I agree with IA James on one issue- the U-Joints suck on the 3rd gen 03 trucks. Both my 5-speed and 48re had U-joints replaced. My father in laws 48re replaced, my logging partner 5 speed replaced. All of them have been replaced under 40,000 miles.

 

Can't disagree on the u-joint. Mine was replaced befor I bought it. After 5 12valves and a 01 before this one, I'll stick with this one. None of these trucks have been major problems outside of normal wear.
I bought this 04 last Nov. and put 16k on it already. Runs good in stock form. With the edge on 5 it kind of runs like my 12vs with the pump mods.
Just from my perspective on problems with Dodge or Cummins most of them are caused by the owner/driver of the vehicle. Modifications and extream use/abuse.

 

aside from the lift pump going out at 58,000(replaced with the in tank version last week)and the door westherstripping i really like mine.

 

Not necessarily, this has been a problem which has plagued variuos Cummins engines over the years and is happening to none modified trucks. It's not a big issue, though.

Another potential issue which I forgot to mention, is the body and fender people are claiming it's only a matter of time before we start seeing lots of rusted out 3rd gen rocker panels, simular to early Ford Explorers. Something in the design of it.

 

So far love it only 3k miles. Pulls my boat like a dream. Can pull going 75 (up hills and STAY AT 75 no problem) without worring about blowing up the the motor, tranny and get great mpg.
Whats funny is wife hated it at 1st, smelly truck & all that jazz but now she loves it. Anything to get her to the lake & sunbathing sooner is her "issue"...
Much better towing set up than my old 1/2 ton Suburban..
Lots of space in the Crew Mega Cab..Wished I would got a CTD years ago...

 

We are very happy with ours. Its just over a year old and no problems at all.

 

I like mine a lot. I came from a 2000 Toyota Tundra V8 (great truck by the way) mainly for the diesel/manual tranny and the bigger cab. I love the engine. It still puts a grin on my face to drive it. I have friends with 1st gens, and both 12v and 24v 2nd gens, and I like mine the most. A modded 2nd gen 12v is a close 2nd though. I had u-joints replaced at about 42k and I had to have the ac condensor at about 12k. I get about 19-20mpg with a mix of city and freeway, and got over 17 pulling 4k. The only thing I would like is better fit and finish. My Tundra had it beat hands down in that aspect.
Good luck,
Nick

 

Mine is great, won't part with it. The only issue is when I spray water around the radiator, the temp sensor gets wet and throws a code for five engine starts.

 

From the front or the back side?

 

I have run: 91 12V, 97 12V, 2000 24V, and my 04 24V CR. I love the engine in the in town and towing mileage of the 91(5spd 4.10), the empty highway mileage out of the 97 (47 3.55), the low end grunt for the first 4 gears of the 2000 (6spd 3.55), and the overall power and interior of my 04(see sig). Seat wise I like my 04, I feel more comfortable in my seats than my dads 00. The advantage in power for the 3rd gen. is new technology is being made for them in the aftermarket regularly. The 98.5+ 24V is usually 2nd string for product development. But there are some very good products already out there for the 98.5+. And of course the advantage of all of the 24V over the 12V is the electronic enhancements. The disadvantage to the 24V over the 12V is the elecronics. The 12V especially the first ones were easy to work on and were amazing on reliability and mileage.

 

i just got a 06 2500 quad cab cummins today..i like the truck overall...
But whay are the seats so firm?is that because its new..
My wife hates the truck already cause of the seats

 

I found a low milage 03 4.10 6 spd to pull the bigger 5er we have now, rather than change the 3.54s in the 97. I think I would have tried a 48re/4.10 if that's all I could have found. I'm very happy with the 03 - even with some issues to get warrantied. Grinding reverse and worn out diff. - mostly abuse and stupidity of the first owner. Both trucks get 21 mpg or better - work commute. The brakes, handling, quietness and ride of the 03 are heavenly - it's worth having payments again! I took my time to find a 305/555 for the better mpg, considering fuel prices. Craig

 

I miss my 98 12v, but overall the drivability of the 3rd gens is much better. The steering and brakes are much better, and the stock power is also pretty good. Someone said about the seats being worse, but for me I figit a lot less with the 3rd gen seats when driving hours at a time on the road as compared to my 98... I will have another 12v when I can afford a second truck.

 

I can vouch that the seats in my 2004.5 are MUCH better than the seat in my 88 W100. Same goes for brakes and really everything else except price for initial purchase.

 

Absolutely the best vehicle I have ever owned !!! My Ford gasser saw 300 k with no probs except normal wear of parts and this truck beats it hands down . Just got back from a 650 mi round trip and got 18 mpg coming back !!! These trucks WILL get awesome mileage IF you slow down ......... ran hard into a strong headwind whole way doing 75 and was averaging 16 - 15 mpg ........... but after paying over 3 bucks a gallon for the first time in my life I eased up on her and ran 67 mph and sipped that diesel !! Coming up on 30k with no probs except the infamous torn door seals and the u-joints are junk but man this truck will pull anything you hook her up to and love every minute of it !!!