Dodge Ram 5.7 Power Wagon questions
- Thread starter redthies
- Start date
2025 deleted member
Well-known member
I’ve never thought much of these dodges but at those prices I might look around myself. Dang trucks are so expensive now
DirtWhiskey
Western Dirt Rat
Been watching out for a 2013 specifically as well. I've owned a few 5.7's before. I think they pretty much figured out the valve problems by 09. Yes they eat exhaust bolts but I have never seen a V8 gas engine that doesn't. I think the main advantage of the third gen is they have a very tight turning radius. Anybody know what the radius is like in the 2013 tweener year?
SSF556
SE Expedition Society
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Well, I answered the question on Thursday evening. At $4,900 I just couldn’t say no to the ‘05. It is in amazing condition mechanically,, and body and interior are also super clean, with the exception of some of the typical rocker panel rust, which is a super easy fix, and the console lid is toast. $59 has a new one of those on the way. I took it up the mountain yesterday and there is literally not one squeak, rattle or clunk at high speed on rough forestry roads. Crazy for a truck this old! 5 brand new 35” Nitto MTs were a bonus.
Aside from the console lid I’ve also ordered a new winch rope and fairlead.
The combo of 5.7 engine, 4.56 gears and 35s is perfect. I cruised a while at 60-65 mph on flat highway and hand calculated got 14 mpg. Thats as good as my Tundra ever got, so I’ll live with it.
Aside from the console lid I’ve also ordered a new winch rope and fairlead.
The combo of 5.7 engine, 4.56 gears and 35s is perfect. I cruised a while at 60-65 mph on flat highway and hand calculated got 14 mpg. Thats as good as my Tundra ever got, so I’ll live with it.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Thanks Westy. I forgot how much better the visibility is in a 3rd gen. The shape of the hood is far better for forward sightlines than the 4th gens.
STREGA
Explorer
Well, I answered the question on Thursday evening. At $4,900 I just couldn’t say no to the ‘05. It is in amazing condition mechanically,, and body and interior are also super clean, with the exception of some of the typical rocker panel rust, which is a super easy fix, and the console lid is toast. $59 has a new one of those on the way. I took it up the mountain yesterday and there is literally not one squeak, rattle or clunk at high speed on rough forestry roads. Crazy for a truck this old! 5 brand new 35” Nitto MTs were a bonus.
Aside from the console lid I’ve also ordered a new winch rope and fairlead.
The combo of 5.7 engine, 4.56 gears and 35s is perfect. I cruised a while at 60-65 mph on flat highway and hand calculated got 14 mpg. Thats as good as my Tundra ever got, so I’ll live with it.
Nice score there, I was pulling for the ‘05 over the’13.
I bought a ‘05 PW new myself. I had been looking for a truck to replace the 4x4 Chevy van l had. I stopped at the local Ram dealer just to look at what they had sitting on their lot and they had just put out this flame red PW. It was love
at first sight, it blew me away with all the cool things it came with stock a total game changer in the truck market. After a test drive I bought it. Wish I still had it but needs change and…..
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
Yeah, I bought an ‘05 new as well, (this is my 3rd ‘05 now) but was looking for a diesel at the time so drove away in a 3500 Cummins QCSB. I went home from the dealer, loaded up the wife, dogs and surfboards and we drove from Whistler BC to Phoenix, bought a pop-up camper, strapped it down, threw a new battery in it and disappeared into Mexico for a while. My god, we didn’t even have solar, let alone a bank of LiFePo batteries and a wifi booster. I’m not sure how we managed to survive! 
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
I have two 3rd Gen Rams. One 2006 1500 Laramie Mega-Cab 4WD Hemi and a 2008 SLT 4WD Hemi. 2006 is a 213K miles. 2008 is at 190K miles. Both are still nice trucks. I drive the 2006 while the 2008 is my wife's truck she had to have. Neither are daily drivers. Both original drivetrains that run good with NO Hemi tick, valve issues or any other problems!
Having said all that the 4 Gen trucks with the next generation Hemi engine drivetrain is significantly better in many ways that you can google. Power, design and other upgrades.
I personally think it's all about service and maintenance to keep any vehicle running great. That includes all the other stuff besides just an oil change.
I have 2 diesel trucks left and one of them is fixing to leave the building! Considering the performance and capability of late model gas engines, diesel power makes not "Cent's" to me unless you are towing 15K pound trailers on a daily basis!
I would spend the extra money for the 2013. More stuff, less mileage on the replacement crate engine and all the other stuff you listed.
Having said all that the 4 Gen trucks with the next generation Hemi engine drivetrain is significantly better in many ways that you can google. Power, design and other upgrades.
I personally think it's all about service and maintenance to keep any vehicle running great. That includes all the other stuff besides just an oil change.
I have 2 diesel trucks left and one of them is fixing to leave the building! Considering the performance and capability of late model gas engines, diesel power makes not "Cent's" to me unless you are towing 15K pound trailers on a daily basis!
I would spend the extra money for the 2013. More stuff, less mileage on the replacement crate engine and all the other stuff you listed.
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