Best years for cummins?
 

I am just curious for different opinions on what model year had the least issues.. Is the 12 valve more bullet-proof than the 24 valves? 5.9 or 6.7?

Have heard the early 24 valves (98.5+) had issues with injection pumps and things..Is this common? Looking for a nice older truck for under say $10-12k that can be moderately modded and will tow well.

Nobody has any sort of input as to the different issues with the different model years?

I cannot comment on specific issues for various years... however I was considering a similar issue less than a year ago.

I went with a pre-DPF 5.9 Common Rail engine. It had fewer miles on it than anything else I would consider. The truck it comes with is descent as well. Newer technology, more comfortable.

Every engine will have issues, every truck will have issues.

I certainly agree with you that every vehicle will have issues at some point..But working at a parts store, I have to disagree in a sense - there are some vehicles that are just prone to some issues (either by design flaw or whatever else), like cavaliers and their muffler straps for example (although a rather small replacement).

Surely each of the generations have their own problems. But I'd rather have smaller/less expensive/easier common issues than the other way around. Just curious as to what kind of common issues they all had.

What year did they start enforcing DPF's strictly?

2007.5 they pushed the DPF's into enforcement. That's when the 6.7's came into service as well.

I think what you'll find with the CTD, is that they are very reliable engines as most people here will attest to. HOWEVER, there is 1 abundantly apparent shortcoming to the truck...

1) The transmission
- The tranny in the 3rd Gens are a common complaint, however it seems to be a common complaint more to diesels, across brands, rather than a Dodge issue. It seems the 4th Gens are getting descent reviews on the new transmissions... This is all 3rd hand information, I only have a 3rd Gen Dodge. No experience with a 4th. On this note, people who have refrained from over-extending the performance of the 3rd Gens using programmers or the like, seem to be quite happy overall (as I am).

Bone stock 48re is ok, lots of room for upgrades.
The 68rfe is a better trans out of the box, holds up to plenty of abuse (but not stupidity), but it comes coupled with a bunch of stupid emissions crap.

i my self like the 98.5-2007 with the 5.9L.. But out of that like 03-07 5.9s the best but still like the 98.5-02s