didnt know where to post this to. question is. is it worth upgrading from my 2nd gen to a CR? been thinking about it but all i keep hearing about is pistons melting down and injector issues on CR. what are the pros and cons? has anyone else been in the same boat? found a 2006 6 speed with less then 15k miles.. with my 2nd gen im gonna be dropping 5k+ into and i kinda rather upgrade to a newer truck but is it worth it?

 

the pistons melt because of injectors going bad, dumping too much fuel and melting the piston. lots of people add better fuel filtration to help the injectors last longer and prevent debris getting into the injectors and going bad. also people that buy remanned injectors have more issues then people who buy new. so most of the stories you hear or read about bad injectors is because they went with the cheaper remanned injectors.

 

is it common for injectors to fail? as common as a vp44 to die? the truck im looking at is 100% stock. so what your saying is put a FASS fuel system on it and it should be good? i want to upgrade to something newer then my 2001 so i been looking into a common rail 3rd gens

 

I dont know how "common" it is, I think its more a combination of how and when you service, the fuel quality you use, how low you run your tank before filling up, the mods you have,etc...Im on my second 05 and (knock on wood) have never had a problem with injectors. My first truck had 315000 miles when i sold it and my current one has 198000. I will say that ive not had this one long and the PO had some mods that they removed prior to me buying it, I may be looking at some injector work due to a slight miss when the idle is bumped up to 1100 rpm.

 

i wouldnt say its a common thing, but it does happen. you can put a fass on the truck or these are good kits. '03-'12 Cummins Fuel Filter Kit

 

A 2006 6spd with 15k miles is definitely worth considering.

2006's were the 1st Canbus trucks and have some instrument cluster and TIPM issues but are solid.

With 15k miles, that truck has been sitting around a ton.

For any used common rail truck, you better be prepared for $3k injectors.
2006 trucks had the 1st Gen G56 manual 6 speed trans.
The DMF clutch in the G56 trucks are weak. Many aftermarket clutch upgrades are available.

Of course, any Dodge Cummins 4wd will need front end work and upgrades.

Good luck!

 

if i were to buy this truck what would the first steps be? fuel system? i do wanna beef the truck up. leveling kit tires exhaust maybe a tuner? what would you guys recommend. What i really wanna know is a CR more reliable then my vp44 truck? if you were in my shoes would you make the upgrade?

 

the first thing you wanna do is add better fuel filtration, anything beyond that is really up to you and what you wanna do to the truck.

 

I like the 3rd gens. Though I like the sound of old school Diesel engines, quieter and easier cold weather starting of the common rail is easier to live with.

As far as injectors, I had an 03 where I changed the fuel filter religiously and always bought fuel at a pretty new station. Sold it to a friend, who had a dead miss that turned out to be a dead injector. Some time later, long crank times diagnosed as excessive return flow from injectors, and all of them required replacement. I would guess the truck had around 80k at the time, bone stock.

On my current truck I added a 2 micron filter between the factory filter/seperator (the GDP kit) and I haven't had a problem.

I would think the truck you are considering is worth looking at. 3rd gens can have problems with blend doors or mode doors in the HVAC case, so make sure climate controls work properly.

As far as mods, if your goal is longest reliable service for yor buck, I think I'd add a 2 micron filter retaining the stock can for water seperator/prefilter/heater, and leave the rest of the engine stock.

If you are going to be towing significantly, a pyrometer and an exhaust brake would be nice.

If your goal is bombing the thing... The truck has a dual mass flywheel which you may also have to upgrade. I'm not sure how the G56 transmission does with seriously increased torque.

 

2007's were the last Canbus 5.9's. I've got one.
The only I miss about my 2nd gen is the seats. This is a better braking,handling,way quieter truck. I'd never go back.

 

Yeah, 03-04 had nicer seats, no cat, and better mpg...