ok, i'm looking at trading up, i'm looking into the 3rd gens and wanna know which would be the easiest to mod for drivability, dependability and POWER! ,
i'm looking into 35's or maybe 37's if someone can talk me into it, and want it to haul butt,
its gonna be at least a quad cab,, and if i find a good buy ,,, a mega cab,,
( i kinda like the megacab dually's,, lifted )
i will use it pretty hard but not abuse it,,,,
basically i wanna know what would be the best year of the 3rd gens
thanks,,
help a 2nd gen guy out

 

04.5 -06 are easiest to get big power with few mods. 05 is supposed to have best heads, but has a plastic capped intercooler that has caused some problems. Stock turbos are better and provide more boost than 03-04. 03-04 are simpler for electronics and can get better fuel mileage. Also, you can get the same HP as later 3rd gens when you start getting to a certain level of mods and hp. Read up on the different mechanical and electrical differences and choose. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

I think the 05 is the best year. only downfall like stated above about is the plastic IC and its an easy fix. they seem to respond very well to mods.

 

i gonna say 05 i have very little done to mine and i'm already at 350/700 to the ground. From what i've seen the 05's tend to respond better to most chips over the erlier cr trucks.

 

2005.....


The plastic intercooler problem is only early 05, it was corrected mid-year model.

 

The '05s do however have the OD lockout issue on the automatics.

 

This is true. 05's only have Tow/Haul, can't turn OD off.

 

i would have to say thatr my 05 was faster and pulled better stock to my 07 stpck.i was kinda bumped when i got my new truck i missed that truck.

 

I like my 04.5. I've never had any recalls and as far as I know there have been no issues with this model year. I have a metal intercooler and I can lock out OD and IMO the interior is MUCH better looking in my truck compared to the newer ones. In all honesty I don't have a clue what the best year is, but I would not trade my 04.5 for anything newer that I have seen. That may all change next year though depending on what the 09's are like.

 

2007 with a 5.9L

 

I only have experience with 03's. My buddy got his then I got mine. He gets crappy mileage, because he drives like a complete idiot, and it's an auto. I drive pretty conservatively and have a manual. I get at least 22 every tank, and currently around 23.8. I double check every now and then and my overhead is usually +/- less than a half mile. I think that's pretty good for what it has done. That's the best thing about my truck IMO, the big power for low dollars and great mileage.

 

No problem with my 05 and as said above, the later 05's have the metal intercooler caps. I believe there is a TSB out for the OD lock out if you want to have that changed.

 

Love my 05. Never had to take it back to the dealer for anything. And with my mods now I'd be outta my mind if I did...

 

I think all of the 3rd gens are a good bet. The OD lockout is one of the quirks of the '05. There is a TSB for the OD lockout, but you lose the tow/haul function. It would be just like my '03. I like being able to control what gear I'm in though.

 

I use tow/haul on my 05 all the time and it doesn't bother me one bit. Of course I neither tow nor haul anything. Lots of tools and stuff but nothing significantly heavy.