opinion on 2006 ram 2500 or 3500

You can see which one I have in my signature. I paid about $30k for it 5 years ago. Probably get $23k for it now as it has almost 42,000 miles. I'll have it broke in in a few more years. Last truck I plan to buy.

The only mechanical difference between those two trucks (besides interior options) is the 3500 will have different rear springs, and higher rear GAWR and therefore a higher GVWR and more payload.

My 07 (identical to the 06) has been pretty good. The wires like to break in the rear doors - the ones that operate the pwr windows, locks, and speakers - so check for that. I've had to repair (and extend) mine twice.

Get the front end checked, they do like to wear out parts pretty quick. I have had to replace ball joints and a few other wear items - I'm at 110,000 miles.

Get the transmission checked too, if the engine power is cranked up (which is easy to do) that can be hard on the transmission.

The 5.9L Cummins is the most reliable powerplant ever put under the hood of a pickup - you won't have trouble there.

The Dodge 'death wobble' is generally only an issue with lifted trucks and oversized tires. Not heard of it occurring otherwise. That said I did have my 2007 Ram changed to the newer 2008 style as its much heavier duty.

X2 what Boogie posted.

But that price is right on with a excellent condition private party sale at Kelly Blue book. I was ready to trade mine in this last May and the dealer was going to give me 32 on trade in, little different truck though. Resale values change in different regions.

KKB LINK

Right now I have a 5500lb dry shadow cruiser. I know all the comaints people are having with this trailer but I have yet to have any of these issues. (Knock on wood)
I want to get the truck now since my wife is already looking at the open ranges.

Boogie scared me with all that talk of drama and issues. Maybe I'll take a mechanic with me to the dealership.

"You can never have too much truck" unknown, but he said it a lot. Donn's question is crucial; what are you towing? You might easily get by with the3/4 now, but will you ever upgrade your trailer or fiver?

Prices seem a little high. If they are mint condition, then $25k tops (depending on options). I bought mine 2yrs ago (see sig) with 62k on it, mint interior and exterior, and included spray in bed liner, painted tonneau cover, stainless step bars, 4 bald tires, for $24k.

The difference between the 25 and 35 is on the 35 you get the rear overloads (that engage after the rear is compressed ~3").

Common problems are the ball joints and panhard bar bushings; the 'death wobble', the loose steering, the sloppy automatic (blame the high stall torque converter and super slushy valve body), the inadequate filtering on the fuel system, the always spinning front drive shaft, and since you are looking at '06+ they are the first year of the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) that likes to flake out and not power important stuff (like your A/C compressor clutch, trailer lights, and turn signals to name a few). I've heard the '06+ interior was not as comfortable as the '03-05...

The good...
2006 was the first year of the 'new' ECM that is EFI-Live capable.
Was also the first year that you could lock out overdrive AND have a functional Tow Haul mode.
There is the '08.5 steering upgrade. You can also buy some somewhat expensive ball joints and then never worry about them again. panhard bar bushings are easy to replace. The death wobble seems to be with people that run lifts and larger tires, or their front ends are already worn out. I've experienced it only once on my dad's '01 (and it had around 230k miles on it when it did it, and hasn't since).
The sloppy automatic is somewhat remedied by running with T/H engaged (even empty) because it locks the torque converter at lower speeds.
$200 gets you a nice 2 micron fuel filter and mount (and they are easy to change) so that the injectors last longer.
Not much you can do for the driveshaft, just make sure you grease it every oil change!!!
TIPM 'usually' fails because someone screwed something up when they were dinking around and shorted/overloaded a circuit. But I have read about random and uncalled-for failures, and the TIPM is an expensive replacement.

With all that said, I love my '05. If I could have found me a used megacab when I bought mine, I would have gotten it!!!

2500 131000 Laramie
3500 86000 slt
10,000 over priced! Really?

Which one is which?
2500 with 86000 miles or 2500 with 131000 miles?
3500 with 86000 miles or 3500 with 131000 miles?

And they are about $10,000 overpriced.....shop around!

What do you want to tow? Biggest problem that year Dodges had was from ends. They tended to wobble a lot. But a complete front end rebuild should cure the problem.