Might be comin back to the other side

[FLynes]

After getting rid of my '05 2500 last year, and feeling like a jackass for doing it in the end, I got my '01 3500 SLT Plus. Absolutely love it, but it has one drawback... the rear seat area is just too small for the kids, and they're getting bigger.



So the hunt for something newer began. I like the 5. 9 and really don't feel like messing with the emissions and outrageous price of a 6. 7, so I decided to go with a 2004 or 2005.



I found a 2004 SLT Laramie 4x4, pretty well loaded, Deep Molten Red Pearl, Taupe leather interior, and the best feature heated seats!



It's an automatic with 121,000 miles on it; Brooke said she'll actually like driving it, because she hates shifting the NV5600.



Here's the VIN - 3D7MU48C04G122148



I have a few questions for you guys:



1) Can you tell what the build date is, based on the VIN?



2) Did the '04's have any problems?



3) I'm thinking about pulling the AirDog off of the '01 and putting it back to stock, when I trade it in... . would I need it for the '04?



Here's a pic of it.

 

[Blue Ox1]

The only thing to really watch for in my opinion is wether or not it is a H. O. or not. I wanted the 305/555 engine over the S. O, some people say the lift pump mines been good for 100,000 miles so far and still going .

Joe

 

[FLynes]

Yeah, even though the lift pump was in-tank on my '05, I never had a problem with it. I know that the 2nd Gen guys who get the DC campaign fix have had problems with the in-tank pump not being able to feed the VP44's hunger.



Can you run the AirDog in-line at the same time as the in-tank pump, or do you have to disable the in-tank pump?



What's the difference in HP/Torque on the SO motor vs the HO motor?



Plus, if the truck is an 04. 5, then I get the 325/610 motor, no?

 

[JDiepstra]

If you go back to the dealer look on the engine. There will be a tag on the top somewhere that says the horsepower. The 04. 5 has 325 HP.



Any idea when the front air dam was taken off? I look for things like that as a possible sign of abuse.



My lift pump died at 54,000 miles.

 

[MAleshire]

If you go into the dealer with the VIN they can generate a computer print out of the build list. That list should answer many of your questions regarding motor, drive train, and options.



Skip

 

[FLynes]

Didn't notice the air dam missing, till you mentioned it. I know that Carfax isn't 100% accurate, but there was nothing in there about an accident.



I broke the VIN down and the motor is a C-code... HO Oo. Oo. Oo.



So, now the question is, is it an early '04 HO (is there such a thing) or is it an '04. 5?



Skip, the dealership here in San Angelo sucks... . they couldn't find what I wanted... . told me that it was like finding a needle in a haystack. Then he left a voicemail on my phone telling me that I should come in and look at his inventory and stick a heating pad on the seat for my back, and that would work just as good as heated seats.



So if the lift pump goes out, will the CP3 survive, unlike the VP44?

 

[Morsed]

Donnier wrote this answer to another viin question...

There is a dodge site that you email the last few numbers of your truck and they will email you a complete list of what the truck had from the factory.
Try this site for info on your truck.
http://www-5.dodge.com/wccsapp/unive...ull&category=U
__________________

 

[FLynes]

I got a "Page Not Found", when I clicked the link, but I think I remember a site that would decode everything for you... . I'll have to hunt around.

 

[Drewhenry]

So, now the question is, is it an early '04 HO (is there such a thing) or is it an '04. 5?



Look at the sticker on the block, on the drivers side, 305 hp @ 2900 is early '04-usually made prior to Jan 1 2004. Early 04s also no cat. CP3 will survive. I am fixin to AirDog mine.



Hope this helps.

 

[MAleshire]

I can't believe that the dealership is so pathetic to think you'd buy anything from them unless you had to when they are unwilling to provide you a simple customer service. Good luck!



Skip



Skip

 

[FLynes]

Their attitude is that, since we live far from any other major towns, they can do as they please. Added to that, this used to be a dealership that was locally owned and then sold to the Lithia Group..... conglomerates don't care about consumers.

 

[jjdiesel]

So if the lift pump goes out, will the CP3 survive, unlike the VP44?[/QUOTE]



Yes, but it won't run. At least your injection pump will still be alive and well.

 

[klenger]

So if the lift pump goes out, will the CP3 survive, unlike the VP44?

Yes, but it won't run. At least your injection pump will still be alive and well. [/QUOTE]





In aviation we call that loss of function, which is a lower hazzard than a hidden failure.

 

[FLynes]

Then I'm going to take the AirDog off and keep it. I'll leave the wiring in place for whoever buys the truck next; my understanding is that the wiring for a 2nd Gen is different anyway, so why waste the time.

 

[FLynes]

It's a definite. I'm headed down to pick the truck up Saturday.



I'll post pics, when I get back.

 

[RSimmons]

Look on the driver side, front gear case cover. There should be a tag with the cummins cpl number, serial, and horsepower. If I'm not mistaken, I think mine also has the build date on the tire inflation tag on the door edge.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Are those brackets on the front for a tow bar? Maybe that is why the air dam is missing? Was this truck flat towed?



SHG

 

[FLynes]

Yes, those are brackets for a tow bar, it would seem. I told the dealer to take it off and put on the tow hooks and he said he would. Maybe it does explain the missing air dam, but I don't know. I don't know if it was flat towed, but I have a hard time trying to understand why anyone would flat tow a 3500.

 

[FLynes]

Update

I spoke with the dealer today... . Build Date of 9/03 and the motor is definitely a 305HP HO motor.



So that's good, right? A bit more MPG and no cat?

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Yes, those are brackets for a tow bar, it would seem. I told the dealer to take it off and put on the tow hooks and he said he would. Maybe it does explain the missing air dam, but I don't know. I don't know if it was flat towed, but I have a hard time trying to understand why anyone would flat tow a 3500.

Well, I don't want to spook you, BUT I wonder if it was flat towed (only reason for a tow bar, right?) how many miles? I don't know about the autos, BUT I seem to recall that the manual transmissions are not properly lubed when towed? It has been several years, BUT I think the discusssion was here on TDR.



SHG