Thinking of going to a 3rd Gen Dodge Cummins

[Doc Mayhem]

I have been lurking around this site on and off as I have time and am having second thoughts about my original direction of sticking with what I have. I have a 50,000 02 Tundra, I keep telling myself I should keep and do a light build with, but my eye keeps wandering. I have always wanted a Dodge Cummins and every time I was going to get one, I never did for one reason or another, normally money. I bought the Tundra new in 02, access cab, 4x4, auto, TRD. Nothing special and the vehicle has been OK. My biggest gripe is for the mileage the chassis is really rusty and has become somewhat of an orphan as far as the aftermarket and don't like the suicide doors, and the electric transfer case and weak front end. So I started looking at 3rd gen Dodge Rams with a 5.9 after I talked myself out of a Land Cruiser. I would prefer a 6 speed with a manual transfer case, which is kind of rare in the Northeast, but can be found. I also saw a couple Mega cabs that are nice, but probably more truck than I need. I have absolutely no interest in a 6.7 and am thinking it will not be much longer, one can easily pick up a clean 5.9. I am probably rambling at this point, but was wondering what people's thoughts are.

Thanks in advance
-Doc

 

[Rockcrawler]

Sounds like a great combination to me... I have an 04 Quad Cab with the 6spd and a Cummins. I ended up with the electric shift transfer case though as it was all I could find with the manual transmission at the time. The truck in general has been trouble free for 70k miles. The only issue I've ever had has been some death wobble... but that is mostly self induced by the aftermarket suspension, larger tires and offroad use/wear.

 

[TRACTION]

Go for it. Love my 07 5.9 quad cab shortbed. The turning radius is very reasonable too in the back country.

 

[Doc Mayhem]

What kind of mileage do you get with the auto and how has it held up? Either way the Cummins is tough on the clutch of the manual or the auto/torque converter. Autos are way more common around here, but I really want a manual. I figure either way it will need a clutch or a tranny/converter at some point.

 

[cocco78]

The 3rd gens are pretty nice trucks with only a few minor issues that I can see, if you stick with the 5.9 pre-07 that is. They have weak factory ball joints and track bars on the front axle. I had an 08 2500 at work, crew cab long bed 4x4, 6.7L auto and it was a great truck. I put 110k miles on it in just over a year, worked hard pulling trailers and plowing snow. The only issues we had not motor related were the ball joints going out at about 80k miles. I also don't like the bushings in the control arms are so soft that you get alot of front axle wheel hop if your trying to find traction off road.

Things I would do to beef it up. Aftermarket track bar, Moog ball-joints, aftermarket control arms with cartridge type joints, good quality shocks, and hydro assist steering. This is a big heavy truck and i believe the power steering is a bit underpowered when you are stopped or slow speeds. But 315's are a nice fit stock...

 

[Regcabguy]

Yeah!

Go for it! I special ordered the last of the '07 5.9's w/6 speed and manual transfercase. Aftermarket upgrades are out there to bombproof the suspension and clutch when(not if) needed. They ride great offroad with the coil suspension and braking is strong. My last tank of fuel yielded 15.6 mpg with a 2000# Northstar popup on my back in mixed driving. Two of the best suspension gurus are Sage Carli@ www.thecarlisuspension.com and Don Thuren @www.thurenfabrication.com. Be patient. Have your financing or cash in order and keep combing the forums and Craigslist.

 

[angusdevil]

I have an 05 2500 auto with a 5.9. I love having the manual t-case and that makes all the world of difference here in AZ. No need to stay in 4 hi all the time. If you're going to take it offroad, just as regcabguy said, talk with Carli and Thuren... anything else will just disappoint you.

Honestly, I don't pay attention to milage. I know it doesn't suck but its not super fantastic either. I bought a truck, not a hybrid. 37's don't help it much either but man do I love the ground clearnace.

The suspension is all easily fixable and you can get away with running the stock BJ's for now. I highly recommend getting the 08+ steering. It's amazing how much tighter it makes the steering. A PSC steering brace is another good addition.

 

[chris_the_wrench]

I have a pretty much stock '06 reg cab long bed auto. The front end needs some addressing as do the stock shocks, but my piggybank is slowly filling up and will be getting some Kings this summer. With my 2300lb lance camper(big wind resistance) I get 14.6-14.8 driving all around the hilly west coast, empty I get just about 20.

Good luck!
-Chris

What kind of mileage do you get with the auto and how has it held up? Either way the Cummins is tough on the clutch of the manual or the auto/torque converter. Autos are way more common around here, but I really want a manual. I figure either way it will need a clutch or a tranny/converter at some point.

 

[redthies]

I had an 03 Tundra same as yours but with a 6" RCD kit and front and rear ARB lockers. I also owned an 05 3500 Crew shortbox Cummins with 2" leveling and 35s. To do it again? The Dodge. No question. The Tundra rode beautifully and had enough power, but you drive the Dodge and feel soooo solid, and the power is pretty sweet even stock! My step dad bought a clean 05 2500 Cummins last year and as he is 80, will probably stop towing some day soon. I have already called dibbs on his truck. I also don't want a 6.7...

 

[GTABurnout]

another Tundra looking to convert over to a Dodge. I have a 4 door 04 Tundra I like it but I want/need a diesel. I hate towing at 75 and getting 10mpg. I will be looking for a 5.9 auto crew cab after tax return gets here and the Tundra sells.

What are common thing to watch for in used trucks. Also what is the diffrences from 04 to 04.5+

 

[jpzeroday@hotmail.com]

I had a similar thought process. Just bought a 2006 3500 DRW 4x4 Laramie. Less than 26K miles original, one owner.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have a pretty much stock '06 reg cab long bed auto. The front end needs some addressing as do the stock shocks, but my piggybank is slowly filling up and will be getting some Kings this summer. With my 2300lb lance camper(big wind resistance) I get 14.6-14.8 driving all around the hilly west coast, empty I get just about 20.

Good luck!
-Chris

Don's got a super deal on King's on his website. He specially valves the shocks for you. I got his dysko bumpstops also. Just returned from wheeling in Anza Borrego and the truck handles amazing being it's @ 9,000# with the wife and I. You're getting amazing mileage with that camper. Stock tires? Give Don a call. Real friendly, knowledgeable guy and he drives what he fabricates for.

 

[Regcabguy]

Dodge CTD's

another Tundra looking to convert over to a Dodge. I have a 4 door 04 Tundra I like it but I want/need a diesel. I hate towing at 75 and getting 10mpg. I will be looking for a 5.9 auto crew cab after tax return gets here and the Tundra sells.

What are common thing to watch for in used trucks. Also what is the diffrences from 04 to 04.5+

'03-'04 is cat-free in the HO format. I'd just be patient and scan the Dodge forums looking for a good private party truck. A gardener in my neighborhood scored an '03 3500 qc longbed CTD,low mileage,manual tranny in LA at a small lot. Turns out it was a seized vehicle smuggling pot into the US!:sombrero: Still smelled like mota when he took possession. I'd look for the manual tranny for simplicity and no heat issues offroading at low speed.

 

[chris_the_wrench]

Don's got a super deal on King's on his website. He specially valves the shocks for you. I got his dysko bumpstops also. Just returned from wheeling in Anza Borrego and the truck handles amazing being it's @ 9,000# with the wife and I. You're getting amazing mileage with that camper. Stock tires? Give Don a call. Real friendly, knowledgeable guy and he drives what he fabricates for.

I don't drive with a heavy right foot, and yes I'm running the stock tires for now. This summer I'm planning on doing the Thuren Kings, Springs, and probably the bumpstops. I'm also planning on pulling out the firestone airbags and replacing them with the Carli long travel bags. Then by fall I'll need some new tires, and will go slightly larger, 34ish.

It looks like his shock towers come with the kings, is that correct? And will I need to change out swaybar endlinks when I goto the longer springs? Are you guys running limiting straps? Which valving on the kings did he set you up with?

I'm heading to Joshua Tree tonight, and can hardly wait!

Thanks
-Chris

 

[milo12]

Yes the shocktowers come with the Kings. Don valved my kings with 2 on the front and 1 on the rear. I do not jump my truck or do crazy offroad racing. If you do you will want more aggressive valving. No need for the bumpstops or limiting straps either unless you jump and race the truck. If you drive aggressive enough to need bumpstops or limiting straps you need to truss the front axle or it will fail.

If you are going with Kings you will want the longer front springs which you really want anyway. They ride great and level the truck stance. With the longer springs you need longer swaybar endlinks or they will get bent. I recommend ditching the stock sway bar and getting the Carli swaybar. It drives better and allows more articulation.

FYI, On a stock empty truck the front axle is loaded to within 700 lbs of the gross weight rating for the axle. They do not survive abuse very long.