Best years to look for?
 

Well my 98 second gen got totalled out in a recent wreck with a dui driver and i got a good offer from his company at 12660 when the truck only books for 7 and i bought for 9 so i think i might take it and i'm thinking about getting into a 3rd gen....as far as best models to get? i have heard the best to get are 03 and 04. but figured i'd ask y'all since you guys know alot more than i do about them :tu:

what year?
 

Well this should bring many opinions. I had a 2001.5 with a '53' block that I traded this summer for a 2004.5 dually that I'm very pleased with. From what appears on this and other Dodge forums I watch the 5.9 24 valve cr engines seem to be pretty good except because of the multy pulse injectors they require really clean fuel and the injectors can be costly. I personally think the 5.9 24 valve engines are basically good but the early ones, before common rail, have a weak spot with the '53' blocks and the VP44 injection pumps are problematic so for me I would stick with the 5.9 cr.

03-07 5.9 that has been takin care of you'll be pleased

well is there anything that really sets the years apart? like i've said i've heard 03 and 04 but i don't know exactly much about them. the one i just saw online is a 03 4 door short box with 142xxx on it and looks really clean. is there anything to be looking out for on these to worry about?

different year CRs
 

03 & 04 are pretty much the same except auto trans is 47RE part of 03 then switches to 48RE. In 2004.5 engines went from 305hp & 550flb to 325hp & 610flb. To get the increased power they went from a two pulse injection to three pulse I believe. The multy pulse really quieted the engine down and bumped power up but if you loose an injector they cost ''a bit'' more than the old single pulse. The 48RE is supposed to be better than the old 47RE but is very similar. In 2005 the 48RE was tweeked again electronically and again in 2006 and stayed the same until it too was replaced in late 2007 I think. If I have misstated I'm sure others more knowing will make that clear and straighten me out. Hope that helps, Gerry

06/07 then you have efi live!!!!

i'm no expert but i'm pretty sure i just saw recently 05 or 06 and up 5.9 just got efi live too

Good info already posted. Here's some additional.
03-04.5- just a bit smaller turbo (HE 341 vs HE 351) and 3 1/2" exhaust (unless HO). Some, mainly CA spec'd, have cats. HE 341 turbo is mechanically controlled boost. Early 03 auto's still used 47RE's as well as a 10.5" rear end vs 11.5". Used a canister mounted lift pump, still available thru NAPA as well as aftermarket. Although a little down on hp, still same overall hp potential. Door seals a little lacking as well but can be cured w/ additional good foam weather stripping.
04.5-early 07- All use HE 351 turbo, electronically controlled boost. Full 4" turbo back exhaust including cat. HO dropped as all rated at 325 hp. Auto's are the 48RE. Most of the door sealing issues kind of fixed. Dash design changed for 05. Lift pump moved to in tank.
3rd gen's in general: Front hub assembly's (2wd or 4wd) are replaced as a unit. Can get spendy ($300++ ea). Bunch more interior room and a lot quieter than gen 2's. A lot easier to get good performance #'s w/ minor "tweeks" and programming. Honest 400 hp + w/ just programming proven. Good mpg's but probably not as good as gen 2's. No worries running out of fuel of dropping lift pump pressure, CP 3 pump will survive just fine. EFI Live at this moment only 06/ early 07. Manual vs auto: your choice, both are stuppid expensive to beef up. Some issues w/ A/C- heat blend door. Parts wise about a $100 fix. VERY labor intensive.
Power seat motors tend to fail pretty quick. Through dealer, gotta buy whole seat base ($300 +). Two of the 3 motors are available aftermarket (less than $100 ea).