Brothers,

I recently have come to realize my 98.5 is just not going to make it back to me after a second theft this year and I need to find a replacement.

Money's tight so I would like to find a gently used clean third gen. The problem is I have been soooo out of touch with the third gen trucks and would like to get some feedback on their issues if any.

We all know the second gens were plauged by fuel pump issues (lift and VP), steering wander etc.

What problems should I be aware of while looking for my next truck?

Any advice most welcome, thanks.

Taz

 

The same filter mount lift pump issues til they put it in the tank. Broken hvac linkage/dampers. They got a better auto (48re) after 03.5. Steering wander with the 4wds. 06-07.4 got the best auto for the 5.9 - tow/haul and ebrake ready. The 03-04.4 gets the best mpg and there's no emmissions junk. The 2wds handle like a car with the rack/pinion steering. There were some early 03 problems (vibrations, cracked alt brackets, breaking injector line) but my is fine in all those areas. Some 05s have plastic intercooler tanks. That's all I can think of right now. Craig

 

The one main thing that comes to mind is the crapy front ends on these things. The ball joints and all moving parts in the front end dont last long. I got rite at 100K out of my stock ball joints but have heard of some only going 20-40K before going bad. There is no CAD like on your truck so the front end is always spinning and wearing out the U joints for no good reason.

 

Sorry for your lost.
I would recommend that you read this PDF booklet from Turbo Diesel Register. COM, "Turbo Diesel Buyer's Guide". The booklet is down loadable and free, the booklet covers all years from the early first gens up until the 2011 vehicles. There are 298 pages for you to read some you can skip over and some information that you will want to take note of.

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/m...ersguide.phtml

Jim W.

 

100k mi on my 07 and the only issues specific to 3rd Gen's I've had were weak OE clutch on the G56 trans with added power. #4 injector line blew up. Steering box went out, bad shuttle valve, but I have never heard of that one or seen it before, so probably an isolated problem.
Other than that, just normal maint, 1 set of front brake pads at 80k, new shocks.
Have a friend with an 03, 6sp, 160k mi and it had a bad injector around 90k, OE lift pump died about the same time, bad APPS sensor at 100k.

 

My 2004.5 has 170k and has had most of the common items fail that have been mentioned..
Balljoints and steering are definately the weak items. There are replacement itmes now available for $$ to correct these faults and is what I will do when they fail again. I replaced hubs to maual style when I had one fail at 100k. Steering box I added a DSS support awhile ago and has helped. When play gets to bad I am replacing steering box with upgraded Borgeson box and upgrade for center links. Ball joints when they are replaced next time will be either Dynatracs or Carli and hopefully never changed again. I have had balljoints changed 3 times over the 170k..
I still like the truck and will not part with it until it is unrepairable.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, very much appreciated. It looks like the beast still needs some TLC and a good set of wrenches to stay on the road.

All I gotta do now is find a decent rig.

Cheers

Taz

 

The way I'd summarize my '06 is (preventative) maintenance/mods for the front end and fuel system. Oh and that darn multifunction switch. Overall I'm very happy with my truck.

 

My 06' has 110K miles. Only needed basic and preventive maintenance so far. I did the ball-joints and upgraded to the 08’ steering components at 100K, just because I didn’t want to risk getting DW. I treat it like a baby in terms of usage and maintenance, but so far it hasn’t ever hiccupped. Still runs like new, even has the original breaks yet.

 

Plan on replacing the A/C Compressor and the water pump