chree

New guy here, a little information about me: 34, wife & two boys, 1 & 3. I have an online parts business that I will use a truck to haul parts with (plus the truck will do double duty as a family vehicle).

My current autos (click to see websites):

• 1986 Volvo 740 wagon, converted to LT1 V8 / T56 6 speed
• 1980 Chevy El Camino, built & 'squirted 406 / Doug Nash 4+1
• 1968 Chevelle SS396 325hp / TH400: restoring in my basement

I've owned the Chevelle for 16 years but it's only in the last few that I've been serious about restoring it. It is a numbers matching car with factory A/C. I've got the rolling chassis almost finished, now to refinish the underside of the body so I can have my friend paint it. My plan is to finish the Chevelle, sell it and use the proceeds to buy a Dodge. Sure I'd love to keep the Chevelle but I don't enjoy a car I can't modify.

My ideal Dodge:

• 6 Speed Manual
• Mega Cab
• 2 wheel drive
• Single rear wheels (not 100% about this)
• Used, relatively low miles
• Good price

I'm not sure about 5.9 vs. 6.7, I've read the 5.9 is simpler and easier to modify, at least for now. I definitely like the simplicity of a I6 vs. a V8. I've also read the later G56 transmission had a .74 overdrive, I do prefer lower RPMs cruising (used to 80mph at 2000rpm with the .50 overdrive in the T56 Volvo).

This will be my first diesel, I'll probably get an enclosed trailer to haul parts, but I don't know what size.

What else should I know about these trucks? Weak points? Something I've overlooked? Should I post this question in another section of the forums?

Thanks!
Chris

megacabdad

Welcome to the DTR!

I suggest searching through the 5.9 and 6.7 threads to see what has already been talked about...

Ask questions as you go.

chree

Owners: are the A/C Recirculation Door / Blend Door issues enough to make you have second thoughts about owning the Dodge?

Gotta have A/C in Georgia!

04ctd

get a Mega Cab!

or i would get a 04 - last year before catalytic converters

My recirc door has been painfully stupid in my 06 since a few months old,
i don't think it is bad enough to shy away,

mine won't blow on my feet - so you can't run the heat on MAXIMUM, becasue it blows on your face, or the windshield.

so the AC still works - most guys say sometimes you can't direct where it goes, depending on hwich doors break on you.

there are LARGE threads with pics about it.

I have a 06 3500 SRW automatic Mega. i don't think there is a better vehicle.

i put a backup camera on it, and we use it as the family truckster. my wife/family all pile in it and drive it.

a DRW or a stick might be too intimidating for some folks.

chree

I want one... I haven't even seen one in person, just in passing. I know if we were to test drive one my wife would be sold on the Mega Cab. We rented a quad cab 1500 for a recent trip and we liked it.

At least there are known fixes. I don't mind tearing into the dash to fix something... but it would be annoying on a newish vehicle.

Dual rear wheels would definitely be trickier for in-town maneuvering. A manual can be frustrating in traffic, and I am exposed to traffic - I live in a suburb of Atlanta. However I usually avoid peak traffic times, and I have no commute. My wife does know how to drive stick, and for anyone else hopefully it would be a deterrent to them asking to borrow it!

chree

I've always thought I should get a 2 wheel drive, but I'm starting to second guess that choice. The reasons I didn't want 4WD: extra parts to fail, extra weight thus reduced mpg, etc.

Now I'm thinking there may be times I could use 4WD, and from a little reading it sounds like these trucks can get stuck pretty easily. Huge diesel in the nose, massive torque, no weight at the rear, it makes sense.

Also I'm not finding any 2WD trucks in Laramie trim. If you could order the Laramie trim with 2WD I haven't seen one for sale.

Any other points I should consider? Thanks!

leonesm

I think part of your decision needs to take into account what you will do with the truck once you get it. Do you want something under warranty? Are you planning to mod it at all? Given your other stable of vehicles I would guess that you will. How much power are you wanting to get to? How much weight will be in tow?

If you're planning to mod it I would go with a 5.9 due to simplicity and availability of parts. They're proven motors that can be made incredibly powerful without internal modifications. The 6.7 has all of the EGR and emissions stuff that gets in the way and makes it significantly harder to mod. Not to say that there aren't mods or ways around the EGR system, but it's more difficult and expensive. A stock 6.7 will be a reliable truck but stock just isn't any fun!

Once you decide what engine you want there are differences between the 5.9 in the 03-07 trucks. 03-04 didn't have catalytic converters and had two injection events. The later trucks have emissions equipment and three injection events. The later trucks were rated for slightly more power. There's a lot more that you can look into on these pages once you figure out what you're looking for In most instances an 03-04 truck will get the best fuel milage out of the group but they have the NV5600 trans.

2wd vs 4wd. I bought a 2wd for basically the same reasons you are talking about. I don't go off road much and there are more parts to fail. The 4wd front ends on these trucks are prone to issues and aren't cheap. Adding oversize tires to a 4wd makes them wear quicker. With that being said, I should have bought a 4wd. The few times I have been off the road, or in wet grass, the truck slides and spins. It's even worse with a trailer. I have to keep AT tires on it or I couldn't deal with it. That's the only thing I would change about the truck I have.

I drive 54 miles to work one way from south of Atlanta into Atlanta. I wouldn't hesitate to get another manual transmission truck. When I'm in traffic I can put the truck in one of the first three gears and crawl without having to use the accelerator. Having a manual transmission truck makes a huge difference in pulling a trailer. Putting in the short throw shifter and the upgraded clutch hydraulics did make it easier. There are pros and cons to the NV5600 and the G56 but both are good transmissions. I don't think you can go wrong with either. It's all personal preference

Keep asking questions and reading these boards. There is a wealth of information and knowledge here. Hope some of my rambling helps

chree

It helps immensely and I sincerely appreciate you and everyone taking the time to answer my questions. I think I'm close enough that if I found the right truck I would buy it... but I'm patient to wait for a deal and to be sure I'm buying the right tool for the job.

I don't know the exact answer to that since my business is in its infancy. If I end up going to pick up large loads of parts regularly it may mean buying a large covered trailer. How large? Don't know. If it turns out most of my parts will be shipped to me then the towing need won't be as significant... but I still need a truck, and I'm drawn to the torque and longevity of a diesel.

In either case the majority of the trucks use will be for daily driving, with the occasional vacation trip. There are two instances I can think of I would use 4WD: on the beach on vacation or driving around to the back of my house - we live down a hill... I might end up parking the truck back there, since I don't think a mega cab truck is going to fit in our garage: 8'W x 7'H door, 19' deep.

Warranty is not important to me, I usually see a breakdown as an opportunity to upgrade. Dealerships are usually a hassle to deal with.

I'm sure I will, but I'm thinking mild mods with MPG and longevity in mind. I have too many projects already.

I don't have a specific goal - I haven't even driven a Cummins powered truck yet. I'll probably be happy with the stock power... at least for a while.

Not sure yet, depends on the type of deals I can find.

I've pretty much decided on the 5.9, and mega cab, which means '05 ('06?) and up so G56 too.

I'm still 50/50. I know there would be times I'd regret not having 4WD, but I'm sure a 2WD has better ride quality and there's the maintenance. I should probably test drive both.

That kind of real world experience really helps... people get so used to creeping in Atlanta that you'll see people creeping at a red light...

Nobody likes traffic, but I never stop and think "I wish I had an automatic", I just wish I wasn't in traffic, more due to two screaming kids in the back seat than how often I'm having to use the clutch.

It's cool you can crawl without having to feather the accelerator; can't do that in my cars.

Thanks!

chree

The Volvo is for sale and I test drove two Mega cabs today. I took the whole family to see if the Mrs. would like the Mega cab: I just found the two closest Mega cab trucks. Turns out the first was a Hemi... talk about weak. it may be OK in a half ton, but it felt wheezy in a big Mega cab.

The 2nd was a 3500 automatic DRW. It didn't feel like a hot rod but you could tell there was plenty of torque to get the truck up hills.

I've also been thinking about a new Mega cab, with the cash back incentives there are deals. I imagine the dealers will want to move trucks with the new body style '10s. Is there a Dodge salesperson on the forums that can find inventory? The manual transmission is a must-have.

CoastalDav

Find a 2003 to 2005 3500 with the NV5600 six speed and 4:10. There is nothing you can't do with that combination. The 2003 will be the best on fuel.

Dave