Recently I've had need for a bigger truck, my regular cab V6 isn't cutting it anymore. So I've been looking around town and I have found two that I'm interested in, and I'd just like some expert and user opinions before I decide if either of them are worth it. There is one that is a 2004 1500 SLT Quad Cab with a Hemi, it has roughly 61,000 miles on it and its a 4x2. The interior looks good and no external blemishes. The other is a 2006 1500 SLT Quad Cab with a Hemi, it is also 4x2. This one has about 71,000 miles. Both look good, the 2006 has a couple of headlight problems but I have my old 2008 headlights to replace them with as well as taillights if needed. I haven't looked into them with extreme detail, so any experience that you guys have picked up with those type trucks would be helpful. For someone who is 20, and in college (tuition free so gas is no problem ) which in your opinion would be better for me? Are the 2004's reliable enough at that mileage? And what about 2006's? How hard is it to maintain the Hemis? I'm just looking for some advice before I jump on anything, so anything that you guys could tell me would be great!
Thanks in advance.

-Ethan

 

2004 is plenty reliable from what has been posted here.
04 is when it got good for the HEMI's. 2006 up has MDS IIRC. To be honest, I would go for the 04 if everything checks out.

 

Thanks for the input, I'm going tomorrow to take a better look at both of them and check a little more into the 04. Hopefully it all checks out okay, if not I'll just have to keep looking.

-Ethan

 

Well, the rule of thumb is to get newer when you can, but the '04 has lower miles. The main difference between the two is that the '06 has MDS and the '04 does not. Although I dunno if you wanna look at MDS as an advantage or disadvantage. Some love it, most hate it and many buy a tuner just to turn it off.

I'd say if you can get a real good deal on the '04 and it's in at least as good of condition as the '06, get it. 10k doesn't sound like much difference, but that '04 has only been driven about 8,000 miles a year, while the '06 has been driven almost 15,000 miles a year. You should be able to pay a bit less for the '04 than the '06 I would imagine, combined with the less miles on the thing would make that low mileage '04 a better deal.

To date, my '04 (purchased new in April of '04) has been in the shop for a busted stock shock - PERIOD! I did just have to replace a couple bushings that failed on the linkage to the transfer case, but looking at a 4x2, not an issue for you. Besides, it took me 10 minutes and cost under $20 for the parts...

 

Thanks for all the insight Hammer, just from a quick walkaround and looking at the insides I BELIEVE that the 04 was in slightly better condition, but I will be going today to take a look like I said. Thanks for your input guys, and I'll let you know what I find out.

-Ethan

 

Hammer, please correct me if I'm wrong, I thought the Hemi's 02 - 05 were proned to valve spring breakage?

 

^^^I think that was mostly 03's from what I've read

 

Weeeeeellll, with a quick trip to the dealer today...I realized that they are complete @$$holes. I have to keep looking around, because the guys at this dealer said that it was dumb for wanting to look at the 2004 and they wanted $24,000 for it. "Why would you want to look at a 2004? Those things aren't any good anymore and its pretty dumb to be looking at one right now." They were haveing a "big sale" and they wanted me to get one of their 2011's...so I won't be going back there. Still, thank you guys for you input on the trucks and I'll keep it in mind when I continue my search!

-Ethan

 

OMG, $24,000 for an 04 2wd? That's ridiculous, was there anything special about it?

 

Nope, just Plain Jane. Bone stock.