i sold my Twin turbo 98 12 valve, and am looking for a Dodge CR

Which is the best year?

Which motor is the easiest to make power with?
Which year truck is the most reliable?
Which gets the best fuel mileage?

Thanks

 

I'll vote for the '03-'04 CR. They are the " '97 12v of common rails" .

 

Get a late 05 06 or 07 They are the best in my opinion

 

If it wasn't for the cat, 3rd injection event, plastic intercoolers, funky headlights, poor fuel mileage.....

Just joking. All years of 3rd gens have their pluses and minuses I'm sure.

But if it were me, I'd recommend a well-maintained '03 or '04 (not '04.5) with an HO and 48RE with low miles in great shape. Oughtta' do anything the newer ones could for 2/3 the cost and better mpgs. Not trying to slight anybody else's truck. Just my opinion.

 

I owned an '06 and went back to an '04. I just like the overall design of the truck better and with better mileage and equal power with just a $20 boost elbow whats not to love.

 

most will say 2005s take best to the elctronic mods...

ill concur lol

 

I'll add another vote for 03 H.O. or early 04. Best mpg and still plenty of power options available.

 

I love my 05, and it's mileage is just as good, if not better then most 03-04's.

 

I would have to say '05. Adding power is very easy up to a certain point (around 500hp is very attainable with a simple downloader). The interior is nicer than the the newer ones.

 

Another vote for the 2004; 305/555!

I just like not having to worry about a catalytic converter getting too hot and eventually needing replacement......and less parts to have inthe exhaust.

I am very, very pleased with my 305/555 truck!

 

Early 06. Or 05 with the metal intercooler, not plastic.

 

I have an 05. If you are upgrading your turbo or increasing the boost on your stock turbo, the plastic intercooler on early 05's should be upgraded. I am upgrading mine to an 06 OEM unit for about $120 shipped. Check out the TSBs on the 3rd gens. I heard the 03 to 05 had better seats for comfort. The 03 to 05 cloth are hard to keep clean (dust magnets). The 06 and later have different fabric and are supposed to be stain resistant and easier to clean, but some readers may disagree. Mechanically speaking, the 3rd gens are nearly the same except higher factory HP/TQ numbers. If you are towing or installing larger tires - get a 4.10 diff otherwise go with 3.73 ratio for better fuel economy. If I had to do it over again - I would go with 6 speed tranny; however, the auto is fine. Later models have the 6 speed auto. Get the alloy rims - the chrome plated plastic steelies look cheep to me.

More advice - check to see if the fuel pump and the power steering pump has leaks. Up to 05, the front windshield weatherstrip tears - new for both was $34 (parts only) to fix. Sheetmetal is thin and I noticed when I open the front doors and exert a little more pressure when fully opened, the sheetmetal twists where they are mounted to the cab.

 

1. 05s
2. 03-04s
3. No question 03-04s

 

JMO but the 555 is the best. No CAT, no third injection event, great mileage, easy mods, all metal intercooler. And maybe the best reason is not to many folks have had issues with them even when new. Lastly the 555 comes with the 48RE a much improved trans over the 47RE.

 

I loved my '03 HO. Only 2 issues I had were U-joints twice, and factory lift pump. Great truck...


Cat Cracker.