'05 Drw 6 Speed

[Blu-meanie]

I am looking at taking the plunge to the next generation. I looked at one and I have a few questions. It has the 3:73 gears and the engine kind of stumbles starting off in 2nd gear. I got the usual answer from the salesguy: they all do that. Do they? Is the lift pump problem gone with this years models, or do I still need a FP gage and a spare pump? How about the puke bottle, is it still there? And, one last comment, I sure like the dash on my '01 better. Oo.

 

[DBoggs]

Blu-meanie



I just bought an 05 3500 with the 6spd and 3. 73 gears. Mine doesn't stumble when starting off in 2nd gear and neither did the other one I test drove at a different dealer. As far as the lift pump goes, everything I've read says it is now in the tank so hopefully that will solve the problem(I have not been under my truck yet, been to muddy here). The only thing that I think takes some getting used to on the new dash is the white guages, but they are growing on me, especially at night. I really love this new truck compared to the 01. 5 I traded and I thought it was fantastic.



Duane

 

[DBoggs]

Oh, the puke bottle is gone, I couldn't find any breather yesterday when I was looking, but I know its somewhere.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Crankcase vent tube exits from the back 1/3rd of the valve cover down past the fuel filter. . I have gotten over the differences in my 01 and 04 quite well. I LOVE THE 04!!!!!!!!!! There is not a single thing the 04 wont do better than my 01 or 02 trucks did.

 

[jsimpson]

The only thing better about my 2nd gen was that it was a stick shift!

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Stumbles in 2nd... . absolutely not. The reason why I like the 6 speed so much better than the 5 speed is the gear ratios in 2nd and R are much better. IMHO if you are not constantly towing heavy (then go 4. 10) the 3. 73 and six speed is the best combo yet.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Do not accept a stumbling engine. Tell sales guy to keep it if they can't correct it.



Casey

 

[Blu-meanie]

Do not accept a stumbling engine. Tell sales guy to keep it if they can't correct it.



Casey

I wouldn't, and I doubt if their nose picking mechanics could fix it either. I'm going to drive another one before I decide. I currently have the 4:10 which makes a big difference for comparing (plus an ez).

 

[roadbyte]

Stumble

My 03 takes off in second with out a problem. Go find another dealer or get the service department to fix that one.

 

[klenger]

I agree that the 2nd gen styling was terrific, but the 3rd gen has a lot of mechanical improvments that make the switch worth while. The 4 real doors are really nice. Power is good. Milage is good.

 

[mberry]

I agree with everything said so far. I love my '04 much better than my '02. It took me a while to get used to the 3rd Gen styling, but it really grew on me. Definitely worth the switch tio me.

 

[Cattletrkr]

That "engine stumble" you noticed may be a driveline vibration. I thought mine was the engine sorta sputtering for a while too. Turns out it's in the driveline. Apparently dodge has never figured out how to use a 2 piece driveshaft. Find one that doesn't do it 'cause they can't fix it. At least not mine anyway.



Other than that, I love this thing. I loved my '01 (see sig) and wish I hadn't sold it, but the 04. 5 is a good truck. I put a fuel pres. gauge in just in case. I hate diagnosing lift pump failures w/o one.

 

[RankRam]

The only thing better about my 2nd gen was that it was a stick shift!

Same here!