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Old 03-16-2014, 03:14 PM   #1
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truck opinion

does anyone have a good or bad opinion of 2005 dodge 2500 5.9 automatic. has 105500 miles, thinking about trading my ford for it,
thanks in advance for any thoughts
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:17 PM   #2
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If those are original miles it is very low for that year.

What advantage does the Dodge have over the Ford?
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:20 PM   #3
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ford is 2009 f150 5.41 gasser
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:28 PM   #4
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that's easy, keep the Dodge. We have plenty of 5.9s at work with over 300,000 and are used hard daily. The 5.4 gasser cant touch what you have for power and you will use twice the fuel trying, then it spits the spark plugs out of the heads
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Old 03-16-2014, 03:55 PM   #5
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Is the Dodge wearing any mods such as airbags or other towing equipment?
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:08 PM   #6
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that's easy, keep the Dodge. We have plenty of 5.9s at work with over 300,000 and are used hard daily. The 5.4 gasser cant touch what you have for power and you will use twice the fuel trying, then it spits the spark plugs out of the heads
I think he looking at the Dodge.
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:17 PM   #7
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I think he looking at the Dodge.
OOPS, I read it wrong. Here's my new answer. Enjoy your new Cummins powered Dodge.
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:19 PM   #8
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I have an 06 with same motor and it does a fine job. Miles for that year aren't bad although i only have 68000 on mine. just keep in mind that all fluids and belts and hoses if original would be in need of replacement. If the underside looks clean and no leaks you should get many miles of use out it. It will definitely be a step up as far as towing vs the ford you have. Good luck
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:21 PM   #9
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OH boy... I see a Dodge vs Ford debate heating up...and very soon someone will throw the GMC in there too even tho the OP isnt looking at a GMC.
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:26 PM   #10
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I'm a Ford Master Tech, spent 18 years at dealers before getting out of the business. Look what I drive
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:30 PM   #11
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I'm a Ford Master Tech, spent 18 years at dealers before getting out of the business. Look what I drive
only the best.... to the OP get that truck you will love it... had a 05 CTD and it was great untill I got the 06 GM and then I really fell in love
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:32 PM   #12
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I was going to buy a Chevy but they would not give me the option I wanted, Ford was willing to bend over backwards to sell me a $40K + truck the way I wanted it.
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Old 03-16-2014, 04:38 PM   #13
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after all the years at Ford dealers, I've seen hundreds of cabs off trucks to work on whatever version of Powerstroke that was currently plagued with problems. Plus my wife works at the local Chevy dealer
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Old 03-16-2014, 05:29 PM   #14
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The 5.9's are the ones to get! Plenty of power plus not all the current smog restrictions of the 6.7's. With those mile that thing is just getting broken in..
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Old 03-17-2014, 12:45 PM   #15
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that's easy, keep the Dodge. We have plenty of 5.9s at work with over 300,000 and are used hard daily. The 5.4 gasser cant touch what you have for power and you will use twice the fuel trying, then it spits the spark plugs out of the heads
Wouldn't a certified master tech know that Ford resolved the spark plug issue when it went to 3V heads in 04-05???

With this being said, if you are towing heavy and regularly, go with the 5.9. Otherwise, I see no reason to trade. Keep in mind that the 5.9 rides in a Dodge.
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Old 03-17-2014, 01:14 PM   #16
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My last three trucks have all been Fords. I've had great luck with them and would buy another one. But, if you tow, I'd get the Dodge over the 5.4L F150.
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Old 03-17-2014, 01:30 PM   #17
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The 05 cummins is an awesome setup! It has an updated transmission from the 03 and 04 as the 05 has a tow haul and o/d lock out which I dont believe the 03 and 04 do not have the o/d lock out. (might be the other way around that the 03 04 are missing the tow haul, but pretty sure it is just the od lock out)

The 06 has a higher HP rating than the 03-05 as well as the 06 will have an aluminum intercooler and connections where the 03-05 have plastic boots I believe. The 06 also allows the use of EFI live tuning which is customized tuning for the specific truck and its needs. The 03-05 have the ability to run other tuners but not EFI currently.

The 06 and 07 5.9 are more sought after typically due to the higher HP ratings and a couple of minor changes but the 03-05 motors are typically more economical as they weren't cursed with as much emission crap. In 2006 they added a pre and post injection cycle for the fuel injector to help quiet the motor, help it run smoother and reduce emissions. More injection cycles equals more fuel and equals less mileage.

MY OPINION is that the 5.9 cummins is the best stock diesel engine a guy can buy for a light duty truck. I feel this way because the motor has far fewer moving pieces than a competing V8 opponent. Not trying to start a war by any means as it is solely my opinion and they all have their pluses and minuses so please dont start arguing this....

I currently have 170,000 miles on my 2006 on the stock injectors and transmission (also an auto). If I were to blow the transmission up or lose my injectors I would gladly pay to have them replaced rather than move into a new truck. The high mileage doesn't concern me a bit if it was well maintained.

As mentioned before, check for any obvious leaks, check to see how it starts with the engine COLD and the engine at operating temp. When checking to see a cold start I suggest opening the hood before starting and seeing if anything is warm at all. I would strongly suggest you tell the seller you want to test it cold and if it has any signs of warmth before your test I would walk away as a cold start will tell you a lot! If it smokes white while cold or excessive black smoke it may need injectors. Same with when it is warm, if it is hard to start may need injectors. Last test I would suggest is with the engine running take the oil fill cap off and see if there is any blow by, or smoke plume coming from the oil fill port. If there is then a set of piston rings may be shot or more serious internal damage...

I wouldn't hesitate a bit trading the truck if you truly want a diesel.... The 5.9 is a great engine!
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:09 PM   #18
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The 05 cummins is an awesome setup! It has an updated transmission from the 03 and 04 as the 05 has a tow haul and o/d lock out which I dont believe the 03 and 04 do not have the o/d lock out. (might be the other way around that the 03 04 are missing the tow haul, but pretty sure it is just the od lock out)

The 06 has a higher HP rating than the 03-05 as well as the 06 will have an aluminum intercooler and connections where the 03-05 have plastic boots I believe. The 06 also allows the use of EFI live tuning which is customized tuning for the specific truck and its needs. The 03-05 have the ability to run other tuners but not EFI currently.

The 06 and 07 5.9 are more sought after typically due to the higher HP ratings and a couple of minor changes but the 03-05 motors are typically more economical as they weren't cursed with as much emission crap. In 2006 they added a pre and post injection cycle for the fuel injector to help quiet the motor, help it run smoother and reduce emissions. More injection cycles equals more fuel and equals less mileage.

MY OPINION is that the 5.9 cummins is the best stock diesel engine a guy can buy for a light duty truck. I feel this way because the motor has far fewer moving pieces than a competing V8 opponent. Not trying to start a war by any means as it is solely my opinion and they all have their pluses and minuses so please dont start arguing this....

I currently have 170,000 miles on my 2006 on the stock injectors and transmission (also an auto). If I were to blow the transmission up or lose my injectors I would gladly pay to have them replaced rather than move into a new truck. The high mileage doesn't concern me a bit if it was well maintained.

As mentioned before, check for any obvious leaks, check to see how it starts with the engine COLD and the engine at operating temp. When checking to see a cold start I suggest opening the hood before starting and seeing if anything is warm at all. I would strongly suggest you tell the seller you want to test it cold and if it has any signs of warmth before your test I would walk away as a cold start will tell you a lot! If it smokes white while cold or excessive black smoke it may need injectors. Same with when it is warm, if it is hard to start may need injectors. Last test I would suggest is with the engine running take the oil fill cap off and see if there is any blow by, or smoke plume coming from the oil fill port. If there is then a set of piston rings may be shot or more serious internal damage...

I wouldn't hesitate a bit trading the truck if you truly want a diesel.... The 5.9 is a great engine!
I tend to agree with most of your statement, but I have to point out something I find VERY funny. All of the Cummins guys always crow about how there are fewer moving parts in a 6 cylinder meaning it is less complicated and cheaper to fix(therefore Cummins is WAY better than a DMax or Powerstroke). You go to the die hard V8 gas guys and they quickly start talking about how a V8 is SOOO much better than a V6 because there is less stress on each individual component. So which is it???
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:27 PM   #19
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I tend to agree with most of your statement, but I have to point out something I find VERY funny. All of the Cummins guys always crow about how there are fewer moving parts in a 6 cylinder meaning it is less complicated and cheaper to fix(therefore Cummins is WAY better than a DMax or Powerstroke). You go to the die hard V8 gas guys and they quickly start talking about how a V8 is SOOO much better than a V6 because there is less stress on each individual component. So which is it???


As I said, it was MY OPINION that the inline 6 cylinder(not v6) is better than the competing v8 due to less moving parts. You are correct there is more stress on related parts but the parts that are receiving the extra stress are actually much larger than the v8 counter parts, IE pistons and connecting rods...

A V8 has its place as the V format allows the engine to build RPMs faster and tend to be quieter and smoother operating than an inline 6. They all have their place, they all serve the same purpose and all are very comparable. My research and studies have lead ME to believe the 5.9 would be the motor I would choose...
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Old 03-17-2014, 02:52 PM   #20
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As I said, it was MY OPINION that the inline 6 cylinder(not v6) is better than the competing v8 due to less moving parts. You are correct there is more stress on related parts but the parts that are receiving the extra stress are actually much larger than the v8 counter parts, IE pistons and connecting rods...

A V8 has its place as the V format allows the engine to build RPMs faster and tend to be quieter and smoother operating than an inline 6. They all have their place, they all serve the same purpose and all are very comparable. My research and studies have lead ME to believe the 5.9 would be the motor I would choose...
I think it is the best of all the diesel engines produced as well. Just pointing out the hypocrisy from 2 different camps that I find humorous.
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