2004-2006 Dodge Diesel

[Gulfcoast]

Looking for a good used 2004 - 2006 Dodge Diesel, as I don't care to get into the newer emissions stuff.

Anything good or bad to say about these year models?

Thanks

[campingken]

We bought a 2003 3500 4x4 Dodge diesel new in 2003. It came with 235 HP and 460 lbs of torque 5.9 diesel. Today it has 195,000 miles and still looks new. While we can't keep up with the new 1000 pounds of torque monsters it does pull our horse trailer with ease (14- 16 mpg) and gets 22+mpg on the freeway. We rebuilt the 47RE trans at 150,000 for $2500 including a stronger torque converter.

[Cummins12V98]

ScottG wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Going from memory, I was at Cummins NW when they had the 03's on display and could drive one around their facility. The de rated engine did not have the same internal oil cooling system as the HO engine. someone that has specific knowledge please elaborate on this.

That is true. The HO version (like mine) had under piston cooling nozzles that the SO verson did not.
The SO versions (250 or 235 HP) are fairly rare though and even when turned up, they don't seem to have any issues with piston heat.

Thanks! I never understood the logic of the under cooled engine. Thankfully it was for a short time period.

It was so funny my Son was 16 at the time, him me and my Dad hopped into one along with the salesman. Son got the front drivers seat the guy freaked out as Junior was hammering it.

[wilber1]

The 03 still used the 47RE so the HO was only available with the manual transmission. In 04 they went to the 48RE and the HO became the standard engine.

[ScottG]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Going from memory, I was at Cummins NW when they had the 03's on display and could drive one around their facility. The de rated engine did not have the same internal oil cooling system as the HO engine. someone that has specific knowledge please elaborate on this.

That is true. The HO version (like mine) had under piston cooling nozzles that the SO verson did not.
The SO versions (250 or 235 HP) are fairly rare though and even when turned up, they don't seem to have any issues with piston heat.

[Flashman]

spoon059 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
And OP, ignore the troller (aka fish). He has a hate-hate relationship with anything that isn't wearing his Blue Oval.

As my father always says, "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something."

Fishie... when it comes to your incessant trolling on Dodge/Ram threads, which one are you? Why do you feel the irresistible urge to get involved in threads like this? Have you considered seeing a doctor?

Maybe we should start a "go fund" effort to pay for therapy.

[Cummins12V98]

Going from memory, I was at Cummins NW when they had the 03's on display and could drive one around their facility. The de rated engine did not have the same internal oil cooling system as the HO engine. someone that has specific knowledge please elaborate on this.

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO the third gen RAM's were the dogs in the group. Never really got into the look. Lot's of them have been great running trucks.

[Grit_dog]

Gulfcoast wrote:
I don't want a ford and my last 2500 chevy rode like a wagon without springs so, what's left.

Sounds good Scott

Lol, if you didn’t like the ride of an IFS HD GM you’ll be in for a bad surprise with a Ram.
If that’s your only reason for not including a Dmax in your search, reconsider.
Stock 48res are ok transmissions but clunky. Built ones will hold the world no problem depending what you want to do with the truck. The biggest issue imo, is 4 years is not enough for towing heavy with the low revving Cummins. Idk how Dodge sold so many 4 speed trucks and folks thought it was good.

[spoon059]

Bionic Man wrote:
And OP, ignore the troller (aka fish). He has a hate-hate relationship with anything that isn't wearing his Blue Oval.

As my father always says, "A wise man speaks because he has something to say. A fool speaks because he has to say something."

Fishie... when it comes to your incessant trolling on Dodge/Ram threads, which one are you? Why do you feel the irresistible urge to get involved in threads like this? Have you considered seeing a doctor?

[JIMNLIN]

Gulfcoast wrote:
Looking for a good used 2004 - 2006 Dodge Diesel, as I don't care to get into the newer emissions stuff.

Anything good or bad to say about these year models?

Thanks

As others say the '03 and '04 305/555 HO Cummins was the same engine.
I have the '03 2500 305/555 HO engine quad cab 3.73 gears/NV5600 tranny 2wd with 320k + miles.
This engine still gets me 21-23 mpg (not towing) on long trips or 11-13 mpg towing my 11k lb 5th wheel rv trailer.
Another plus for the '03 and up 5.9 HO Cummins engines is a 7500/15000 mile oil change schedule. The '03 was the first year of Dodges 3rd gen all new from the ground up trucks.

My only big complaint with the 3rd gen truck is for some reason Dodge dropped the upper overload spring pack from the 2500 truck. Anything over 1500-1600 lbs in the bed and she squats. My fix was SuperSprings for the rear.

I just came off a 815 mile round trip pulling my 16k GN tri axle stock trailer moving part of beef herd out to wheat fields in western OK with this truck.

[pyoung47]

Finding a low mileage one might be difficult. I think you will find a number of folks who have logged 250 plus on those model years. A friend of mine did 250 on his 06, but he replaced the transmission twice. He did buy a new Ram at that point.

My personal experience with a 05 3500 was all positive, with only a couple of sensors failing. I traded it at 100K, and it still drove as new. There were some major improvements from 04 to 05 -- not the least of which was putting the fuel pump in the fuel tank. And then with the 06, the exhaust brake was a new feature. I would look for a 06 or newer, mainly due to the exhaust brake.

[midnightsadie]

look out west or down south, the ones in the salt belt are junk.its out there sittin a garage some where just keep looking.

[Super_Dave]

Almost afraid to jinx myself but our 06 has had nothing more than oil changes and tires. The new trucks are being built with more power but not needed as this truck will pull a house off its foundation.

[southernsky]

We had a early 07 with the 5.9. Only problem was all the soot it put out when mountain driving. The soot came in through the slides in my trailer, wife wasn't happy.

[sidewayzz]

I have a 06 auto, 196000 and have had great luck out of it.