torqueme

Newbie here- first off- great, informative forum!

I'm coming to Diesels having never owned one.. I'm a life-long gearhead, and my current 460 Ford gets 7-8 mpg... I read about all the power, torque, reliability, and mpgs that these diesels get, and I'm ready to come to your side

To the point- I live in CA, and want the 'newest,' best mpg Dodge I can get that is not 'smogged down.' I will have to deal with smog inspections out here, so buying a 6.7 and deleting the smog stuff is not for me (also, buying new is not an option- whatever I buy will be used- ideally in the 25K range).

My question is this- I know (from reading this forum) that a 2004.5-2006 5.9 is a good choice for my needs, but what about a 2007 5.9? I know smog laws went nuts in 07, but I believe Dodge cranked out a bunch of 5.9s in '07 that were not loaded down with all the regen/smog crap?

I'm ok with getting an 04/05/06, but if I find a clean '07 5.9, isn't it pretty much the same truck?

Thanks guys- I appreciate your insight.

rich

only smog on the 07 is the cat the rest of the stuff is in the injector cylce which burns off in the engine

torqueme

Thanks Rich... so I guess my newbie question is do the 04/06s have that same cat/injector cycle?

Is an 07 5.9 the same as an 06 5.9 when it comes to smog stuff?

Thanks-

randallp84

There is no difference between an 06 and 07 5.9. 03-04 engines have 2 injection events and no cat. They get the best mileage. The 04.5s-07s have 3 injection events and a cat, but are rated at 325hp as opposed to 305 for the 03-04. The 04.5s-07s have "in-cylinder" EGR which is a function of the cam. I believe the software is more sophisticated in the 06-07 but other than that, there is no difference from 04.5-07 unless you consider that they increased the torque from 600 ft-lbs to 610 in 06 (i think). Hope that doesn't confuse you too much.

torqueme

Very helpful- I followed you- thanks for taking the time to explain it ;-)

FunFinder5

Yes, and these are very sought after trucks because of the also available MegaCab option. Here's a quick run down:

'03-'04 : No SMOG (except for CAT for Cal. models)
235hp Cal equipped (has CAT) 5-speed, 47RE; later 6-speed & 48RE
250hp Federal (no CAT) 5-speed & 47RE only
HO 305hp Federal (no CAT) 6-speed & 48RE only

'04.5-'07 : Only "SMOG" is 3rd injection event added to burn hotter and burn more completely. All had CAT's from factory.
325hp 600/610 torque


'03 - '04's seems to get the best mileage. The added 3rd injection event in the later years uses a little more fuel and cost you in mpg (as does most EPA regulated changes).

Even still many here, including myself, do see 20mpg and over on the Hwy. I have no complaints.

etn550

Hi,

You cannot go wrong with any of the years you are looking at. Some '05's has plastic intercooler side tanks prone to cracking.

The '04.5 and up 5.9 can be fitted with an aftermarket cam that will help mpg and pass smog tests no problem. The factory cam closed the exhaust valve before TDC to keep some exhaust in the cylinder to make an EGR of sorts.

The other issue, the third injection event occurs 70 deg?? after TDC and none of the controllers available to my knowledge have been able to remove it. So for now we are stuck with that.

That said you can read my signature for my minimal mods and I got 22.4 hand calculated over 500 miles driving very conservatively at 59mph on fairly flat ground on a recent trip and 18.4 at 72 mph in the mountains on the return along a totally different route. The first route the smarty was set at level SW5 and only 10% and the second leg it was opened up to 99%. My around town mileage is consistantly 17.4 - 17.9 in mixed commuting with smarty set at 57%. Still a big kick over stock power.

I like the dash on the '06 and the Megacab too.

The smarty is a good mod for you as you can take it back to stock and it won't show anything to another reader.

torqueme

Went out today to look at a few... WOW- the mega cab is huge! Didn't even consider 'needing' one until I got in it... not sure if I can buy a regular crew cab now :-)

DaveB.inVa

If you're looking for an 07 with a manual transmission try to find an AE G-56 transmission. The 6th gear ratio is a little higher and it will help with mileage.


As far as the 3rd injection event, from what I remember Marco (of Smarty fame) did test it and can turn it off. He left it because it does help with power somewhat. I believe I read that he did manipulate it somewhat to allow the most power but reduce its effect as far as fuel mileage is concerned.

CD in NM

I have an 06 MegaLimo, bought it new, the MegaCab was the best choice I could have ever made. Coming from the desert SW, we get some rain and bad weather, and the ability to drop the rear seat and use that area for cargo is really great. I have packed the cab and the bed on several occasions, the overall payload is great. It is also truly nice to NOT have the Grandkids kicking the back of my seat and also for the passengers to have more room on long trips.

I have the slightly lower G-56 gear ratio tranny. I get good/excellent fuel mileage, towing is like something you have never experienced before with your Ford/460. I can say that because I also own an older Ford with the 460 and comparing them is like night and day. I too got that poor fuel mileage with my Ford, my 32' GN horse trailer when loaded to capacity had me at 5-6mpg's, the Dodge gets 15mpg pulling it.

As far as the 3rd injector event, be prepared for some black oil, but the addition ofa bypass filter will take care of the harmful particles it creates. I beleive that the 3rd event becomes moot at a given rpm, but I cannot recall what rpm that is at. It may also have something to do with timing, I do not recall reading that anywhere,but it does make sense.

The CANBUS is different between the 2006-2007, otherwise they are the same truck for the msot part.

You will most certainly be a VERY HAPPY person with whichever year/model cab you choose. I know that I could never go back to a standard cab, I might not even like the Quad Cab after having all the cab space I have now. And I know for sure that you will LOVE the fuel mileage.


CD

AH64ID

The cam is actually the same on all 3rd gen engines, the cam is very restrictive and does keep a fair amount of exhaust in the cylinder. In 04.5 the emissions hurdle was meat thru the pistion/bowl design and the 3rd event, in addition to the cam. The cam and small exhaust housing was how emissions thru 04 was met.

The bump from 600 to 610 happened for MY05, but yes the 06-07 computers are more sophisticated, but the general ECM software is the same...

randallp84

Thanks for the corrections. I hate it when I give incorrect information. It ruins my credentials. Next time somebody asks I will know better.

AH64ID

No worries, its a very common mistake since people only refer to the 04.5-07 as having "in-cylinder"; its only the last few months that I learned they were the same.

donhov

Just an aside. If looking at an auto tranny on the late 06 & earlier 07's the shift pattens had more options than on the other years trucks. On the late 06/early 07's you had 2 options on the gearshift end. Tow Haul mode which modifies lock up and a little stiffer shifts. Then there is an OD off settings. On the earlier trucks you only have the option of 1 or the other, not both and I think the 04.5 and early 05's only had tow/haul which consisted on OD off only with no changes in the shift pattern. I personally like the 07 much better than my 04.5 shift settings.

nedz19

On my '07 the tow/haul makes a world of difference. I use it quite a bit and it seems alot easier on the tranny.