decipher vin?

[swhalen]

i am casually shopping for std cab 03-04 (pre 04. 5=no cat, no 3rd injection event), 6 speed, 4x4 with 3. 73s. std cabs are scarce as hen's teeth, and when i add in all the other requirements the pickin's get slimmer. i just had the unpleasant experience of driving 2 hours to check out a truck only to find that it had 4. 10's after the DODGE dealer assured me it had 3. 73s. i had told him to look in the booklet in the jockey box and he stated that he had. duh!anyway, question is: by looking at the vin can is there a way of telling (a) the rear end; (2) 04 vs 04. 5 to save myself this trouble again? thanks, steve whalen

 

[JVolpe]

I don't think the VIN itself will help you, need a build sheet from the VIN #. Here is VIN decode for 2004:

POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION

1 Country of Origin 1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... 3 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler De Mexico

2 Make D = Dodge

3 Vehicle Type 2 = Incomplete with Side Airbag

... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 = Truck with Side Airbag

... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 = Incomplete Less Side Airbag

... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 = Truck Less Side Airbag

4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating G = 5,001-6000 lbs.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . H = 6,001-7,000 lbs.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . J = 7,001-8,000 lbs.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . K = 8,001-9,000 lbs.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . L = 9,001-10,000 lbs.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . M = 10,001-14,000 lbs.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . W = Buses/Incomplete Vehicles with Hydraulic Brakes

5 Vehicle Line A = Ram Pickup 4X2

... ... ... ... ... ... . U = Ram Pickup 4X4

... ... ... ... ... ... . N = Ram Pickup 4X2 DX Family

6 Series 1 = 1500

... ... ... ... 2 = 2500

... ... ... ... 3 = 3500 Less Dual Rear Wheels

... ... ... ... 4 = 3500 With Dual Rear Wheels

... ... ... ... 5 = 4000 DX Family

7 Body Style 6 = Conventional Cab/Cab Chassis

... ... ... ... ... ... 8 = Quad Cab Full Rear Doors

8 Engine K = 3. 7L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline

... ... ... ... N = 4. 7L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline

... ... ... ... D = 5. 7L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline

... ... ... ... 6 = 5. 9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel 24v

... ... ... ... C = 5. 9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel High Output

9 Check Digit 0 through 9 or X

10 Model Year 4 = 2004

11 Plant Location S = Dodge City

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... G = Saltillo

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... J = St. Louis (North)

12 thru 17 Vehicle Build Sequence

 

[CumminsBu]

The only thing I know is a the sticker in the glove box. I have 4. 10:1 gears with stock tires I turn 1800 RPM at 55MPH.

 

[swhalen]

thanks, guys. guess i will just have to trust what the dealer says, drive on over and check 'em out. regards, steve whalen

 

[Msilbernagel]

As a thought - ask the dealer what he'd charge to install the 3. 73's he told you were in there. What do you have to loose by asking?



Also, if taller tires are a possibility, a few inches will buy you a few hundred RPM. . as an alternative means of effectively changing the ratio.



Mark

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thanks, guys. guess i will just have to trust what the dealer says, drive on over and check 'em out. regards, steve whalen