I know Im in a biased room, but my Dmax has been alot of troubles this past 9 months Ive owned it (head gaskets, wheel bearings, etc), and I LOVE the comfortable interior, but I want better mpg and a better built truck.

SO, do the dodges hold up well? Looking probably 03ish-05ish, or I may get a gen2 24v, I dont want a loud engine like that, but they seem to be very well built. I will tow a 5th wheel trailer, a 21' boat, and do a bunch of freeway cruising. This dmax mileage drops off a cliff after you pass 68mph and I like to go 75-80, dodges the same way?

Opinions on best year, and durability?

Thanks a bunch.

 

I have the 05 and if you go that route, avoid year. I think it's the only year they didn't put an overdrive lockout on it. I just have a tow/haul button. It stinks. From what I've heard the older ones have it and it was put back on in 06. Just FYI if you tow a lot.

You can't beat the engine but the "exterior" seems to go just like any other. Some are luckier than others. I haven't had problems with this one..yet. My 94 (it was getting old) seemed lose something every other month.

You are correct in giving up some comfort. You can beat the chevy ride.
Best of luck.

 

I have had an 05 dodge and an 06 LBZ and to be honest there is really no difference in them quality wise, power in my LBZ is higher, but the both pull well

Mileage will drop in any vehicle if you go past 65mpg, its the laws of physics, wind resistance goes up exponentially the faster you go

I get 22mpg in my 06 with a 365rwhp tune, I couldnt get that from my 05 cummins.. best i got was 20

 

My opinon is your going to have problems with any hd truck like bearings and u-joints its more of your preferance im a mopar guy thru and thru and you cant beat a I-6 and i like the solid front axle and a manual compared to the chevy. But its all personal preference.

 

Brite, 22mpg out of the dmax? this is hand calculated? Thats a freak of nature, most wont touch that, mine gets 17ish hwy going 65mph hand calculated.

I just want something durable and long lasting, and so far GM isnt it..

 

I paid over $1500 in parts for the front end of my Dodge, as well as replaced all u-joints, and front driveshaft, $4000 to replace a stock transmission

havn't spent a penny on any of the drive train on my GM, i replaced the HG's on my truck for $630 and my own labor, and thats it

Yes 22mpg, and yes its Hand Calculated, on the norm i get 18mpg mixed hwy and town with a heavy right foot, but I try to keep my speed below 70mph and that makes all the difference in the world(just so you know that before I tuned my truck I was only getting 13-17mpgs, the tuning made the biggest difference!)

For those that hate on the IFS, I have no issues with mine, 120k miles and no problems, no u-joints, no wheel bearings, no tie-rods, nothing, it has been flawless

IMHO all of them will give you problems, I have nothing against the dodge, I liked mine, but i love how smooth, quiet and powerful, and cheap to keep running this truck has been, and the comfort in the GM is much better, i can drive long distances without sever back pain now

If you hate your GM, switch by all means, I'm just giving my experience, to each their own, You asked and I gave you real world comparisons not hear-say from my cousins cousins friends dad

 

maybe I need to look into a different tuning setup if I keep it. I have a guy coming to look it over sunday again. I love the comfort, but Ive spent a ton on it, I guess I know what I have now eh, if the tranny goes Im lighting it on fire and claiming insurance. haha.

What all done to your rig?

Thanks

 

Redneck straight pipe, Egr blocked, PPE airbox mod, and Efi live with a file from DURAMAXTUNER.COM | Custom Tuned DSP5 ECM's, EFILive and more. Fast, Friendly & Affordable!, 365rwhp(65 over stock) with turbine braking script, that's it

It doesn't smoke like a train, it just goes, and the trans hasn't limped even a little yet, If the trans goes, you can always build it and then you know you have a truck that will take anything you throw at it

 

I dont want the trans to go, they are effin expensive, haha.

 

Trans is the weak link on a Ram but at almost 200k my 99 is still strong and its had a tuner on it at least 4 years! I did a wheel bearing last summer. Was around 250$ super easy to do though. Parts are gonna wear and cost more then a For Focus because its made to pull 13k # at least. Its how you take care of it and treat it. Many have Vp44 issues with 24v trucks BUT there are allot of people who even when tuning it get 200k + from a vp44. I run 2 stroke oil and makes my pump soooo happy!
You can't beat a Cummins for power potential and reliablility. I can't say much for other brands. I like the chevy's they are sharp but I've heard engine nightmares!
Plus my grandpa only buys chevy trucks and has had more and more issues with them latley. Although that's 1/2 ton it still worries me.

Just my 2 cents

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