i have just gotton into the first gen 12valve world. my first truck ever was a 1998 12valve flame red reg cab long box 4x4. should have never gotton rid of it! traded it for a 99 extra cab dually. then bought my first 3rd gen. it was a 2004.5 biggest P O S ever. truck was at dealer more then home. injector problems. finally took matters into own hands and put all new injectors in. shortly after that the tranny started acting up. dodge rebuilt the tranny 5 times. i finally threatned lemon law and the dealer bought it back and sold me a 2006 mega cab 4x4 with g56. love that truck! they even put in my injectors and sps62 turbo and plow frame off 2004.5!

the new 3rd gens are nice. best part is the ride! stay away from 2004.5 year! they had nothing but problems with them.

DONT SELL YOUR first gen! you wont get jack for it and you will miss it somthing terrably!

 

We've got both, and I can tell you they are totally different trucks. It's a real kick to switch back and forth, driving the 1st Gen on a daily basis, then using the '07 on family vacations and whatnot. They are both great trucks, just for different reasons. Both get about the same average fuel mileage.

 

My brother has an 03 5 speed and it had death wobble. He put ball joints and a plate for the steering box that allows it more travel and that fixed it. The plate was like $200.

 

The front suspension and steering design on the later trucks is much more sensitive to anything getting out of whack, causing the infamous "death wobble." Our truck's original owner installed the DW starter kit (spring spacers). Ball joints and tire rods were shot in 25k miles by the time I realized what had happened. I nearly crapped my pants during the first episode of DW in that thing going 70mph straight down the highway, completely out of control with the front end shaking so violently I thought it was going to tear itself apart.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

 

As you can see by my sig I have an 03. I've got 140k on the truck & the only issue I've had is with the vent door. I've had the thing replaced twice & it finally works like it's supposed to. Other than that, the truck is flawless! Almost 21 mpg, plenty of room with the Quad Cab, & the Quadzilla makes a world of difference with performance!!

 

I have 2003 2500 4wd and I have never had or felt death wobble,I also have a 1st gen 91.5 and the 3rd gen is parked for few weeks @ a time. I love both trucks but just pefer to tinker with my 1st gen. I'm a diesel mechanic by trade.

 

Well i am keeping the old girl. I am going to build it like i want to. I am looking at rebuilding the engine and o ringing the head and doing the 47rh swap.

 

Save yourself some unneeded aggravation and get another head right out of the shoot. The non ic heads have a tendency to crack and rather then wait get a new or a used head and have that one oringed. Just a idea

 

Just a suggestion! Before you decide, if it isn't too late, take a trip through the third gen forum and read about all the good things and the bad. Then make the decision. The newer engines are awsome when they are right and a real pain in the back side when they aren't. I really hate the way they shoved half the engine under the firewall and stuffed the turbo down near the wheel well. I'm spoiled rotten. I want the 24 valve with a "P" pump under my hood. It will never happen but dreams are free.