Hello All,

I am in the market for a used dodge ram with a 5.9L cummins. I was hoping to get a bit of purchase advice from you seasoned folks. Like things to look for that could pose major issues for me in the future. I am currently looking in the 2006/2007 year range, Id like a manual transmission, 4wd, as mentioned with a 5.9L diesel. Ive heard a few horror stories about some kind of cylinder wash out from leaky injectors, what can I test or look for that would indicate this problem? What other common hi dollar problems should i look for? Also I will lift this truck about 5 or 6 inches, what common problems occur from lifting these trucks? What lift kits are recommended and what kits should I avoid? While browsing kits today, I noticed a few long arm kits available for these trucks. Is there any other advantage of using a long arm kit other than more flex? Ive seen a few trucks for sale that have the bully dog kit installed and was wondering how the bully dog system holds up, and how well the truck holds up to the bully dog system? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

leaky injectors can lead to catastrophic engine failure. and they say our vp44 trucks are bad...we only have the possibility of losing an injection pump, not the whole engine...

when rail pressure gets out of whack it can cause the injector tip to crack on the common rail engines causing uncontrollable fueling in the failed injectors cylinder...

there is no real test for it, just see how it runs. if it ever happens its a very expensive fix...costs more than a vp44 injection pump to fix.

bully dog stuff should be fine as long as they have gauges and an aftermarket lift pump to help keep rail pressure up.

 

yes leaky injectors are bad but if you take care of your truck's fuel system by running diesel kleen or outboard 2 stroke oil with every fuel up youll be fine. and the vp44 trucks DO lose the entire motor hence the 53 block problem, or do you not count a split block as a catastrophic engine failure?

 

Again, the block 53 issue comes into the mix. sheesh.

 

53 block issue happens far less than the cracked injector issue..

btw my truck has a 53 block with over 227k miles on it, over 500hp and no cracks...

 

A long arm kit will ride WAY better.

My 99 grand cherokee with a 6.5" long arm kit rode much smoother with 33" mud tires than it did when bone stock will all season tires.

Do some research on the flywheels. I'm not up on the manual transmissions, but iirc they switched from the nv5600 to a g56 6-speed and went to a dual mass flywheel setup, which has been a tragedy for every company that tries it. Conversions to solid flywheels is popular for everything from Rams to VWs.

 

usually when you change/upgrade the clutch, the flywheel comes with the clutch...definitely the case in dual disc clutches like mine because the flywheel has raised edges with slots in them for the center plate to sit in.

 

Also look for excessive blow by by pulling of the oil cap

 

Actually being in the 2nd gen group tons of people have 53's with no problems. Its actually not all that common to crack. Only thing I can add is browse around 3rd gen section on cumminsforum and get familiar with things. Plus its never too early to start learning about them.