2004.5 Ram Cummins 600

[PJ]

I just bought a 2004 and Love it!

I had no idea that they were getting another HP boost. . I was told that the one I got was the new improved one... Hmmmmm:-{}

Mine is over 300 hp with the automatic. I wonder if this is the truck the thread is talking about. Im in Grants Pass Oregon, a Chico Calif transplant about 1 year ago. I know I couldnt get one of these in Calif. I bought because now you can get the HO with an automatic. I would love a 6 speed but since a really bad accident, I have a bad left hip and can't do a clutch in traffic.

Im really happy so far with my 2004. My first tank of fuel was 21mpg. . That is GREAT! I know it will get better as time goes on.

Please tell me I didnt but too soon and that this is the new 'super truck". I bought local. I was about to buy at Dave Smith in Idaho, and at the last min, the local dealer offered about the same price and LIFETIME free oil changes! Sticker was about $42k and we paid $33k plus the 7 year 100,000 zero deduct Chrysler warranty.

The nice thing, living in Oregon, NO SALES TAX and a 4 year lic tag is $60. Gotta love it!

 

[PJ]

I just went and looked at the sales book and it claims mine has 305 hp and 555. . I was told that this was the new improved engine. . Did I buy too soon?? I figure 305 vrs 325. . I see an K&N filter taking care of that 20 hp diff. . I still like my new ride. I hope this is the latest and greatest. I havent even made the first payment yet and I thought this was gonna be my last truck... It still is so much quicker than my 98 12valve ever was. Im still happy.



:{ :--)

 

[Moterhead]

Originally posted by PBJohnson2

I just went and looked at the sales book and it claims mine has 305 hp and 555. . I was told that this was the new improved engine. . Did I buy too soon?? I figure 305 vrs 325. . I see an K&N filter taking care of that 20 hp diff. . I still like my new ride. I hope this is the latest and greatest. I havent even made the first payment yet and I thought this was gonna be my last truck... It still is so much quicker than my 98 12valve ever was. Im still happy.



:{ :--)

I suggest you read the Cummins website about K&N filters. Specificly says NOT to use them.



Trucks are like computers. You never have the latest and greatest. If you do happen to luck out (perhaps like those getting the first 600s), the euphoria only lasts until the next shot is fired by Ford or GM or whoever. The fact that the 600 will come out after Jan 1 doesn't make your truck any less than what it is now. You haven't made your first payment yet? Heck, I haven't even gotten mine yet. It's sitting "On Ramp", whatever that means, in Port of Tampa. Due for delivery on 12/8. JOIBO!

 

[Spooled-up]

I'm not worried...

I didn't notice any physical changes to the engine in the press releases. Did they make any mechanical changes or did they essentially do what we do and put a new electronic "box" on it? If so, my 305/555 will upgrade just fine in the future.

 

[Torque King Jay]

Bigger Hp and Torque is good but will it cost more $$$

I'm still waiting on my 04 I ordered back in Oct. but it should be at the dealer late next week. I feel the same way you guys do :{ my new 04 HO is already obsolete before I get it.



If I remember correctly the current $2500 cash back offer on the 04s ends in January plus the new truck will be designated as an "emmisions" vehicle which, in the Cincinnati, Ohio area where I live, makes it subject to the annual emmisions check.



For the extra $2500 I'm saving I can do some light BOMBing on the 04 to make up for the 20 HP and the 45ft/lbs of torque and not have to worry about emmisions checks.



There is no doubt that the economy is picking up and since DC truck sales are on the rise I wouldn't think that DC will continue to offer the $2500 cash back offer after the current promotion is up. Even though I don't have mine yet I'll still take delivery of it. Not being labeled as an "emmisions" vehicle means more to me that the 20 HP.



Overall the trucks and motors are awesome no matter which one you have. Just my . 015 cents <---- (inflation you know)

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: Bigger Hp and Torque is good but will it cost more $$$

Originally posted by Torque King Jay

I'm still waiting on my 04 I ordered back in Oct. but it should be at the dealer late next week. I feel the same way you guys do :{ my new 04 HO is already obsolete before I get it.

Jay, you won't think your new truck is obsolete when you drive it . It is all a numbers game to shove the emisions in with just a tiny bit of grease:--) . I doubt that there will be a noticable difference in performance.

We all anxious when they went to 24 valve in '98. 5, then we went nuts when the G3's came out and we had the common rail. Now the emissions are more in play (they always have been) and we are getting a "performance upgrade" to make us feel better about the mandated emissions. D/C had to do something to be able to sell trucks in CA, NY, MA, etc. That is a big market area.



Dean

 

[Torque King Jay]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dean

This is my first run on the DC "Sales Propaganda" ride :{

 

[TboneMan]

Hmm...



The wife had her heart set on a diesel Liberty. I wonder if she'd go for a 2WD short box, automatic Ram 2500 (my long box, extended cab, 4WD, 6 speed is a bit much for her and she only drives it when necessary)?

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by TboneMan

Hmm...



The wife had her heart set on a diesel Liberty. I wonder if she'd go for a 2WD short box, automatic Ram 2500 (my long box, extended cab, 4WD, 6 speed is a bit much for her and she only drives it when necessary)?

A very good (and wise) Canadien friend once told me that the best ways to convince your wife are:



(1) Tell her it's a safety issue. If that fails... ... ...



(2) Get another woman to convince her. Women tend to believe absolutely anything another woman tells her.



Dean

 

[SpicyJam]

Makes me wonder, do I go and get a new one, or keep bomb'in mine? I love my truck, and just about have the week links taken care of. Think I may wait, bomb away and stay ahead of the rest... ... ... ... ... ... lol. This will be good to see how things transpire with the new Dodge, keep posting what your thoughts are if ya get one.

 

[brillmtb]

Are the changes to the motor and things like oil bath turbo really different from the 03 or is it just a power upgrade?

 

[dflack]

best deal

Wow -stuck my toe into this 3G forum and its sucked me in.....

If I tell my wife I'm going xmas shopping and "happen" to stop at the dealer, will I be better off twisting his arm on an HO vehicle in inventory w/rebate, and then forcing him to reflash the computer to new HO spec's, or are there "real" differences in this "new" HO?

 

[PJ]

Do what I did. I let my wife sign ALL the papers and put my 04 in HER name only. . Funny thing, I have the Keys The extra is in the safe. .

After reading the earlier posts, im glad I took the rebates and bought the one I did. No smog tests on anything in OPregon (yet) but I dont want that stuff on my truck anyway.

\As for the other statement about "Im waiting for my truck because it is on port in Tampa". . Hmmmm Do they put them on a ship after they are built in MEXICO??

 

[Moterhead]

Originally posted by PBJohnson2

\As for the other statement about "Im waiting for my truck because it is on port in Tampa". . Hmmmm Do they put them on a ship after they are built in MEXICO??

It depends on where the truck is bound. Trucks headed west or midwest likely wouldn't be put on a ship. They go by rail to Laredo, then on to whatever railhead/distribution center serves the destination dealer. I'm in the Flordia Keys. Trucks bound for Florida and possibly south Georgia get shipped by rail from the plant in Saltillo to Port of Vera Cruz, then by ship to Tampa. Kind of makes sense for us. It's right across the Gulf of Mexico. I've seen recent posts about trucks going into Baltimore by ship. A slow way to ship 'em. Have to wait on a full shipload. My truck sat on the railcar in Mexco from 10/17 when it went KZ (plant release) until 11/25 when it was loaded on the ship. I sure hope it doesn't sit in Tampa as long as it sat in Vera Cruz!!

 

[XcumminsX]

they will have a cat. thats all i heard nothing about egr... i honestly think its a update in the ecm... then they just added a cat. ?

 

[XcumminsX]

any official word on the auto trans... i will be really ****** off if they throw in a new better trans... how much money would i lose if i went and got a 2004. 5 truck with everything the same as my 2003? (mine is fully loaded - leather seats)

 

[StephenThomas]

Exciting....

I'm happy that Dodge/Cummins will be able to boast the most HP/Torque package of the full size truck market.



Am I dissapointed that I've yet to even make my 2nd payment and already there's an update?? Well... . maybe just a little. But I've convinced myself that a few extra HP/Torque is not a big difference and can easily be taken care of with a BOMB or two. Like someone else said above... it really is just a numbers game... . as well as a sales game to get the HO to the emmisions states.



I've yet to hear or read whether or not there are any real mechanical changes though. Is it possible that a simple reflash can bring our 3G up to speed with the Cummins 600?????

 

[rashwor]

There are changes...

to the block and turbo for oil cooling, but as far as HP, it could probably be accomplished the same as the HP upgrade offered by Cummins / Dodge to some of the second gen trucks.



Not a big deal. Dodge / Cummins do uprates regularly / with each new model almost and they are usually just programming to get the power, but some things get change on the block / head to allow easy handling of the new power.



Don't worry... be happy!

 

[XcumminsX]

IMHO they are not smart for making all these changes. The cummins for example in my 03 is proven. All these new changes me me think of ford's adventure

 

[Hillbilly Hotrodder]

We live in a wonderful time.



A year ago, I bought my 02 HO 6 speed 2wd short bed . I thought I had the baddest boy in town.



Then, in June, my wife drove it for the first time. When she gave me the keys back, she told me she had stopped by the dealer here in town while she was gone to find her one.



I love that woman.



She bought an 03 QC short bed HO 6 speed 3. 73 posi truck for herself. She got the 6 speed becasue she had heard me rant about how tough they are. She said she just had to drop the few hundred extra dollars for the HO option too.



Did I mention I love that woman?



Her 03 will kick the crap out of my truck any day of the week.



That might have to change if the 600 has a smooth introduction. I think I might just have to step up again.