I am currently in a position to which I can finally buy my first Cummins! I do not know a whole lot about the differences in the years and I am wondering on what would be good...the truck will be used to ranch with but I would like to be able to tune it up and have a really bad truck...looking for years between 03-07. What are your suggestions for what year to get? Thanks

 

06/07 EFI TUNING<<<< Best>>>>
04.5/05 Newer style injectors 325hp Runner up
03/04 old style 305hp other hp ratings available don't remember Last Choice

 

I'm new here. Last summer i bought my first diesel- 2003 Ram 3500 with 220,000 miles and badly abused.

I did a lot of reading about my truck. It was 2003 Truck of the Year (motor trend, i think)

There were a lot of improvements in that year. First year of the full crew cab, suspension upgrades, etc.

I really love this truck. I cannot imagine what more power and comfort would look like. It goes like stink (unmodified) Quiet and comfortable for family trips (with the dog)

I think I read about changes in subsequent years that were not as good. More emission stuff etc.

People get religious about engines so take this with a grain of salt but I heard people say the 6.7 was necessary to make up for the power lost to emissions on the 5.9 So 2003 might have been as good as the 5.9 got.

 

if you want my honest opinion, as a common rail owner. id kill to get my hands on a 01-02 HO. Simply because you get the nv5600, still get your tuning option being electronic. But they are so much cheaper to work and play with all around. If you wanted to you could make any 2nd gen run better than any 3rd gen for a fraction of the money.

 

The NV5600 is available until midyear '05. I prefer my G-56 for the precise gates and easier shifting. Braking,handling,hydroformed stiff frame and generally less driver fatigue with the 3rds. I do miss the seats on my '98.5 though.

 

The g56 is good but my buddy grenaded his and he said it was hard to find any parts for them but I may be wrong tho

 

The parts are readily available through MOPAR for a mere fortune.
NV5600 parts are manufactured in house by Blumenthal's the contact person there told me.
I drove an '05 G-56 last week. It had 237K,SBC clutch and was quieter than mine(70 K). Smarty Jr and he tows a horse trailer nationwide.
An iron cased G-56 would be the ultimate for me. Standard Trans pondered casting replacement cases for the G-56 but bailed.

 

Thats my point and tbh between the besides where reverse is by 5th. i like the nv5600 more. but it is a pick your poison kinda thing

 

Sure thing. If I was stuck in sand or mud and had to rock the truck I'd want reverse and 1st/2nd next to one another and not across the street.
As far as the ability to hold gobs of power the 5600 wins hands down and is certainly quieter with a smf clutch. Daimler wanted to sell Mercedes trans or we'd still be using the 5600 which would be fine with me too.

 

I just banging gears and since the gears are like a ***** hair apart you find reverse instead of 5th easy