powerrammaster

I am an avid 1st gen guy, and currently own an 05 Power Wagon. I am looking into selling the PW and getting a used 3rd gen for a daily driver due to the Hemi's fuel consumption. I love the first gens, but need a back seat for the family and love the creature comforts of a 3rd gen for day to day travel.

1. What fuel mileage can I expect out of a 4x4, quad cab shortbed,with 3.73 or 3.55 ratio's and an auto? Stock engine and tires, gentle driving of course.

2. What is the best year 2003 to 2006? I want to get something as new as possible and definitely the 5.9 version within my budget.

3.What problems can I expect if I by something with 100-200,000 miles on it? Of course it will be out of warranty, I will do the extended thing.

Thanks for your input, hopefully soon I will be posting up here as a new owner.

TMan

I can't see where switching to a diesel from a gas hemi would help your situation. A friend just got rid of his 04 4x4 Hemi which got him about 13mpg avg in the city. My 2wd Diesel Mega Cab gets about 16 in town. He spends about .28 a mile in fuel where I spend .27.
I imagine the 4x4's drink more fuel. I would definetly be looking for an older... pre-o5 truck if I was looking to save on fuel. I have heard they get better mileage.

rich

get one with a 6spd but no 4:10's i was getting 19 on the highway with my 3500 4x4 drw

Mocho

My 04.5 3500 QC SB 4x4 6 spd with 3.73 gets 16 intown, and 17 highway at 75 MPH, can get up to 20 MPG quite easy on highway by slowing down, but it never happens

BLACKBEAR

I would look for a 04.5 to 06 they have more hp If you do not pull a heavy load you can go with a 3.73 or the next one up. I pull a load of around 25.000lb That is truck and trailer with a 3.73 and get from 11.8 up to 12.5. I run the speed that is posted on the road 55 to 75 when on interstate Look on Ebay Dodge 3500 I hope this will help you--BEN

CTDinMT

I've got an '03 SO (Standard Output) with a 5-speed. I get an average of 20 mpg on the highway if I set the cruise at 70mph. That's unloaded, of course. Miles aren't a big issue with a Cummins, they regularly go 500K between rebuilds or more. Many are over 1 million miles. I would be wary of a truck thats been modded tho. Alot of performance upgrades will put a stock turbo in an early grave, for example. But if it's a stock truck that's seen honest work, the miles aren't a problem. I would buy a high mileage Cummins if I knew it had been properly maintained and not raced...

donhov

OK, for the tranny options I would look at the later 06 or early 07 5.9 auto. I have the 4x4 auto 3.73 quad cvab and this past Christmas went from Tampa Fl to Jackson Mi in 21 hours at traffic speeds, 75-80 mph, empty and got an honest 21.5 each way. With 5th wheel get 10-12 or so and short trips, around town 14-16 average. I like the settings on the later 06's and 07 5.9 where you get eh Tow haul and ODS off modes on the shifter rather than only OD off on the 04.5 & 05's. Just my opinion. Oh buy the way I was running the Quad X2 box on the mileage settings when I did the 21.5 from Florida

glocklove

I just have MPG around town don't do much hwy drvin and I get 17 MPG around town hope to do a little better now that I have a smarty Jr. I have the 373's in the rear end..Stock tires and wheels with a 2.5" lvl kit on the front.