Should I buy the 2003 or 2004?

[grimesja]

I have the opportunity to buy either a 2003 or 2004 Ram 2500. Both have less then 150,000 miles. The 2003 is listed for $16,500 and has no mods other then a 5 inch exhaust and he has a new Banks 6 gun never installed. Both owners have been over 60 and never towed anything larger then a 26 ft fishing boat.



The 2004 is heavyly modified with lift kits, suspennsion and body, new wheels and 35 inch tires. It looks really sweet. It is at a dealership and priced at $23,000 and no history.



What do you guys think? I need to make a decison soon and I am really torn between the two. My common since tells me the 2003 with history is the better deal, but the mods on the 2004 are very expensive and already installed. What do you guys think?

 

[jgillott]

I'd have a hard time buying a lifted truck that I didn't know the history of. There are just to many things that could go wrong or may have been done to it that could end up in long term struggles with front end parts, alignment issues, tire wear, etc.

 

[jjdiesel]

Buy the '03... . less headache, fix it up like you want..... that's the fun part!

 

[Turbo Kidd]

I have a 2003... . I love the truck... . Go with the 03. Mods are cool, but only if you have the TRUE scoop on the rig.

 

[edgeman]

I would buy the 03. You will have about $6500 to do mods with, if you want to do the mods. Thats the best thing about the 03, it has no mods, and you know the history. (probably hasnt been rode hard and put to bed wet) if ya know what I mean. Just my 2 pennys worth. Have fun!

 

[rbattelle]

I agree with everyone else, although I'm extremely suspicious of someone who owns a 6 Gun and claims never to have installed it.

The 2004 could be a case of "I poured everything I have into this thing, and now it's a deathtrap on the highway so I'll ditch it at a dealer. " I'd stay away.

Ryan

 

[KLauber]

I vote for the 03 also. Mine is a stud with minor mods and over 200K. I will probably keep it even if I get a 3500 dually. DOnt buy someone else's experiments (2004), go with what you know...

Ken

 

[kblranch]

Are they SO, HO, or California edition motor?

 

[grimesja]

I am really leaning toward the 03. The six gun was sold to the owner by someone in the community who is a dealer. the owner is 62 and DOT revoked his license for vision. He is a fanatic on preventive maintenance. I'll have to chat wiht him again tomorrow.



I agree the 2004 looks good but we all know how looks go. I'm not really sure which engine version either of the trucks have. I do know both trucks are Florida trucks.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If the 2004 was made after Jan 1 2004, it is the later smog engine with a catalytic converter. 2003 and early 2004 engines, the 305 HP HO and the 49 state standard output, don't have cats. Only California 2003-early 2004 have cats. Lift kits are hard on other components such as universal joints and steering parts, hubs (if extreme lifts).

 

[SWithrow]

The SO can be tuned to run as good as the HO. I might be a little a bit bias mine is a SO, but either way you go they are awesome trucks.

 

[TCDiesel]

Go 2003, their a reason it's at the Dealer,with mods like that it will suck up Your wallet.

 

[grimesja]

I offered $15K for the 2003, waiting on the answer.



I really do not want to deal with the cat and I do have questions on the lift and tires. I have found most people will put the larger tires on and never touch the gears.

 

[TCDiesel]

I agree with everyone else, although I'm extremely suspicious of someone who owns a 6 Gun and claims never to have installed it.



The 2004 could be a case of "I poured everything I have into this thing, and now it's a deathtrap on the highway so I'll ditch it at a dealer. " I'd stay away.



Ryan

It's even more unbelievable when they say they Never Use it. :-laf:-laf

 

[Grizzly]

I wouldn't buy any truck that's been modified. Get the 03.



Maybe there's a way you can tell if the Banks 6 gun has ever been used.

 

[SWithrow]

Maybe they couldn't follow directions & tossed it on the shelf. But thats a alot of money to be tossing on the shelf but its possible.

 

[DGamelin]

I wounder if that 04 has ever been driven on the ***** in the slat watter? In the 80s we drove a blazer in the slat watter in two years the body was goon.

I would rather do the custom work myself.



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93 250 2wd xc 354 auto 272k

04. 5 3500 4wd qc dully 373 6speed 94k