scottylucas

Hello, About 6 months ago i had a 1998 ctd dodge, i had more front end track bar troubles than i care to talk about...so i ended up selling the truck and buying a 08 sierra. I seemed to have gotten the diesel fever again and am looking into a 06ish cdt. I was wondering if i could get some owners feedback on the new gen front ends and the trannys, like did they fix the track bar or wheel bearings problems? I just dont want too rush into buying it if im gonna have the same headaches, Im located in canada and considering buying from texas. I have found some on ebay im interested in, here`s a link;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...8295QQtcZphoto

any input would be greatly appreachaited,

thanks!

madhat

I have a 04.5, and I have just started to have ball joint issues, but I run 35's on stock suspension...

There were some problems with death wobble for a while, but I have not heard any thing about that lately.

D45

The trackbar issue is a simple fix for about $365 for a Thuren bar.

Not sure what year it came out, but it you are getting an auto trans, look for the 68 series trans.

haulin-rv

Its a long way to Tx!

But those come attached to the 6.7 and all the emission controls that come with it.

scottylucas

can you get the 68 series tranny in the 5.9? is it alot better than the previous tranny?

BroncoHound

The 68RFE, from what I've read, is an EXTREME improvement over the 48RE. However, as haulin-rv posted, they only are available in 07.5 and 08 MY trucks which are 6.7L powered. Once you remove the emissions equipment (which, since you are in Canada, you don't NEED to have on the truck to be legal from what i understand) the 6.7L is a fantastic powerplant.

scottylucas

just as good as the 5.9?

BroncoHound

In my opinion, better. My 6.7L has a distinct difference in power from my father's '05 and uncle's '06 5.9s. It is night and day from my '01 5.9 but i figure a comparison between a stock 24v 5.9L and a de-emissioned 6.7L isn't really fair...lol

This is just my opinion though. It is not intended to start yet another 5.9L vs. 6.7L war. It's a Cummins, pure and simple. A bigger, stronger Cummins than the 5.9L but, from my experience, just as fantastic a powerplant. Just have to allow it to breath, something it CANT do with the emissions equipment on there.

n2moto

The 3rd gen front ends while better by a lot than the 2nd gens they still aren't confidence inspireing.

I haven't done it yet but I've read about them with no complaints about the brace the goes to the steering box, and the Thuren track bar. If you don't mind spending 600 bucks on that is supposed to help quite a bit.

I'd like somebody to chime in here and tell me if I'm wrong.

BroncoHound

Nope, you are absolutely right. I have a steering brace and a Thuren track bar and was very pleased at the improvements of each. The most noticeable was the steering brace and it's reduction of bump steer. VERY worthwhile modification in my opinion.