2004- 2004&1/2

[Disel Dave]

Ok Im new here I been over at TDS for years as diesel dave 99 any way im looking at jumping the fence and trying a 3G Dodge, and was wondering what the differance was between a 04 and a 04&1/2? The truck i been looking at was built 6-04

 

[XJSuperman]

The main difference is the '03-'04 is the 305 HP 555 TQ motor. The '04. 5 is the 325 HP 600 TQ motor. I believe it;s the programming and a couple other things (turbo??) that were changed. Plus the '04. 5 will have a cat.



Your looking at a truck with a build date of 06/04 it would be an '04. 5... somebody chime in as maybe it's an '05????

 

[Disel Dave]

Thanks, Do you know if they all have the 7-70 or was that a add on when the truck was bought new?

 

[p-Bar]

Mine has a build date of 01. 04 and is a 04. 5 I think 04. 5 started in oct or nov. The o4. 5 is a superior motor over the 03-04 unless it's the HO

 

[BrianJ]

The difference is between the 305/555 and 325/600 engines. There is actually quite a bit different on the '600', including larger turbo, different heads, injectors, valves, 4" exhaust all the way back (04' is from turbo downpipe back), larger intercooler, larger radiator, and different programming. The 600 is 50 state legal and also has a cat. If the manuf. date is 06/2004 it is a 2004. 5 600' .



You will benefit with slightly more power with the 600, however, it does not seem to do as well with mileage as the 555 does. Early 600's also had some injector problems.



The 7/70 warranty was good through and including the 2005 model year.

 

[Disel Dave]

Thanks for the info, Brian what MPG do you get towing? and were the injector issues a big deal or somthing under the 100000 mile warrenty?

also what is covered under the 7-70 is the transmission covered?

 

[steved]

If the manuf. date is 06/2004 it is a 2004. 5 600' .



.

Not exactly... you could get either engine until sometime until late august 04... it depended on the build... dealer can print the build sheet out for you... it will say 600cummins if it has the 600 or not... I looked at at least 30 dodge rams about this time and there was no magic date at which you got one or the other... I just got lucky getting a 600 in mine.



The only sure way to tell is by the build sheet (any dealer can enter the VIN and get it for free)... or look at the engine data plate, it will be ISB325 (?) I believe.



steved

 

[ECappleman]

305/555 = better milage, cooler running, and way less emission equipment (besides the cat they added to the 600)

 

[BrianJ]

Thanks for the info, Brian what MPG do you get towing? and were the injector issues a big deal or somthing under the 100000 mile warrenty?

also what is covered under the 7-70 is the transmission covered?

My RV has a fairly tall profile, and is a pull behind (less efficient than a 5'er), so wind really affects my mileage. In relatively low wind and moderate terrain I can get into the low teens driving 65-70. However, I have also seen 7 to 9 MPG towing 70mph in the winds of Wyoming. Most common I would say is 10-12 MPG towing, high teens empty. I have seen over 20mpg a couple times when the speed has been held to 60-65 MPH.



The injector failures that were common generally were leaking fuel which would cause extended white smoke and a rough idle at start up, say 40-60 seconds. My #5 injector was replaced under warranty at 10,000 miles. I believe they are covered under the 7/70 warranty, pretty sure not the 100k. The transmission should also be covered under the 7/70. I don't think either is covered in the 100k, just major engine components.



I don't want to give you false information, the injectors "might" be limited to the 3/36 warranty, I read another post where someone may have had a problem on that, I just can't find it.



I had a choice between both engines when I bought mine, I would still go with the '600'.

 

[BrianJ]

305/555 = better milage, cooler running, and way less emission equipment (besides the cat they added to the 600)

Other than the Cat, which is not restrictive by the way, what "way more" emission equipment is on the 600



The only other difference I know of emission related is the 3rd (pre) injection event on the 600's, which is not "equipment" related.

 

[JCleary]

I'd look for a 325/600. You have more options when it comes to fueling boxes, plus if you like the Juice/Attitude it does not increase rail pressure like it does on the SO/HO.



If the mileage is off, just get a good box and you'll have it back.

 

[swexlin]

Ok Im new here I been over at TDS for years as diesel dave 99 any way im looking at jumping the fence and trying a 3G Dodge, and was wondering what the differance was between a 04 and a 04&1/2? The truck i been looking at was built 6-04

Welcome Dave. Don't tell Duane you're jumping ship... ..... :-laf



I have one of the earliest build (January 04) "600s", and except for a shredded belt (for unknown reasons) at 5400 miles, it has been trouble-free (knock wood).



Mileage is not as good as the PSD - I get in the 12s puttering around, but then again it is a big dually truck with 4:10s, and significantly more power.



IMO, people have unreasonable mileage expectations for these trucks, based upon earlier diesel experience with less powerful vehicles.



Go for it.



Scott

 

[Pawpaw]

Not exactly... you could get either engine until sometime until late august 04... it depended on the build... dealer can print the build sheet out for you... it will say 600cummins if it has the 600 or not... I looked at at least 30 dodge rams about this time and there was no magic date at which you got one or the other... I just got lucky getting a 600 in mine.



The only sure way to tell is by the build sheet (any dealer can enter the VIN and get it for free)... or look at the engine data plate, it will be ISB325 (?) I believe.



steved

If the truck was built on or after 1/1/04, it's a 600. The 555 would not pass the new emissions reqirements that went into effect on Jan 1. Its true that there were lots of 555's that sat on the dealers' lots, but they were all built before Jan 1.



There are lots of ways to tell without the build sheet.



1. Look at the tag on the driver's side of the valve cover. If it says "325 hp", it's a 600.



2. Look at the fan shroud. If its attached to the radiator, it's a 555. If its attached to the engine, it's a 600.



3. On the 555, both the radiator bottle and windshield washer bottle are located between the radiator and driver's side headlight. On the 600, I think the windshield washer bottle was moved to the passenger side, behind the battery.



4. Get on the ground and look for the cat. The only pre-600 trucks with a cat would be the Kalifornia SO.



Bob

 

[swexlin]

Exactly. Trucks manufactured off the line as of January 04 were ALL 600s.



Those trucks on the lot in August were leftovers that had been hanging around for some time.

 

[mberry]

The injectors are covered under the 100K mile engine warranty. The 3rd injection event is "post" and occurs after the main injection event for emissions.



There is less programming on the 305/555 engine if that qualifies for way less emissions stuff.

 

[ECappleman]

Other than the Cat, which is not restrictive by the way, what "way more" emission equipment is on the 600



The only other difference I know of emission related is the 3rd (pre) injection event on the 600's, which is not "equipment" related.

How can you say a Cat is non-restrictive?

They have the 3rd injection, which is ONLY for emissions and raises exaust temps, which made them have to change the internals of the engine. The electronics are also re-programed for more EPA friendly driving.

This changed temps and fuel milage.



Do you think they changed the engine for 5lbs more of torque? No, it was so they could meet the new EPA regulations.



I agree though with John, I am jealous that the newer trucks have more options for aftermarket boxes.



Ok... They are both great trucks.

I don't want to start a debate. :-laf

 

[Cattletrkr]

3. On the 555, both the radiator bottle and windshield washer bottle are located between the radiator and driver's side headlight. On the 600, I think the windshield washer bottle was moved to the passenger side, behind the battery.

The washer fluid is still on the drivers side. The rad. bottle is on the pass. side.

 

[LesStallings]

Towing heavy and relatively fast (70-75 MPH), also 8 foot high trailer (inside height), I averaged 12 MPG over 20,000 miles going back and forth on I-40 between Las Vegas and Nashville. The EZ box on my 305/555 made a huge difference in power on the long steep climbs, allowing me to stay in 6 th. gear for all but one hill. Keeping it above 2,000 is the key. If I was going to tow heavy for a living or full time RV, etc. I would definitely choose 4. 10 over my 3. 73s. Using the truck about 40% for towing, the 3. 73s seems like the right compromise. I now have just over 70,000 miles on my 2004. 0 and have only needed to replace one front wheel bearing/hub. Not other service other than faithfully following the "B" Scheduel for service.



I believe both the 555 and the 600/610 engines are great, but I certainly would not shy away from the 305/555 2004 engine, especially one well cared for and broken in with some towing.

 

[Pawpaw]

The washer fluid is still on the drivers side. The rad. bottle is on the pass. side.

Thanks. Since I don't have a 600, I can never remember which one they moved. It seems logical that the radiator bottle needs to be beside the radiator, but...



Bob

 

[DocDetonancour]

I would go with the 04. Better mpg and less crap. I have friends that traded the early 04 for an 05 due to poor mpg. It is tough to get a adjustable box for the 555. Doc