How to tell a 2004 5.9 pre emissions engine

[MSloan]

I am looking at buying a 2003 - 2004 3500 pickup and was wondering if there are any ways to tell if the engine is a 2004 305 hp, pre emissions or a 2004. 5 325 hp post emissions engine. I was hoping there was a way to tell before driving to see the vehicle. The reason I am looking for a truck this old is, in my opinion, every time the emissions standards are changed, the fuel economy suffers. Thanks for the help. Mark

 

[jelag]

Look at the date of manufacturer on the door sticker... . those trucks built before 1-5-04 are the earlier truck, those built after 1-5-04 are the later... . You can also tell, as the earlier trucks have a 3 1/2" exhaust and the 04. 5 have a 4" exhaust. .

Your issue about emissions and fuel economy are not correct as far as I'm concerned. . we own an 04, 04. 5 and a 05 and we don't see much difference in the economy, but do see a little better performance when we pull a hill with the later trucks than the 04...

Hope this has helped...

 

[Cattletrkr]

Call your local dealer and give them the last 6-8 digits of the VIN. Without seeing it, I don't know any other way.

I had a '04. 5 and the emissions stuff never caused me any troubles at all.

The '07 6. 7L is a different story.

 

[Turbo_Bob]

I am looking at buying a 2003 - 2004 3500 pickup and was wondering if there are any ways to tell if the engine is a 2004 305 hp, pre emissions or a 2004. 5 325 hp post emissions engine. I was hoping there was a way to tell before driving to see the vehicle. The reason I am looking for a truck this old is, in my opinion, every time the emissions standards are changed, the fuel economy suffers.

You need to look for the 2003-1/2 year or the early 2004 year 305/555 engine. As the others said VIN numbers can tell you or the sticker on the stock plastic valve cover will state the number. Also there are some low H/P models in these years, California being one of them.



You are right, the more that is added to an engine to reduce emissions or tuning to achieve reductions will hurt MPG. But the 5. 9 325 engines are still pretty good even with the extra controls, extra injections, CAT. So I would not limit your search for a one year model, I would look for 2003-1/2 to early 2007 models of the 5. 9 engine.



Now there is a big difference with the new larger engine, (6. 7) controls, traps and a lower MPG obtainability.



Also MPG can be altered vastly by driving habits, addons, liftkits, oversize tires, dual rear wheel, auto trans, 4-wheel drive.



My average MPG is 23. 83

 

[MSloan]

Thank you all for your answers and knowledge. Just goes to show that my opinions on fuel economy were unfounded and with this information it is going to make purchasing a truck easier. Mark

 

[Bekim]

I am looking at buying a 2003 - 2004 3500 pickup and was wondering if there are any ways to tell if the engine is a 2004 305 hp, pre emissions or a 2004. 5 325 hp post emissions engine. I was hoping there was a way to tell before driving to see the vehicle. The reason I am looking for a truck this old is, in my opinion, every time the emissions standards are changed, the fuel economy suffers. Thanks for the help. Mark

Mark,
Besides the obvious Hp difference between 04 and 04. 5 and the fact that the 04. 5 has a catalytic converter and the 04 does not there were other differences between these model years. The 04. 5 came with: Inconel valves and high cobalt content Stellite exhaust valve seats complemented with revised ports with less swirl, a bigger turbo compressor wheel for the HY35 turbo. A new fuel lift pump and intake air heater with no ground strap. All upgrades were regardless of manual or auto and in any state. Info provided by Diesel Power April 06 issue Page 120

And yes the previous poster was exactly right in saying look on the valve cover for the sticker indicating engine type and manufacture date, CPL (control parts list) and engine serial number. 04. 5 motors were in trucks manufactured beginning Jan. 1, 2004(see door sticker for the truck manufactured month and year.
Cheers
Mike
###

 

[WoodChuck]

You want to look for either a 250 HP SO or 305 HP HO (no cat on these).

There was also a 235 HP SO for CA and the other 4 states that required low emissions.

 

[MStaggs]

There was alos a 235 HP SO for CA and the other 4 states that required low emissions.

Do you think they will ever require these to have an emissions test?

 

[WoodChuck]

Do you think they will ever require these to have an emissions test?

From what I've been reading it sounds like it might be at some point but it probably depends on where you live. My renewal is due Oct. 31 and it's not required for me this year.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

You need to look for the 2003-1/2 year or the early 2004 year 305/555 engine. As the others said VIN numbers can tell you or the sticker on the stock plastic valve cover will state the number. Also there are some low H/P models in these years, California being one of them.



You are right, the more that is added to an engine to reduce emissions or tuning to achieve reductions will hurt MPG. But the 5. 9 325 engines are still pretty good even with the extra controls, extra injections, CAT. So I would not limit your search for a one year model, I would look for 2003-1/2 to early 2007 models of the 5. 9 engine.



Now there is a big difference with the new larger engine, (6. 7) controls, traps and a lower MPG obtainability.



Also MPG can be altered vastly by driving habits, addons, liftkits, oversize tires, dual rear wheel, auto trans, 4-wheel drive.



My average MPG is 23. 83

I don't believe that is correct, my truck is an '06 pushed down hill with a tailwind would never get 23 MPG, in fact if I held the truck at 60 mph which is way too slow around here on level ground, I would likely be lucky to bust 18 mpg, and that is with a smarty that has given me about 10% better mileage.



the 03 and early 04's IMO where better trucks, they are known for better mileage, my dads early 04 will smoke mine in that area. they also seem to have less issues with front end parts. my 06 needed new ball joints and front u joints and front drive shaft u joints before 60k, the 06 and later trucks also have the canvas seat material which sucks looks cheap out of a base work truck model and stains and looks awful.



good luck in your search, if something happened to my '06 I would do the same as you, if you find an 04 and want to know which truck it is, have the seller look at the valve cover printed on the drivers side it will say horsepower, if its 305 you have an early '04 if its 325 you have a late 04, I would not mess with the california trucks with lower outputs, they have funky things that could cause parts issues if you ever need them as they are somewhat odd balls.



these trucks are hard to find and the sellers normally want a ton of cash for one, last time I looked locally, all the trucks under 60k miles asking price as north of 23k, which is ridiculous considering new the trucks cost around 31k if you bought it right. also all the trucks had lifts and big tires which to me is a big downer, good luck and be patient and don't pay too much

 

[swhalen]

MSloan:

I have had a 2nd gen truck for 9 years, a 94 5 speed, 3/4 T, std cab, 4x4 with a 3. 54 rear. I share your concerns about increasing emission standards and the decline in fuel mileage. I realized that inevitably I would have to step up to a 3rd gen and also looked for an 03 or 04 to avoid the mileage penalty. I am totally anal and wanted a 3/4 T 6 speed, 3. 73 4x4 standard cab, non-rust belt truck that had not had the fuel/air intake systems modifed or had a 5th wheel or gooseneck installed. I left my name and requirements at every dodge dealer within a 100 mile radius and scoured the internet weekly for 2 years doing a nationwide search on cars.com and autotrader.com. No luck. In particular, standard cabs are as rare as hen's teeth. I got scared reading about the issues associated with the newly released 6. 7s. and expanded the model year range to include everything up to the 07 release of 6. 7s. Long story short I located a pristine 06 that had been driven by an older gentleman who passed away and I paid dearly for it. I fully expected to see 16 mpg empty. Although the jury is still out (2 tanks of fuel to date), the mileage penalty is not bad. The comparison between my old truck and this is about as apples to apples as you can get when considering a 2nd vs 3rd gen except the 2nd gen is a 12 valve. I religously hand-calculate mileage and averaged a shade under 21 mpg empty in the 12 valve over 200k+ miles. Similar driving habits (80% hwy, 60 mph) give me 19. 8 so far with the new rig. Simply amazing that we can go from 175/420 to 325/610 and from one injection event to multiple events and get dinged only a bit more than 1 mpg. Time will tell, of course, whether the 19. 8 mpg holds, but if your driving style remains unchanged and trucks are configured similarly, you may not pay a significant price for the upgrade. Electonics on the new trucks are another matter, however. Regards, Steve Whalen

 

[rscurtis]

Turbo Bob is not pulling your chain. My '03 consistently gets 23 MPG for highway driving at 65 MPH. The benefit from stock is the Rokktech crank sensor, Dyantrac hubs (biggest improvement), and believe it or not, an AFE intake elbow. And I believe there is more room for improvement on the exhaust side- manifold and a less restrictive turbo.