Hello to all. I am looking at purchasing a mid-2000s dodge 4x4. I am looking for a strong work truck, but am confused about something.

Did Dodge make two variations of the 2500? Is there a HD (heavy duty) model and a regular 2500 (light duty) model? I know Chevy did that, but am unclear if Dodge did.

I looked at pics of a 2004 2500 but it didnt say Heavy Duty... just wondering what I need to watch out for.

thanks in advance

Dave

 

Nope, all 2500 units are considered Heavy Duty and carry that designation. Strong = CTD! Look at the '-07 and prior 5.9 which is IMHO one of the best two diesel engines ever produced in a pickup (the Ford 7.3 PowerStroke being the other). '07.5 and newer have the 6.7 CTD and like all the other newer diesel trucks on the market has all the emissions crap that not only kills performance but forces you to use low-sulfur fuel. The venerable old 5.9 can run on anything from pump gas, to off-road diesel about down to the vegetable oil left over from last week's fish fry, LOL. Class of the 5.9s would be the '04.5 - '07, more HP and TQ than the '04 and before engines...

 

Thanks for the info!

I assume that goes for the gas powered trucks as well? a 2500 is a 2500 heavy duty?

 

Yeah, technically they are. Same frame, axles, etc. as the diesels but I'd hesitate to call a gasser a true HD unless we are talking a lot more displacement than 5.7L. Now if they still made the V10...

 

Yeah, I know what you mean. I was thinking of the axles/frame/springs etc.

 

Just a word of advice, if you are contemplating a Hemi 2500 and not the CTD, and you are thinking of it being a tow/haul truck, then you REALLY need to find one with the 4.10 gearing. 3.73 IMO should not even be offered in a gasser, especially the Hemi. While the Hemi is a great engine and KILLED the gasser competition through most of the previous decade, it makes most of it's famed power in the mid to upper RPM band. 3.73 gearing should have been a CTD option only, it has gobs of low end torque for that gearing. Only other option would be to re-gear and then I'd go 4.56s, but you need to figure that into your purchase budget, since re-gearing a 3/4 ton 4x4 will run you close to $2000...

 

I totally agree... Is there a specific code that can be found somewhere on the dodges that will determine what gears are in the truck?