Shopping for a common rail, 3rd gen vs 4th gen
 

I'm looking to get into a newer daily driver/tow rig and I can't make my mind up, hoping for a little more input. I've been daily driving my 2nd gen for about 3 years, while it's a fun truck I'm tired of driving something that rough around the edges everyday. I'm looking at 06/07 5.9 3rd gens or any 4th gen, auto trans only, $40k max. I've driven 3rd and 4th gen 1500's but have never even been in a 2500/3500 version of either so I have a few questions.

1. Do 3rd and 4th gens ride and steer THAT much better than 2nd gens?
2. Is there a big difference between the ride and steering from a 3rd to 4th?
3. What's everyones opinion of the coil sprung rear on 14+ 2500s?
4. Do 4th gens have rust issues like the 3rd gens?

Any other input on pros/cons to either truck would be appreciated, I've been doing some reading online but this is all pretty new to me.

I've driven 4×4 2nd gens for the last 16 yrs, I now daily drive a 2008. There is no comparison in how they drive, they steer so much lighter and drive tight, also alot better brakes.

1. Do 3rd and 4th gens ride and steer THAT much better than 2nd gens?
This shouldn't even be a question. 3rd gens are ten times better and fourth gens are even better
2. Is there a big difference between the ride and steering from a 3rd to 4th?
Yes there is. 4th gens are overall a way nicer truck
3. What's everyones opinion of the coil sprung rear on 14+ 2500s?
It's the best thing since sliced bread. My 15 coil sprung rear end truck rides and so good with and without a trailer you would never want to own another third gen for a daily.
4. Do 4th gens have rust issues like the 3rd gens?
Not that I have seen.

I could never go back to having another third gen for an everyday truck over both fourth gens I've had including the leaf spring one. If you're willing to spend 40k just go ahead and get a nice fourth gen that's at least more optioned than a tradesman. With coil spring rear. You won't regret it.

You've got me leaning towards a 4th gen, the only thing that scares me is the 68RFE and there's no way the truck would stay stock for longer than a year. I'd have no problem 48 swapping a 3rd gen but that's a lot of money to throw at a 4th gen that already costs ~10k more.

Whats the difference between a late 07 truck and an 09?

As long as you have good tuning and don't drive like a pissed off teenager it will last just fine. My old 2011 I would tow with it set on kill and I never had an issue out of my trans. I got bored and swapped it to a g56. But the 68rfe is awesome for towing over the 48re. If you think about it dodge has had the 68rfe for 10 years now. That's longer than any other trans they've had in these trucks. So it must not be terrible. I will delete my 2015 soon and I won't ever swap another trans in it. But then again I'm not gonna do anything more than tuning because a tow rig doesn't need 1,000hp.

That's the problem, every now and then I like to drive like a pissed off teenager, then again I'll have the 2nd gen to beat on too. I'll have to do some test driving, so far I'm leaning towards a 2014+, I like the thought of a coil sprung rear and not needing traction bars.

Let me rephrase what I said to "constantly" I held my 68rfe set on kill on the floor while towing several times.