i say of the truck is a keeper until it dies ( again ) .. i would put in another remanufactured hemi.. maybe even a larger one .. go fresh and new
if course save all your accessories like A/C .. distributor .. power steering etc .. just new engine .. this sucks man and im sorry but look at it from all sides . if you love your truck .. do what i suggested...

 

I def wouldn't pay $5800 for the dealer fix. You can get one hell of a motor for $5800.
Piston separation... What grade gasoline do you use? Usually, that is from repetative detonaton because of how high the ringlands are to the top of the piston. It's likely that the cylinder walls are scored too much for a simple replacement and prob needs to be bored. Your head also prob has some minor damage that needs to be cleaned up as well.
Maybe time for a stroker kit??..lol I'd atleast throw a cam in there while your at it IF it fits the budget?

 

My buddy had the same issue but the stealer screwed him on a tune up first @$450.00 before they told him his piston came apart. I ended up selling him a engine as I work @ LKQ Dominion Auto in Stoney creek Ontario Canada. I sold him a newer style, his truck is a 2005 and I sold him a 2008 he had to just change the intake and it is running AMAZING.

 

i thought the 2005 and 2008 hemi's are the same .. only the 2009 + models are the extra 45 HP with variable timing ??? more info please .

 

05 and 08 would be different, MDS was introduced in 06. Other than that you might also have some wiring issues and i dunno if there was a pcv valve on 05's either.

nateroach

 

They are the same except for the intake and wire harness. It took my buddy and a friend 19hrs to do the swap. The 09 are different topends but the block is the same as I have a 2009 block in my truck thanks to my warranty from dodge as my engine was ticking like a diesel. The difference on the intake is the extra parts for the MDS. Hope this helps and good luck.