Looking to buy 3rd gen...looking for advice...
 

So I've gone from a 1st gen to a 2nd gen but now need the interior room for the three kids. I have a few questions about the 3rd gens that you folks might be able to help me out with.

1. Quad Cab, is it big enough for three kids? Their small but will only get bigger. I know about the mega cabs, but man they're expensive!

2. I would like a quad cab, long bed, 4 x4, 6-speed manual. Are these pretty rare trucks or relatively plentiful?

3. The front end was a pain in the rear in my 2002, is it better in the 3rd gens?

4. How is the fuel system in the 3rd gens? In my 24V I had to replace pretty much everything (injection pump, lift pump, etc,) I would rather not have to deal with that all over.

5. What year has the most issues? I know they all have their weak points, but which one has the most?

The other road I am contemplating doing is a 12V swap into a '97 F-350 crew cab, but I am going to start another thread for that. I really like Dodges and am leaning towards the 3rd gen though, but the size of the back seat concerns me (Mega cab is too expensive)

Here is what I hope to accomplish with the 3rd gen.

Smarty for a tuner
Airdog 150
2" leveling kit
Bilstein 5100's
Clutch for the g56
35" tires
Gauges
hub-conversion (if necessary)

Anything I am missing?

1. Quad Cab, is it big enough for three kids? Their small but will only get bigger. I know about the mega cabs, but man they're expensive

I have room for my 2 boys(15 &16) and my 5 yr old daughter in the back seat.

2. I would like a quad cab, long bed, 4 x4, 6-speed manual. Are these pretty rare trucks or relatively plentiful?

I could not find a 6 speed so I got the auto and have no problems (120000 miles so far)

3. The front end was a pain in the rear in my 2002, is it better in the 3rd gens?

No problems yet.

4. How is the fuel system in the 3rd gens? In my 24V I had to replace pretty much everything (injection pump, lift pump, etc,) I would rather not have to deal with that all over.

3rd gen has common rail and so far so no problems. I change oil and fuel filter every 5000 miles. I get 20-24 mpg empty I have 373 rear end.

5. What year has the most issues? I know they all have their weak points, but which one has the most?

The only thing I plan to do is bigger tires 35x12.5 17 and leveling kit.

The back seat is very straight up and down. Young kids don't mind but older ones with long legs on long trips may.
On short trips it seats 3 well enough, I hear no complaints, though my kids are under 12.
2004.5 is a good pick, larger exhaust, steel intercooler tubes and HO Cummins.
My lift pump quit 2 years in and was replaced with an in-tank under warranty, I'd look for one that's already been replaced.

HTH

Mine was built 10/02 and some of the eary 03s like mine have vibration and alternator bracket problems but mine is fine. Only problem is the ac dampers but all the gen 3s have it. If you find a 6sp, make sure it goes into rev nice and smooth. Mine was trashed by the first owner hitting r instead of 5th too many times but it was warranteed. I love mine and wouldn't even think about trading for anything newer. The back seat has been fine for everyone whos been in mine. I like being able to open the doors all the way in tight parking lots. I wouldn't trade for a mega cab either, but that's just me. I get up to 19.8 mpg with my 4.10 and it's a great treestump puller - I've pulled several of them! Craig

I havent read the whle post but if you want people to fit... buy a Mega Cab. My quad simply isnt big enough. My 2 year old can touch the back of my seat with his shoes if the seat isn't all the way forward. So either he messes up the back of my seat or momma sits with her knees against the dash. Needless to say... mommas knees have sen better days :)

Ya, I know they are a little more pricey, but get the Mega. way more room, trust me I had both. If I were in your shoes, "having three kids" I wouldn't even consider anything but a nice 5.9 Mega. I don't even have kids and the wife and I can pack it full of crap..lol It does make a nice bed back there too!!

The further away the kids are from 'ya on road trips...the better![laugh]

Another vote for holding out for the right man van to come along. It's easier to buy a trailer or even spring for the long bed conversion if you need more room than the short bed allows, then it is to extend your backseat.

Yeah the Megacab is the ideal truck, maybe I'll keep my eyes open and find the right price!

If I could go back and redo my purchase, it would have been the Mega cab!

The Mega Cab is nice and has more room but no long bed.

ahh.. put the tailgate dwn..

For the extra room in a megacab you can't beat the price. Try adding that on later down the road. Get the megacab.