Im thinking about getting a new truck in the future and don't really know which direction to go so I have some questions for ya.

Besides the lift pumps going out, injector failure (happend on my friends 2005 at 98k miles).....are there any other problems that these trucks are faced with?

I plan on getting a QCLB with a 6speed manual and for some odd reason a Dually is always cheaper than a single rear wheel, so even though I wouldn't need the dually (right now) I would maybe consider it if its cheaper by a couple of thousand.

What is average fuel mileage (for a standard tranny)?

What year would be best for me to look at?

Can these motors handle bio-diesel?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated along with any additional information

I am either going to repower my current truck (see signature) with a cummins, lift, redo all the bearings, etc or get a new truck, and after looking at how much time, work, and money it would cost me to repower my current rig, a new truck looks like a better route to go.

 

Welcome to DTR!!!In 04.5, they went to High Press. Common Rail. I would get an 03 or 04 if you are concerned about mileage, because of the third injection event on HPCR causing them to get less mileage. I love my 06 but they don't get as good mpg. Course they have more HP and TQ if am not mistaken, which comes with a mpg penalty. I like D-Maxes too, or the one I drove, I just like inline-6 and always wanted a Cummins. I would get a Cummins, cause you already had a D-Max and they are both good trucks IMO. If I am wrong, someone correct me and give this fella more info please. Like you, I could have gotten by with a SRW 3500, but don't know what I will tow with it in future, and plan to keep it a long time. I am glad I did, they look pretty mean to me and I love the styling and stability of DRW. Good Luck

 

I purchased mine just recently. I had to drive six hours back home from where I purchased it. It is an 06 4x4 3500 crew cab with 6spd. My mpg's were between 14-15 driving 80mph. Got home and started to add some goodies. Ordered a predator module and a cold air intake. This alone gave me a bump of 2-3 more miles to my gallon. More upgrades are to come. As for your other questions I dont know. I purchased this one ton cause it was cheap. Was looking for a 3/4.

 

Oh, I burn 20% Biodiesel in mine most all the time. My average mpg is 14-16, according to how much I flog it. Most I ever got was 17mpg on Interstate. Others get better, and I am hoping mine will get better, as I just now have 30k on it. Oh if you get the G-56 transmission, make sure you get the later one with the taller OD gear, as mine is geared to low for bobtailing down interstate.

 

LOL, look at the signature.....FAR FROM a D-Max. Thats the old 6.5TD you looking at there!!! There probably more electronics in your dash than on my whole truck!!! Thanks for the input though. It is going to be a stressful decision when the time comes.

 

One intresting note, a nieghbor down the street has a 04 2500 SWB crew cab 4x4 and he gets 17-18 mpg's in the city and this total is combined towing and empty. Aside from the weight why such a big difference, could it be that his gearing is higher? Mine is lower? I have a 6spd and he has an automatic.

 

rear end will make a difference... I have a 3.73 and am getting ~25mpg at 65mph

 

I might be wrong but I don't think you can get a manual tranny with a D-max anyways.

 

My buddy has an 04 Duramax with a 6 speed manual. Clutch gave up pretty quick after running the Bullydog.

We put in a South Bend Ceramic in it with the Juice and it has been perfect.

Have you ever driven a Duramax with a stick? They seem laggy and talk about a PIA to drive. I think the Cummins is about the easiest manual to drive, but the Duramax is PIA. Stock or aftermarket clutch.

I see a little better mileage in my truck compared to my buddys (17 vs 18-19).

 

The autos has a .69 od gear, which will bring the engine RPM down.
NV5600 od gear is .73 and G56 old is .79
Auto final drive ratio is .69x 3.73= 2.5737 (4.10= 2.829)
NV5600 is .73x 3.73= 2.7229 (4.10= 2.99)
G56 old is .79x 3.73= 2.9467

 

The duramax IS harder to find with a standard tranny compared to finding a Dodge with one. I just won't settle with an automatic. My truck has 210k miles on it and maybe 2-3 new clutches put in it. NOTHING else has been done to it. Find me an automatic with that record, especially after adding power. I have just heard that Chevy has a better truck and Dodge has the better motor.

 

Im surprised dullays are cheaper where your at. they're always a couple k more up here. But the 3500 whether D or SRW is cheaper to licence. because theres a lot less 3500s getting stolen or danamged compared to 2500s.
i thought i heard once too you couldn't get a D-max with standard. but it sounds like theres a few out there. id go for an Auto Farmboy. way easier to find, and drive around, and a lot less maintence. (no clutches to puke out). when hauling just push the tow/haul button and go the dealer where i got mine last spring said the dodge standards are almost becoming extinct. and i thought he said the autos were actually gonna be rated at higher HP? or is it just same same now? i remember the old days with any of the big 3 u suposedly had about 20 less hp with an auto

 

Get a cummins. i doubt u wil regret it.

 

A single rear wheel cummins standard will cost atleast $1,000 more than a dually. Why....I don't know. Its just does. A friend of mine who owns his own fencing company goes to a bunch of auto auctions and looks at trucks all the time agreed with me. He said because duallys aren't really needed according to folks up north and won't bother buying a dually.

It will be a standard. My buddy just put a tranny in his dodge after 105k miles. Atleast if I add power to a manual tranny, I will only have to put in a heavy duty clutch instead of ordering a purple transmission. You get more power out of them and better fuel mileage.....I think so anyways.

 

It just comes down to what you want to do with it. If you lookin for hp and plan on playing with aftermarket goodies buy a cummins. If you just plan on leaving it alone it's a matter of personal perference at that point. I work on chevys at a dealer and drive a cummins. I will say this though we are told to check every d-max for aftermarket power devices and no programmer out there is undectable. It leaves traces in ECM to how many times it has been reflashed in 07 and up. Just some buyer beware if buying new.