Whats the Best Year Dodge 03+

radvans

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Jun 4, 2007
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SoCal
Friend is looking for a truck. He wants a Dodge can't talk him out of it.

What is the best year of the 5.9? He wants an auto.

Thanks.
 

Smokin LB7

New member
Jul 25, 2008
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05+

Below 05 they cracked injectors, and had a 47RE

Or it might be 04.5, but you get the idea
 
Last edited:

z79outlaw

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Apr 20, 2007
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Salem WI
I thought the 04.5 + were more prone to burn up pistons, somthing with an extra injection event or somthing. I dont know though, when I look for deals on them I just look for trucks with the NV5600.
 

maxaholic

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Dec 6, 2008
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My boss has an '03 and his wife has an '04.5. His truck will run circles around hers and she has a higher hp chip than his. But money allows I would tell him to get a 6.7 and dump all the emiisions bs.
 

Smokin LB7

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Jul 25, 2008
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I thought the 04.5 + were more prone to burn up pistons, somthing with an extra injection event or somthing. I dont know though, when I look for deals on them I just look for trucks with the NV5600.

Didnt know if it was gonna be left stock or not. I assumed it would be left stock(ish)
 

01LB7

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Feb 18, 2010
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2006-2007 5.9 are the best. They have a different head on them, plus the auto is much better.

I have to disagree w/ you, don't know anything about the 07s but I have two very close friends one who still has, and one who recently had an 06 and they were junk, the auto truck wasn't chipped and still crapped injectors way before 100k and the other was a 6spd. the tranny was very good, smoked two clutches w/ a banks 6 gun, and had two sets of injectors and one cylinder redone and a new crank, could have been the only two bad ones in the world, but think it's a little crazy that they both happened to be in my small town jmo
 

J Spruill

bringer of truth
Mar 30, 2008
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for stock only 04.5- 06 .to mod depends on what you can get. all the trannys are junk but doesnt cost too much to make them hold decent power...
 

03Tommy

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Jun 2, 2008
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Weston, Mo
My 06 had a Smarty and TS MP-8 on it from day 1 on the stock clutch. 40k hard miles and believe it was smoked, but still moved under its own power. Friend of mine has an 07 he uses in construction with the auto and never had a problem. Notice though that I said better, not flawless. Know a lot of people with CR pulling trucks and for some reason they all change to the head off the 06. Not sure exactly why.
 

SmokeShow

Well-known member
Nov 30, 2006
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Lawrenceburg, KY
I think the electronics and some hard parts designs (i.e. injectors). I'm pretty sure the electronics for an 03-04 won't work on the newer engines. I don't know all the particulars otherwise though.
 

wikdlmm

<-- OWFA
Jun 27, 2008
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san angelo
All my buddies drive dodges an the best year is 03 If your are going to mod it. Other than that 06-07 5.9 are the best from the factory. Also the heads are different.
 

J Spruill

bringer of truth
Mar 30, 2008
770
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All my buddies drive dodges an the best year is 03 If your are going to mod it. Other than that 06-07 5.9 are the best from the factory. Also the heads are different.

i totally disagree but you know how diesel folks are, always going with what they know. for me its 04.5-06. all can be modded to make great power...