I'm looking to upgrade to a diesel for pulling our horses and towing the Jeep & trailer. Horse towing would be in the state but towing the jeep & trailer (8500lbs) would be 5hrs to 7hrs depending on what park I go to and possibly traveling to OK or UT in future as well.

I've been looking around and have found a few 05 2500 QC Autos w/ 125K on the clock. I was also searching for manuals but those seem to be harder or fewer to find. If I got one I would probably also see about getting an Extended Warranty as well.

Some info I've gotten so far is replacing injectors and then some with Auto issues as well.

I dont plan on doing any boost launches or sled pulling, mainly just recreation towing for our family and looking for some better MPG when pulling the jeep. With the Hemi on the last couple trips I've gotten only 10MPG

I guess I'm wondering what should I look for when I go so see these trucks are also what should I ask as well.

Any input is greatly appreciated
Chris

 

Jeez, unless your planning on spending a fortune on fuel, get a pre-DPF 5.9 diesel. I pulled 6k with my 1500 HEMI and it was just brutal on fuel. My CTD is upwards of 50% better towing.

Unfortunately, unless you want to void your warranty, you cannot get good mileage out of a 6.7.

 

I'd look for an 03/early 04 with the 235 or 305HO. These get SIGNIFICANTLY better mileage than the 325hp 04.5-07 diesel. I have an 03HO and 07; the 07 absolutely sucks down the fuel compared to the 03. Granted, the 07 is tuned and makes more power, but I've put the same tune I run in my 07 on the 03 and while it's not quit as powerful, it still gets noticeably better mileage.

As for the auto, some do have problems. However, I'd venture that most try some sort of programmer and end up frying it. My stock one lasted well under absolute torture, and I could almost guarantee had I left it stock, I never would have had any issue.

 

What the heck did they do in 05 to screw up the mileage? I'm really curious. I expected better mileage from my truck when I bought it, but am still happy with 18/19 mpg for the beast but I remember my father always bragging about 23+mpg on the old 2nd gens..

 

In 04.5 they added a third injection to the combustion cycle and in-cylinder EGR to meet 50-state emissions. In 03 and 04, they had three different engines for different emissions and power levels. They had the Standard Output that made 235hp and the 305hp High Output. Both of these were only available in, I believe, 42 states. Then they had the California emissions engine at 245hp, and was the sole offering in states such as California and Massachussetts and the other 6 that had stricter emissions requirements.

04.5-07 was one 50-state legal 325hp HO diesel.

 

I thought I heard some say stay away from 03-04's since they had plastic intercooler tanks and were known to be issues with them..... Hmmm now all kinds of confused... LOL

 

05 is the only year that had plastic intercooler ends. And that didn't last long after they started breaking.

There are no issues on an 03/04 that would be any different than any other year. And this mostly centers around fuel system/injectors; run lots of rail pressure and you'll likely crack a tip and melt a piston or two. Likewise with bad fuel or something getting into the system. No major issues with any year 3rd gen that would be a big red flag. These are solid trucks and last a good time.

 

Stay away far away from any diesel truck which was produced to EPA mandated controls.
You will have nothing but trouble that will never end unless you give up the warrenty.

Spend the money to find a 5.9 dodge prior to 2003, it will have a few issues with lift pumps and a transmission fix for the automatics which should have been a recall.

I have had the problems corrected which were Dodge's responsibility.

My 2000 5.9 is a stock horse which gives me 14 MPG pulling my 10,000# fiver and about 20 on the highway when I am not towing.

 

Sorry, but EVERY vehicle is built to EPA standards, since the early 70's. That includes your 2000.

So....I guess I don't know what you're talking about (and you likely don't either). The 6.7 from 07.5+ has some issues, with the DPF and EGR, but up to 07 doesn't.

 

Scappack,

O yes , I know what I am talking about, every engine, gas or diesel had EPA regs. However the point you miss is when the goverment required diesels to attemp to burn crank case gases which started in 2004, passing this crud thru the engine began the problems you folks deal with. There is no filter system provided by your dealer to correct this stupidity until you give up your warrenty or deal with the problems while it is in effect.

The problems you mention with the 6.7 and the 5.9's after 2004 suffer the same problem.
If you own a 6.7, I feel sorry for you!