2008 Dodge 3500 CTD 6.7L buying advice

[tomx]

I've been on my truck search for a while now and this week started seriousy test driving. I lhave basically narrowed my search to a 2006-07 Dodge 3500 CTD 5.9L Crew Cab Longbed. Well, today I found a 2008 Dodge 3500 CTD 6.7L Crew Cab Longbed that I really like. I previously was shying away from them due to some previous comments I read on Dodgetalk about some owner experiences and that disconnecting the EGR was the only way to get good performance..

I'd like to hear from some owners that use them for sleds. So, any 08 Dodge 3500 owners out there, can you give any advice on this model? Good, bad, and the ugly?

My primary motivation is to throw a sled deck in the bed, and load up two Yamaha Nytros (I'd say 1600lbs including deck weight minus passengers and gear) and head up to the pass 2-3x a week .

In my dream world, someday I'd be pulling a 19-21ft TT with two sleds on the deck.. for now sled deck and two sleds. Thanks for any advice!

 

[slyrydr]

i bought an 09 6.7.....turbo sooted up and came apart at 11k, scattered metal everywhere....i researched the problem pretty extensively...taking off the emission stuff is the only way to make the truck run right....doing so voids the warranty...and you have the problem of passing emission checks...depends where you live and the attitudes of who you have to deal with there....if you have to leave the emission stuff on for either of those two reasons, go back to your first plan and find a 5.9....

 

[BigFish BC]

i have a 07.5 6.7 had a 03 5.9 would take my 6.7 anyday but i deleted everything on my 6.7 it now rocks plus i run the h&s tuner with my 35s on i get 19-20 on the highway & 17 city befor the deletes i got 17highway 12-14 city.if you are not willing to delete the pollution crap its just not as good as a 5.9 but with the deletes i think its better such a fun truck to drive.

 

[Outlaw]

6.7 verse 5.9

I had a 07 Mega 3500 dually. I hauled my 700 163 dragon in it and pulled a 6 horse sooner gooseneck around. I had 30000 miles on it when I took it back to my dealer and traded. In 30k it was in the shop 12 times for the cat plugging then the turbo sticking then 12 mpg empty they would update the computer and for about a 100 miles all was fine then back to the same old. Yes I could have gotten a lemon and yes I let it idle in the mornings to warm up dodge says you can not let them idle or you will screw up the regen system. On that note I refuse to pay 50,000 for a truck that when it is 20 below I can not let it warm up. So I have an 06 mega 5.9 that I now have 130k on and the only thing I HAD to do was the injectors and two U Joints everything else I did just because. If you do buy the 6.7 best of luck but do get a set of airbags. You will need them.

 

[Megadeth]

I'd get one and not look back. Delete the DPF and unplug the EGR. IMO it wouldn't be that hard to swap out the DPF and plug the EGR in for emission testing and going to the dealer. Plus it increases your mpg a ton

 

[rogerbfree]

I have a dpf delete pipe for sale brand new H&S and can sell you the edge or H&S control box also
Roger

 

[HILCLMR]

08 Mega

Had an 03 2500 5.9 with about 450hp to the wheels, $10 000 in powertrain upgrades and still broke stuff. Too unreliable, last victim was T-case $3500.
08 6.7 3500 Megacab Laramie, absolutely love it. 20k on it and not one problem. In the mornings I turn on the high idle and the exhaust brake and it's warm in 5 mins easy.
Gets the same mileage as my old 03, I just can't pass anything I want anymore.
If your concerned do the Deletes, go with an H&S Black Max (you'll like it!)

 

[blackcloud2k]

They are great trucks as has been said. But all of the trouble you hear with these trucks is from guys who drive them stock. take the dpf out, unplug the egr, and put a smart or xrt on and you will love the truck and have very few issues.

 

[philsummers21]

Id buy another one in a heart beat. My cousin is even on his 2nd one (work truck) and has very minimal problems. Cousins is bone stock. Mine is modded and love it. great fuel mileage and awesome power.

 

[tomx]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Went and looked at the truck today, unfortunately the dealer managed to leave out some details when I talked to him on the phone. EGR was deleted already on the truck, had aftermarket intake, and 3" or so blocks on the rear. Deal breakers for me.

Drove an 09 3500 as well, last one on the lot, offering 7k in rebates but I just wasn't feeling it due to the Bighorn trim package. Even at the reduced price, that light grey cloth just doesn't appeal to me. My 04 SLT is soo much nicer inside.

On the way home I stopped by another dealer, found an 2007 2500 5.9l 6-speed manual with everything I was looking for including my favorite Dodge color. Only drawbacks were the light grey Bighorn trim and the fact that it was almost $4k over what I think is a fair asking price. Figured I'll got back with an Edmund's report on it and see if I can make work. Edmunds prices it almost $6k less. If I could save $10k over new then I could throw some air bags in the back and call it good. Wish me luck.

 

[blackcloud2k]

You just hit the nail on the head with the issues I have with the dodge trucks right now...the trim options. All of the dodge interiors, whether they are leather or not just plain suck. They are boring. The dash area is plain jane. Every truck interior looks like a work truck interior, and the seats arent as comfortable as other brands. When you go to a dodge dealer they ussually dont have many options to choose from either, all of the trucks are coockie cutter trucks with the exception of having one option added here and there to make them different occasionally. Now you step on most good sized ford dealership lots and you will be able to find just about the exact truck you want trim wise (exterior color might not be exact) and not have to have one found out of state. The ford seats are way more comfortable, and the trim options look alot better inside and out. I have always been a ford diesel guy, but for the last few months I have considered jumping ship to dodge because of the motor, but in the end everytime I go look at a dodge truck Im just not happy with anything about it except the motor and transmission.

 

[northof40]

I bought my 08 CTD (notice i said CTD not Dodge) and I love everything about it other then the dodge interior, I'm a GM guy at heart but i wanted a cummins. Anyway if you get the newest ECM flash that the 09's have you will have far less problems with a stock truck (mine's stock and no issues at all yet anyway. However the best way to go i think is to do the EGR and DPF deletes, It will save your engine and wake the truck up to boot. I have been researching it alot and next spring i'm going to do mine.
Check out cumminsforum.com if you want to find ALOT of info about these engines.

 

[Benstuck]

I've an 08 Dually Dodge and like everything about it except for the shi//y milage. I get 13 empty and 9 pulling a 24' enclosed with goodies. I'm in the middle of getting rid of stuff that will void my warranty in hopes of improved milage so hope the engine is a good one. You won't know your sleds are on back. Good luck

 

[blackcloud2k]

I've an 08 Dually Dodge and like everything about it except for the shi//y milage. I get 13 empty and 9 pulling a 24' enclosed with goodies. I'm in the middle of getting rid of stuff that will void my warranty in hopes of improved milage so hope the engine is a good one. You won't know your sleds are on back. Good luck

Im sure the 4.10's in that dually are not helping your mileage any either. I had a buddy remove the 4.10s from his 08 and put in 3.73's and he is much happier with the truck. Gained a tad over 1 mpg with the swap as well. The motor has enough tq and hp that he didn't notice the switch at all when pulling trailers. Its just something to think about.

 

[tomx]

With all the incentives from Dodge, it's looking like I might be picking up a 09 3500 now in my price range. I started an all out dealer pricing war and just waiting now to see who's going to meet my price first. Damn it's exhausting though with the back and forth.

I keep hearing mpg in the 20's if you pull the EGR, but I really don't want to void my warranty as that's kind of my point of going new. Anything will be an improvement over my hemi which gets about 12 right now. Probably would help if it wasn't pushing 37" mudders. New truck is staying stock. For now.

 

[rogerbfree]

check out dave smith in kellogg idaho i bet he will beat any price you come up with and get it delivered to your door biggest dealer in the north west

 

[jsledder]

If you get an 09, don't plan on doing any deletes for a while, they have the computer locked up and you cannot add a programmer yet, wont be long though and they'll find a way around it and to do the deletes you pretty much need a programmer to fool the computer. If you don't want to do the deletes for warranty reasons then be happy with the crappy mileage and issues you'll have. I did the delete's on my 07 with 20k on the clock and it's going on 60 with no issues and it runs a whole lot better and the mileage is awesome.

 

[carlc]

the 6.7s get a bad rap for no reason, imo. all new pickups have problems, and i think the engine is great. i have almost 50k on mine with no problems, 30k without deletes. they have a ton of power, and even more torque, they will tow better than any pickup, except maybe an f 450. i heard that bully dog cracked the code on the march 09 and later pickups, but its with the pmt, which lots of people hate.

 

[kerrc]

Have had no problems

I have an 07 2500 6.7L I have had no problems with it. I am getting 21 Mpg on highway unloaded. It is a mega cab. just took it to the mountains hauling enclossed 28 ft trailer 4 sleds and 4 guys and travelling at avg 74 mph and averaged 14mpg. I have done nothing except put larger tires on.

I love my truck.

 

[hughesfoundation]

08 6.7 Mega-Cab 3500. Had Turbo replaced at 10K for being clogged. Did the deletes , 5" Turbo back and Smarty. Runs great, if I have a major problem I will tow to my shop and put it back to stock.