3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007 5.9 liter Engine and drivetrain discussion only. PLEASE, NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

Is the 5.9 reliable or not...(meltdowns)

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Old 05-28-2009, 01:33 PM
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130K now, and no engine issues at all... I run my SMJR on level 2 to tow my rigs. Had a clutch fan die while pulling 15k up through the Berkshire mountains in Western MA last summer, **** near over heated the thing 3 times. Replaced the lift pump at 110k with a FASS. Other than that most repairs have been ball joints and front hub assemblies...

Use Amsoil in everything, run 15k motor oil change intervals.
Old 05-28-2009, 08:16 PM
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If all goes well I will be the new owner of a MegaCab LONGBED conversion very very soon. Details will follow if it happens.

This will teach the wife not to leave the check book laying around!
"But Honey, I only bought one thing!"
All jokes aside, the wife will actually be happy. She is excited about a bit more room than my crewcab. Especially since I currently have bench seats. She is looking forward to reclining on long trips.
Jerry
Old 05-29-2009, 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by MeanGreen
I have my eye on a 07 5.9 Megacab that has been converted to a longbed. 40,000 miles on the ticker. I'm coming from a 97 Ford F-350 Crewcab 7.3 with 164,000 miles with a lot of mods and it has been very reliable to me.
What is the deal with the injectors and meltdowns with the common rails? Are certain years more prone to issues? Does it generally happen early on or higher mileage? I really want to get a newer truck, but this issue has me a little gun shy.
I did a search and got some answers but not everything I was looking for.
Thanks,
Jerry
Where are you located and how much do you want for your Ford?
Old 05-29-2009, 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by MeanGreen
If all goes well I will be the new owner of a MegaCab LONGBED conversion very very soon. Details will follow if it happens.

This will teach the wife not to leave the check book laying around!
"But Honey, I only bought one thing!"
All jokes aside, the wife will actually be happy. She is excited about a bit more room than my crewcab. Especially since I currently have bench seats. She is looking forward to reclining on long trips.
Jerry
I went from a '97 Ford 7.3 to my current truck. I have been pretty happy with the change, although I do miss the Ford sometimes. I think you will be happy with the motor.

Good luck with the truck.

Tobin
Old 05-29-2009, 03:34 PM
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I didn't get it. I got cold feet and decided to keep the Ford. Thanks everyone for the advice and info.
Jerry
Old 05-29-2009, 07:20 PM
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I also owned a 97' F350 CC long bed, and yeah it was a sweet truck. Very sexy looking too. But the reality is this 05' ram is twice the truck the ford was. outside of interior room and body metal, the ford( it was modded a bunch) isnt even close.

6.0's are total garbage. the 6.4's seem to be much better, other than the ridiculous fuel mileage. 9-12 unloaded is unaccepatble. Nice truck, some great features, but almost half the fuel mileage of my 5.9 is dumb.

the 6.7's have their issues too. They all do. some just have less than others.

Pretty hard to beat a 3rd gen dodge for all around. Thing i like the most, is that I actually use my rig for farming, and its never ever rattled anywhere in cab or doors yet. go ride in a chev or ford for 5 minutes off road and its pretty ovbious. something to be said for good solid frame and a four link front suspension.

Far as the comment that ford or chev, i'll bet 2/3's of the trucks sold in the u.s. go to the "soccer mom or soccer dad" crowd. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, just that their perception of what good truck is and a guy like me who off roads daily, hauls cattle all the time, tows boats, sleds, drives everywhere from sea level to 9k feet, and start my truck in the winter without plugging it in every time.......yes i know. tabboo... Point is, when people have issues, majority of the time there is a reason for it. Poor fuel, filters, maintenece, cheap oil(s) or never actually getting the engine hot and working it. Not running them is seriously the worst thing you can do. Dont baby them.

Too bad ya didnt get that mega cab long bed...... by far, the most bad azz truck to date. all 26 foot of it...lol
Old 05-29-2009, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by cbx
I also owned a 97' F350 CC long bed, and yeah it was a sweet truck. Very sexy looking too. But the reality is this 05' ram is twice the truck the ford was. outside of interior room and body metal, the ford( it was modded a bunch) isnt even close.

6.0's are total garbage. the 6.4's seem to be much better, other than the ridiculous fuel mileage. 9-12 unloaded is unaccepatble. Nice truck, some great features, but almost half the fuel mileage of my 5.9 is dumb.

the 6.7's have their issues too. They all do. some just have less than others.

Pretty hard to beat a 3rd gen dodge for all around. Thing i like the most, is that I actually use my rig for farming, and its never ever rattled anywhere in cab or doors yet. go ride in a chev or ford for 5 minutes off road and its pretty ovbious. something to be said for good solid frame and a four link front suspension.

Far as the comment that ford or chev, i'll bet 2/3's of the trucks sold in the u.s. go to the "soccer mom or soccer dad" crowd. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, just that their perception of what good truck is and a guy like me who off roads daily, hauls cattle all the time, tows boats, sleds, drives everywhere from sea level to 9k feet, and start my truck in the winter without plugging it in every time.......yes i know. tabboo... Point is, when people have issues, majority of the time there is a reason for it. Poor fuel, filters, maintenece, cheap oil(s) or never actually getting the engine hot and working it. Not running them is seriously the worst thing you can do. Dont baby them.

Too bad ya didnt get that mega cab long bed...... by far, the most bad azz truck to date. all 26 foot of it...lol
Yeah, I agree with everything you said, but my 97 is darn near mint condition. Not factory mint... too many mods, but the truck is clean and straight, etc. I just couldn't turn 'er over to someone else. I don't use my truck for anything other than a family hauler, home depot runner and big toy. And the mega cab's leg room is only a bit more than I have now since a lot of that cab is storage behind the seat...though the rears recline.
Trust me....I don't baby a truck. I run 'em but not to the point of breaking stuff, but I like to play. I figure if I really want a Mega later, they'll be around and if I can't find a longbed, I'll have it built. But right now I have my 97 CC and also a 93 CC (not mint!) I'm kinda addicted to that body style, and it is plenty big without being too big. If only Dodge had made the MegaCab without the extra space behind the seat......just the big rear door and a normal sized C-pillar (cab corner) I kept looking at the Mega...even with the 8' bed conversion and kept thinking it was a darn Limo with a bed. Plus, I like rowing gears and all I could find were autos. I just can't settle for anything less than 3 pedals on the floor! Well, I made my decision......hopefully I won't change it in a week, or tomorrow! LOL!
Jerry
Old 06-01-2009, 03:29 PM
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My 05 has 56K on it without any engine problems, mostly a grocery getter, and pulls my 5er 1500miles a year. I have been using Power Service since new, most every tank.
Old 06-01-2009, 10:16 PM
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Good decision if it makes ya happy. But you may have to settle for a 6.7 when all the 5.9's are taken and no one wants to let them go.
Old 06-02-2009, 09:45 AM
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Question

Originally Posted by 12valvedutchy
Everyone has their horror stories and there hard learned opinons. But as stated above keep your fuel clean and take the extra time to do proper maintenance and understand that a 7-9,000 pound truck will wear certain parts out faster than a little halfton gasser will. Every truck is different. The more mods the less reliable it will be in the sense that you mod it then don't take care of things. Its a full time job keeping these trucks in good running order. You should be good with the 07 5.9 The 03 04 trucks had the most trouble with injectors but the 04.5-07 are not as bad. I cant guarantee that something wont go wrong but with proper care and maintenance you can eliminate a lot of the risk. Just my .02

Jordan
Couldn't help but notice Just curious,,,, what does a 06, 5.9, Long bed Quad Cab SLT 4wd 3500 dually actually weigh empty ??????
Old 06-02-2009, 10:10 AM
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I went from a 2004 PSD LEMON LAW ...... into a 2007 5.9L Mega and lovin every minute ! 38K miles so far and no problems at all ! I get 19mpg on average and up to 20-21 if I am careful. Usually highway driving 70-73mph.
Old 06-02-2009, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by RiverRat2
Couldn't help but notice Just curious,,,, what does a 06, 5.9, Long bed Quad Cab SLT 4wd 3500 dually actually weigh empty ??????
About 8,000 maybe a little more
Old 06-02-2009, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by RiverRat2
Couldn't help but notice Just curious,,,, what does a 06, 5.9, Long bed Quad Cab SLT 4wd 3500 dually actually weigh empty ??????
Id say 8200-8500 lbs.
Old 06-02-2009, 03:08 PM
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I don't think these motors have problems. I've got 106K on my '05 now, and it's been fine. No trans issues either.

I get an occassional rough idle and I'd like the tourque converter to be tighter, but they are showing longevity so why screw with them right?

I do; however, believe in daily drivers being less prone to problems than vehicles that sit a lot. Think about it. If you let the u-joints sit there for several days then there's a lot more chance of getting rust going than if it's getting oiled once or twice or three times a day.
Old 06-02-2009, 04:17 PM
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I have a '03 dually HO w/auto trans. Have done a lot of towing and a lot of solo, hard miles at high speeds. Now have 181K on it. Since new I've replaced fuel pump, 3 injectors (2 were replaced due to shop not finding the real problem was a short in wire for Cam sensor), left rear wheel seal and a water pump. Just had the trans serviced and shop says it's clean and good. I change oil every 5K (Shell Rotel), change fuel filter every oil change, and service trans every 30K. I don't figure that's too bad for the mileage.


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