If a person had a choice, what year diesel,auto would your best truck, if only having 03-06 to choose from? thanks pete 4x4

 

I would say 05 due to the fact, you get the 325 motor and the nicer interior in my opinion my dad's 06 is like sitting on a couple of boards .
Joe

 

I would say an 06 with the updated 48RE. It will handle the exhaust brake better. I like the 06 (kinda partial), but really any of the 04.5's and up are solid running trucks. I have leather, so the interior is pretty nice in mine. Scotty

 

I love my 06, has been the best truck ive owned so far, never been back to the dealer in over 41,000 I run amsoil in the rear diff, the trany and engine, did the trany at 40,000 the synthetic seems to make it shift smoother, and not hunt so much at lite throttle, so far so good.

 

03 & 04 are known to get the best mileage.....they don't have a cat. or a 3rd injection event......depends on who you ask and what they have.

 

The auto 05s have no overdrive lockout and a plastic intercooler (unless replaced).

Pete

 

I would say they have only improived the newer you get in that range but for the right price they are all great. And I've driven them all.

 

I like the 05... has the 325 and I prefer the interior... Also in 05 you can search for your choice of G56 or NV5600...

 

My 2005 HAS a overdrive lockout, and the intercooler is stock and is is NOT plastic!!!!

 

you can have either tow/haul or overdrive lockout but not both and only the early 05's have the plastic intercooler.

 

2004.5 is suppose to be the best... and you get the 325hp w/ 3rd injection event... no CAT. not for sure on the auto... get a handshaker!!! you'll love it.

 

04 has no cat, 04.5 has a cat... all 325hp motors have a cat... to start with....

Also 04.5 has the engine mounted LP....

 

I had an 04, own an 06 and my neighbor has an 03...

I would love to have the 03 next door, just for the mileage... He gets several MPG better than me... HO vs. non-HO motor....

I liked the interior of my 04 better than my 06. Dash layout mainly..

But I would say I really like my 06 engine/drive train. Less emissions than a 6.7, but exhaust brake support for the 48RE..

My $.02 worth,

Bryan

 

I wouldn't trade my 04 305/555 engine for a 325... I love my milage and the truck is fully loaded, that's just my 0.02... All my friends that have 04.5's and up don't really impress me all that much, my set up has just as much power as there's and I get 3 more MPG on average than there's...

 

I love my Megacab. The interior room can't be beat. If you don't need an 8' bed, consider the spacious "manvan."