Think about a 2005

[GCross]

Issues to ponder before forking out thirty to forty grand.



I bought my 04. 5 on 12/15/2003 and was told it would take 8 to 10 weeks, I will pick it up on Friday 4/23 after an 18 week wait. Since many buyers today seem to be faced with long waits it may make sense to wait until June when advanced orders can be placed for the 2005 model which will start down the assembly line in July. Remember, as soon as the 2005 hits the street your 04 will be a year old even although you may have only had for a month or two. I contemplated cancelling mine and waiting a few more months but now that it's finally here I'm going throug with it. One downside might be no rebate on the 05 and/or a price increase due to rising steel prices. If I were buying today I would chance the possible increased cost and wait for the 05.

 

[DPelletier]

Good point.

But, I'm too much of a chicken to order a new truck without knowing what has been changed. One thing is for sure, if I was looking at buying a new truck with an auto, I'd hold tight to see if the 48RE is replaced in '05.



Dave

 

[GCross]

Based on various articles I'v read, there will be no major changes in 05, the 48RE will remain. The next major change is slated for 07.

 

[CBrittan]

Seems to me that the 04. 5 is in fact an 05 even tho it will be registered as an 04. I am betting there will be no changes when the 05 model year starts.

 

[GCross]

Originally posted by CBrittan

Seems to me that the 04. 5 is in fact an 05 even tho it will be registered as an 04. I am betting there will be no changes when the 05 model year starts.

Yes, I agree but my point was that the registration will be 05 which will increase the resale value by 1 year. Also and hopefully, maybe some of the inherant problems that I have been reading about may be corrected.

 

[GFritsch]

If the steel prices for the steel used in trucks goes up at the same percentages as construction materials those who got a 2004 will be very happy

 

[klenger]

IMHO, after a few years, milage and condition have a bigger effect on value than model year. I'm sure the 05's won't be any cheaper.

 

[DPelletier]

Tell me about it. I have a sheet metal company and I have filled my shop with material due to the increases that we have been seeing. Realistically the price of the steel in a $30,000. 00 truck isn't big, percentage wise, but I'm sure that won't stop them from upping the price.



GCross, I agree that the 2005 is most likely identical to a 2004. 5

Based on comments from member RBayls, it looks like DC will be making a transmission change. Most likely an in house unit, my guess is probably 5 spd and definitely exh brake compatable. 49RE anybody? It seems odd that they would be putting infrastructure in place for a new transmission design if it is as far out as 2007, but we'll see. I don't place too much stock in press releases, articles and other "authorized" communication. After all, every article I've read keeps telling us the 48RE is exh brake compatable, when we know its not.



Dave

 

[RobbieH]

It'd be a 5xRE. The first number is the number of forward speeds.

 

[JRG]

Is'nt the second # the ftlb rating in hundreds?



JRG

 

[tpuig]

Sometimes ordering ahead can mean a wait as well. After checking out the "new" 2002 Ram 1500's, I knew I wanted a 2500, which were due out in '03. I ordered mine in June of '02, anticipating being among the first in CA to own a new cummins. Due to a paint shortage, I ended up getting my truck in October! But by then DC had found the few bugs and my SO hasn't had any problems. 5 months was a very long wait, but worth it.

TP

 

[zstroken]

58RFE

58RFE is the new planned transmission, but it will be model year 2007 or maybe 2008. It will be based off of the 545RFE/45RFE transmission.

 

[Deezal Man]

As the owner of a 98. 5, I can tell you I will NEVER buy a half year vehicle ever again.



Example number 5324



Need a part at your autozone. Tell the guy you need a whatchamacallit for your 98. 5'. From here, one of two things happen.



1. He's familiar with the whole 1/2 year deal, and asks you for the VIN # to cross-reference the part. READ: you need to have your VIN number to buy just about everything.



2. While he's opening the parts book, he thinks your an idiot for calling your truck a 98. 5... He then assumes your truck is a 98'... so he give you the part and off you go. You drive all the way home and an hour later... realize the part doesn't fit. A phone call or drive back to the store reveals the part is actually the same as a 99' But it doesn't matter cause its not in stock.



As been said, the truck is basically a 99'... but since its a 98. 5... . people think of it as a 98 (Read: 1 year older).



Only think I can figure. . is. . they hired a college graduate to handle how all this works. Anyone else would have called a 1998 model, made in 1998... a 1998. Guess that would have made too much sense.

 

[jlasich]

Originally posted by Deezal Man

Only think I can figure. . is. . they hired a college graduate to handle how all this works. Anyone else would have called a 1998 model, made in 1998... a 1998. Guess that would have made too much sense.

Ain't that the truth. I've always thought it was strange. Just like the '99 Ford SuperDuty being available in March of '98. There must be some politics involved somewhere in there.

 

[JGoodwin]

in 05 the transfer pump is in the tank where it should have always been,and a different style tps sensor. thats it as far as we know.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by jlasich

Ain't that the truth. I've always thought it was strange. Just like the '99 Ford SuperDuty being available in March of '98.

What I heard, was that the introduction of the SuperDuties WAS to be called a '98. But given the time that they were finally ready, it was too late in the model year to call them a '98, hence '99.



For whatever that is worth. Doesn't make sense either.