Hey dodge guys, question

I'm in the market for a new (well new to me) truck, I got in a wreck in my 07 superduty and they totaled it out:doah:. So now I have to start over. I have been lingering in y'alls forums, straying from my 6.0 psd forum for a while now. From what I understand, the 2004.5 to 2007.5 cummins are the ones to have. I know that the cummins is known for its long life, so now that I"m looking into them should I be wary of an '04 with 100K+ miles on it? Pretty much most of the trucks I"m looking at have a little over 50k on them. I know about the tranny problems the dodges have so I am thinking about going with the manual 6 speed for durabilty and better mileage (not to mention that 1st gear is super low). Are there any problems that I should look to have come up on trucks with this kind of mileage (electrical, mechanical, etc.)? I have read that the lift pump? can be very costly. What kind of mileage could I expect with the manual over the automatic? I'm trying to stay in the $23K to $26K range. Sorry for all the questions, this will be my 2nd diesel and I want to make a good choice this time (the fords look really good though:doah, you can't beat that straight piped cummins sound! Thanks a lot fellas for any help/ input yall have for me.

Todd

 

i HAVE A 2007 DODGE QUAD CAB 3500 DUALLY WITH A 6 SPD STICK AND USE IT TO RUN COMMERCIAL AND LOVE THE TRUCK IN EVERY WAY. I AGREE THE FORDS LOOK GOOD BUT HAVE TALKED TO ALOT OF HAULERS THAT HAVE THEM, OLD AND NEW AND THEY HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS, NOT SURE IF THEY MAINTANE THEM RIGHT OR NOT BUT I VOTE FOR DODGE! HANK

 

The truck in my sig, second dodge with a cummins under the hood. It gets driven everyday, not too far now as I live on an island but still its a DD and pulls hard when I ask it too. Mileage is 17-20 empty and around 12-14 pulling my 5th wheel. I have just under 40k on the truck now with ZERO issues. Im a stickler for maintenance though. I would stay 6spd, I had the auto in my last one and did not like pulling with the 4 although it was great for hwy mileage. I would not hesitate to buy anything 01 and newer or a twelve valve if you can find one that hasnt been driven into the dirt yet. Good luck with your search.

B-waytogo

 

I have read that the '02's had lift pump and engine block issues. I do like the old body style rams but the new quad cabs are a lot roomyer. Most of the 01's and 02's I can find have about 150K ot 180k on them. And they only have the 5 speed, some with a 6. I'm not too sure on the 02's mileage vs. the 03 and newer.

 

Any well maintaned '03 or newer would be a great choice. I would recomend a manual if you do any towing. I have the auto (the second one) and even if it was a bullet proof tranny, the performance is less than desirable for a truck with that muck towing capacity.

 

I have to disagree with jake on the transmission issue. I have several trucks all with over 300,000 miles, and the automatics, get equivallant mileage, and can tow more. this against the G56 and the NV5600, the second being the better of the 2 six speeds.

My DTT automatic gets freshened up every 150,000 miles or so, but I run high torque and beat on my truck. Billet input, intermediate and out put shafts with a properly built "Towing" Valve body and billet TC with an appropriate stall speed for towing and Flex plate, and no bubbles no troubles.... I run my boxes at level 5 all the time, and it holds up great, not to mention I have the extra room for drinks, radios, and change..

 

I love the truck in my sig...

But if you are willing to spend $25k, look at something along these lines...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ansmission=Manual&max_price=26000&cardist=500

 

Yeah, that's not bad at all for mileage. I live in a farm/ cattle town so it's hard to find em around here with less than 60K to 80K on an '05. I'll give autotrader a look. I"m a little skeptical of buying one off of the internet though. The dealer here in town has a couple of used 06's that I might test drive today after work to see if I even like the manual. But I usually like shifting so I don't think it will be a big problem.

Thanks for the link! I like this one too. Except for the black would be hard to keep clean as dusty as it is here.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ansmission=Manual&max_price=26000&cardist=388

or
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ansmission=Manual&max_price=26000&cardist=418

 

I'm a little confused...... A guy could buy a Ford and rebiuld it so it holds up too.:stir: rotfl rotfl rotfl .

I mean, are you suggesting that a guy buys a truck and then plans on rebiulding the transmission?:doah:

Obviously, you run a lot of miles on quiet a few trucks and and know what works for you. I can't argue with your experience. But, short of having to do a little work to shift a manual, is there a down side to them? I was on the impression that comparing stock tranies, the manual is more reliable. At least that is my personal experience. Also, I am convinced that the more gears of a manual are a plus when you are towing. That is one of my biggest gripes about the auto in my truck. First gear is to high, and there is to big of a jump between 3rd and 4th.

So if you like the convenience of the auto that is fine. If you like to rebiuld your truck that is fine. But to suggest that somebody buy a certain truck, and then say "Oh, by the way, you'll have to rebiuld that before it will be reliable", that sounds pretty opinionated.

 

The gutrag (G56) is a light duty use transmission with about a .7:1 ratio

 

I went and test drove an '06 to get a feel for the manual. It was a little weird at first. Starting off in 2nd gear the thing just takes off without much gas if any at all. I later discovered that there was a banks six gun chip on the truck so I turned it down to 1 to get a good "sample" of a stock truck. It was little frustrating at times trying to get used to it. THe clutch on those trucks is really stiff! I definately liked the "big rig" feel of shifting. And on the highway in 6th gear it still had plenty of passing speed left! A lot different than my 6.0! THe only thing I wonder is if the 6 gun module might have skewed my test drive experience? I didn't drive it in traffic though because I wasn't quite comfortable with the speed and power of the thing! I might hold off for a month or two to get a down payment saved up. I won't be buying here in my town though. They want $34K for an '06 quad cab cummins/6speed, long bed with stains all over the cloth interior, dents and dings everywhere (obvious farm or work truck) with 49K miles. I appreciate the autotrader link too, I might see about getting one off of there. These places in town want high retail for everything right after they low balled the guy on his trade. I might see about amarillo or lubbock.

On another note, I don't know if I'm being a wuss or not, but that thing was almost too much (not that that's a problem) but dang. It was quick too. About as fast as my 6.0 WITH the bully dog. I would like to get in one that doesn't have the banks on it to be sure that didn't influence it, but I could definately see how these things can build big power. But the mileage readout said 25 to 26 mpg rollin 60 @ 2000rpm!waytogo Do you think it had 4.10's in it? I think I may be converted to a dodge guy! Now I got to start replacing my ford belt buckles with dodge ones:doah: rotfl

 

Becareful and watch those prices, I paid 34K for my 06 (truck in my sig)and it was brand new off the lot in july of 06. Theres some great bargains out there just keep an eye out. waytogo

 

Also don't trust the trip computer mileage reading... it will tell you 26 mpg but you will be lucky to squeeze 22-23 on the highway

 

yeah i figured it would be about 2 to 3 less. diesel power did an article on mileage awhile ago and they found that to be true. What do yall think about the gearing? 60 at 2000rpms 4.10's?

 

First off, don't believe the overhead. Secondly, I cannot believe they are getting that much for a used truck. I would have to look but I belive you can get a new one for those kind of prices and get a warranty.

That is where I was when I bought mine. A used 06 with 30k miles for $34k or a new 07 with no miles for same damn price. SHOP AROUND!

In fact if you really look hard you can probably still find 07 models for one heck of a markdown in price.

 

Yeah thats sounds like 4.10s... I had 3.73s in my 05 and was doing 72mph at 2000rpms.

 

Cool thanks for the gear info.Yeah, I hear ya. I usually test drive the trucks here and buy else where.

 

go get yourself a 07.5 or 08 6.7 with the 6speed auto thats comes with the factory exhaust brake and your done!!!!! day and night difference from the 5.9 truck......DC did a good job on the newer truck, now give it while for the gas milage to improve......

 

Yeah, they're too new for my budget. I had my other truck new and a new truck isn't worth it unless you work with it everyday and are able to write it off somehow. The depreciation will kill ya. That, and I don't like all the emissions stuff.

 

I don't know about that... from what I have heard they drive about the same.