get very high. after seeing my buddy's early 04 sustain repeated trips to 1800* for lots of miles and then finally drop a seat, I'm not worried about my truck in the least

tcr

"I prefer the '03-early 04's because they get better mileage, they sound better (no 3rd injection event), and they have NO catalytic converter from the factory"

Yep, he's right. 03-04 305/555 triple nickles are the best of ALL worlds, not easy to find though.

Jason_K

be careful with the early 05's some have the plastic end on the intercooler. i didn't know that mine did until i bought it. i just know that someday i'm gonna pop that baby. other than that i'm real happy with mine

Rod_Montana

If it's an 05 and has the 5600, it has the plastic CAC. Mine "did", but it's reasonably easy to swap in an late 05 all aluminum CAC. Not all that expensive for peace of mind either...

Jason_K

yep that's what i have, i'll have to look into that swap sometime

D45

NICE! That is great!

Butzdiesel

In my 05 i have a G56 and a plastic intercooler, but i have a alum. one sittin in the shop now. The thing that is wierd is the truck that the alum intercooler came out of was only manufactured two months before mine.

triplenickel

Did somebody call me?

xtoyz17

Any plusses or minuses to an 06 versus an 03? I'm looking at both right now and besides one being a sport and the other a non sport they are optioned out the same. So, it comes down to the little things this 2nd genner doesn't know about.

Thanks,
Shawn

JCLeary

I wholeheartedly agree. My '03 Laramie was a much better truck than my '07.

I really miss my 305/555 NV5600 truck. 35" tires and 18mpg highway. Much better than my new truck with the same tires and 12mpg highway.

Better mileage, nicer interior materials, screwed together better, I could add a TST. The Smarty rocked on it! I made 555/960 on stock sticks and CP3. I loved that truck!

BlueOx1

I think the 03 interior is more comfortable , the 06 seats in my opinion are to hard.06 will make power easier than the 03.
Joe

Big Blue24

04.5+ can be pushed to 510ish Hp on stock turbo,

03-04 can be pushed to 440ish Hp on stock turbo.

04.5+Heads flow better
04.5+have three injection events, less fuel economy, more potential for power using a single fueling box.

04.5+Have slightly better CP3 and injectors

If you goal is 600+HP, the cost is nearly identical. If your goal is 5-550 HP, the 04.5+ is cheaper to build to that level.

rufushusky

I agree to that.