tommymac70

Moderator, please move this post if it is the wrong place. Thank You


Hi all. I’ve come here looking for help in deciding which Dodge Ram / Cummins I should buy. I am shopping around for a used one. So far I am looking at a 03, 04, and a 07. Is there a big difference in the engines involved as far as dependability, fuel mileage, repair issues, general cost of ownership. The above trucks all have 50 to 60 thousand miles. I also know of a 08 but I think it may be a little out of my price range.

How about the truck itself? Suspension? Ride? Handling? Tranny’s? I tow a 28 foot fifth wheel that has a GVWR of 12500 Lbs a Dry weight of 7100 and a pin weight of 1650. On occasion I may throw my 18 foot boat or my Yamaha Rhino behind it all. Would a ¾ ton Cummins would do the trick? Did Dodge make a 3rd Generation Deisel Extended Cab model with and 8 ft. box in a SRW? Is there somewhere I can go to find the GCWR of the different HD configurations? I am just wondering which year would be the best investment. My budget is 15 to 25K. Thanks for your input.

Jim W

I do not know much about the 03's and 04's. I think there has been a slight performance change and fuel pump changes in those years. You can do a search for more information on them.
If you can get the 07 for under 25K and this has the 5.9L engine. Then this is the one you should buy.
They all have different issues just like anything and you really need to do your home work on which model year that you are looking for. You also need to understand what is your ultimate goal for what you want out of the truck. Are you looking for reliability, horsepower increases and or towing power, these are all things that need to be considered.
I tow a 11K 5er with a pin weight 1,780 LBS with a 3/4 ton 2008 Dodge Mega cab. Combined Gross Weight of 16,900 LBS Certified Cat Scale reading.
Keep researching on this site and good luck.

tommymac70

Thanks Jim, your input is appreciated, The 07 has the 6.7 engine. I am pretty sure it can be had for less than $25000. I take it the 6.7 had more "green" items added to them? Sounds like the 5.9 is a better way to go.

Blake Clark

Tommy, depending on where you live at, and if you can possibly "Round-up" all them "green" items on the 6.7, that is what Id go with, well if your looking for an auto that is. The 68re is fantastic. If I were looking for a standard I wouldnt pass up a 6.7 but would prefer a 5.9. Just easier to deal with for modding.

If you go 6.7 and can delete, go all the way. Once I did the full engine deletes and got a Smarty, my truck is more than I could ever ask for.

HMX-1

The only 3rd gen I would have concerns with towing alot would be the early '05 due to the plastic end caps on the intercooler, but you could easily fix this by replacing it for a better unit or avoid it altogether by looking at a different year model.

tommymac70

Thanks for the input guys. I just got done looking at the 04. The dealer has not gotten the 03 in as of yet. I think that I am going to concentrate on these two for a little while. They both have 60,000 miles and are one owner rigs.

The 04 looks really good, doesn't appear to have any obvious body work done. It did have an injector replaced in Nov of 09 and had the fuel pump changed at the same time. Does that raise cause for concern? I think it may also have had some work done on the steering but can't remember exacly what and has had two U-Joints replaced, not sure which ones.

The shop foreman reported that it was not a 2004.5, he ran a check on the VIN #. Yet on the Options report the salesman printed out for me shows it as having a XCKP: Cummins 600 Turbo Diesel Engine. Is that not the upgraded 2004.5 engine? As always any and all positive input is very much appreciated.

6 Shaker

As long as it has been properly maintained I wouldn't be afraid of any of those trucks.....

DWRDodge6.7

If you want to play the aftermarket horse power game, then the 5.9 is the way to go. If you are satisfied with a CAI and filter back exhaust, then looking at the 6.7 is a good option. The 68RFE transmission and engine brake make the 6.7 worth the price of admission. You may have to adjust your driving habits a tad to accommodate the DPF. My '07 has had zero issues. It has been back to the dealer 2x, once for the firewall recall and once for the BA flash. Half of its 83,000 kms have been with our 8,000 lb travel trailer hung on the hitch and 1,000 lbs in the box. It's a great truck and I plan on owning it for 10 to 15 years. The only thing that I would change is to have front buckets and a console VS the jump seat.

Chubby

The 6.7 with deletes would be my choice. I have had both . The injectors on the 6.7 are stainless the transmission and ex brake made the rest of the deal.

klx650a2

I've got the 6.7 after having a 2000 w/the 5.9 and driving my dad's 05 5.9. The tranny and engine brake were the icing on the cake and this summer the smarty and deletes will come...