CTDinMT

Definately the '03's! Only year you could get the Super Output in the 3rd Gens!

Mocho

Seriously? HO>SO

Mocho

2003 S.O. Federal Emissions: 250HP/460lb.ft. Available with NV4500 or 47RE
2003 S.O. Calif. Emissions: 235HP/460lb.ft. Available with NV4500 or 47RE
2003 H.O. Federal Emissions: 305HP/555lb.ft. Only available with NV5600
2003.5 The 47RE was replaced by the 48RE automatic transmission and available with the H.O.

2004 S.O. Calif. Emissions: 235HP/460lb.ft. Available with NV4500 or 48RE
2004 H.O. Federal Emissions: 305HP/555lb.ft. Available with either NV5600 or 48RE

2004.5 (50 state legal) 325HP/600lb.ft. Available with either the 48RE or NV5600

2005 (50 state legal) 325HP/610lb.ft. Available with either the 48RE or NV5600

2005.5 The NV5600 replaced with the G56 6spd manual gearbox.

2007.5 (50 state legal) 350HP/650lb.ft with new 68RFE automatic or G56

C Schomer

I tried to avoid an early 03 but that's what I ended up with and I love it. It hasn't had any of the early 03 problems. My 03 4.10 gets the same mpg that my 97 3.54 5spd got. I wouldn't trade back! I did similar mods (towing turbo, 4" exh. intake and fueling) on the 97 and the 03 - the only difference was mechanical pump hardware vs. a programmer but got a lot more pulling power out of the 03. A good share of the extra power is from the 4.10 but the 03 24valve breathes SO much better at high rpm! I would vote for 03.5-04.4 HO. Craig

annabelle

Late 03 or early 04. If you choose an auto make sure it has a 48RE. 04 will have it, but not all the late 03's will. 04's will have a 4" exhaust except for the down pipe.

CTDinMT

No, not seriously! But, thanks for the specs! Hahaha! I DID forget that there was a Calif SO in '04 tho...

12valve

how do i know what tranny it has? 47RE or 48RE

SOhappy

If it's an HO (check for 305hp on the engine data plate) it'll have the 48RE. Or just get the 6-speed manual, I believe that they were all HO engines.

BUT...that said: The 47RE isn't anything to be scared of, a recent poll on here proved they are holding up quite well. The 48RE can hold up better with power mods, but sooner or later you're going to have to build either of them and a built 47RE can handle all the torque a built 48RE can.

COUNTRYBOY

Another vote for the 305/555!!! I LOVE MY 04!!!

Dodge1Dodge

One more vote for the 05. To be honest though, I would have been perfectly happy with the 04 HO.

12valve

Yesterday I was looking at a 03 white quad cab 2wd Auto, rated at 250 HP, they want $13,000 but i believe it'll have the 47RE...

Then on the way back I found a Red single cab 4x4 Sport which cought my eye, just havent checked it out yet. You dont see those everyday!

megacabdad

I'm partial to my early 06 Laramie. My emissions stuff just fell off one day. I agree they all have plus's and minus's, but what doesn't?

PourinDiesel

04.5 or early 05.

As said before:
4" exhaust, 600 engine, NV5600

coolslice

Basically, the newer they get the worse they get IMO. The interior has REALLY gone to crap after the 04.5's IMO. Other than that, it's just knit picking. I love my truck and it's been a good one, but I had the option to get a 555 which I regret now. At the time, power was more important as diesel fuel was around $1.40/gal.

Raspy

I was just thinking about it last night as I drove over the lonely Sonora pass at about midnight and found a broken Toyota and a driver who had been waiting 40 minutes with no cars. I turned around and gave him a ride for about 10 miles back in the wrong direction to get him to his base.

144,000 miles on the odo and all is well. Averaged about 20 MPG on the last trip to Nevada and back. The last oil change after 10,000 miles showed the oil was only slightly brown and about 1/2 quart low.

Best vehicle I have ever had!

My only serious complaint is the weak 48RE. With a Smarty it just gets overpowered and that's with a new VB and TC. I wish I had a 6 speed.

My vote is for the 305/555.