More than enough power with the engine, good reliability and good fuel mileage. An added plus is you can see the engine with the hood open to check things out or work on it...
You mentioned 5.9 so it must be used, check out the front end really well, they are weak in the front... ball joints, tie rod ends, universal joints if 4wd, track bar bushings, hub bearings.. anything that goes around or up and down...also check out the drive shaft for vibration and bad U joints... check the steering for wandering left and right,,, the power steering can flex the frame.... there are good aftermarket cures for all this stuff that Dodge fell short on....
Also if you are getting a large camper a good exhaust brake on these trucks will work wonders....
Oh while you are at it check for leaks on the roof clearance lights...
You mentioned dually so you should have a good payload, the 3500 SRW are not much good for large payloads if you go by the specs on a stock truck...
Not sure if you are looking for new or used. If used watch out for the first run of the 24valve 98.5 & 99 model year. There is a block casting problem with blocks stamped "53". Just google 5.9 53 block. Other than that they kick butt!!
1998.5 dodge cummins edgeEZ/tst/BD ex brake/georend trans
2000 21 ft team hawaiian jet boat 502 chevy
1985 toyota 4-runner geared down and locked up
2005 arctic fox 1140
I originally posted this back in February. I am surprised that it is still alive. I am even more surprised as to timing of its resurfacing because I just got back from a nearly 7,000 mile adventure from Florida to Montana and back.
A little background. I "had" a 7.3 Ford F250. I loved the truck and the engine. Unfortunately I was way over weight when it came to hauling my Lance TC.
I reluctantly decided to buy something else and found a good deal on a 2005 5.9 Dually with only 22,000 miles on it.
I have the unique perspective of having had both engine combinations hauling the same TC in the same mountains year on year.
As much as I love the 7.3 I have to tell you that the 5.9 hands down is winner in every way!
First the fuel mileage is a bit better. I got about 13 mpg. I drive no less than 70.
But the most impressive part is the torque. I drive with my cruise control a lot. Even in Florida, when my 7.3 would encounter a rise in the road it would downshift to get over it.
To my utter amazement, my 5.9 did not downshift once, between Florida and Montana. It just went up the hill like it was not even there.
Even on hills with truck lanes for slow moving traffic...it just powered up the hill with ease.
When I passed vehicles I did not have to engage the passing gear, it just gobbled up the road in front of me.
To say that I am impressed is an understatement. And although I still miss my F250, "Black Beauty" as my wife calls it is growing on me day be day.
I happen to own 99 3500 with a lance 945 on it and it has got all sorts of power. So much that I used up the stock tranny. Put a billet shaft DTT tranny in and now it really shows up to work. My wife wants me to sell it but it looks like new with 98000 miles. We do not use it since we also have a 8.9 ISL in a dp. What would you think this truck and like new garaged 1995 Lance 945 and no rote is worth. It also is all set up to pull a 5th wheel. Also I did not state that it is a 4X4. Rob
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