SHOPPING for another low mileage RAM 2500: What year Rams should we avoid if any?

[Kamper Dave]

SHOPPING for another low mileage RAM 2500:

What year Rams should we avoid?

I was hoping to get 200,000 miles out of our 2004. 5 but it is starting to nickel and dime us; ECM, Injectors, Fuel Pump, U-Joints, Ball Joints, Bearings plus the usual batteries, muffler and so on.



When we were towing our RV folks on the road used to tell us not to upgrade due to the poor fuel mileage of the new RAM Diesels.

What year Rams should we avoid?

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Kamper

 

[Jim W]

I would recommend the new 2013 and 2014 Ram trucks. I feel these trucks are the best that you can buy now and these seem to be getting decent fuel mileage. Most users are reporting in the high teens; 17 to 18 MPG with the SCR system that is being use to meet the emissions. And this is with low miles on the truck so has the engine wears in fuel mileage will only get better. These trucks now have the best in class towing and you have your choice of two different 6 SPD automatic transmissions; the AISIN or the 68RFE along with increase HP and TQ.

The trucks now come when ordered with the towing package an adapter plate for a goose neck connection and mounting for a 5th wheel hitch. Also there is an additional 7-pin connector in the bed for the trailer connection. You also will get the factory warranty and you have the peace of mind that the truck has not been modified.

Just my $0. 02

Jim W.

 

[S.Morris]

If you have done all the things you list on your 04. 5, you have covered pretty much everything that shows up at that mileage and should be able to roll that many on again before repeat occurs.



That being said, if you drive a new one you will have a hard time not buying it

 

[wyosteve]

I don't feel there are any years to avoid. They all have their little quirks that you have to deal with. I'm on my 7th Dodge since 1991 and they all have been good, but as with anything where profit is the bottom line, you will have to replace/repair items.

 

[RVTRKN]

The nickel and dime is cheaper than fifty's and hundreds when its comes to buying new. That 04. 5 is a good truck and would be cheaper to maintain than buying a $50K truck, you didn't fill out your signature, so I don't know if yours has an Auto or a Manual transmission. If yours has a NV5600 its a golden truck, look at my sig, I fell in love with it. Because I bought a C&C in 07, I thought my wife would want me to sell it, and to my surprise she wanted to keep it. Well my brother started looking for the same truck to buy and could not find one with low miles, so I sold him mine with the wife's blessing. If yours is an Auto, than spend the money to upgrade to get a longer life span and better performance out of it. I love the new trucks, but when I look at the sticker price, I just cant pay that much.



If you want to upgrade by a few years, than stay away from the 07. 5 through 08 and early 09 trucks. They have growing pains from the then new DPF and EGR systems. A lot of recalls and turbo replacements and reflashing were done to them. My current 07 C&C got a reflash in 09 and ruined a once trouble free 6. 7 CTD, now it surges when in regen and took out my clutch costing me $4K to upgrade to the SMF and a G56 inspection. But I did have an expert go through the G56 just to make sure the harsh noise they make after the conversion was normal.

 

[Wayne M.]

If you have done all the things you list on your 04. 5, you have covered pretty much everything that shows up at that mileage and should be able to roll that many on again before repeat occurs.



That being said, if you drive a new one you will have a hard time not buying it

This is what happened when I was on a quest in 2004 to replace my ol '92. The 04. 5 was so awesome that I was hooked! I'm sure that the same would happen today if I took a '14 out for a ride. The difference is that I personally don't want to deal with all the new technologies involved with a new truck. I often view the diesel pickup revolution similar to the musclecar revolution of the 1960's and 70's. we haven't peaked yet but I'm sure were at 1971 right now so to speak, when the "hottest" cars came out. This would mean that an 04. 5 would be like a '67 musclecar. Not the hottest but maybe the best in more ways than one.

I'm sorry to hear of what your 04 is going through, and honestly I can't completely relate. Mine has been real good to me as I haven't had any fuel or internal engine issues, but, I firmly believe that if I DID have the same issues, I would work through them to wind up with a good unit again, along with the available upgrades we now know about, it would be awesome, and IMHO, more economical than new.

 

[MJWenrich]

This question is maybe a third gen. but in relation to the new 6 speed autos, other than the Aisin, can you upgrade a 2004. 5 auto to be as or near as strong as the new ones? If upgrades are done, what is changed? The torque converter would seem to be obvious but is there anything that can be done to the rest of the trans? I have a 2004. 5 and I have been considering an upgrade as well to a newer truck, but I too really like my present truck. At 115,000 miles, I have not put any money in the truck yet. Not being recommended to install an exhaust brake on the 04 autos is a bit of an issue but an inconvenience I could work around.

 

[Don]

I traded my 2004. 5 on my new truck and really miss it? If you decide to get rid of yours, let me know I might be interested in buying it.
Don

 

[MJWenrich]

I guess I will have to post this question over on the 5. 9 side Don but I must say that I am reluctant to get rid of it. Got 20 MPG to Oregon last year (not towing of course) and it must be just now broken in. The mileage has become better with age. Can't say that for myself though. :< ) I car trailered my newly restored M38A1 Jeep yesterday to a car show at Castle Air Museum near Merced. It's such a powerful machine when coming back up the mountain to home. Just a real delight to not have to struggle to maintain speed like the gassers. Mike in Mariposa, Ca.

 

[EGroeneveld]

I'd either to the last years of the 5. 9 or get a brand new 2013 or 2014. I have a 2011 and love it except for the mileage. We needed it to get a real CrewCab. Road in a 2013 Ram 2500 and its a beautiful truck too. If you can swing a new truck go for it.

 

[Kamper Dave]

THANK YOU ALL for your comments and suggestions.

Right now I am suffering from “Sticker Shock”.

I went shopping and there were only a few 2013’s on the lot. The only unit that was short enough to fit into the garage was loaded at $58,500. 00.

I am calming down real fast and doing more thinking.



In 2009 I paid only $22,000 for the 2004. 5.

In 1972 I paid $12,000 for my first house.

In 1964 I paid $25. 00 for my first car, a 1950 Buick with 25 original miles.

I know, you’re going to say “Things Change”.

I don’t have to like it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

A 2013 short bed crew cab is 12" shorter than a 2004 quad cab long bed. I guess you mean either that or a regular cab long bed. Build what you need on ramtrucks and then check inventory, picking 200+ miles and 50 per page. There are a lot of '13s left out there, with $2500 or $3000 rebates on them. I have looked mostly at 4x4 6' bed 3500 crew cabs and there are a lot of them with the HO Cummins and Aisin for about $50K list, meaning you could get them for low to mid 40s.

 

[EGroeneveld]

On the radio I have been hearing ads for 12k off the MSRP... shop around, call Dave Smith Motors in ID or threaten to at least.

 

[Kamper Dave]

I'd either to the last years of the 5. 9 or get a brand new 2013 or 2014. I have a 2011 and love it except for the mileage. We needed it to get a real CrewCab. Road in a 2013 Ram 2500 and its a beautiful truck too. If you can swing a new truck go for it.

The 2004. 5 Quad Cab with short box is just short of 19' in length where the 2013 Crew Cab with a short box is 19' 9. 5". I think. That is about 9" extra length for the bigger cab.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

One thing in favor of the new ones is that they are almost ready for you; ten years ago it was common to spend $10-20K "personalizing" the Ram.

 

[Kamper Dave]

One thing in favor of the new ones is that they are almost ready for you; ten years ago it was common to spend $10-20K "personalizing" the Ram.

Three times now the Dear Wife has said, “you’re not going to put all those gauges and stuff on the new truck”. Whatever does she mean?

 

[Jim W]

Three times now the Dear Wife has said, “you're not going to put all those gauges and stuff on the new truck”. Whatever does she mean?

Will most of the gages are now on the 2013 truck. They are in the EVIC, I believe the only one missing is the EGT. So you can tell her no I should not need to install any right now.

Jim W.

 

[Kamper Dave]

Thanks for all of your ideas and suggestions.
The truck is at the dealership and by next weekend we will have a new:
1. Factory Air Intake
2. MAP sensor
3. Turbo
All of which is already standard equipment on a new 2012 RAM 3500 ST Turbo Diesel with Crew Cab, Long Box, 4x4, chrome package, factory installed tow package, trailer brake control, exhaust brake, nerf bars, chrome door bumpers, aluminum wheels and a bed liner.
It was discounted due to being last year's model and it was used at the Rodeo to haul the PBR bull riders, cowgirls and cowboys and equipage. The scratched up box is now covered by a spray on bed-liner and the RV Reese Hitch will be installed soon.
Once I was driving this rig down the highway I was hooked. It was quiet, smooth, and powerful. The 6 speed transmission was a dream. I can't wait to tow the RV through the mountains with this new rig.
As a senior and disabled veteran with few mechanical skills; I am looking forward to a few more trouble free years on the road.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Jim W is correct; at least I know with the upgraded 7" instrument cluster you can display everything but egt and all at once in one mode or another (analog and/or digital). A 2012 is a fine truck, but you should try out a 2013 before deciding. There is a bottom line price they won't go under for either year, and generally you can get the 2013 for close to the same money, enjoyinng much better mpg and oil change intervals.

 

[Kamper Dave]

Jim W is correct; at least I know with the upgraded 7" instrument cluster you can display everything but egt and all at once in one mode or another (analog and/or digital). A 2012 is a fine truck, but you should try out a 2013 before deciding. There is a bottom line price they won't go under for either year, and generally you can get the 2013 for close to the same money, enjoyinng much better mpg and oil change intervals.

Joseph,
The sales person at the last dealership said that the 2013 deliveries were delayed due to problems with the new DEF system. This caused me to back off until they get it completely de-bugged.

Besides, by this point I am emotionally involved with the new truck. This is my first NEW truck and she is a beauty. I haven't liked a vehicle this much since my 1950 Buick Super and that was in 1966.