I currently have a 2005 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax. If you follow any of the GM stuff you have no doubt read of some LLY Duramax owners who's trucks overheat when they tow heavily. I am one of the unlucky owners .... currently in the very early stages of Lemon Law repurchase.

I am seriously considering buying a Dodge and have a few questions. Of the newer Dodges (2003-current) what should I look at and what should I stay away from? I want crew cab, short bed, 4x4 automatic diesel.

Not interested in modding it heavily ... just a simple programmer and gauges. I plan to leave the stock exhaust.

Comments .... suggestions.

 

Well I'm sure you're going to get a lot of opinions. Here's mine.

I would look at 04.5-06 for the "600/610" engine, they are 325 HP and 600/610 TQ. The 06's have some cool features in the auto trans that are new for 06. I can't comment from personal experience just from what I've read as I own a 6 speed. In 05 and current they changed the filter mounted weak lift pump and went to one in the tank. Some say it works fine others say it's still junk, I don't know as I just put a FASS pump on mine and was done with it. Other than that you will be buying a great truck.

 

Welcome to the DTR!
The Cummins will pull all day, heavily loaded. My experience, these Cummins love to have something hooked to them. If your going to tow heavy I recommend the 6spd or the auto. 03-04 I believe had the SO or HO motor option, 04.5 and up were all HO, 325/610 motors, somebody correct me if I'm wrong.


P.S. Ford doesn't own Cummins.

 

I would stick with the 04.5-06 as well for the HO engine. I have an 06 and really love it. It does have the new Tow/Haul feature that allows converter lock up in second and third gears along with allowing the tranny to downshift as you come to a stop. Other new features include the in tank lift pump as stated earlier. What i really like about the 06 is the interior redesign. I think it looks a lot better and a bit more modern, i cant tell you the difference in how comfy the seats are but mine arent bad. My only complaint is how light the grey seats are and im sure they will get dirty easily. I have put a few layers of scotch guard on mine and they seem to be doing fine. I will eventually get a set of aftermarket leather seat covers. I have also read about the 06 seats being more durable b/c of the new fabric and such that they used. The new front end of the 06 some love and some hate, but it is well known that the new headlights do much better and allow for better vis when driving at night. Hope this helps you a bit....sorry to hear about the problems with your DMax...they are it would have been my second choice...good luck, Jason

 

I'm very pleased with my 04 auto with the 48RE. Although I don't know of any specific problems with the 03 model, the early ones used the older 47RE auto. The 48's are supposed to be much improved, so if you want to go the auto tranny route, I'd go with the 48RE.

Something else to consider, if you tow heavy and often and go the manual route, the newer trucks (I believe after 05) can use an exhaust brake. The 2004.5 year changed from the 3.5 inch exhaust to the 4 inch. Thereafter, I believe Dodge added the exhaust brake option on the 05.

 

I would go with a 03-04 HO with the 48RE transmission. No cat or 3rd injection event for emissions, better mpg, 305hp and 555lb/ft. plenty of mods available to boost it. Biggest issue I can think of is the ujoints needing repalced early (my rear 2 around 42k). There are some other issues that I'm sure others will metion.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Nick

 

I came over from a 7.3 Powerstroke, not becasue I did not like the 7.3, in fact I loved it. I thought all I needed was a gasser, so I bought a gasser, but I was wrong, so I went BACK to a diesel. I chose the Cummins becasue I need a drivetrain that is going to last me a long time as this is the last truck I am going to buy for a VERY LONG time. So, I went with a 03 CC DRW 2WD LB 6Speed HO version. LOVE THE TRUCK! Does not ride as nice as the Ford, but I did not buy the truck for the ride. I also like the amenities and layout of the Ford better, but once again, did not buy the Dodge for that. I need a work truck, and the Cummins is ALL THAT AND THEN SOME!!! All I have done to my truck so far is bring all of the maintenance up to current (bought my truck used) Diff service, tranny service, fuel filter change, air filter change oil change, and coolant flush. I have added a boost gauge, and will add an EGT gauge soon, then I am changing to a 5" exhaust (only because I want, not becuase it needs it ) and then the Bully Dog Power Pup will be it for me. The CTD rides the roughest, and is more "rough" around the edges then the Chevy or Ford, but as I stated above, this is a REAL work truck!!!

 

keep in mind that if you are looking at an 05-06 i believe there has been suspension changes along with the frame...correct me if im wrong. I had an 02 F250 7.3L and i think my 06 rides MUCH better than the Ford..Jason

 

Have you guys rode in a new Ford? Junk. The interior is ruined and the ride feels like plastic and the seats are terrible except for the King Ranch with the saddle leather but $50k for a hassle of a motor didn't make sense to me. They have gone down hill a lot. GM has the nicest ride but I could care less, it's a car with a lot of trunk space in my opinion. My Dodge is firm and feels like a tough truck.

 

BUY ONE!!!!

AND WE WILL ALL WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS

 

I guess that is why they call them opinion's. I would not say that my Dodge rides like junk, but there is NO WAY that it rides better then my 03 Ford.

 

Open arms huh ... might be a little to touchy feely for me.

OK ... so IF the time comes to buy a Dodge it looks like mid year 04' to 06' will be the one to get.

Are there options in gear ratios? GM only offered 3.73. Most I currently tow is 10-11,000lbs.

LOL ... dont try and talk me into buying one "because it feels like a tough truck". Many people ... people like me ... arent farmers or oil field workers. I like a soft ride and comfy seats.

For the record .... I love my current truck. It is my 3rd Duramax powered truck. The first 2 were flawless ... the 3rd is a lemon. Im changing brands not because of the truck but the way GM has handled the situation. I will not give them my money and be treated like they have treated me.

Back to the topic at hand .... is everyone of the opinion that a current Dodge, when equipped with an automatic, can withstand a low HP tuner with the stock exhaust and transmission? Im not talking about using a tuner to blow smoke or race some ricers ... I talking about using it for things like my annual Elk hunting trip to Colorado for some extra grunt lugging 10,000lbs up Eisenhower pass on I70 west of Denver .....

 

My last Ford was a 2002 250 Crew 7.3. It was nice, big and more comfortable than my Dodge I agree. When I said new, I meant an 06. Just test drove three of them thinking the first was just "that" truck. Turns out all three were terrible. Big difference in 03 to 06 interior and seats. I miss the large back seat but I will deal with it. Cousin just bought an 06 dirty crack 360 6 speed Ally. Nice truck but not for me. He test drove the Fords thinking he may want to try his luck with another 6.ohno and we drove a King Ranch. Nice seats but way too much money for that kind of trouble.

 

1. There are options with the auto. You can get 4.10 or 3.73. I would think 4.10 would be overkill for the little amount of weight you are draggin unless you are going to go with 35" or bigger tires then the 4.10 would be great.

2. If you like plush comfy rides then go back to a Duramax. My cousin just bought a 2006 360 with the 6 speed with paddle shift and it's a nice truck. Rides better than my Dodge but I won't be owning one soon.

3. No comment here. I got a 6 speed. You can see my mods and my tranny and clutch are stock. Will be ordering a clutch before my turbo though just for safety.

 

Yeah 3.73 would be about right. Didnt know if 3.55's were an option or not. As much as fuel is I'll take all the economy help I can get.