Well I'm looking to buy my own Truck in the near future and i want to do as much research as possible. First of all i know i want a diesel for sure. I want to know what the best year is for the cummins. I like the 2004 and new dodge body styles so whats the best out of those years. Also I want something that i can hang a plow off of and haul a trailer. I want automatic. What are some things to look at. What are the best model years. I would be getting quad cab..dont really like the look of mega cab.

 

4.5 to 06 i hear are the smae i could be wrong too. there all seem good, used iw ould think is the way to go and if you look longenough you could find one with decent km's. if your gonna plow maybe look into some front springs or something along those lines and defitaly a tranny pan and bigger cooler. also getting the balljoints checked and a few other things liek that u joints all the normal stuff. might help get the price down if you bring up some of its need to be addressed items.

 

I would keep it to the '04 - '07 model years with the 5.9L if possible. Some of the '03's still had the troublesome 47RE transmission, at least the 48RE seems to last better with this engine. The manual is really the way to go, but if you're plowing snow, I could really see why you would prefer and auto. There was a minor update in '06, I prefer the newer headlights and front-end, but the interior was also updated, with mostly light colors used, which seem hard to keep clean. Depends upon your use and preferances, I'd have to add seat covers if I bought an '06. Welcome to DTR!

 

The 03 auto is the 47RE and an SO (250HP). The HO (305/555) was only available in 6 speed. 04 got the new 48RE tranny with the HO. You can get the HP rating off of the engine label.

I would consider airbags for the plow.

Cya

 

Some of the later '03's had HO's w/48re's. Do a search; there were posts about this not long ago; you can tell what tranny it has by looking at the codes in the glovebox I think. The 03-04.5 had some lift-pump issues, but they can be replaced with better ones relatively inexpensively.

Nick

 

Thanks for the reply guys. Are there anything specific troublesome areas that i should look at when looking at trucks..ie. rust areas, components that seem to fail a lot, etc. Also i want to try and find something with a warranty. Ive read that thread about how if you modify ur truck it voids the warranty..is this true? All i was thinking of doing first what straight piping the exhaust and maybe a CAI...but most likly just the pipe because ill be hanging a plow out on it and there are things that will need to be bought for that like...Heavy duty front springs or airbags, the plow, and a deep tranny pan.

 

I believe it was mainly limited to the 03's, but I could be wrong. There was a problem with the u-joints wearing out prematurely. If your gonna be plowing snow, I would recommend an aftermarket tranny cooler, maybe even a deep sump pan to keep that thing cool. Snow plowing can be awfully hard on a tranny.

 

I'd also recommend synthetic fluid for the trans, transfer case and diffs, esp. if you are plowing. I think Dodge offers a snowplow package; maybe look for a rig that has this, or ask the parts dept. what it consists of. Then buy it on the DCX website; much cheaper.

Nick

 

Thanks...for all the replys...now what are some cons and pros about diesel. i just need a truck and something that will last a llong time. I also need something thatll be able to pull like a **** and plow snow really well while getting good gas mileage

 

Compairing my 06 Ram vs my 99 Suburban in fuel use was the cost is about the same when diesel is $0.40 higher than gas. Lately diesel is $0.30 higher than gas so comming out a little ahead. But pulling it's no compairison. I hated the Suburban because I could rarely use the cruise towing my #6500 boat (transmission shifting even OD locked out). Now just go down the road and not worry. Another plus I did not think about is a 3/4 ton truck is sooo much more stable in winds and curves . I just can't imagine going back to a gas truck . The only thing is in the winters here the truck runs better when plugging it in at night. I have to do a few more things for cold weather compaired to a gasser. Good luck on your decision, do your homework.

 

Thanks...my buddy has a diesel and my best friends dad has one and i love using them whenever i can. I also use one to plow with in the winter for the company i work for. I love it, but they are Powerstrokes and not a big fan of them. The last couple snows weve had problems with them because its been below zero..they dont want to start and run like crap when its really cold...below zero. I just love the I-6 Cummins.

 

my friend has an ho 03 with 48re and had front driveshaft u's go out at 25k miles, and the fca went out last week at 36k miles. all fixed under warrenty.I wouldn't buy an 03. 04-up is the way to go

 

I'd personally look for a later 2004 with the "Cummins 600" and a 48RE.

JMO

 

i really like the 05s and certain 06s. What kind of gas mileage can i expect....stock and with an intake and straight piped exhaust

 

You dont need airbags or timbrens of any type for the frontend if it has the Snow plow prep package on it. My front end barely moves when I lift my plow.

As for mileage depends on your driving habits. So figure 15-20 depnding on driving style and rear end