04 555 HO vs 600 decision

[pedalpwr]

Need some feedback as I goofed, and feel stupid about it now but I bought a 04 a couple of weeks ago and the salesperson told me it was a 600 engine. I crawled under it after I had put 3500 miles on it, 2000 of it towing my TT. (Left for a trip just after I bought it ). NO CAT! what??? sure enought I had a early 04 with the 305 HO. The sales person admitted that I had been told a different story and I meet with the sales manager today. What do you think should I ask for a different truck with the 600 or just keep it. No problems so far but down the road which is the better engine. And I wonder with the 48RE if this will be approved by DC for the Jake brake or if it eventually is approved will it only be for the 600 engine.

 

[PHX ATC]

Keep it and ask for the $$$ difference.

 

[GColeman]

If you like the truck, keep the one you have! From what others have reported, you probably wouldn't feel any difference in performance between the two, but clearly the 305/555 will give you better fuel economy. Same basic motor but tuned differently to meet EPA requirements.



Keep in mind that they REALLY don't want to take your rig back because they would only be able to sell it as used. But, if complained loud enough, they wouldn't have much choice. With that in mind, you can probably squeeze them for some extended warranty, free service, etc. on your current truck.



There is no difference between the 48RE in the two trucks. If and when they approve it for the 600, it would seem logical that it would be approved for the 555. Enjoy your new rig. They are the coolest truck on the road with the only real DIESEL engine.

 

[XcumminsX]

keep the 555... . better motor imo... . No emission crap, just less to go wrong later in life (truck)



Nick

 

[EEngel]

Not a 600

pedalpwr,



If you are happy with the truck, keep it. But either way I would head back and act like you are pretty pi**ed about it. Get them to throw in the bumper to bumper 7/100,000 waranty for free.



Like Coleman said, they don't want to have to take the hit on selling your truck as used. You have the leverage. Otherwise, are there some mopar accesories you have been craving?

 

[stevenknapp]

There is no difference between the 48RE in the two trucks. If and when they approve it for the 600, it would seem logical that it would be approved for the 555.



Check out the Jake Brake thread. It appears there were hardware changes to the 48RE sometime around when the 600 came out to support the JB.



Hard to say which to pick. Pros and cons to both IMHO.

 

[klenger]

If the discussion about it being a 600 was all verbal, they may not be legally obligated to do anything. While I do not in any way defend the dealer's lack of knowledge, it is up to the buyer to make sure it is the vehicle you want, especially if there is nothing in writing to indicate otherwise. It sounds like they are admitting the error, which shows some integrity. Personally, if you like the truck, I'd keep it and ask for some concession for the mixup. As far at the 48RE and the Jake brake, I thought that none of the 48RE's had the hardware changes required for the Jake Brake yet. I thought it was still in development, and expected by 2005. Good luck in what ever you decide and enjoy the truck.



Edit: I just noticed that you had the truck Line-X'd. You could loose your money invested on the Line-X if they took the truck back.

 

[DGFoster]

I intentionaly went out and got the 305/555 over the 600,and I love mine.

 

[stevenknapp]

From the first page of the EB thread:

update 5-Feb-2004: Cummins is still working closely with the 48RE transmission group to make the 48RE compatible with the exhaust brake. One hardware change went into transmission in January and another is planned for February. We are also working on a second round of software changes that require extensive testing. I would like to say that I am confident that this is all that is required to get warranty approval, but I won't make any promises. We've encountered several unexpected issues along the way and there could be more. I'll post as soon as I have more information.

It was also mentioned that vehicles built before these dates would not be approved. Carlton Bale is posting, he's a Cummins engineer.

 

[pedalpwr]

Thanks all for the input, I met with the sales manager today and we had a friendly conversation and I decided to keep the truck and they will sell me a exhaust brake at wholesale, and pay for a new 4" exhaust and install, and (honor the warranty. . At the dealership only I know. ) But better than all the guys running them with no warranty. I got it in writing so should be good to go when I get the funds for the EB. Tom Addais Dodge in Coeur d'Alene.

 

[coobie]

Originally posted by pedalpwr

Thanks all for the input, I met with the sales manager today and we had a friendly conversation and I decided to keep the truck and they will sell me a exhaust brake at wholesale, and pay for a new 4" exhaust and install, and (honor the warranty. . At the dealership only I know. ) But better than all the guys running them with no warranty. I got it in writing so should be good to go when I get the funds for the EB. Tom Addais Dodge in Coeur d'Alene.

Sounds like a heck of a deal. I love my 555 motor and 48re. coobie

 

[klenger]

Are they installing the ebrake? It's kind of a PITA, so if you can get them to do it, all the better.

 

[pedalpwr]

Yes, install the EB with the 4" exhaust all in one shot. I will have more fun pulling the TT over the hills and down the other side.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Just out of curiosity was the salesman/dealer Dave Smith?



I had them renege on a quote they gave me. I thank them for all their hard work coming up with a price, and said goodbye. An hour later they called back to give me the original quote.



I ended up getting a better deal next door at Yellowstone Country Motors in Livingston, MT.

 

[KFette]

I'm a little confused...



My '04 305/555 has 4" exhaust already, why are they replacing it with the same diameter?



KFette

 

[DGFoster]

Originally posted by KFette

I'm a little confused...



My '04 305/555 has 4" exhaust already, why are they replacing it with the same diameter?



KFette

I know,my 305/555 has 4 inch from turbo to tail,no one seems to believe me,but it does.

I have seem others 305/555 were it goes to 3 inch. .

 

[dieselpilot1969]

Originally posted by GColeman

If you like the truck, keep the one you have! From what others have reported, you probably wouldn't feel any difference in performance between the two, but clearly the 305/555 will give you better fuel economy. Same basic motor but tuned differently to meet EPA requirements.



Keep in mind that they REALLY don't want to take your rig back because they would only be able to sell it as used. But, if complained loud enough, they wouldn't have much choice. With that in mind, you can probably squeeze them for some extended warranty, free service, etc. on your current truck.



There is no difference between the 48RE in the two trucks. If and when they approve it for the 600, it would seem logical that it would be approved for the 555. Enjoy your new rig. They are the coolest truck on the road with the only real DIESEL engine.

I'd go for lifetime oil changes

 

[Yo Hoot]

Originally posted by DGFoster

I know,my 305/555 has 4 inch from turbo to tail,no one seems to believe me,but it does.

I have seem others 305/555 were it goes to 3 inch. .

I have a 305/555 2004 truck. I removed the whole system.



The front half (downpipe to muffler) is supposed to be 3 1/2" but it's actually only like 3 1/4" inside dia at the entry of the muffler. Behind the muffler, that tailpipe is 4".



I can put a tape measure up to the end of the pipe if you like and take a picture.

 

[pedalpwr]

You guys got me courious and I went and measured my exhaust.

3. 5" turbo to muffler and 4" out build date 9/03. DGFoster and KFette what were your build dates, close to Jan. 04?

 

[Mercam]

My 04 Built 12/03/03 had 3. 5" from Turbo to Muffler and 4" from Muller to end . Just toore it out and replaced the Turbo to muffler and the muffler with a 4" Rip Exhaust. Sounds much better and my EGT went down along with the Sound ... The Sound ... The Sound