Hey there guys and gals (if there are any). I've been hemming and hawing for the past year about whether or not to buy a newer truck. Well, I have finally come to the conclusion that I want to upgrade to something newer in order to avoid costly future repairs on my current rig. Lately, the truck I have owned for the past 3 years (see sig.) has been costing me in repairs for oddball parts and will need some more things in the future from what I can tell, and quite frankly, I'm tired of finding things to fix on it every week lol. I understand it's nearly 8 years old, and has 171,3XX miles, but I'd rather have a payment on something newer that isn't going to constantly need something, at least for a while. Anyhow, I'm considering either an '06 Dodge Cummins or an '06 Power Stroke. To me, both brands are good trucks, each with flaws and advantages. Anyhow, I knooooow the 6.0L trucks have had their fair share of problems (esp. '03-'04), so I'm requesting some input and answers here. I'm trying to base my decision on what the feedback is. I work at a lumberyard and I don't think I've heard of a guy with a problematic '06 PSD yet. Granted these guys work their trucks and put miles on them. So anyhow, here are my stats:

-First, I bought my 7.3 with 138,XXX miles on it nearly 3 years ago, so I don't put on many miles as you can tell.
-I'll be graduating from college in 2 weeks, so after that I'll only be commuting to my hopefully soon to be "old job" that's a mere 2 miles down the road 6 days a week. Would I kill the truck's turbo, EGR head gaskets etc. by doing this?? Anything I could do to prevent hurting it? I'd probably take it on joy rides once or twice a week to clean out the gunk buildup.
-The truck will be pulling a 6K loaded snowmobile trailer to Maine 3-4 times this season (5 hours one way), and maybe a car trailer to Pennsylvania in the summer (5.5-6 hours one way). Will an '06 be reliable? What are the chances it'll give me trouble? Should I get an Oasis if possible?
-My biggest question about the '06 6.0L is about its updates. I'm aware of the fact that there is a post about the "commonizing" updates made to it January 11th and later in 2006, so what about the motors built prior to that starting in July of 2005? Do they still have the longer head studs, thicker head gaskets and revised turbo? Or am I running the risk of blowing the head gaskets and other items at higher miles with an earlyier model?
-My plan is to keep whatever truck I purchase for a while (5 yrs. min.), so the remaining factory warranty would be nice. I see so many guys having no problems with their late model (and sometimes early model) 6.0L trucks, and it makes me want one so bad (drooling) because they're so damned nice (not to mention in my price range).
-Overall, I won't be putting jack for miles on the truck, and it'll seldomly work (unfortunately), but I want to buy a 2 year old truck without the new emissions crap, and have it just about paid off before I buy a house, so I cannot wait any longer to buy one. I know the Cummins doesn't have all of this complexity the 6.0L has, but I want some realistic viewpoints from owners and from people who know other owners. I've always been a truck man, and it's nice to have when towing sleds or an occasional car, plus it'll be great for projects when I have a home (I'm almost 24). So please, feel free to provide me with some feedback. I'd really like to know your thoughts about owning a 6.0L and not putting many miles on it regretably. I do know some people with very low mileage 6.0Ls who have zero trouble with them, but regardless, please give me some advice, opinions, and feedback. Sorry for the long post!!

 

'06 PSD I bought used with 18K miles on her. I've had her for about one year with no significant issues. I did have a cold weather start issue with her each winter, but changing to synthetic oil in the winter has resolved issues completely. I love my truck and would drive her on a 6 hour trip with full load without any hesitation. Get one!

 

The first thing you want to do when you find a truck that you like run an oasis. I havent heard of many problems with the 06. I know that the gaskets were upgraded in 05.

I have a 04. see sig. I havent had any problems with it yet. It has a 03 motor according to the build date. I bought the truck with 54k on the clock. It now has 73k.

The cummins is a good motor. The interior of the dodge has a lot to be desired. It has been known to develop rattles early. It has been said before that the cummins is a great motor but then you are stuck with the rest of the truck.

Good luck with the decesion. Hopefully your new truck will be stroken down the road.

 

i have a late model 04 with a 6.0 and i LOVE it. i've never had a problem with it, and even when it was stock i ran some very powerful tunes on the motor and it ran strong.
matt at spartan said it was one of the fastest trucks that had "just a tuner and exhaust" that he'd ever drove !

by the way it's not stock anymore.

 

What are your guys' driving habits though? Any severe short distance stuff here?

 

I have had good luck with my motor, not the transmission. I just got back from the dealer and they had to do a total rebuild because they found metal shavings in the pan. The cause was: Center Bushings grooved and has flat spots in them. My truck only has 30,500 miles on it. I wish I had a manual transmission.

 

Mine is used as a daily driver. Lots of short trips, 15 minutes to work, kids to school, etc. Only hauling is a 21 foot bass boat 1.5 hours each way. No problems

 

i drive my truck HARD. it's gets driven every day, and it's mostly short trips to work or to the store and i drive it HARD every day. i probably peg my 1500 degree pyro every time i leave the driveway, it's rare that i baby my truck.

i did destroy my first tranny, but i blame edge for that too, it's beefed up now and it handles the abuse well !!

did i mention i drive my truck HARD

 

Well this is timely,,,,,,Just yesterday,,12/9/07,,I was at my Buddy's shop, BS ing,,Now he is a Dodge guy,,he drives a 94' 2500, cummins, 200 k plus on it,,gettin along in yrs,,His brother has a 04' 3500 w/ the all mighty cummins,,so were chatting outside,,I see him looking under his bros truck,,So I look that way,,he says ,,," Is that the serpentine belt hanging down " ??,,So we go look,,,yep it sure is,,and there's Pink/orange type coolant leaking out rather quickly,,so I pop the hood,,coolant all over the front of the engine bay !! Has anyone here looked at how, about half the engine (cummins) is under the dash on a new Dodge ??

I was very surprised at how full the engine bay was on this 04' Dodge truck w/ the Cummins ! ( Just about as full as the 6.0L engine bay) I could'nt even see the Belt, without climbing up, or see what was leaking,,So I just shut the Hood !

AHH now see that,,even the so called All / Mighty Cummins has problems !! Buy what ya Like ! I went and fired up my 06' F-350, 6.0,,gave her a pat on the dash,,and off I went ! Later,,,,,Mark

 

I have an early '06 6.0 and drive every day, but not a lot of miles, very similar to you (almost 2 years with 25K miles). I don't baby it, but I also don't drive real hard, at least not often. Ya know that wild hair does come out every once in a while. I have had absolutely no problems with this truck and HIGHLY recommend it. The engine and trans seem to be a very good match. Did I mention, engine wise, mine is completely stock.

My father and cousin both have Dodge Cummins though earlier models ('95 and '97). My dad has 290K miles on his and had few problems, mostly with the trans.

I do like the Cummins engine, but that is about it on the Dodge, the transmission is a weak point (4 speed instead of Ford 6 speed). The remainder of the truck IMO is also just not made as well. I also looked at the Dodge before buying this one (and I have been a Ford man for many years). It was also significantly more expensive for the same setup. Seems like your paying a lot for the Cummins name.

Now it is up to what you want. Chances are very good that you will be happy with either.

 

i've got a 04 6.0 with 86000 miles, going to the dealership tomarrow for a bed plate leak. but other than that i love this truck wouldn't think twice 'bout buying another one.

 

Ok, I got another one for ya,,last yr I built this rather sizeabl addition on a house when it was time,,had my Bro-in-law do the drywall,,(thats what he does) when it came time to tape it,,he got one of his Buddy's to help,,I see he is now driving a 05' superduty,,6.0,,so we start BS,ing at lunch time,,I says to him,,,I see your in a New Superduty now,,,were,nt you a Dodge Guy ??,,He said,,it's not new any more got 30 K on it,,I was a Dodge guy for many yrs,,,But at 70k miles right when warranty was up everything started to go( I don't recall what it was),,,,,,,,,Plus when we went snowmobiling my buddy driving a PowerStroke,,and me in my Dodge,,both pulling the same trailers,,,He would pull right away from me,,I could'nt keep up !! That when I became a FORD man !! I gave him the, , and said ,,,Now thats what I'm talking about !!