What year is best and why
#17
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i personally like my 05: So then I guess it would be 04.5-05
*more powerful motor 325/600 v.s. 555tq
*48re v.s. 47
*Straight 4" exhaust from turbo, so do downpipe needed
and the last year for the good MEAN LOOK body style, im sorry, but I really dont like the new ones at all, the interior killed the purpose of it being a truck with crappy cup holders, no room for C.B. and crowded center console. They even added a resonator to the exhuast at the bend right after the muffler. So thats (1)cat (1) muffler (1)resonator= HOLY RESTRICTION!!!
*more powerful motor 325/600 v.s. 555tq
*48re v.s. 47
*Straight 4" exhaust from turbo, so do downpipe needed
and the last year for the good MEAN LOOK body style, im sorry, but I really dont like the new ones at all, the interior killed the purpose of it being a truck with crappy cup holders, no room for C.B. and crowded center console. They even added a resonator to the exhuast at the bend right after the muffler. So thats (1)cat (1) muffler (1)resonator= HOLY RESTRICTION!!!
#18
Ernest
all the Cummins have that same reliability. What was best for me is the '03/'04 305/555 HO engine with the NV5600 tranny and 3.73 axle. It has averaged over 22+ mpgs on my 110+ mile a day commute for over 55000 miles. Also the last 3400 mile trip through the Rockys towing my 11200 lb 5er it averaged 12.5+ mpgs. On my oil changes the oil doesn't change color till around 5-7000 miles. The dang thing is quiet. My son has a '02 DMAX and he says the Cummins is much quieter at speed but just a tad noiser at idle
My previous Cummins was a '01 235/460 auto 3.54 with 75000 trouble free miles but didn't like the noise and the eratic shifting auto.
My '03 truck is a work horse with the exhaust brake/6 speed. Great combo.
JIM
all the Cummins have that same reliability. What was best for me is the '03/'04 305/555 HO engine with the NV5600 tranny and 3.73 axle. It has averaged over 22+ mpgs on my 110+ mile a day commute for over 55000 miles. Also the last 3400 mile trip through the Rockys towing my 11200 lb 5er it averaged 12.5+ mpgs. On my oil changes the oil doesn't change color till around 5-7000 miles. The dang thing is quiet. My son has a '02 DMAX and he says the Cummins is much quieter at speed but just a tad noiser at idle
My previous Cummins was a '01 235/460 auto 3.54 with 75000 trouble free miles but didn't like the noise and the eratic shifting auto.
My '03 truck is a work horse with the exhaust brake/6 speed. Great combo.
JIM
#19
Thanks for the info. I would like to find a sport but the only trucks I can find are SLT. I would like an 04 with under 40k miles but there aren't any for sale that I could find. I found a 06 SLT with 1600 miles the guy wants 32k but is doesn't have a few ot the options I realy wanted. I am going to price a new one at the dealer and how much more a new one would be.
#20
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I bought my 04.5 brand new back in June of 2004. Previous to buying it, I was looking at 02's and 03's... My main reason for buying new was becuase all the trucks I looked at that I liked had at least 50k miles on them, and were only about 2-3k cheaper than a brand new truck. Im very happy with my 04.5 Fuel mileage is decent for a 7k lb truck.. Highway I get about 19.5 mpg at 75 or so.. I have a heavy right foot though and drive up and down winding mountain roads every day I drive it, so my fuel mileage does suffer a bit. I really love my truck, and love the NV5600. The only issue Ive had so far is my lift pump went out at 22k miles, but dodge paid for the tow to the dealer, gave me the updated in tank lift pump, fixed it in a day, and had me back on the road the next day. No problems since then, and I still love driving my truck every chance I get, and its been almost 2 years since I bought it.
Scott
Scott
#22
Originally Posted by D.Wiggs
I have had a 2003 3500 Quadcab Dually Laramie Sport 4x4 6-Speed and now own a 2006 3500 Megacab Dually Laramie 4x4 6-Speed and I LOVE the '06 MUCH more. I understand some of the complaints, but for me, the '06 is a much better truck. First of all the Megacab is simply amazing as far as room and comfort go. Secondly, the engine is like 75% quieter than my '03 and I LOVE the much shorter and precise shift throws. Just my .02, but I would get the '06 all day; especially with all of the dealer incentives going on right now you could get an '06 megacab 3500 loaded to the gills for like $40K; I paid $41K and change and I have every option on their but an Auto ( )!
Bad thing about the Mega Cab is if you haul a Gooseneck, if you are not careful, the trailer will smack the cab of the truck. My friend has one, and he even put the extension on the trailer (to put the trailer further back) and still is a concern in turns with the trailer making contact with the cab. So, he is selling his Mega Cab to get a QC LB so he can haul his Gooseneck without fear of hitting the cab.
#23
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Originally Posted by VikingDiesel
i personally like my 05: So then I guess it would be 04.5-05
*more powerful motor 325/600 v.s. 555tq
*48re v.s. 47
*Straight 4" exhaust from turbo, so do downpipe needed
and the last year for the good MEAN LOOK body style, im sorry, but I really dont like the new ones at all, the interior killed the purpose of it being a truck with crappy cup holders, no room for C.B. and crowded center console. They even added a resonator to the exhuast at the bend right after the muffler. So thats (1)cat (1) muffler (1)resonator= HOLY RESTRICTION!!!
*more powerful motor 325/600 v.s. 555tq
*48re v.s. 47
*Straight 4" exhaust from turbo, so do downpipe needed
and the last year for the good MEAN LOOK body style, im sorry, but I really dont like the new ones at all, the interior killed the purpose of it being a truck with crappy cup holders, no room for C.B. and crowded center console. They even added a resonator to the exhuast at the bend right after the muffler. So thats (1)cat (1) muffler (1)resonator= HOLY RESTRICTION!!!
#24
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Originally Posted by SSminnow
Bad thing about the Mega Cab is if you haul a Gooseneck, if you are not careful, the trailer will smack the cab of the truck. My friend has one, and he even put the extension on the trailer (to put the trailer further back) and still is a concern in turns with the trailer making contact with the cab. So, he is selling his Mega Cab to get a QC LB so he can haul his Gooseneck without fear of hitting the cab.
#25
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I've had a 03 305/555 6 speed and a 05 325/600 auto. I couldn't tell the difference in power or towing. In my opinion I think that the 03 is the one of these two just because it has less emissions to it.
Britt
Britt
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