Help me pick a truck

[KKunz]

Looking at buying a 3rd gen. I’m looking for a 2003-2004 2500 4x4 quad cab short bed with 6 speed, and as close to stock as possible. Is there any thing specific I should be looking for? If you know any one who has one for sale let me know.

 

[100 Proof]

Get the 305/555 engine. No cat on that one. Make sure you get one with metal tanks on the charge air cooler if you can.



Some say it delivers the best mileage of all the 3rg gens. Mine would help prove that case.



100 Proof

 

[RVTRKN]

JoelMartin is interested in my 04. 5 (see sig), it is what your looking for except in the long bed. It has 48K on the dial and has been serviced only by the dealer (all required services) but JoelMartin wants to wait for a couple of months. I would be willing to sell it to you if your interested, the above comment is bogus about the cat and dont even know its there and the HP is a lot better. It has new OEM tires it came with that I purchased from the dealer and is in great condition. You can PM me for more detailed info.

 

[100 Proof]

... the above comment is bogus about the cat...

Actually that comment is not bogus. The 305/555 engine did NOT come from the factory with a CAT, and the 600 engine and beyond did. Look it up.



100 Proof

 

[JoelMartin]

JoelMartin is interested in my 04. 5 (see sig), it is what your looking for except in the long bed. It has 48K on the dial and has been serviced only by the dealer (all required services) but JoelMartin wants to wait for a couple of months. I would be willing to sell it to you if your interested, the above comment is bogus about the cat and dont even know its there and the HP is a lot better. It has new OEM tires it came with that I purchased from the dealer and is in great condition. You can PM me for more detailed info.

Actually its my buddy from Idaho thats interested and as far as I know he still wants it. He is a TDR member but does not write on here. But hey its your truck so sell it when you want.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

Actually that comment is not bogus. The 305/555 engine did NOT come from the factory with a CAT, and the 600 engine and beyond did. Look it up.



100 Proof

I think what hes talking about is the horse power??? Its true that 04. 5 is the first year with the catalytic converter. Take it off... . problem solved. I would look for an 04. 5-05 325 horse 600-610 ft lbs of torque. Like stated above get the aluminum tank intercooler.

 

[RVTRKN]

Actually that comment is not bogus. The 305/555 engine did NOT come from the factory with a CAT, and the 600 engine and beyond did. Look it up.



100 Proof

Didn't mean any disrespect but the 600 engine is better and I'm not that sure, but the fuel pump has some issues on those models I believe and the 600 engine has no problems that were prevalent that I'm aware of. I'm sure I will be corrected if I wrong and will apologize in advance.

 

[RVTRKN]

Actually its my buddy from Idaho thats interested and as far as I know he still wants it. He is a TDR member but does not write on here. But hey its your truck so sell it when you want.

Hi JoelMartin, I'm still not sure if I want to sell it but checking the market. I need to use it for my trip to Phoenix NASCAR race in Nov. and will enjoy probably the last big trip I will drive it on before I sell it, if I do. Believe it or not, but my wife wants me to keep it, she fought me all the way when I bought it and now she says we should keep it

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

Hi JoelMartin, I'm still not sure if I want to sell it but checking the market. I need to use it for my trip to Phoenix NASCAR race in Nov. and will enjoy probably the last big trip I will drive it on before I sell it, if I do. Believe it or not, but my wife wants me to keep it, she fought me all the way when I bought it and now she says we should keep it

KEEP IT THEN!!!! If you get rid of it, what will you replace it with???

 

[RVTRKN]

KEEP IT THEN!!!! If you get rid of it, what will you replace it with???

Check my sig! I already have.

 

[RVTRKN]

Actually its my buddy from Idaho thats interested and as far as I know he still wants it. He is a TDR member but does not write on here. But hey its your truck so sell it when you want.

Hi JoelMartin, I'm still not sure if I want to sell it but checking the market. I need to use it for my trip to Phoenix NASCAR race in Nov. and will enjoy probably the last big trip I will drive it on before I sell it, if I do. Believe it or not, but my wife wants me to keep it, she fought me all the way when I bought it and now she says we should keep it

Gee, I'm sorry to get everybody's hopes up, but I needed to take the 2500 to the high desert this last weekend and was talking to my wife about these posts on the trip and she went into orbit when I said I was going sell the truck. The only good point in the argument I had, was the extra cost of insurance we had to carry on the truck and she didnt care about it. I don't know why she wants to keep the truck because it is a manual trany that she only drove one time and didn't like it. Wow, its nice to have a wife thats supports me in my toys the way she does.

 

[BHolm]

I have a couple thoughts to add. I have owned a couple of each, '03s and the newer "600s". The 305/555 trucks from '03/04 do get better milage in my experience, 3-4 mpg. The 600 trucks from 04. 5 on do have more power, you can feel it. My decision would come down to the trans. I do not like the NV5600, just shifts way to stiffly for me. I have an '06 with the G56 and I really like it, much much more pleasent to drive than a NV5600 truck IMO. The intercooler tanks were plastic mostly on the '05s I think and the G56 didn't show up until late '05.



They are ALL great trucks. It is no accident that I am on my fifth third gen. It took me a while to sort through and find what I think is the best combo. I am pretty close with the '06, the only thing better would be the new taller G56 ratios on late '06-07 models.



Good Luck

 

[JoelMartin]

Gee, I'm sorry to get everybody's hopes up, but I needed to take the 2500 to the high desert this last weekend and was talking to my wife about these posts on the trip and she went into orbit when I said I was going sell the truck. The only good point in the argument I had, was the extra cost of insurance we had to carry on the truck and she didnt care about it. I don't know why she wants to keep the truck because it is a manual trany that she only drove one time and didn't like it. Wow, its nice to have a wife thats supports me in my toys the way she does.

I talked to my buddy again and now he's thinking of waiting till spring to buy. He still is interested in buying your truck if your wife will let ya.