03-04 cr get good mpg
04.5-07 HO 610lbs tq, get a lil bit more power but mpg's go down a bit
07.5-11 6.7 650lbs tq, have the newer federal emissions
11.5- now 800lbs of monster torque stock

As with all dodges, the automatics are the weak spots especially when tuned. The 6.7's have a better 6sp automatic and an exhaust brake and VGT. If you go with an auto, id go for the 6.7, manual is good in any year.

 

Thanks man! Appreciate the input. Any inherent issues with any of the specific years?

 

The 6.7s won't get any mileage till you delete them. And deleted, head studs are an immediate recommendation cause they are popping head gaskets fairly easily.

With a 5.9, injector life is about 150k mi. Anything over that is a bonus. Some have gone as quick as 125k ish and others have lasted well over 200k, but most of them are on a second set by 200k. It's $3k for a new set.

A built auto behind a 5.9 is hard to beat, but it's about $7000 to build it for 600-700hp. Manuals are far a few in between.


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Thanks.for the heads up. I didn't realize that the 5.9s had injector issues.

 

New set of injectors, not remans are about 2350. If you do purchase a 5.9 a 2 micron fuel filter set up is recommended. Just replaced my oem injectors at 82k on my 06.

 

Looking for another 3/4 or 1 ton 4wd truck with decent mileage just trying to make up my mind between an auto or a manual and a 5.9 and a 6.7....

 

Glad I found this thread. I'm in the same boat. I've found what I want 2005 2500 4x4 quad cab, 6-spd 8' bed.

My only concern is injectors. Do the '05's have problems after you replace the injectors? and if I put on a 2micron filter should I expect the 2nd injectors to last?

 

Rocket- You should absolutely expect injectors to last if you are running a 2 micron filter set up and good fuel. Im not sure why my first set went bad so quickly because I have only owned the truck since 57k miles. My guess would be a pressure box. Goodluck

 

when i buy the truck is there a way to inspect them? do the 5.9's have symptoms first? or when they go will it destroy other stuff too?

 

Rocket- There are a number of symptoms the truck may suffer from when the injectors are failing/bad. Most common issues is the truck will begin to "make" oil. An injector(s) may leak or be stuck open and cause fuel to seep past the rings and accumulate in the oil. Next, the truck may smoke/haze white or grey upon start up. My truck had both of these symptoms when the injector(s) failed. I never had them tested so I do not know if one or all were at fault.

When buying a truck drive it, ask for service records, ect. If you are driving it at night and it hazes heavy that could also be a symptom of bad injector(s). If you catch these symptons quickly and do not let them go you can expect to solve the problem with new injectors, if not they could lead to major engine failures in short time.

 

Thanks! I'm new to diesel ownership, so I want to make sure I don't end up buying a time bomb

 

Any type of diagnosis as to why the injectors fail? I saw you put something about a pressure box...what about if the vehicle is tuned with just a tuner instead of a pressure box or left stock? Still major injector issues? Just asking because coming from a Duramax I know all about LB7 injector problems and don't want to end up like they do

 

I wouldn't necessarily call it a problem. They just don't have as long of a lifespan as the 2nd gen trucks. Your asking something to hold an avg. 18,000 psi, and fire 2500 times per minute for the life of the truck (these trucks have 3 injection events every combustion stroke). at 100k mi the injectors have fired at least 2.8 BILLION times if the truck was on the road its whole life and spend no time in the city.

Now dirty fuel can cause them to hang open and dump fuel into a cylinder, typically causing a failure and added filtration can help prevent that. Or a pressure box will stress the seals and its ability to close and cause premature failure. If the tuner didn't hop the rail pressure up your probably ok... but if it had a tuner on it, it probably wasn't handled with great care so inspect it carefully

RoadMedic on here is at 700k+ mi and just installed his 3rd set of injectors.

 

I've heard of lots of trucks that haven't changed injectors once past 150k. I owned one. That truck has 220k on it now and is still running on stockers. Lucky I guess! It was an 03 HO I know the spray pattern was different among other things. I know of this other truck that has been a highway truck its whole life, and ran a fuel additive in every tank of fuel. That one is running past 160k now on stockers.

Then again, I've heard of many more that have changed injectors

 

I'm glad I found this thread..I too am looking for an 05-07 5.9 and was wondering what kinds of problems I should be able to preempt on a test drive? I had no idea about the injector issue. Is this fairly common?

 

Ive never had to change injectors but yes they eventually need to be replaced. One thread to look at is about the injector #4 line. Appartently is was a engineering mishap and they rattle loose, come off, etc. Never had that problem either but very common as well.