My 07 is just turning 230k. I tow an enclosed trailer probably 2k average per year. The key to making the last of the 5.9s live is religious maintenance. Being retired army I'm pretty anal toward PMCS.

So ever since owning the truck this is what I've done

Switched to AMSOIL synthetic at 17k miles. I change the oil religiously IAW AMSOIL recommended intervals which is every 5k. I use WIX filters. AMSOIL recommends more frequent oil changes on the 07.5 5.9s due to the internal EGR. Took some getting use to the oil being dark all the time. I change the fuel filter twice a year, spring and fall. I use the Cummins fuel filters.

Added EDGE power adder and aftermarket aircleaner. On average I keep the EDGE set on the stock setting. I get better fuel mileage.

Another area of concern is the turbo. Being the EDGE has a turbo timer I set it at 1 minute to allow the turbo to cool. When I'm towing I allow for more time, usually 4-5 minutes especially if I pulling hills. The EGTs run about 320 at shutdown.

Service the tranny every 35k to 40k whether it needs it or not. I always service the tranny before I tow. Band adjustment is a must

Added the Bullydog steering crossmember to address possible death wobble

OE brakes changed out at 50k. I average brakes changes around

Changed out OE front end at 100k. Also replaced front U joints. Recently had to change out the front end at 235k. I run KYB shocks which have a lifetime warranty.

I service the transfer case and rear end every 40k. I exercice the 4WD twice a year. When I lived in the NW I used the 4WD more often. Now, being in AZ it's used less frequently.
130k replaced trans modulator. Tranny was short shifting at low RPM

Did a fuel sample and tested at Cummins at 200k. No sign or leaky injectors. I plan taking another sample this spring.

Overall this has been a great truck. My only complaint is the front seats break down constantly. Getting ready to replace the foam buns and cover for the third time.

My first CTD was a 2WD 2001. My only complaint with that truck was constantly dealing with the lift pump and injector pump.

aftermarket air cleaner..... most of the ISB engines I see with blow by have had this mod done. Most of the gauze type filters were dubbed the "bug and rock" catchers by engineering (I live in the desert, results may vary).

trans on my 01. built a core I had laying around with an OEM kit and valve body kit and converter from Goerend. That was at 38K. Have 160K on it now and it tows great. Not even a concern when I leave town.

common rails injectors..... should have had dual filters from the get go. They finally stepped up in 13 with that feature.

injectors causing damage (common rail).... most I've seen were trucks with poor maintenance and little understanding of the tow rating of the said vehicle.

Dart4forte.... you mean you're not a 120 Barbie doll? I swear that's what they designed that era seat around. They suck!! My 01 seat is much nicer. They did improve it on the newer models.

I have never owned a diesel anything. That said, if I could find a 1st gen with a solid body I'd love to have one. That said though, my son has a 92 W250 club cab,with a problem that we so far cannot figure out.
Truck has 140K original miles. 47RH ("618") trans. He bought it with 123K miles and all service records since new, has had it about a year and 1/2.
This is 2nd winter he has owned it, and has not driven it except on the nicer, warmer, salt and snow free days in either winter, he has another (gas) truck he saves for driving in snow and salt.

Just over a year ago, he broke the flexplate. We pulled the trans and replaced it, and although the PO had claimed to have had the trans done, he had it done again "while it was out" by CRT. (they are not that far from where we live, about 40 miles) 5K miles later, blew another flexplate, this was a "Pioneer" brand from parts store.
We have had a tough time finding the "right" one as this is non lockup trans and everything we see says the '94+ flexplate works and most current parts listings call for this now. Took it to a local diesel place where they did it again, this time found a cracked engine to trans adapter, which was replaced/ and he went with an SFI rated aftermarket one. 5K miles it's making the same noise again as it did the previous 2 times just before I had to go after him with a tow strap. 98% used as daily driver, what he has towed with it are loads I would barely be leery of pulling with my 1st gen Dakotas. He has a higher SFI rated flexplate here, like 2x original thickness. He loves the truck but is getting tired of this recurring issue. We both know of Cummins owners that have been running them for years and years with a whole lot more abuse and never having had this problem. He is starting to search around for the parts to convert to a stick, something that he has considered since the day he bought the truck, even before the 1st problem ever surfaced.

where's the flex plate cracking? can't say I've dealt with your prob.


non lock up RH trans.... that was back in the era where a stick was actually better.

I'd skip straight past the Getrag those trucks were born with, and hunt down a NV5600.

I don't get the love for the 1st gen... but to each their own. The ones with the bucket seats were nice. I always believed that was Dodges answer to the incredibly crappy ride of that era of trucks was to put a better seat in it

I actually like the Gen 1 ride. I have had several, but never a diesel. It is busting them out right around the hub.

at that point I'd be checking for trans alignment.... wonder if it's the OE trans, or if the other owner had a unit exchanged. I've seen them break, but that was on some trucks with some pretty aggressive tuners. Billet piece fixed those, but like you said, those were later builds. I have a customer with a 92 4x4 diesel that has a tick over 100K miles on it, and it looks like new. It's a spectacular specimen of a 1st gen.

125k on my 06 mega auto. It has had aftermarket fuel filtration on it since it had 30k on it. Made 499hp at the rear wheels for 40k on the stock trans and it never missed a beat (ran mid 13s at the time at just under 8k lbs). Pump seal started leaking so it got upgrade with billet stuff. Water pump died at 80k and evap went at 100k. My biggest complaint is the crappy cloth seats and the a/c in the megacabs needs help.

I have an 06 with the bad seats, what latter year seats would fit if they are better?
Also what's the first sign the injectors are having problems? Mines starting to miss a little on startup, 111452 miles. Can mine be converted back to an earlier year before the common rail?

I really liked my 2004 Laramie leather seats, but the best ones were in my 2000 SLT Plus Ram, but I am sure they would not work with an 06.

When I get old Rhino, I'm going to be one of those Guys with a Second-Gen Ram in the driveway who says "they don't make 'em like they used to".

Everything about them is perfect: except for that clattering 24 valve with rear springs that would slap you into next week on every highway expansion.

I am with you on that, just posted one from Craigslist in the WIW section that I would LOVE to own, though it is a 24 valve...

Was just researching seat swaps and it seems up to at least 14 will fit with swapping tracks to the seats if it's even needed for that year... earlier they are def different.

When I decided I was going to tow a car trailer (open, flat 16' deck) with my car on it, I went looking for a USED Cummins . . . was looking for 93 - 99 model. All I could find was a couple high mileage used trucks where drivetrain was fine, but body was rotting away !!!

So I ended up buying a brand new 02, Quad cab, HO, 6spd, short box - 2 WHEEL DRIVE - I figured I really don't need 4wd as I would only be towing or using the truck in summertime . . . being the anal maintenance type, I change oil/filter every 5k miles, fuel filter every year (which is about 5k miles/yr) . . . at 45k miles the lift pump went - changed it out for FASS OEM style unit and additional in line fuel filter. Thought I caught things before the VP44 was affected - NOT !!! . . . gotta remember, that this truck is pretty much pampered !! So, got the injector pump changed, and installed fuel pressure gauge. Truck is stock . . . .

I have 67k miles on it now, has only been driven 6 times during winter, not a speck of rust on it . . . the mileage has been as high as 27mpg empty and 18mpg towing !!! Course that is to imperial gallon - more like 23mpg and 14mpg to US gallon - still, not bad at all !!! . . . maintenance is not hard on a diesel. Keep fuel clean (change fuel filters), change oil (as on any rig you own) and keep air filter clean . . .

I figured I really didn't need to get one of the performance enhancers - I have towed my car (at that time, was '70 300HURST ragtop)across I-90 doing 85-90mph !! . . . figured that was more than fine (approx. 7,000lb between car & trailer).

Funny that how my truck sits, everyone thinks it is 4wd. Back when it was new, I got the rear inner fender liners - they came standard on 4wd, but not on 2wd. Sure helps to keep things clean !!

Anyhow, it is always your own choice for your vehicle. I am pretty sure this is the last truck I will own/need. Everyone tells me that I won't get squat for it, as it is 2wd . . . I will keep it, rather than give it away.

Good luck with your truck !

Cheers

Mark

I work on Dodges, I own an 01 with a VP, I carry a VP with me on long race trips.... does that relay my confidence in my injection pump?? . We often saw those pumps fail in the 60-90K range back in the day. My OE failed at 67K... luckily under warranty. Lift pump was still performing well as I've had a gauge on it since new to me. I have a tick over 100K on this one.

My 98.5 24V 2WD DRW Is used strictly for towing 24"Enclosed and occasionally hauling something from the Home improvement store,
it has 85K on it now, body is fairly rust free.

Love that truck and the Zero Payments, besides normal maintenance I put a little money into it every year, last year was a FASS lift pump and big line kit, This Year new shocks, and Air Conditioning Compressor which died last summer, Love the New 17 3500 Trucks But the 50-60K is holding me back, I guess if this Old Beast leaves me on the side of the road I'll look at a new truck more seriously.

Funny that's how I got my truck the VP44 died at about 75K and the original owner tore it apart and didn't have the money to finish it.
he just let it go back to the bank, we took it from there and put it back together.

This is critical to a 47/48RE trans living a long happy life.

My trans guy has over 400,000 on his. I think it's an 06 with no power mods and he tows an enclosed trailer.

Does the oil and filter every year whether it needs it or not and a band adjustment.

Kevin

Thanks for the advice. I put the 2 micron/water separator kit on. Those are nice kits. Diesel mechanic friend said I should replace the injectors because of my miles (187,XXX) -but the truck runs and starts great. He said 06 and 07- the injectors go out so fast that if you don't shut the motor down when they go out/stick, it will take a piston or 2 out in a matter of seconds. Then he quoted me $2500 for Bosch remans by Bosch. The lift pump and CP3 are original. Never any mods to the truck. Any thoughts on injectors?

I have 530117 miles on my '06. NEVER had the valve cover off. I must be doing something right and I think I have the best 5.9 ever built!!

Sounds like your truck has paid for itself several times over.