Buying an early 3rd generation what year is better 03, 04, 04.5???

[LZimmerman]

Looking at buying an early 3rd generation. I have a 94, 4X4, automatic w/ 285K that I am selling, and am looking at an 03-04. 5, Extended cab, 6 speed 4x4. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what to look for or stay away from. I have heard horror stories on 03 engines? what is the main difference between 04-04. 5? what time frame of the year were the 04. 5 started? any input si appreciated



Thanks

 

[MickeyMiller]

I am sure happy with my late '03 HO 6-Speed. Lift pump has been my only failure. 110K, low 20's on the highway. Early '03s had a weak alternator bracket and some had a fan clutch wire that rubbed thru and caused some electrical problems. Of course there is the filter mounted lift pump, but by now that has probably been replaced (if not, do yourself a favor and replace the lift pump).

 

[JDiepstra]

Main differences I can think of... 04. 5 has cat converter, has third injection event, gets less mpg's, has more power. Yes, engine mounted lift pump on both models, and yes, they are junk. My engine was made in Feb 04 but is the 04. 5. It says on motor on side of valve cover how much hp the engine has. 325 hp = 04. 5.

 

[WhiteSheep]

go for the '06

LZimmerman:



I would suggest the '06 as it has a 48RE that can take an exhaust brake as well as a slightly more powerful engine than the earlier G3s. Another advantage is the 06 has an in tank fuel pump like the 05s. With the 03-04. 5 you better carry a spare pump unless the factory fix as been installed already. The only downside is the door open in gear alarm. This can be disabled. If I lose my 04. 5 for any reason, I'll replace it with an '06.



If you are set on the 03 - 04. 5 your choices hinge on whether you want the most powerful truck or the simplest engine. The 03-04 don't have the 3rd injection event that causes black oil. They also are down HP on the 04. 5. All are good trucks with solid transmissions of either type. From my perspective, the other differences are minor or cosmetic. Be sure to pack a spare fuel pump.



As you can see from my sig, I have a 04. 5. This is a great truck that I plan to have for many years. I prefer 5. 9L engine over the 6. 7L in the new trucks for a host of reasons, even if you have to carry a spare fuel pump.



Good luck,

 

[FJfonda]

Lzimmerman,

04. 5 is when the 325hp 600ftlb TQ engine came out and it can me determined by the lablel on the drivers side of the valve cover. Prior to that, the 3rd gen's had two engine options with one being the HO (high output) option. The model year 04, I believe only the standard output was available until the introduction of the 04. 5, so I don't believe you can buy an 04 HO.



One SIGNIFICANT difference in the 04. 5 325/600 engine: this is when the emission controls were designed into the engine and as a result there was a marked reduction in fuel ecomomy. This is due mostly to the preinjection of fuel before the "normal" timed injection which results in a more complete burn cycle. Less emmissions, good for the greener envirnonment, less fuel economy, bad for your wallet green. In my direct comparisons to 03 owners I am getting 4-5mpg less than a non emission truck.



As an owner of a 04. 5 I often toy with trading down to a '03 HO to better fuel economy but the cost of diesel has me commuting in a 50mpg car (diesel of course). I am only driving the truck 5-7K per year now. If the right 03 HO came along -- I suppose I would make the jump.

 

[RVTRKN]

For those years 250/460 305/555 325/600. Mine is the 325/600 and love it but as mentioned before, lift pump failure will go at any time with out warning and will leave you stranded. Make sure it has been replaced or worked it in the deal. The first was basically for california engines because the Republic of the Socialist State of California would not allow the HO. They were for the years of 03-04 and is why I waited for the 04. 5. IMO the cat is the only negative over the others with the 04. 5 and the comment about the poor MPG I don't agree with. Mine gets about 18 to 21 MPG HWY and towing is about 12 to 15 MPG. Now if you want to complain about MPG just buy a 6. 7. If you buy an 04 you have a possibility of all three engines and will have to check the valve cover for ratings. I really love my 04. 5 and do have the NV5600 and when towing grades there is nothing better and the exhaust brake will not effect the trany. IMO get the highest output possible, I made that mistake with my boat. (V6 over V8)

 

[LRutigliano]

The '03 and possibly '04's have a different dash and black (charcoal) interior vs. the '04. 5 with a gray or taupe interior. '03-'04's interiors are much better looking IMO.



Any interior designer that uses battleship gray or taupe (tan) as a main interior color should be drawn and quartered... those colors should only be used to accent/highlight a black interior...



Smarty and other mods (air intake, exhaust) erase any minor power differences when stock.



I originally bought an auto because I had a truck camper and the thought of backing up underneath with a manual scared me, however now that I have the auto and a 5er, I am really kicking myself because the manual can handle more power and a HO clutch is WAY less expensive than a HO slush box.



Coming out of an '94 to an '03, you will notice a huge power difference, especially when towing. I did when I went from an '01 to an '03.



I've been very pleased with my '03, but everyone I know with their '04. 5's have also been VERY happy.



Some people use the MEGA cab as an excuse to upgrade because the interior is so much larger, so if interior space is an issue, don't forget to consider that. The Quad cabs are definately larger than an extended cab, but if you have friends with Powerstrokes, their Crew cabs make our Quad cabs look puny.

 

[KLockliear]

I too am looking to upgrade (at some point in the near future) to a 3rd Gen. Having worked at a diesel performance shop in the past, I made up my mind on an 03-04 305/555 truck a while back.



The 555 motor gets better mileage than the later trucks (as mentioned above) and doesn't have a cat. With power mods, the same total power is available as with the 600 motor, but without the fuel mileage drawbacks.

 

[JimB1]

Near end of production, '07 5. 9's 6 speed had taller 6th gear for better mileage.



My '06 & '07, 48re's give 21. x mpg at 60-63 mph.



Some posters with newer 6 speed have claimed a bit better.



Search TDR will turn up the build code for that taller 6 speed.



Given current economy, a bit of shopping around might discover a nearly new '07 5. 9 6 speed for about same money of what early 3rd gen owners want.

 

[Bob4x4]

The '03 and possibly '04's have a different dash and black (charcoal) interior vs. the '04. 5 with a gray or taupe interior. '03-'04's interiors are much better looking IMO.



Any interior designer that uses battleship gray or taupe (tan) as a main interior color should be drawn and quartered... those colors should only be used to accent/highlight a black interior...

You missed the boat on the colors I have the dark leather and dash/doorpanels on the 05



Bob

 

[LRutigliano]

You missed the boat on the colors I have the dark leather and dash/doorpanels on the 05



Bob

Oooppps. Sorry if I missed this. Every truck I have seen with the newer style dash has been either gray or taupe. What year did the 3 distinct pod (LH, Center and RH) style dash go into production?? Maybe it was after 05.



Do you have any pics?

 

[Bob4x4]

06 is when the dash changed

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I'm an 03/04 fan. I'm on my 2nd one



my '04 is on ebay



eBay Motors: Dodge : Ram 2500 (item 300266747120 end time Oct-23-08 11:44:20 PDT)

 

[Motorhead]

Near end of production, '07 5. 9's 6 speed had taller 6th gear for better mileage.

My '06 & '07, 48re's give 21. x mpg at 60-63 mph.

Some posters with newer 6 speed have claimed a bit better.

Search TDR will turn up the build code for that taller 6 speed.

Given current economy, a bit of shopping around might discover a nearly new '07 5. 9 6 speed for about same money of what early 3rd gen owners want.

To get the "AE" coded late 6 speed, You have to find a LATE November thru December '06 build date. I FOUND one!Oo.

 

[rbattelle]

The model year 04, I believe only the standard output was available until the introduction of the 04. 5, so I don't believe you can buy an 04 HO.

This is not true. In 04 you could also get the HO engine.

This is due mostly to the preinjection of fuel before the "normal" timed injection which results in a more complete burn cycle.

All the common rail trucks have pilot injection, generally to their benefit. Starting in 04. 5 (I think), a 3rd injection event was added after the main charge, which decreased fuel economy significantly.

Personally, I like the 03 and 04 trucks (which are, basically, identical). The last production vehicles on Earth with NO emissions equipment (unless you count the crankcase breather). They also have a traditional power distribution system, wheras 05-up trucks have the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module).

Ryan

 

[seafish]

Just curious, can you get a G56 transmission in an 4. 5??

 

[rbattelle]

Just curious, can you get a G56 transmission in an 4. 5??

No, not that I'm aware of. G56 didn't come around until '06, I think.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

G56 came about mid model year '05 I believe.

 

[DaveHess]

I love my '03! The lift pump was replaced at about 5,000 miles and she now has 50,000 with no subsequent failure. It's still on the side of the fuel filter. My 48RE is the one thing I dislike about the truck but that is about to change in the next 6 months.

 

[J&LRam]

This is not true. In 04 you could also get the HO engine.







All the common rail trucks have pilot injection, generally to their benefit. Starting in 04. 5 (I think), a 3rd injection event was added after the main charge, which decreased fuel economy significantly.



Personally, I like the 03 and 04 trucks (which are, basically, identical). The last production vehicles on Earth with NO emissions equipment (unless you count the crankcase breather). They also have a traditional power distribution system, wheras 05-up trucks have the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module).



Ryan

'03 was the first years of the 305/555 HO engine and ended in '04. This is the engine that can embarass the first gens in getting the better mpgs with more power without performance mods. 122k on mine with the orig lift pump however I carry a new one under the seat. My neighbor lady hotshots and had a '03 3500 DRW flatbed with 375k with 28k plates and still on the orig lift pump when she swapped for the new 6. 7 truck.



Jim