hi, im usually in the first gen section, i am looking into the 06 or 07 3500 mega cab but i am having troubles finding a 5.9L with the 6 speed, is this a rare option? is there any issues with this year of truck? are the automatics figured out finally? any transmissions issues like the past? thanks guys

 

I just took the plunge into an 07 QC 5.9 with the auto. Big change from the 1st gens!

 

when i went to buy my truck they had over 10K off the sticker. they said they couldent get any body to buy it 'cus it was a stick. I was like " your kidding me?!?"


no issues with mine.

 

wow really? all i want is stick, but i may go for an auto if they hold up. i dont tow anything to heavy yet. i still drive the first gen and love it but time for another cummins. did you guys go for the 6.7? or 5.9? are the 6.7 as bad on fuel as they say or get a dpf delete kit?

 

i dont know crap about the 6.7, but i do know i would never buy a auto...... i just dont like the way they shift, and iv drove a 05 auto quit a bit at a old job.

 

I woulda held out for a stick but the price was right on this one and I don't plan on hauling anything serious anytime soon. Plus Mama won't drive a stick.....

I'll just start saving now for a built tranny.....

 

Hold out for the 6 speed. I had a 98.5 2500 with a 5 speed, Luved it. I now have the auto so wife can drive it. Next truck will be a 6 speed

 

I'm running a 6.7 auto and its very different then the 4 spd auto. Its a real nice combination with the integrated brake and the tow haul mode. My truck is a stretched mega cab dually and its been the very best Ram I have owned since 1990. I just turned 159,000 miles and have only replaced the batteries and shocks. I just had the front pads replaced but did not need replacing. I had a friend that sold his Ram and had the pads...so he put them on for me...I had done a bunch of work on his Ram a few years ago.
There I go getting off topic.

If I was to get another truck, I would consider a manual, if I could find one.
My concerns with this 6.7 have never happened. If I need a trans there are several at the salvage places nearby...as well as 6.7 engines which have a lower selling price then the 5.9 because they are not needed as often.

I would say that you are ok either way and it may be tough finding a stick in that configuration with a 5.9.

My buddy with the 06 ran it for over 600,000 miles...not a typo and replaced the trans once. He sold it when he started having troubles with the auto again. His neighbor is driving it now with a rebuilt in it.

 

They eat front ends, on the 4th set of U-joints in 89K miles so far and time to change them out again... Other than that it has been a great truck.

 

Other normal lousy mileage and electrical issues, nothing much.

The 6 speed has quite a bit lower OD ratio than the auto. You feel it in the wallet every time you fill up.

The auto and manual are about equal when it comes to stock power. The manual has the edge in life to a point but the DMF is suspect. Add power and neither one will last very long unless your very careful driving.

A lot depends on what you want to do with the truck, DD versus towing a lot. How much hassle you want to put up with the CAN system that is partially flaky and the TIPM that is overly sensitive. Either one can cost significant $$ to fix.

Just figure a manual truck is going to cost you 2 mpg if your DD'ing it unless you add bigger tires then normally that is usually a wash anyway.

 

what is the CAN system and TIPM? this is all new terminology to me sorry.

 

CAN is the protocol used on the data bus to communicate between all the computers in the truck. FYI, you have about 7 modules that need to talk to wach other for different operations. Gone is good old reliable OBDII and EOBD. DOT forced all manufacturers to go to CAN and communicate more information on the data bus. How do you think Geico does its snapshot discounts.

We have flight recorders for airplanes, now we have drive recorders for cars. Be aware!!! Big brother IS watching!!!

No longer is there a simple fuse box. Almost all the lighting and control systems are computer monitored and controlled. The switch on the dash activates a relay in the control module to turn your lights on, blinkers, brakes, etc. To do that and give the nifty Lamp Out lights and all the BS being required now you have a TIPM (totally integrated power module). It consists of the PDC (power distribution center) what was once a fuse box, and inextricably integrated to the bottom of it is a computerized controller to activate and monitor cicuits.

Short out the lights on your trailer, accidently touch battery cables or hook up a battery wrong, and its $800 for anew TIPM. Of course its a Dodge only item so you have one source.

Oh yeah, careful about wiring external devices into the TIPM that draw lots of amperage. It will throw signals into adjacent circuits causing CEL's, limo mode, and outright failure of components. No more big amps, light bars, etc, out of the fuse box. Gotta wire everything away from the internal system using relays and isolate it or the truck might just decide to shutoff and lock the doors on ya.

Another, NEVER come near the truck with a welder. You will be buying ECU, TIPM, ABS controller, and maybe others. It is a sensitive creature compared to the heavy iron we are all used to.

 

oh wow, definetly did not know these trucks had gotten that advanved, good to know. do the modules have any issues?

 

The modules themselves are pretty solid and overall the system works well. Its the introduction of outside forces that usually get them, like jumoer cables, accessories, etc.

The TIPM and the cluster controller have been the worst. The cluster controller displays all the dash functions and there are periodic issues with the tach and other gauges when they go bad.

From the reports of problems on these forums, its not a huge problem but noteworthy. The TIPM and ECU issues are a bit more wide spread though.

 

?? You don't paint a very pretty picture of them. I welded dual exhaust and mufflers on mine with no issues. Mine has a boat load of external power draws on it with no issues. Boss plow and light harness, cab mounted plow flasher, Viper remote start, two 7pin trailer plugs, 42' toyhauler, cb, gps, dvd player, Outlook monitor, pillar gauges, bully dog dual light options...never had a problem.

Been a solid truck. Trans is the only hookie part I see. A billet trans can fix that for the most part. 5.9l is tried and true.