I'm planning to upgrade from my sig line truck to a 3rd. Gen. in the coming year. What are the pros and cons? I'll be sticking to a 6 speed short bed 4x4 but all else is undecided. Mods will likely be fairly minimal.

Share your thoughts with me folks!

Thanks! Randy.

 

One answer to your question is...It depends. What will you use your new to you 3rd Gen for? I can't imagine a better truck. I have ridden mine hard and put it to bed wet and it keeps coming back for more. These trucks are tough as they come as long as they are maintained. The cons; the interior leaves a little to be desired until you do some of the great mods listed here...(seat mod, lizard skin coating, etc). AC is a bit weak. 03-05 headlights are marginal other than that these trucks ROCK!!! Good luck!!

 

I wouldnt trade my 06 for nothing, bar none, been great.

 

Look in the third gen section, there have been a few posts like this in the past few days listing pro and cons.

 

Well, they have been known to have HVAC issues. The ones with the filter mounted lift pump sometimes had lift pump issues, but if it fails it generally shuts the truck down without damage to the injection pump.

Injectors are more the issue on the common rail, so upgrades to filtration are a popular mod.

Otherwise, I really like how they run, they are quiet, will self-prime and no cracking open injector lines, and cold weather starting on the two I've owned has been excellent.

 

I guess I should clarify... Which 3rd gen. should I be looking for? (03-04, 04.5-05, 06-early 07) I'd really like better headlights: the 2nd gens don't do well there at all! I've heard the fuel economy is better on the 03-04s. True? What about the changes in running gear through the years?

Thanks for the responses! Randy.

 

The HO in 03/04 did not have a cat, and generally got the best MPG in the 3rd gens.

Some early 03's came out with the SO (CA emissions) and the 47RE auto, but then the stronger 48RE came out. Still only a 4 speed, though, which I think hampers MPG and towing performance.

6 speed stick wise, earlier ones had the NV5600 with the iron case and a traditional clutch/flywheel. Seem to hold up pretty well. Choices in axle ratio were 4.10 and 3.73.

In mid-05 I think it was they went with the G56. Alloy case, shifts super-smooth, dual mass flywheel. It has a considerably lower OD, and only came with the 3.73. This is how my truck is set up and it tows well.

The 04.5 and on 600 is 50 state emission compliant, makes noticeably more power than the 555 HO (I had an 03) but doesn't quite get the same mpg.

They are all pretty decent, IMHO. If my 03 would have been a dually I'd still be driving it, but I'm happy with the 06 I have now.

 

Thanks Jeff! That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Would you clarify about the overdrive ratios of the NV5600 vs the G56. (Will the G56 OD give higher or lower RPM at say 60 MPH than the NV5600?)

Thanks! Randy.

 

The early G56(05 to mid 07?) will have higher RPM at the same speed. Better for towing, worse for MPG. Later, they changed the 6th gear ratio to make it almost the same as the NV5600 was. I love the G56 transmission. It shifts so smooth and the gear ratio spacing seems just right.

 

I really like the G56 for towing, just wish it had one more gear for running empty on the interstate. RPM's are getting up there at 75mph with stock tires on.

Really happy with my 06. I jumped from a 2000 to this, so I don't know anything firsthand on the earlier 3rd gens, just what I've read on here.

 

Those guys answered it pretty well. Both my 03 and 06 have 3.73's and the 06 does turn higher RPM at highway speed.