Looking at 2005 Dodge 3500 for out Lance

352 wrote:

Mote wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Dually, trim, price?

It is a dually, SLT trim

I'd rather not reveal the price as that may derail the conversation to much :D

I would not pay any less than $37,500 because of the derailment issues

:D

Mote wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Dually, trim, price?

It is a dually, SLT trim

I'd rather not reveal the price as that may derail the conversation to much :D

I would not pay any less than $37,500 because of the derailment issues

Hi Mote,
IMO a 2005 CTD Dually sounds like it's be perfect for your needs.

As others have mentioned, the 05's have no anti-smog stuff on them except for a (high flow) catalytic converter. That Cummins 5.9L is about as reliable as they get, 180K miles is nuthin'.

Since your planning to carry a TC, I’d suggest that you add a set of Torklift Upper StableLoad's and a Roadmaster anti-sway bar and then load your camper and go for a drive and see how it handles before you consider adding air bags.

There are a few other things to be aware of on the 3rd gen’ Rams;
- A DSS Steering Stabilizer should be considered a mandatory upgrade. This dramatically improves steering and reduces the chance of death wobble.
- A track bar from Thuren or Carli will also help with handling.
- The factory ball joints are complete junk! Fortunately super-strong & rebuildable ones are available from Carli and Dynatrac.
- The front wheel unit-bearings are about as bad as the ball joints. Free spin hubs with re-greasable Timken bearings are available from Spyntec and Dynatrac
- The transmission is a potential weak link. I know that you said this one was rebuilt at 130K, but do you know what components were used? A Goerend torque converter, valve body, & billet apply lever would go a long way toward improving reliability. Billlet input and output shafts couldn’t hurt either.
-If the water pump hasn’t been recently replaced (easy job) then put in a new Cummins one now or carry a spare. Same goes for the serp’-belt.
- Replace (or carry spares) of the #5 & #6 fuel injector lines, they're prone to cracking
- Tuners are available which will help make a little more power without sacrificing reliability. I prefer the Smarty Jr.
- The stock shocks are too soft for hauling a TC. Have a look at the shocks from Bilstein and Rancho.
- If you choose to add an exhaust brake, the PRXB from Pacbrake is awesome… they make great airbags too.

So, if the truck is in good condition and the price really is as good as you’re implying, then it may be worth it to invest a few (or more) thousand dollars in upgrades and have a truck that will easily go another decade, or two, I know that I plan to keep mine for a very long time :)!

Cheers
-Mark

I'd rather not reveal the price as that may derail the conversation to much

Prices are up their, sometimes hard to believe. Brother in law had his 97 Ford 3/4 KO'd by a drunk. Insurance pay off was $9,800. That's close to ten thousand dollars for a 10 year old truck! And close to 200,000 miles.
Engine was 7.3. The "other" great engine from that era.
Clean air, oil and fuel, you should get lots of miles.

If it still has the stock factory exhaust manifold, replace it with a 2-piece aftermarket.

(...or at the least, get a spray bottle with soapy water and check for exhaust leaks.)

Anyone else taking long road trips with an older higher mileage truck.

I'm older but not high mileage. Your 180k just getting broke in. I've got 107,000 on my 2001. Just carry a "boonie box" for most items that break down. We go (or used to) Seattle area to AZ every year, no problems (other than mechanic ripped us one time, but that could happen no matter the year model). We would see lots of older stuff out there. Saw older style "square box" first gen with little over 400,000 on it. Ask the old owner if he added any goodies to trans when it was re-built. Most Dodges not known for strong trans. The place we normally stay at has 6 that make that trip almost every year. 4 of them from BC Canada. Normal for (Dodge, gm,or ford) stuff to fall apart. Still better then new imo. Here are tsb's from Dodge for 2005. Looks like a lot but all OEM's have problems. http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2005-index.htm

Look up TSB's for new ones...Mostly smog related that costs a fortune to fix and they paid a fortune when they bought. Double whammy.

100% agree with woodhog. It's almost due for its second valve lash maintenance. Not a big deal. I'd also consider rear sway bar addition and Torklift Stable loads. Skip the airbags. Ask if the rear driveline Ujoints have been replaced. Factory was installed with injected plastic. Easy upgrade for a shop to normal Ujoints. Check the rear passenger Dome lights and speakers. The wiring harness can rub itself open in the rear door jams. Easy fix. Has the owner ever checked the lift pump fuel pressure? Not a high fail item. Doesn't hurt to ask.


Check out www.tdr1.com. More info over there. Www.genosgarage.com can help lighten your wallet. Also, new diesel trucks are more than $50k.

woodhog wrote:
That truck will have the 5.9 with no pollution gear on it, if body is in good shape, the tranny as good as it looks and the front end suspension parts are in good shape, you will have a truck that will easily go double its present mileage.
A new one can leave you on the side of the road, with a DEF sensor etc. with a few days to try and get it fixed, eventual plugged filters.

This one will have none of that...
Also an exhaust brake can be added to the 2005 models...

Check your payload weights, tire weight ratings marked on the side walls.
Put on a rear sway bar. Set of torklift stable loads.

Give your left over 45,000 - 50,000 to the oil company and not the bank..

donn0128 wrote:
Dually, trim, price?

It is a dually, SLT trim

I'd rather not reveal the price as that may derail the conversation to much :D

That truck will have the 5.9 with no pollution gear on it, if body is in good shape, the tranny as good as it looks and the front end suspension parts are in good shape, you will have a truck that will easily go double its present mileage.
A new one can leave you on the side of the road, with a DEF sensor etc. with a few days to try and get it fixed, eventual plugged filters.

This one will have none of that...
Also an exhaust brake can be added to the 2005 models...

Check your payload weights, tire weight ratings marked on the side walls.
Put on a rear sway bar. Set of torklift stable loads.

Give your left over 45,000 - 50,000 to the oil company and not the bank..

I had a 2004 Crew dually Cummins with std transmission. I had no problems with it but only put about 40,000 miles on it before trading in on a 2017. Good truck. With 180,000 miles I would have a mechanic give it a thorough look through so you know what costs to expect unless you can do that yourself. It's good that the tranny has been rebuilt. If the engine has been properly maintained it will go almost forever, or at least longer than the rest of the truck.