test drove a used 06 today
02-17-2010, 02:34 AM
#1
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test drove a used 06 today
and man all i can say is wow. They have came a long way since 99. This truck was stock and it was 5 times as stout as my 98.5, changed gears alot smoother, rode so much better. I think im gonna buy it.
Do they have transmission and fuel pump gremlins like the old 24v's? If i buy it i think i will put it on 37s and do stacks and smarty....will it hold the smarty or will it need some trans help?
Do they have transmission and fuel pump gremlins like the old 24v's? If i buy it i think i will put it on 37s and do stacks and smarty....will it hold the smarty or will it need some trans help?
02-17-2010, 03:32 AM
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Anytime you add power your gonna be harder/put more stress on the tranny, so yes if your gonna turn it up without doing tranny mods, your gonna burn it down... 
02-17-2010, 04:09 AM
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Had a 98.5 pretty modded up and at the time was a great truck. I went to an 03 an loved it . Much better truck then the 98.5. Now I have an 06 dually and it's light yrs ahead of the 98.5 and the 03. if you run 37's and a Smarty you will without a doubt take out the trans. Putting a smarty on that 06 is not even remotely like putting a smarty on a 98.5.
Buy it and enjoy!!!
Topper
Buy it and enjoy!!!
Topper
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02-17-2010, 08:00 AM
#9
In my huge amount of research before I went "diesel"...........I concluded that the 06 is and still is the best year for the Dodge Diesel PU.....
This is when Mercedes owned them and they realizes that the only good part of their disastrous deal was the Ram line of trucks so they invested time and money into the line. I have a friend in an executive position at Mercedes and he used to lament about all the time and money Mercedes was pouring into the Ram line.
The engine is the last of the good, non particulate, heavily computerized engines. All of the electronic add on gizmos will still work with this engine and some are simply amazing.
The transmissions were heavily breathed on by Gertag in Germany and if you look around you see very little negative comments on them. I know a number of folks, some on this board with 200K+ on these transmissions (automatics).
The only issues you will have are ball joints and rear U-Joint. Maybe front axle U-Joints. My 06 has 120K and I needed to replace the rear U-Joint and one ball joint. I've done absolutely zero to the truck except oil,filters and tires. I'm still on the original brakes at 120K! On my Ford and Chevy trucks I was going through rotors every 50-60k. My F&C trucks would rattle and little things going wrong would drive me crazy. This truck has zero rattles and not one little thing has failed. It has never been back to the dealer. Check the Service Bulletins for this year and make truck. I believe there are only two extremely minor calls.
I tow a 11k pound trailer and do not baby this truck. It has been on extreme hunting trips to Montana and Wyoming. Up to the axles in mud and water. Day upon day of dusty trails. Easily the best truck I've ever owned.
I installed a "Juice with Attitude" right after I bought it and I'm currently getting 19mpg on the highway at 2000rpm which is a tick over 70mph.
The performance is amazing! (This might have something to do with the rear U-Joint failing....) But actually, it simply rusted out most likely due to river fordings.
Folks that ride with me can not believe this thing is a six cylinder diesel. The engine has "electric motor" like torque. Goes like a raped ape!
This is when Mercedes owned them and they realizes that the only good part of their disastrous deal was the Ram line of trucks so they invested time and money into the line. I have a friend in an executive position at Mercedes and he used to lament about all the time and money Mercedes was pouring into the Ram line.
The engine is the last of the good, non particulate, heavily computerized engines. All of the electronic add on gizmos will still work with this engine and some are simply amazing.
The transmissions were heavily breathed on by Gertag in Germany and if you look around you see very little negative comments on them. I know a number of folks, some on this board with 200K+ on these transmissions (automatics).
The only issues you will have are ball joints and rear U-Joint. Maybe front axle U-Joints. My 06 has 120K and I needed to replace the rear U-Joint and one ball joint. I've done absolutely zero to the truck except oil,filters and tires. I'm still on the original brakes at 120K! On my Ford and Chevy trucks I was going through rotors every 50-60k. My F&C trucks would rattle and little things going wrong would drive me crazy. This truck has zero rattles and not one little thing has failed. It has never been back to the dealer. Check the Service Bulletins for this year and make truck. I believe there are only two extremely minor calls.
I tow a 11k pound trailer and do not baby this truck. It has been on extreme hunting trips to Montana and Wyoming. Up to the axles in mud and water. Day upon day of dusty trails. Easily the best truck I've ever owned.
I installed a "Juice with Attitude" right after I bought it and I'm currently getting 19mpg on the highway at 2000rpm which is a tick over 70mph.
The performance is amazing! (This might have something to do with the rear U-Joint failing....
) But actually, it simply rusted out most likely due to river fordings. Folks that ride with me can not believe this thing is a six cylinder diesel. The engine has "electric motor" like torque. Goes like a raped ape!
02-17-2010, 08:20 AM
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I LOVE my 2006, and if you by the truck you will LOVE IT TOO.
I have the G-56, just a GREAT tranny, so if the truck you test drove has the G-56, you'll be more than pleased. I know nothing about the auto tranny other than what Ihave read here on the forums.
I'm running 35's, I have a few little mods, and I run the Smarty Jr. At 50K my truck is running strong, tranny is fine, clutch is fine, no problems whatsoever. The Jr wakes up the truck quite a bit. I have an Air Dog 150 sitting in my garage waiting to be installed, but the stock fuel pump is doing just fine, puts out 8-10lbs, holds solid at 4-5lbs close to wot running empty, and also holds good pressure when towing 24K up steep grades.
Forum member Chris Brahs has an early 2007, he is running 37's and a Smarty Sr with the auto, he has quite a bit more mileage than I do and his auto tranny is holding up just fine, you might want to ask him what settings he is using with the Smarty Sr.
CD
I have the G-56, just a GREAT tranny, so if the truck you test drove has the G-56, you'll be more than pleased. I know nothing about the auto tranny other than what Ihave read here on the forums.
I'm running 35's, I have a few little mods, and I run the Smarty Jr. At 50K my truck is running strong, tranny is fine, clutch is fine, no problems whatsoever. The Jr wakes up the truck quite a bit. I have an Air Dog 150 sitting in my garage waiting to be installed, but the stock fuel pump is doing just fine, puts out 8-10lbs, holds solid at 4-5lbs close to wot running empty, and also holds good pressure when towing 24K up steep grades.
Forum member Chris Brahs has an early 2007, he is running 37's and a Smarty Sr with the auto, he has quite a bit more mileage than I do and his auto tranny is holding up just fine, you might want to ask him what settings he is using with the Smarty Sr.
CD
02-17-2010, 12:50 PM
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A lot of people use the rule of thumb of less that 100hp. If you add less than 100hp and drive like a sane person you shouldn't tear things up. Anything over a 100hp your stock trans and turbo may be at risk. But remember there are always exceptions--a lot depends on the weight of your right foot. IMO
Jay
Jay
