I was a service manager at a Dodge dealership for 3 years....We were always VERY busy. Granted, the majority of the work was on cars & minivans (mostly tranny's), but we had a considerable amount of truck work too.
I wish you the best, but remember, all manufacturers have problems. If Dodge was perfect, they wouldn't have a service department.

 

they wouldn't have a service department.....I laughed at how simple this statement .....but how true it is for all!
Very good

 

PSmith is right no truck is perfect. One thing youll never see me in isa Dodge or Chevy. Im a Ford guy and thats the way it will be. I look it this way. Ive had Fords my whole life. My father and grandfather before me did. Basically weve had great performance from our trucks. I look at it as good friend who hasnt let me down. To be seen in a Chevy or Dodge. I would have to have won it some way. Would trade for a Ford immediatly. Or my mind would have to be gone. Even if Id had problems I would be getting another Ford. Its just the way I am. Sound like theres 900,000 plus people just like me. Ah Psmith a service manger at Dodge for 3 years and if im correct owns a 6.0 PSD. Mmmm. This guyshould know about Dodges pretty good and yet hes driving a Ford.

 

ASA, I know your pain. I had my 03 bought back, got an 05, and this has just as many problems, only different. See my frustration post. At work, We get the A plan pricing, even though, several die-hard dodge and chevy guys have stuck with there respective breeds. I agree with other posts about the dodges, was a great engine, truck is lacking. Just in my building at work, 2 new 600 dodges, both with serious problems. The one guy listened to my problems with the ford and laughed, he got his new dodge and is crying and fighting with the dodge now. They are haveing injector failure. He is sorry he got rid of his 3 year old dodge. He had a chance to compare performance of my 03 and his 600 dodge, and was amazed at the absolute superiority of the ford. (I have not let on to him, that a honda accord could probably outpull my 05) I have not heard many problems with the chevies, except for a steering issue on several trucks. (similiar to my 05 ford)

 

Im a die hard FORD man and my 03 6.0 has had its share of problems but they seem to be getting them worked out. Now Ive owned all brands(chev-dodge)and they all have there problems. I agreed a ford was worth more on trade in untill I went on NADA site and compared my 03 6.0 superduty to an 03 dodge with 18000 miles and here are my results, it suprised me! 03 DODGE 1 ton diesel, trade in was $34,625.00, Ford trade in was $32,550.00. Average retail on DODGE was $38,800.00 and average retail on FORD was $36,500.00. Now I couldnt beleive this, maybe I wasnt comparing them right. Anyway FORD rules and so does FTE for the great info!!!!!

 

I feel the need to clarify from my earlier post! My 05 has been awesome in comparison to the Dodge and my 2003 6.0 lemon. This weekend will be the first long hard pull with the fifth wheel.

 

Good luck
I tried to order a Dodge truck last year before I bought my Ford. I was told 6-8 weeks. After 12 weeks of being jerked around. Chrysler, YES Chrysler canceled my order because they were going for '04 to '05 production. They DID NOT contact me to inform me that this would happen. I called the customer service number to find out where the order was and they informed me that the order was canceled three days earlier. I had been calling the customer service number periodcally along with contacting the dealer to get updates. I kept getting the excuse that there is one item on restriction. This means they can not get enough of them to produce, or they are having a quality issue with that particular part, I found out. I need to add that my truck had been fully kitted in the manufacturing system at Chrysler, I had a complete VIN. Also I was told an ordered truck takes priority over dealer inventory production.

Of course I called my dealer immediately to find out what the issue was. The dealer tells me they have not heard anything about it???? So the dealer tries finding me a truck like the one I ordered. They do but it has $2500 more crap on it and they want to make me pay for all of it. So I play stupid and ask for the VIN "to check on insurance". The VIN of this truck that, was produced for dealer stock, that are now trynig to sell me, was about 2500 numbers after the VIN for my truck. And it has all the items I was told mine was being held up for.

This is why I now drive a Ford. Chrysler will not see my face at any of their establishments any time soon. I will pay more and drive a GM before I buy anything Chrysler.

Really sad thing is the Ford I bought had more options on it and cost LESS than the Dodge I was going to buy. Both of which were employee discount prices.

 

tell me where to send my fuel bills and you can do the math, because you sound like a real smart guy. then you can figure it out yourself

 

I don't know too much about the Dodge with the Cummins. Didn't even test drive it...even though I thought about it. Even with the minor problems, if you will..I still enjoy my Fords (we have 3). They are nice, built with style and just plain cool.
Good luck with your Dodge and let us know how it compares.

 

Each truck has their features and faults. Each to his own.

Personally, I find the Dodge to be a very small truck, with rated capabilities much less than my F350 6.0. Anyone actually sat in or driven both? I have. Dodge is over 6" shorter inside, 12" shorter outside (at least 6" in the box), and 2-3" narrower. Feels like a compact car, not a truck! Try the back seat of a CC! Regardless of engine, I would not buy it!

Is the Cummins really any stronger? Doubt it. 6 cyl's vs 8? I'll take the 8 as it'll be a better tow vehicle.

Mileage? If this concerned me I'd buy a GEO (3 cyl) and skip the truck. Maybe I'd just skip ...?!?. In the end, not worth worrying too much about. Each to his own. Good onse and bads ones. Go after the dealer for the bad ones, and sell the good ones to your friends.

 

I just got the Blackstone report for my early 03's 35,000 mile oil change. It ends with "Nice Engine!". Everthing is good and normal wear. This was on 5200 miles of Castrol RX 15-40. It still runs great stock. I have a good 6.0L.

 

I hope you don't mean a new dodge. Iv'e been trolling other sights and they are all asking each other if 14mpg empty{unloaded} is normal the answer seems to be yes and hopping for a new flash. So if you buy an older dodge youl get better mpg, less power, louder, depreciated vehical. No matter you decide how bad you want to get smoked by the SD's loaded or not. Good luck! so much for the 600ctd

 

find a good used 466T engine and 10 spd or allison tranny. dump the cheap built 6.0 and put it in there....... thats what will happen to mine when the 6.0 blows. then u will have the ultimate truck


....or u could take the "bath" and get the dudge with yet another crappy built diesel.....

 

Its not just the ford thats having issue's i traded my 04.5 3500 cummins diesel 6 Speed for my 05 superduty since DC wouldn't fix my teeth shattering vibration i had they looked and looked and replaced alot of stuff but never got it and at 10 k i tossed in the towel. now im having oil leaks on my superduty so you could be in the same boat the other way to......I'd rather have a few small leaks then the Flintstones vibrating truck. Good luck with what you decide.

 

As far as the mileage for these trucks goes it is a mystry. I bought my first diesel 1 year ago and was very upset about the mileage. 10-13 first 8 mo. Then it started climbing. Now I am at 29,500 And getting 16.2 average, hwy.,city,sometimes pulling small trailers(under 5000). Love the truck but small oil leaks are driving me nuts. Not sure what to do at this point(RMS leaking again), But for an 8,000lb truck to be getting 16.2 Ithink that is great.