56FordGuy

Hello all. After 20 years of Ford 7.3 PSDs, I'm considering buying a Dodge. I love the 7.3, but need a truck with more cab space (it's a two door) and would like something less than 12 years old. As a result, I'm thinking about buying a Dodge. I've been around them some but really don't know them well at all.

I drive the truck 2-3 times a month usually, often towing a trailer. Most loads run 12-14,000 lbs but during hay season can get up to 20-22,000 lbs. Looking for a DRW flatbed, either a 3500 or 4500, preferably extended cab but might go for a full four door if the price was right. I'm not interested in doing any performance mods, I just want a reliable truck that can go to work.

It looks like a 3rd or 4th gen would fit the bill for me. What year did they stop offering the 5.9? In stock form, is there any big reason to buy one over the other? I'm not worried about the new emissions stuff, it's here to stay so I may as well accept it at some point unless the early version of it in the Dodge are known for problems. Are there any common issues to the 6.7 trucks to watch out for?

Did Dodge offer a factory trailer brake controller on these trucks? Do they work well? I've seen some with the automatic transmissions and factory exhaust brakes, were they available with the manual trans? Are there any aftermarket brakes that are as good? I've always heard Dodge transmissions were problematic. My current truck is a manual, I'd like to stay with a manual but an automatic may be a lot easier to find. When did they change automatic transmission models, and are they holding up okay?

Are there any other pitfalls or things to look for?

ssandlin

I can only answer one of your questions. The 5.9 was discontinued in the middle of the 2007 model year. The 2007.5 in January of 2008 is when the 6.7 was introduced.

I've owned my truck since new in Feb of 2006 and have not had a single engine related issue and now have 157k miles on it. It's the first truck I have ever kept for now going on 10 years.

Good luck!

fzr400

5.9l could not be put in a truck starting jan 1st 2007. meaning you could have a later 07 with 5.9 but engine build date had to be before jan 1 07.

bunch of b.s storys on trannys. go to sled pulls and see what they are running and take note which truck dominates
my 06 is over 200k run a 80hp tune and do tow up to 20klbs tranny is doing great. just dont abuse a stock one cummins torque can break anything

OMGDODGE

What's to think!, you'll never go Back!

gorms

With trailer weights like that I would be looking for a 5.9 or deleted 6.7 w/manual trans and 4.10 gears. I think the later 6.7s arent as problematic as the early ones, but any dpf system isn't "reliable" far as I'm concerned. Injectors need to be monitored on any common rail truck for failure regardless of brand...

If you go with a 5.9/auto expect a converter and valve body/shift kit to make it not so mushy. On stock power trucks they do hold up when maintained. I can't comment on the auto 68rfe on 6.7s, I do believe the 4500s came with the better Aisin earlier, not sure exactly when. Aisin is more of a heavy duty trans.

That said if you want a truck to jump into and tow, I think any 5.9 (except 98-02 vp44) with a manual trans will be tough to break.