What are everybody's thoughts on what the best year is for an 03-05 5.9 manual trans 2500/3500?

Which year has the least amount of problems or issues.

Im a little apprehensive about getting an 03 because thats the first year of that truck, What do you yall think??

 

I have an '03 4 door long bed,5.9 HO,6 speed manual.84,000 miles on the clock and never had it in the shop.Original everything down to even the lift pump.It's been a great truck.

 

They beefed up the nv5600's input shaft in the later years, can't remember , think after the first year of it being used.

 

if you notice most people with power add ons will have the most trouble with any truck.

 

'03s are awesome! Wait...ALL 3rd gens are awesome for that matter. As long as it's been taken care of and you get a good price, you really can't go wrong as long as there is a big "C" on the fender.


Edit: '03s-'04s probably get the best MPGs if that matters.

 

The '03 and '04 (not '04.5) trucks with the HO 305/555 engine get better fuel mileage than the later 325/600+ trucks. With today's high diesel prices, mileage does matter, at least to me!

 

I had been reading the posts on this forum for years than finally joined after a defective clamp on my Turbo made me go to the shop for the first and only time (free turbo under warrenty). The posts made me keep thinking that I was going to have some major problems sometime. Havent yet (cross fingers). I am retired and spend a lot of time during the winter camping down South. I always try to talk with others (mostly old farts) with trucks similar to mine. I have as yet to find anybody who wasnt happy with their truck. I havent even bumped into someone with the infamous LP problem. I hope my luck holds. So far I am really glad I got my Dodge.

 

I’m in agreement with the “keep it stock” crowd to keep it out of the shop. I’ve had some warranty issues in the past, but none of them were mechanical. I’ve had the old Edge EZ on my 2003 since around 10K miles. I’ve never had it on any setting other than level 1 because the performance I got with level 1 was good enough. Now that I’ve posted this I’ll probably lose an injector this afternoon.

Anyway, the problems I can remember off the top of my head that I took it to the dealer for are as follows;

Had the Infinity Stereo head unit replaced twice because the CD’s skipped. I finally gave up on this item and just replaced the system with a new JVC unit.
I took it in for a service bulletin for the automatic transmission line to the radiator. I also had a small coolent drip fixed by the dealer at that time.

I’ve had to clean the terminals on the left rear tail light circuit board, and added some dielectric grease for good measure. I also had to replace the right rear taillight circuit board. Now that was an expensive proposition, it cost me $20.18.

All in all with just shy of 60K on the odometer I’m pretty happy. Sometimes I wish some things would go wrong so I could replace some items. I’d love to have manual hubs, and a built transmission!

 

My '03 was a much better truck than my '07. It was "screwed together" better for sure.

As far as '03-'05, I think the '04.5-'05's are the ones to have if you like power and bombing. '03 to '04 if you plan to leave it stock.

Some later '05's have the G56 transmission. I prefer it in some ways. It is much easier to drive than the NV5600, much smoother and quicker shifting. It does have a dual-mass flywheel which may be problematic...

 

03-04 305/555....plenty of power adders available and they don't have the 3rd injection event/cat like the 04.5+, which cause worse mileage and dirty oil. That said, thye are all great trucks and its hard to go wrong.

PS - Stock is gay

 

1st gens- I think they had 3.07's as an option

 

............

 

'03 or '04 SO with a 5 speed NV4500!!!

 

"the 3rd injection event/cat like the 04.5+, which cause worse mileage and dirty oil"

What is this, enlighten me?

 

I do all my own maintenance and put a FASS on before any lift pump problems were even identified. The original pump is still hanging on the side of the engine. I had the door seal fixed under warranty; I replaced the clutch because the Smarty was making it slip; but it was still in good shape. I don't compete with my truck, but I do like zipping around in traffic like a 3 1/2 ton sports car with a view.. Other than that, my truck is rather unremarkable and I love it!

Except for the BD Shorty shifter, all the other mods not mentioned were done in the first 5K miles. I have just over 52K now.