what are the known problems on my 2004.5?

[fj40dave]

Well..... you aint gonna get a '04. 5 unless it's already on the dealers lot 'cuz I got the last one - on the train heading to Spokane finally (it's in Nebraska today)... .



))

 

[SSchang]

First impressions of my new 2004. 5. I've never driven a diesel before, so some of this may be common knowledge. Moved up from a 2004 Dakota with the 4. 7. Picked it up Wed. 7/7.



- Delivery, 7 weeks on the dot. The dealer quoted 6-8 weeks.



- Mileage. Just got home from a trip to Ohio, 465 miles (first tank). Probably 80% with the cruise set at 72, the rest around town driving. Computer said 16. 5, hand calculated at 17. 5. Yes, I filled it up to the top both times.



- Fuel tank filling. Diesel pumps seem a lot faster than gas, this is cool. It takes a long time to get the last 3 gallons dribbled in, probably 5-10 minutes. I've seen the vent upgrade, will probably do it when the slow filling drives me crazy. Are all pumps/handles leaking & covered with fuel???



- Sound level. My wife and I agree that it's quieter than the Dakota or her Xterra around town and on the highway.



- Smell at idle. Yep, smell oil when sitting at a stoplight. Not too bad, goes away as soon as I get going.



- Ride. Stiffer than the Dakota, Merry thinks it's about the same as her Xterra.



- Power. WOW. Don't need to say more.



- 70 MPH Drone. Maybe something to it. Feel a buzz in the gas (diesel?) pedal at 71+ MPH, maybe a little more drivetrain noise. Merry didn't notice anything, I'm not concerned.



- Cool factor. You bet! Those that know look at the front fender first, a thumbs up usually follows.



- Rear inner fenders. I installed them. Can't believe Dodge cheaps out on a $42,000 dollar truck.



- Camper rating. Still don't get it. Truck GVWR is 9900#, probably 7500# with me & fuel. Why does the camper paper in the glove box says I can only haul a 1429# camper? Just bought one that weighs 1900#, we'll see how it goes.



- Quality. Overall fit & finish seems good. Terrible squeak when opening or closing the passenger door, sprayed lubricant all over the hinges, tightened all the hinge bolts. Back to the dealer next week.



More to come.....

 

[Lynn_M]

Originally posted by GFritsch

Only problem so far is launch shudder. Need to get it to dealer. Mileage is outstanding in my opinion. Over 19 on my last tank, driving very gently.

Have you got the launch shudder problem fixed? I have a 2004. 5 3500 myself and have the same shudder when loaded. What is the fix?

 

[BGParks]

10,000 mi. on mine now, only problem leaking injector pump seal fixed under warranty. I get 17 to 17. 5 mpg running empty (4x4) but driving hard - - love to use that power! Have had the truck up to 110mph and absolutely no vibration at all. Very comfortable and handles very well for such a large truck. Have noticed wind noise through the door seals but only at highway speeds while running through extremely strong (40+ mph gusts) crosswinds - - - doesn't happen often and not bad enough to really be a bother. Am running fuel treatment with every tank, especailly after all the posts about lift pumps and lubricity. I get the normal belt chirp when shutting down and occasionaly a noise right after startup that sounds to me kind of like a gas engine backfiring up through the carbuerator. Not worried about the noise as it only happens once right after startup (if at all) and no ill effects on the truck so I guess it's normal. Some have said it's the AC compressor (doesn't sound like a compressor clutch to me though) but as I said I'm not going to worry about it. No problem with paint chips so far. No problem with fuel or oil smell in the cab while sitting still (except when the injector pump was leaking). No other problems, I am very pleased with the truck so far. Love that 600!

 

[EEngel]

2004.5 problems

I had a kinked throttle cable that snapped and made the truck run full throttle.



Other than that I am at 9000 and have no companits or problems.



Wait, I think mine has a magnetic fied attached to the rear bumper. In the first month it hit a skid loader, and a week later it attracted a friends un-hitched boat.

 

[jfrow2]

Originally posted by EEngel

Wait, I think mine has a magnetic fied attached to the rear bumper. In the first month it hit a skid loader, and a week later it attracted a friends un-hitched boat.

I must agree with you. I had a tree jump out in back of me while backing, leaving a nice dent in the bumper. (Must have been an iron wood tree).

 

[EEngel]

Bumpers

jfrow2,



Not an Ironwood, just tinfoil bumpers.

 

[RJBussey]

I get the smell of gas in the cab when I come to a stop. Is this a bad thing, and should I take the truck into a dealer for it?

 

[klenger]

The smell of gas in the cab of a diesel truck is not a good thing.

 

[tile man]

2004. 5 problems Have truck about two mo. hate the comfort of the front seat. Will look for a replacement soon. Hub covers on 17 mag wheels( ugly ) looking for replacment. Installed Viper hood looks real cool. Removed all emblems on truck, this should confuse people. All & all so far I like my 98. 5 better. Wife likes 04 better says it feels more like a car. Thair lies the problem. After market goodies seam to be slim pickins, any word from Edge? Milage about 16-17 Hwy at 75 ave.

 

[RFrisch]

Does the Viper hood make it go faster? And what about less wind resistance from the emblem removal?