rbond

I am in the market for a used 3500 dually. I am thinking 3rd generation? Can anyone tell me which are the three best years to buy (which is best, 2nd best, and 3rd and problems with each) and which ones to stay away from. I will be hauling a heavy horse trailer with living quarters. Any help will be appreciated. I currently have a 99 2500 with almost 200k, replaired injectors twice.--thanks

mitternocht

Well, watch out for the early 2005 models for they have plastic intercoolers that tend to blow out. Around May of 2005 they started putting the all aluminum intercooler back in.

*The endcaps are plastic.

rustyshakelford

i like the 06 models. if you get an auto, then itll have tow haul/OD lock out. also has the updated interior. downfall is some think the seats are unfortable. also if you want to mod it get an early builf 06, itll be compatible with certain mods

brett

SSminnow

'03









but then again, I am biased

wildcat

Partial to the 2007 5.9

Haven't heard anything really bad about the 2006 model, except RustyShackelford may have owned one I hear he drives a Tundra now...

Buy as new as you can get without going 6.7L... At least for now.

DevilzTower

ya everybody wants one of 'dem 'yoda's ... must be rusty is old enough to remember when all yoda's did is rust all over the joint, maybe he wants a truck to match is DTR character?

rustyshakelford

if by awesome, then yes. thanks for the compliment in advance

brett

MikeyB

'03-04 HO model.

MikeyB

gomulego

I pulled the trigger on an early '06 model and am very happy so far. I bought it because I wanted the 5.9. It's had a couple of foibles, but nothing too worrisome. My biggest gripe is that the seats stain WAY too easily.

C Schomer

3rd gen, for sure but find out which years had the best 6sp and autos. I love my early 03 and I doesn't have any of the early 03 problems - which were minor. Certain diff ratios/trans combos had high rpms at cruising speed but if you're going to tow heavy, that wouldn't matter much. Here's what I've gathered from all my reading - the nv5600 is geared good (just pick the diff you like), the 48re/4.10 is good for heavy hauling and cruising empty, the 48re/3.73 is geared high and the g56/4.10 is geared way low. The g56 OD is higher in some years - I think about 05+. Craig

SSminnow

You're pretty close there.....

Not picking, just clarifying....

You don't pick a differential (differential is a seperate item all together from teh ring and pinion), you have an option between ring and pinion gear ratio's (3.73 or 4.10's). With teh NV5600, you could go either 3.73 or 4.10, but I personally feel the 4.10 in ANY stick is overkill, and teh RPM's will drive ya nuts. The G56 is gear higher numerically than teh NV5600 in all years it has been produced. So, if you have any year g56, it is geared higher than the NV5600.

tiebox

I would try to get as new as possible with warranty as well as maintenance records make sure it has'nt been modded, beat than back to stock.
I have an 07, 5.9, auto, 4:10 gear and belive me I do not mis. the manual trans one bit, depending on where you run using the tow/haul mode as well as the OD off mode when needed makes a difference.
I avg. 10-13.6 towing 12,000 on a pintle everyday, some highway some city in the midwest.