Upgrade 2nd gen cummins to an 03?

[montrose818]

I have about 14k into my 2nd gen manual 3500, thats with everything like an HD steering box, new tires, brakes. But its still an beat up, sloppy steering, rattly, but reliable truck.

Would going to a truck like this be a good idea, an upgrade?

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/...006880786.html

I read decent feedback on 03s, just not sure if a 12 valve is a "must keep forever" or "its time to let it go" category..

[Seabass]

I'll give you 5 bucks. What ever you do don't post the year of your truck.

[montrose818]

Originally Posted by Seabass

I'll give you 5 bucks. What ever you do don't post the year of your truck.

2nd gen 12v is only a couple years, but its a 97

[rockbuggy84]

Kind of off subject, but why does the brodozer community refer to these trucks as “1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th gen, etc cummins”?

There have been multiple significant changes through each generation and there has never been a “cummins” truck.

[montrose818]

Originally Posted by rockbuggy84

Kind of off subject, but why does the brodozer community refer to these trucks as “1st, 2nd, 3rd, 12th gen, etc cummins”?

There have been multiple significant changes through each generation and there has never been a “cummins” truck.

2nd gen diesel cummins same thinf?

[primate60]

Pics of the your 12 valve? Miles? 4x4? DRW?

[Mattafact]

Skip 3rd and go to 4th. Not enough improvement in drivability and ride quality. DEF is your friend.

[PROJECTJUNKIE]

I see 400k mile 12v and 24v trucks all the time, and 140k 03-06 trucks on their 2nd engine being dumped, every common rail truck has new injectors at 120k, and a reoccurring theme of a 2500 long bed crew 2wd in a rural area with a dead hole and the 6 speed in pieces in a milk crate, with 200k. Probably 200k of pulling a stock trailer, but still, cashed out. 3rd gen seems to have way shittier interior too.

I have no interest in a 3rd gen

Make yours nice, or ford swap your drive train, or cash in and buy a 6.2 gas f250

[DT75FLH]

i have a couple of friends with 3rd gens, both over 200k on stock injectors, (both had the trans done around 100k to 120k ). one has 240k all stock, and does the scheduled maint.

so not tuned, and not bro drivers they can last..the dash on the other hand does not both are cracked...and 2 other guys with v10 rams were cracked also

[montrose818]

Originally Posted by primate60

Pics of the your 12 valve? Miles? 4x4? DRW?

I'll post some, but its not exactly my pride and joy. Yes 4x4 DRW 270k


Well thanks, I guess that answers my question

[Black Sheep]

It's an upgrade in every way.

For everyone saying "I know somebody who knows somebody who lost and injector, trans, etc at 100k" ... there 10x more who are silent and ran a stock truck to 200k and did nothing but change fluids.

[primate60]

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

It's an upgrade in every way.

I wouldn't consider DRW to SRW an upgrade.

[Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by primate60

I wouldn't consider DRW to SRW an upgrade.

I was speaking on behalf of the platform. Could be a moot point depending on use.

[montrose818]

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

I was speaking on behalf of the platform. Could be a moot point depending on use.

drw srw not really a big concern, i got a couple dt466 trucks if i really need to tow

Since i DD the truck often, it doesnt really matter drw or srw

but reliability is important. I hate reading all the powerstroke injector comments, and prefer not to be in that boay

[Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by montrose818

drw srw not really a big concern, i got a couple dt466 trucks if i really need to tow

Since i DD the truck often, it doesnt really matter drw or srw

but reliability is important. I hate reading all the powerstroke injector comments, and prefer not to be in that boay

I've owned 4 3rd gen 5.9s. All close to 200k, still tow regularly with one at 200k and 240k. Never touched the engines besides a $40 water pump.

That injector talk is he said she said internet folklore. Or idiots turning their bag of chips to eleven. Its blown of of proportion.

Both the nv5600 and g56 need to be overfilled by a quart through the shift tower. The dual mass g56 flywheel is a piece of shit and by now shouldve been replaced. The 48re need the bands adjusted. The 03-04.5 engines have less emissions bs and more comfortable seats, but shitty dashes. The 04.5-07 has goofy cams and cats, but that wont cause an issue, dash wont crack. The hvac sucks and needs all blend door replaced with metal ones to the tune of $300.

I've never touched an AAM unit bearing. Ball joints 200-220k. Steering joints back and forth depending on use. Ujoint as well. Solid tow rigs.

[Talon2006]

I have a second gen that hasn’t been too reliable and want to upgrade it...

Then I look at new/used diesel prices we realize I dont want to be in debt for 6 years...

[Gunwalls_Buckthorne]

Originally Posted by PROJECTJUNKIE

I see 400k mile 12v and 24v trucks all the time, and 140k 03-06 trucks on their 2nd engine being dumped, every common rail truck has new injectors at 120k, and a reoccurring theme of a 2500 long bed crew 2wd in a rural area with a dead hole and the 6 speed in pieces in a milk crate, with 200k. Probably 200k of pulling a stock trailer, but still, cashed out. 3rd gen seems to have way shittier interior too.

I have no interest in a 3rd gen

Make yours nice, or ford swap your drive train, or cash in and buy a 6.2 gas f250

This is not accurate. Third gens are fine. Get a clean one, update the lift pump and drive it.

[PROJECTJUNKIE]

Originally Posted by Gunwalls_Buckthorne

This is not accurate. Third gens are fine. Get a clean one, update the lift pump and drive it.

Which part is inaccurate? My 04 gas truck with 70k miles has a shitty interior and uncomfortable seats. I talk to people about their trucks, I don't bother with bro dozers, I hear a lot about scattered engines, injector after injector, I search classifieds, I've bought 15-20 diesel trucks in the last 15 years, I've seen enough strong running high mile 24 valve trucks, and scattered low mile common rail trucks that you cannot convince me that the average life span is in the same ball park. I'm sure there are examples of strong high mile 3rd gen dodges, but for everyone of those there's 20 behind a barn, in the repo yard with the head in the back seat, or just had 6k in work done to it and they are hurrying up to sell it before it breaks again.

[Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by PROJECTJUNKIE

Which part is inaccurate? My 04 gas truck with 70k miles has a shitty interior and uncomfortable seats. I talk to people about their trucks, I don't bother with bro dozers, I hear a lot about scattered engines, injector after injector, I search classifieds, I've bought 15-20 diesel trucks in the last 15 years, I've seen enough strong running high mile 24 valve trucks, and scattered low mile common rail trucks that you cannot convince me that the average life span is in the same ball park. I'm sure there are examples of strong high mile 3rd gen dodges, but for everyone of those there's 20 behind a barn, in the repo yard with the head in the back seat, or just had 6k in work done to it and they are hurrying up to sell it before it breaks again.

That's your opinion, nothing factual or first hand knowledge with CR 5.9s. Just "I talk to people".

[DE Jeeper]

Well starve vp44 for 30 seconds and it cost u 5k. There r issues with each generation. Some need to be addressed like going to a 3 micron fuel filter. My first set of injectors lasted 120k on a factory 10 micron. Second set went 200k on 3 micron and i think thats a perfectly reasonable service life. The issue with the heads is some drop seats. Not sure what percentage it is but seems to happen more on aftermarket big turbo trucks.

The third gens are quiter, ride better, have more available power, but are more expensive to fix. Those are fact.

I have 360k on a third gen and its much more enjoyable to drive then my 2nd gen was. Thats my opinion.

[PROJECTJUNKIE]

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

That's your opinion, nothing factual or first hand knowledge with CR 5.9s. Just "I talk to people".

Well, if I've been seeing all these sharp CR trucks running around, thinking it'd be nice to have one, and I turn to my right, and ask my trusted co worker, a fellow diesel mechanic, how he likes his, and he responds that he loves it, other than it had a failed injector and a washed cylinder at 120k miles. I don't know if I'd need to actually have paid the bill with my first hand to have any better knowledge of that particular situation, now multiply that over a dozen or so conversations with a dozen or so owners.

I own a 3rd gen gas truck, it was a wreck I rebuilt, I've driven it, sat in the seats, I've had parts and pieces of the interior out, compared to my 2nd gen trucks, the early 3rd gen interior quality is shit, first hand.

I've seen enough of a trend, watching closely, that I'm not spending my money on them, I'm buying 1st and 2nd gen dodges, 7.3 psds and an lly duramax, with my money, 1st hand

[montrose818]

sounds like a 12v third gen is the answer

[crashnzuk]

Aren't there guys piecing together p-pumped 24v headed common rail 5.9 and 6.7 engines? Seems like that would be a solid performer. On the other hand, I like my 4th gen in it's stock configuration. It works way better than any other older truck I've had or used. I recall using my dads 01 24 valve 4x4 for the first time thinking "this is way better than my 91 in every way, it rides so nice, what a nice truck". Then, after I had my 15 for a while and then used my dad's truck I thought, "this truck is really a rough riding and uncomfortable turd". It's perspective I guess, but the new trucks really are nice. They do everything better than the older ones. I put 90k on my 15 in less than 4 years, only problem I had was the left rear wheel seal started to leak. I liked it enough to get a new 18 so I could get the newest manual trans truck I could before they were gone.
Travis..

[Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by crashnzuk

Aren't there guys piecing together p-pumped 24v headed common rail 5.9 and 6.7 engines? Seems like that would be a solid performer. On the other hand, I like my 4th gen in it's stock configuration. It works way better than any other older truck I've had or used. I recall using my dads 01 24 valve 4x4 for the first time thinking "this is way better than my 91 in every way, it rides so nice, what a nice truck". Then, after I had my 15 for a while and then used my dad's truck I thought, "this truck is really a rough riding and uncomfortable turd". It's perspective I guess, but the new trucks really are nice. They do everything better than the older ones. I put 90k on my 15 in less than 4 years, only problem I had was the left rear wheel seal started to leak. I liked it enough to get a new 18 so I could get the newest manual trans truck I could before they were gone.
Travis..

I once had a 6.7L come in with a bad rod bearing at 20k. They're all junk, Ive never owned one, my friend said so.

Replace the 6.7L water pump with a 5.9L with the weep hole. I saw way too many were the bearing would go, throw the belt, then take out the $400+ fan clutch and leave you stranded.

[PROJECTJUNKIE]

Some of y'all get pissy when someone's opinion doesn't match yours.

Since we're at it, I bought an extremely clean, but very rolled over 95 4wd dodge at auction, used the engine tranny and t case to build my f350 and parted out the rest. Being a clean truck, I had lots of interest in the rest of the pieces. 2 of the buyers I'd met, each had both a 2nd gen and a 3rd gen truck, both were unloading the 3rd gen truck, one lemmon law, one just wanting rid of it, both were basically restoring the 2nd gen to keep it in service.

I've had enough 1st hand conversations like that that I keep them at arms length. About '14 or '15, maybe a little earlier, they seemed to really be sorted out. I'm watching them, maybe I'll consider picking one up in a few years. And I'll come in here and ask for opinions