yes I know , its all about how you take care of a truck but I'm asking for a general consensus. long story short my 2nd ten was trashed when I had to leave it with someone when I went out of town for work for a month. he ran it dry of oil and ran it out of gas hauling sheet rock. he didn't tell me until a fews weeks after getting back and 3 blunts.

I was trying to look for the source of a clacking sound , I still can't figure out if its the flex plate or a spun bearing but after seeing I have a bad exhaust leak , cracked heads and my plenum is probably blown I just don't think I can depend on her as a daily anymore. I don't have room for two trucks either so im looking for a newer one.

I was gonna originally get a 1999-2004 f250 with a v10 because I love the power and the way they look and ride. however , I love my light duty dodges , unlike the f150 they don't feel like a car or a generic truck that appeals to the masses. does it compare to an f250 ? imo no but I don't need a 3/4 ton ford i just want one. rams always felt like a mans truck to me all across the board. not trying to come off as arrogant or overly macho but its true.

anyway I found a decent deal on a 2006 big horn with 5.7 and 4x4 with only 137k on the clock for 8k. Im thinking if I can talk him down to 7k or so I should buy it. thing is im not too terribly familiar with the common problems on third gens.

I know the first few years like the 02 03 and 04 supposedly had weak trannys even though they where redesigned. I read that in 05+ the trannys got a lot better. I also read that the 4.7 has a lot of problems with spark plugs and such. do these problems still apply to the 5.7 ? where these kinked out after a certain year ?

I also read that the front ends go through suspension parts like crazy and are much weaker than the SFA system in the 2nd gens.

thanks for any info guys. the ford forum is actually the complete opposite and unhelpful. I was looking at a f250 the other night and noticed slight valve train noise at idle under the truck so I posted a video and asked and got 0 responses :/.

 

You should've said 06+, while both 3rd gens the 05 and 06 are quite different. Frames are different, 4x4 front suspension is different (struts instead of torsion bars), interior design is quite different to coincide with the upgrade to CAN bus. The only IFS issues I've heard of is when people lift them. Stock height they seem fine. 02-13 RFE's are all pretty much the same. If you leave it stock & take care of it it'll last forever. You ramp up the power and the RFE doesn't like it. 4.7's don't have spark plug issues (where'd you read that?), they have sludge and dropped valve seat issues. Early 5.7's had a few valve seat and valvespring issues, pretty well worked out after a coupla years. Honestly you might wanna look at some early 4th gens in that price range with mileage. Better suspension, more power and helluva lot more comfortable. Otherwise, like I said, leave it stock and maintain it and it'll last.

 

The truck you're describing is stupidly overpriced, especially with close to 140k miles on the odometer. I agree with Magnoom, try also browsing a few newer trucks. I've been searching around for possibly buying a new truck, and that truck you described is not worth $8k, maybe $7k tops and I think even that is a stretch. I've seen 2006s going for $8k with less than 120k miles. The only times that I see this generation's trucks having issues is when people do stupid things to them and they do not take proper care of them (missing oil changes, beating on them while not warmed up, not putting correct parts, etc.). You should be able to get a good deal right now on a vehicle considering the market is shaken up from the coronavirus.

 

I've had two gen 3 Ram 1500s. My first was an 05 Hemi 4x4 that I sold with 186k miles. I missed it and got a 2008 Big Horn Hemi 2wd with anti-spin rear end. Both have been exceptionally reliable. I've done the regular maintenance myself and have never had either in the shop. I recommend that you get the anti-spin/limited slip rear end, it makes a huge difference.

 

not in my area but I live in Southern California so maybe that's why. it turned out the guy lied in the ad , I asked him if its a 5.7 where's the Hemi badge and he admitted its a 4.7 so I don't even want it.

around here unless there's 170-180k on the truck , its a lot of money for a third gen with 4x4 , even 2wd hemis go for a lot because people think their 6 inch lift and 38s add more value.

I don't want a truck with that big of a lift , a prefer a smaller lift with 33s. 35s are okay but I dunno how much you'd have to lift to clear them.

 

I love my 3rd gen. Granted, its an 04. But in the 7 years and 40k miles of ownership i've never had any major issues. I've also heard the transmissions are weak but i've towed tractors all over California with it and never had any issues with the trans slipping or giving out. It's also leveled and was on 33's and have never had a ball joint or tie rod end give me any problems (I hope I didn't just jinx myself).

As stated before though if you just maintain it and treat them nicely the 3rd gen trucks are great.

 

My 08 has been a great truck so far. 105k and counting.

 

As a tech who sees dodges on the regular....here’s some things I found to be common...

window regulators, blower motor resisters, common rear wheel well arch rust, cab corner/rocker panal rust(I live in Maine, lots of rust) speed sensors, governor pressure sensor and transducer (on 45,46,47,48re transmissions) early 5.7 hemis 03-05 I’ve seen quite a few lose oil pumps and kill engine, any 4.7 I’d just stay away from (just my opinion). The 9 1/4 rear ends with anti slip have problems with the clips wearing esssentially wrecking the clutches....

I love my 02 5.9l (last year of the 360) 4x4 quad cab long bed, it has 285/75/17 tires, anti slip rear end. I bought last year for $1700 and it had 128k miles. It has 140k now and last week was the first time I actually did any work to it. Always runs great, never had dash lights on (until last week but fixed all issues) I took it camping this week and beat the snot out of it on back roads and such, she loved it, and after doing all the work I did she averaged 12.6 mpgs out of 3 tanks of fuel.

 

Incorrect, 360 lasted til mid year 2003

 

Well then....I’m just going by my pro demand program, when you select 03 it only gives 4.7, 5.7, and 5.9 diesel for engine options