I have a 07 classic Silverado 2500HD Dmax/Allison 4x4 truck. The motor has Edit!! More than the Dodges I test drove. I have been kind of Edit at a few problems I've been having. Steering shaft makes noise and The body of my Ext.Cab creaks and makes noise. To top it off it was just too expensive of a truck. I'm at the point where I want to unload my high monthly payment and maybe pickup a used 05-06 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4 with CTD.

I'm just really scared because of lots of problems I've heard about dodge. My Uncle has had 3 of them and all of them have had transmissions go out at under 100k. Heck my uncle purchased a late 06 Mega Cab Dually 4x4 that just shut down when he left the dealer. That was kind of sad.

But anyway, I really love the Cummins, Solid Front Axle and best of all the Exterior of the new Dodges. They just look more tough.

I just don't want to get a truck that has real problems. I want to not worry about Electrical problems, Tranny Problems, and from what I read on here, while the dodges have a SFA setup they seem to have more problems than GM's lesser IFS systems.


What do you all think. Are the 05' - 06' Dodges pretty trouble Free. I'm more worried about the transmission. What about their Interiors, are they pretty solid? I hate rattles of interiors.

 

The 48RE transmission is pretty solid until you start running more than 75hp thru it. If you leave it stock or under 75hp it will have a long life.

Most SFA problems i have read involved guys with lift kits and unbalanced tires.

My interior has about 6000 miles on it and has 2 squeaks that i have located, and i believe they are getting better over time(as in less and less squeaking the more i drive the truck)
The Chevys interiors i couldnt even begin to locate all the sounds, and I have owned 5 GM SUVs/Trucks.

 

Just remember the 5.9L Cummins has been basically the same engine design since 1989. Pretty proven if you ask me.

 

"I'm just really scared because of lots of problems I've heard about dodge".

Well if you've been reading about Dodges on the Chevy websites it wouldn't surprise me. There really are very few problems with the Rams, and the 48RE as mentioned is a stout auto. But, if you want to turn up the wick, you will need to do some mods to the tranny. Better yet, get the 6-speed manual and you won't have to worry about it. And I do agree with you, GM is way too proud of their trucks.

 

They really aren't that good. I wouldn't own a Dodge.


















Oh wait I do.

 

And believe it or not, the 48RE has a lower failer rate then either Ford or Chevys Allison.

 

IMO, every diesel manufacturer has been in a "clinical trial" period since the EPA tightened emissions restrictions in 2004 and further tightened them this year. When the 600 CTD was introduced, there was a rise in injector and other fuel system failures, such as the lift pump and Fuel Injection pump. As much as a company tests products, it doesn't mean much until it hits the real world.

Now all 3 manufacturers have new EPA guidelines. We have all seen the videos of the 6.4 Powerstroke blowing flames. We have read on this site that there have been a few problems with the 6.7 Cummins as well. I haven't heard much about the new Duramax, but it just hit the shelves. With any new product, there is a period of adjustment as the manufacturers get feedback from the dealers and end-users. The dust will settle in the next 2 years with the new diesels the big 3 are offering.

The Cummins has been very solid for a lot of years, but as the fuel system has changed, some new issues have developed. generally speaking though, the problems have not been what I would call "chronic" with the 3rd gens. You have to remember that the members of these websites are generally more concerned about general maintenance, and more in tune with there trucks. You will always see posts here about problems, because that is what these sites are primarily used for. For the most part, many people drive their trucks with zero or very few minor issues for years.

As stated before, they are rock solid if driven stock, and pretty stout with mild modifications.

One thing to look for on an 05 is the intercooler. The early 05's had plastic ends on the intercoolers.

As far as the drivetrain goes, I'll take an SFA anyday over IFS. I have had zero major problems with the drivetrain and suspension, and only one minor problem (Sway bar end link failed).

My trucks have been very well built without any interior noises, creaks or rattles. The automatic trannies have been fine on each of the three I drove. Each of them have/had modifications that took them to an estimated 350-400 RWHP, but I never really stressed them that much.

You mentioned the visual appeal as well. I know you aren't looking at a new 07/08 truck, but I can't believe people like the looks of the new Fords/Chevys. The new Chevy HD front bumper is not even all metal. The outer caps are chromed plastic!!! Personally, I think the Dodge HD blows away the competition visually. The Superduty looked the best when it was redone in 05, especially with the stock 20" wheels. They hit it as hard as they could with the ugly stick for 08!

Good luck with your search for information!

 

Overall I am very happy with my 05 and my old '00. No issues with any mechanical or interior rattles. I mostly use my rig for long family trips and towing.

 

Well, in our family, we've always been Chevy people. We got an 02 D-Max with over 140,000 miles on it with a 100hp chip on it for most of those miles and it has been the best truck we've owned. It hauls butt and anything we've put behind it. Goosenecks with tractors, other trucks, 15head of Indu Brazil cattle on many many occasions. Heck, once we had no choice but to overload a 3-axel gooseneck with round bails and haul it more than half way up the state. The load was so heavy it broke a leaf spring on the trailer, but the D-Max pulled it just fine. We currently also have a 93 CTD and an 07 6.7 CTD.
Now dont think we've turned our heads away from Chevy or anything. We ordered an 07 Cummins but it came wrapped up in a Dodge. Not our fault...

 

Don’t forget all these truck forums are where folks come to talk about problems with their trucks. I know guys with trucks of all brands who have never had any showstopper issues with any of them.

One guy I know has a F350 with the 7.3, the only issue he as is the bearings in the front end, I guess they go out pretty quick on his truck, but then again he hauls around all his tools everyday. (He did have a work van with a diesel that he blew up, I think it was a 6.0 Ford, but I’m not sure).

Another guy has a ’99 CTD, with around 190K on it. He is a northern logger, never plugs his tuck in and only ever lost the lift pump at like 170K. I think he has an aftermarket turbo and a chip of some sort on it.

I know another guy who had an ’84 Chevy with the 6.2, I believe. The thing had an after market turbo on it and never gave him any issues save a head gasket at well over 150k, then the throw-out bearing went out at nearly 200K, not really that big of a deal.

I know another guy who just bought a new ’05 Duramax last year. He runs it pretty hard on the street and tows a boat on the weekends. He just threw on some banks goodies, so we’ll see how he makes out.

It doesn’t sound like your truck has been that bad. I few squeaks and rattles, no biggie. A ¾ ton truck isn’t supposed to ride like a luxury BMW. If you can get a good trade or sell that Dmax to get a Cummins, by all means go for it! (I’m biased however).

The doors tend to make a bit of wind noise on these late model Dodges, vent visors help a bit.

 

I'm on my second Ram. First was an '01 4x4 360 engine. Very solid truck, 58k miles and no squeaks. Never had the truck to the dealer. I will say Dodge does not know how to properly tune their shocks. They are too soft. I replaced them on the 01 at 6k miles with KYB Monomax and life was good. When I first drove my 06 CTD 3500 4x4 I thought they finally got the shocks right, but now at 7500 miles they seem to be too soft. As for the solid frontend, the only thing I notice is the steering wheel tends to move around when driving on county roads with dips and bumps. But it's not that bad. I think a stiffer stabilizer would help. Overall It's very solid and squeak free. Even my neighbor who owns a 99 F250 diesel (and thinks Ford is the only real truck made) said "this is a nice truck" when I took him for a drive.

 

Ya I'm of the understanding of if you take care of your truck it should be OK. And really there isn't anything wrong with mine. I love it. Like I said the drivetrain rocks.

But I just think the 3rd generation dodges look awesome and the SFA I want. Most of my trucks off-road towing use is at my ranch and it's sandy so I want something stronger on the front end. That and the fact that I went way over my head price wise with this truck. For what I paid you can get equally in a Dodge for 32-33k versus the 40k i paid.

 

I traded in my GMC for my 06 RAM, I love the Cummin`s , the 48re is just fine, around town I lock the overdrive out with the button and she doesnt hunt like it does in town with overdrive on, best mileage ive got is 25 mpg highway on paper, best in my GMC was 22, thats at 65 with cruise on, love the motor and like my truck, very glad i did the trade,

 

Yes Dodges are really good! Just ask someone who owns three of them!

Oh look.......... that's me


...............Jim

 

I just made a deal on an 07 cummins, but I've driven my 04 1500 Hemi Ram since new. The guy buying it is picking it up tomorrow . I'm really going to miss it, it is a real pretty truck but I need a quad cab and something a little nicer now.

The truck was ok went into the shop a few times for little things when it was new. The way I've been told by people I know (personally) that work at dealers is that most of the crap that is going to break will break within 10,000 miles and so far that has been right.

The one thing that is annoying is the hood squeaks when I twist the body, like when hitting a speed bump sideways. But they put velcro on the contact points and I spray it with silicon every so often when the squeaking comes back. Besides that it has been a pretty tight truck with 63K miles on it and 3.5 years old.