Almost posted this in MC w/ LB thread because the last time I baught a new truck I passed on Dodge because in 92 they did not offer an extended (or crew) cab with an LB! At the time the Ford was tired and seriously flawed so I got the HD chevy.

But alas, I have replaced way too many poorly made and designed parts for way too long, so it has to go.
I think the QC-LB is a good fit for me. I am also looking at Fords and even maybe a new Chevy but I really have to say that I have not been a happy chevy owner. I take meticulous care of my truck and don't drive hard or overload it but as of a few years ago, they were still using some of the same flawed components that I have replaced multiple times.
I don't want another maintenance headache.

Not to offend anyone here but I have to be honest, I am not a huge fan of the RAM looks. I think Ford copied the look but did a better job. I think the Avalanche style look of the newer Chev's is really bad.

The Ford 6.0 motor worries me. But I hear complaints about Dodge transmissions and axles, so I thought I would come to your world and try to get some feedback from Dodge owners. I have read through a number of threads and you folks are pretty straight forward.

I want to consider newer used trucks first cuz I just sank 35k into replacing a tractor/backhoe so I am not thrilled about dumping 50k into a new truck.
I haul a 2 horse trailer and a 14Klb equipment trailer. I want a 4 door. So I am thinking a 3500 QC-LB, in the 03-06 year range.
Any years better or worse than others?
Was a sun roof offered?

Thanks in advance.

 

First, welcome.

Are you thinking of an automatic, or a stick?

03 up to 05, I think, had the NV5600 manual, which seems to be pretty reliable. After they switched to G56, which apparenty has a lower OD and dual mass flyweel, but is reported to shift very well, and I haven't heard much on failures.

As far as autos, early in 03 year they switched to 48RE which is said to be considerably stronger than the previous version, and they seem to hold up to stock power fine. 06 trucks w/auto can have the Jacob exhaust brake without voiding warranty.

In 03 they switched from Dana to AAM for axles, and the AAM's seem to be fine. I think the other brands may also be running AAM.

Engine wise, in 03 and 04 they had a HO (555 ft lbs) and SO (California emission) engine. 04.5 saw the 50 state 600 (ft lbs), which has a catilatic converter. They now rate them 610, but I understand nothing really changed from the 600 to 610.

In summary, I think most of us are pretty happy. I have been.

Jeff.

P.S. Where in Oregon are you?

 

I recently sold my ’01 Ford F350 7.3 Crew Cab and bought a ’06 Dodge quad cab longbed with the Cummins and 6 speed. I intended to keep the Ford a few more years until I read about the new EPA regs for 2007 (I didn’t want to be a beta tester for the new smog stuff) so I opted to buy the tried & true 5.9. If you do go with Ford, I would recommend the 7.3 over the 6.0. I had good service from the 7.3. If you are looking at used Rams, the engines are all good from what I’ve seen. If you get an auto, you will prolly be looking at a rebuild at around 100K miles.

 

you really cant go wrong with any truck with a 5.9 cummins in it. I cant find anywhere or anyone that says anything but wonderful things about that motor.
I just(3 days ago) bought a 06 3500 with the 5.9 and a 6 speed
I am extremely impressed with this truck in every way.

 

I had 2 Superdutys before my Ram, both 5.4s. I absolutelt love the Cummins, it's why I bought the truck. I've got a friend with a 7.3 which has been bulletproof, and 2 with 6.0's which have been not quite as good but not awefull. I will say thought I love my motor the rest of the truck hasn't been as good, in all the years I had my Fords I only replaced 1 wiper motor, the Dodge has been in several times for little pain in the neck stuff like water leaks and electrical shorts. Oh yeah, and U-joints! I would have to say IMO my Superdutys were better trucks than my Dodge, but the Cummins makes up for it as far as I'm concerned! I may feel different if I owned a 6.0, but it's still loud and filters are huge $$!

 

See the truck in my signiture. I run alot of weight about once a week. Usually between 20,000 and 25,000 pounds off my gooseneck. I have almost 30k on my truck truck with the engine and trans performing perfectly. The truck itself sucks. The balancer of whatever is on the front of the drive shaft spring a leak and had to be changed, it leaks antifreeze when the heater is on, the roll over recall and now can't get brake or turn signals on my trailer and they say no warranty on that. But, it still hauls mega weight down the road and helps my buisness. My opinion compared to the chevy I had-cummins awsome, truck sucks. My buddy has the ford 6.0 dually with about the same amount of problems. I think the only thing to do is to have a spare heavy duty around to drive when the other is in the shop because non of them work well. You would think the engineers would get it together by now. The best running car i've ever had was the 69 chevelle my dad and I built when I was in high school. ?

 

Excellent, thanks for all the great responses so far!
Ooops I really should have stated that. I have a spinal cord issue that sometimes manifests itself as severe left foot/leg pain, so as much as I would like to have a manual, an automatic is the better choice. Another requirement is four wheel drive.
The EB would be a cool feature.
AAM is a spin off from GM. The axles are one thing GM did very well.

The Cummins engine seems to get respect in all the various truck forums, except the racers. I have had my eye open for a Ford 7.3L with decent mileage but no luck there. I have been leery of the Duramax because, for cost reasons, GM made two unfortunate modifications to the Izuzu design;
They switch from forged to cast pistons and reduced the size of the bottom bearings. I think they have reversed those decisions for the newer trucks but am not certain. I like the smooth ride of the GM but for some reason they don't think it is important to center the steering wheel wrt the drivers seat!

I should state that my priorities are reliability, comfort, tow/load and mileage. I definately ain't interested in ET/trap speed.
I am near Portland

I have seen some Dodges that have what looks like a visor at the top of the radiator grill. Is that a year/option type thing? I am not fond of that feature

 

I believe your refering to the deflector, it's designed to reduce bugs on the windshield, and keep rocks off the paint on the hood, it's an option and easily added or removed with three screws.

 

I think it will be awhile(if ever) before you see a non-commerical truck that will outlast or even last near as long as the diesel pushing it around does. with the mass manufacturing of these vehicles and the price wars of the companies they are forced to cut corners on te quality of the craftsmanship where they can get away with it.
I think by and large ive heard about less problems with the 3rd gen dodge than with either ford, chevy or gmc though.

 

I bought my 03 last Nov. with 25k on it and the first owner towed heavy and ran the trans and diff low. DC had a problem with shipping some of them low on lube in early 03. I wanted the 03-04.4 305/555 for the better mpg and warranty. The 7/70 drivetrain is paying off, in spades, on the box problems! I have a little wind noise but everything else has been flawless. I love this truck! My next choice would have been a 4.10/auto. The auto has a faster OD than the 6sp and the owners of them say they are perfect heavy haulers. I had a 97 CTD and it was, bar none, the best vehicle I've ever owned. I think this 03 will be close to the 97. Craig

 

Owned a number of Fords, they were Ok, nothing special. Really took my time when I decided to buy a diesel. Wanted to find a used 7.3 Ford but never found one with the right mileage, price, condition, etc. Kept researching and got very interested in the Cummins. Definately knew the Ford 6.0 was out, WAY too many problems (this was in spring of '05). Drove a GM DMAX, nice truck but too bling for me.

Finally decided to drive a Ram. Loved the truck, really liked the ride and feel. Preferred the sparten interior, more functional than the others. The back seat was a bit smaller than I liked but was Ok. Took a long time to think about things and then went for another test drive. That was it, bought it when I returned.

Great truck, best at towing I've ever driven. Love all of it although the seats could be a little more comfortable. Truth is, the Cummins was what I bought. If it had been in a Ford would have bought a Ford but glad DC had them.

Good luck with the purchase, hope you find a truck you love.

 

Whatever that means. The Dodge 4 door extended cab has way more room than either the Ford or Chev Ext. cab. I had a Chev and could not stand the suicide doors that they continue to use. Dodge also has cool under seat storage.

 

DTR guys! Were are your manners!

You have not properly welcomed the FNG.


Welcome to DTR


Get the Cummins. The dealer will throw in the Dodge truck to get it around. Then you get to hang out here rather than over at the Ferd sites!

 

True, but the Ford Crew Cab rocks. Plenty of room and good looks, my friends really miss the extra leg room in my Superduty. And I just don't think the Mega Cab looks good with the short bed, maybe longbed with a lift. All personal preferance I guess!

 

FNG here.
Thanks for the welcome, though just for the record, Jeff did welcome me right off. Great crowd here. I might just have to buy a Dodge!
I worry a bit about the towing rating. I intend to pull a 14k equip trailer. I just did a buildup of a 3500 4x4 dually and it came back with a rating just over 13k. Close enough I suppose but I was a bit surprized.

I am sure liking this little price war going on between Dodge and Ford here. It's looking like I might be able to swing a new fully loaded one if I can find what I want... I am getting excited
Just got done mowing fields and I am dirty as heck, time for a beer and then more truck research. Thanks for all the good data here. I am sure I will have many questions, but I am excersizing the search engine first