Hey guys, been a long time since I had a dodge truck. Sold the 01.5 a few years ago to put down on the house. Now with kid #1 on the way we are considering going back to a truck for some more room. What I would really like is a diesel Durango or other vehicle with lots of interior room but since it doesn't look there's much news on those vehicles, and I really don't want to compromise on the diesel (currently have an 04 Jetta TDI sedan) a familiar diesel truck may be my option. I may even consider maybe a liberty diesel, but it sounds like they canned that motor?

From 2003 and up, is there anything huge I should avoid... looking for a manual, I really will not tow much, and don't know if I care if its nv4500, 5600 or G56... nor do I know if I should care if I get a 5.9 or 6.7. I know usually each year has is qwerks and often there's a difference between some random 2 model years where it is better to get the newer, or sometimes older vehicle... Budget is a serious consideration so older may be my choice.

We will want a manual,4x4, and quad cab, SLT.

Any suggestions on model year to lean towards or away from, or even other vehicles that may be of interest? Thanks...

 

A diesel Liberty is a nice choice. It's not really fair to say they "canned that motor". It would not pass the '07 smog requirements, so it was dropped as an option in the Liberty. My parents have one and say it's the best vehicle they ever had.

If you go with a Cummins, I suggest a third gen. Mine's a 305/555 and it's been great after some front end work and a better lift pump. '03 and '04 get the best mileage if that's important to you.

 

Find a 2006 MegaCab. Closest thing to an SUV one can get (except Ford Excursion) with a diesel. 2006 still had the 5.9L.

Mine is getting great mileage (over 21mpg hwy/20mpg city) and is like a great big kid limousine with plenty of room to haul stuff and we can tow anything.(see signature)

At 40,000 miles nothing but regular maintenance (including a set of new tires this Tuesday and new Bilstein shocks later next week).

We have the roll-top bed cover and it works like a 6' trunk when we aren't hauling something.

I wish GM would make a 3/4 ton Suburban w/ a Duramax/Allison combo.

 

Wife has an 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it has been a real good vehicle.

 

Sorry yes, the 2.7 liberty engine is no longer available due to the emissions issue. Actually, a 3.0 CRD grand cherokee might be a fair option. I think it is a bit bigger than Liberty. We don't need nicer with more options, so much as the space, but the GC diesel only comes with the fancier packages. It doesn't look like this motor is an option anymore either?

I think with a truck we might end up with a cap, which is OK.

Smaller is easier for wife to drive. Liberty comes with fewer gizmos that we don't really need (and is cheaper... I see nice ones for 12k)...that the GC comes with since the diesel is only available in the higher end packages. Hmmm.

What about for the 3rd gens... is there anything with newer vehicles that is desirable over earlier 3rd gens?

 

Well, I've had them all. If you have a family and don't need the room of the 8' bed for hauling stuff then I'd get a Megacab. I had a fully loaded one and loved it. The wonderful economy forced me to sell it before I had financial problems. When I was looking for a used truck to replace it I looked at many different ones but ended up with an early 04 with very low miles. Power is down a little bit from the newer trucks but mileage is great and it still hauls/pulls just fine. I'm very happy with my choice but I do miss my Megacab.....

 

The 2006 G56, or at least the early 2006, has a granny gear for 6th. If you do much open highway diving you will go slow or kill mpg. Many go to larger diameter tires as a "poor man" overdrive. I've run taller tires (315s) since about 6000 miles and have been much happier with the gear ratios.

+1 on the megacab, it is as roomy as a van inside. My SB team enjoyed it. It can pretty much swallow an apartment for items you want to stay out of the weather, plus haul the larger furniture in the bed. I moved several daughters in and out of dorms with just one trip. Plenty of rear seat leg room, the seats recline and there is a bunch of storage space behind the seat.

The MC is the same length and wheelbase as the long bed QC, making pre-planning for parking and exit routes in the city or at the mall a must.


The 2006 and up 5.9 is quieter, some around her love the mpg you get out of the older version. The 5.6 has plenty of power and is simpler than the newer 6.7s.