2003/2004 any difference ?

[DBohl]

I was just wondering if there are any major differences between the 03 and 04 models also is the five speed transmission an option in those years or were all manuals six speeds by then. when did the six speed become available? I'am still on my quest to find a third gen truck. Thanks, Doug

 

[roperteacher]

The 04. 5 models went up in horsepower with the HO engine. The 6 speeds were all NV5600's. I am not sure if the 5 speed was still an option.

 

[Semicrazy]

03 to 04

SO came with the 5 speed NV4500

HO came with the 6 speed NV5600



04. 5 to Current

All the Same Output (HO)

6 speed NV5600 followed by the G56 (switched in 05)

 

[NUKEMAN]

I don't think there is any differences between an '03 and an '04. If it's an '04. 5, then like previously posted, there are differences.



Not sure when they went to the manual lumbar adjustment on the driver's seat. Thinking maybe '05.

 

[jelag]

With the 04 production you only got the 6 speed and with the 03 production you got the 5 speed... the 5 speed has an 1 1/4 " input shaft on the transmission and the 6 speed uses a 1 3/8" input shaft and a upgraded clutch as well... .

 

[DBohl]

With the 04 production you only got the 6 speed and with the 03 production you got the 5 speed... the 5 speed has an 1 1/4 " input shaft on the transmission and the 6 speed uses a 1 3/8" input shaft and a upgraded clutch as well... .

I saw an ad for a 2004 with a 5 speed ????? SO engine. That is why I was wondering when the 6 speed came on line. Doug

 

[MRosinski]

The 03's have different steering wheels too

 

[jjdiesel]

The six speed came along in '99, NV5600

 

[JRhinehart]

I don't think there is any differences between an '03 and an '04. If it's an '04. 5, then like previously posted, there are differences.



Not sure when they went to the manual lumbar adjustment on the driver's seat. Thinking maybe '05.

My '04 305/555 has the manual lumbar. They sure downgraded in comfort from my 2000.

 

[Semicrazy]

With the 04 production you only got the 6 speed and with the 03 production you got the 5 speed... the 5 speed has an 1 1/4 " input shaft on the transmission and the 6 speed uses a 1 3/8" input shaft and a upgraded clutch as well... .

What?? Rough day at the office jelag Just kidding...



You could get either the 5 speed or the 6 speed on 03 and early 04.



From my previous post,

03 to 04

SO came with the 5 speed NV4500

HO came with the 6 speed NV5600



04. 5 to Current

All the Same Output (HO)

6 speed NV5600 followed by the G56 (switched in 05)





DBohl,

I to am looking for an 03 to early 04 because I don't want want the cat or third injection event. Plus it is more in my price range.



When checking ads for trucks make SURE you go by the VIN!!! I have seen quite a few ads out there that list a 5-speed manual, but the the VIN has a "C" for the 8th digit which means it is a HO, thus it has to be a 6 speed. The VIN for the SO is a "6" in the 8th digit.



The SO trucks are tempting as they are quite a bit cheaper, plus the nv4500 has more availability from what I have read the nv5600 is getting a little rare.



But, I can't pass up the HO. From searching here people say it is like a night and day difference. Plus the HO has J-jet piston coolers which is a step up from the older style of cooling found on the SO. I would like to add a little more power so the better cooling suits me.

 

[Bekim]

I saw an ad for a 2004 with a 5 speed ????? SO engine. That is why I was wondering when the 6 speed came on line. Doug

The 6 speed came along with the 2003. 5's. You could find 5 or 6 speed manuals in 2003. 5. The 47RE and 48RE were also both available in the 2003. 5's.
2004 only offered 6 speed manuals or 48RE slushbox. The ad seems to be a mistake.
Mike
###

Referenced Diesel Power Magazine "Killer B's" article April 2006 Pages 116-122
Gives the history and evolution of the B-series Ram pickups '89-2006

 

[NUKEMAN]

You could get either the 5 speed or the 6 speed on 03 and early 04.



From my previous post,

03 to 04

SO came with the 5 speed NV4500

HO came with the 6 speed NV5600



04. 5 to Current

All the Same Output (HO)

6 speed NV5600 followed by the G56 (switched in 05)





DBohl,

I to am looking for an 03 to early 04 because I don't want want the cat or third injection event. Plus it is more in my price range.

Yep, my very early '03 (May '06) has the NV5600 6 sp. IMO (and I guess I'm kind of biased), the '03-early '04's were the pick of the litter. No CAT, no 3rd event, and a proven reliability record.

 

[100 Proof]

With the 04 production you only got the 6 speed and with the 03 production you got the 5 speed... the 5 speed has an 1 1/4 " input shaft on the transmission and the 6 speed uses a 1 3/8" input shaft and a upgraded clutch as well... .

My early '03 (November of '02 build date) came with the NV5600 6 speed and the big clutch.



100 Proof

 

[DBohl]

Yep, my very early '03 (May '06) has the NV5600 6 sp. IMO (and I guess I'm kind of biased), the '03-early '04's were the pick of the litter. No CAT, no 3rd event, and a proven reliability record.

What is the third event ?

 

[Semicrazy]

The 04. 5 and up trucks have an additional third injection event late in combustion process to help keept the cat at proper operating temp and help with emissions.



The 03 to eary 04 only had the initial two, the pilot, to start the combustion process and cut down on noise, and the main injection.

The 6 speed came along with the 2003. 5's. You could find 5 or 6 speed manuals in 2003. 5. The 47RE and 48RE were also both available in the 2003. 5's.

2004 only offered 6 speed manuals or 48RE slushbox. The ad seems to be a mistake.

Mike

###



Referenced Diesel Power Magazine "Killer B's" article April 2006 Pages 116-122

Gives the history and evolution of the B-series Ram pickups '89-2006

Bekim,

While I subscribe to DP as well, publications like that can leave a lot of the details out. You could get the 6 speed before 2003. 5. There are many trucks built in late 2002 as 03 Model Year with the 6 speed. And you also could get the 5 and the 6 speed still up until the introduction of the 04. 5 in Jan of 04. Thus you have both 5 and 6 speeds trucks built as 04 MY in late 2003. I just want to make sure we do not confuse anybody because when I first started searching this site it was confusing.

 

[HOBrian]

Remember, early 2003 you could NOT get the HO with an auto! The only way it came was with the six speed, until the 48 re came along.

 

[RHestand]

Just curious:



Would there be any advantage to not have the 3rd event? (More MPG?)



If so what would be required? I'm not concerned about smog or CAT. removal.



Would it be as simple as a tuner box?



Thanks for any info. on this.



RHestand

 

[DBohl]

So, am I right in thinking that if a 03 or 04 has a 6 speed it would also have the high output engine and that only the SO engines could come with a 5 speed ? also, the same would hold true with the automatics 48re= HO and 47re= SO ?

Thanks, Semicrazy for the third event explanation I've learned alot in the past two weeks on this fourm, You 3rd gen guys are really helpful. Oh yeah, and what about this Knob thing for engaging the 4x4 ? does it work ok? was it some kind of option ? What year trucks does it come on ? Sounds like something my wife would prefer, Iam more of a lever guy myself, But the truck, when I get it , is going to be for her. Thanks, Doug

 

[bighammer]

Oh yeah, and what about this Knob thing for engaging the 4x4 ? does it work ok? was it some kind of option ? What year trucks does it come on ? Sounds like something my wife would prefer, Iam more of a lever guy myself, But the truck, when I get it , is going to be for her. Thanks, Doug

The knob is a round knob (almost too similar to the fan control knob-- I've mixed the 2 up sometimes ) for engaging the 4wd. It has a light to let you know what mode it's in, so you twist the knob and wait (sometimes quite a while when going between low and high range #@$%! ) for the light to confirm the shift. There's an electric gizmo on the transfer case instead of the standard linkage. I think it's on all the Laramie (not sure what others) editions.

I would prefer to give up my little pen/pencil junk holder in the floor console and have a lever myself. Murphy's Law says the switch or gizmo will go out when I'm on a deadline, stuck in a blizzard, blocking traffic. I think for most wives, the knob would be the way to go if givena choice.

 

[Prairie Dog]

One other change is the addition of head restraints for the back seat ~ may have been an 4. 5 thing.