HI everyone,
I found a nice 2004 Ram Hemi 4x4 2500 with 66,000 miles on the clock on a new car dealers used car lot. The truck looks to be in great shape (it was a Sunday, so I could not sit in or drive the truck), but it is an 04. How much difference is there between an 04 and newer trucks? Is the transmisson the same as an 08 or 09 2500? Is there any reason why an 04 is worse than an 08 or 09 truck? What about the issue of the high miles? Can you give me some feedback?


Thanks,
Zack

 

i thought 04 was a good year,and around here thats the kind of mileage an 06 or 07 has

 

So basically an 04 and a 09 are the same truck?

Zack

 

The 09 has the newer version of the HEMI that puts out an extra 40 hp or so. I'm not sure about the tranny, but most dodge tranny's are okay as long as you don't mod the truck. Start adding power and the tranny's will be the first thing to go. I had a 2004 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel and it was okay. I had to replace all of the ujoints on the front end and on both drive shafts before I got to 90k miles. I also had one of the front axle seals go out around 75k miles. 66k miles is pretty low for an 04 so if your in the market and can get a good deal sounds like it would work out. Just be aware that the fuel mileage will not be very good on a 3/4 ton truck with a gas engine.

 

The 04 may have 16 in rims, my 06 has 17 in rims, rear and front axles on the 04 still may be Danna's, on my 06 thier dodge built.

I think in 06 the Frames were changed, ( just the build process ) as far as the hemi gos its identical up to 09, the xtra 40 h/p is not any thing to worry abought, you will not really notice the increase over a 04 2500 Ram.

ON the 04 I don't think you have to lube the front U jiont on the front diff, 06 and up have a neadle fitting on the u joint that needs to be lubed, my 06 has the old style.

I hate automatics and I have never heard any one prasie Dodge for thier automatics, I built my 06 with a manual transmisson, just my preferance.

My 06 is my first Dodge, before 06 I don't really know a lot abought the Ram.

Check the 04 to see if it has the factery tow package ( 2 Radiaters, oil cooler, trans cooler ) and look under the box for bolt holes from a 5th wheal.

Dealers hide the holes by adding box liners...

If thiers no evidance of towing, ie brake controler, chances are good that the truck was not worked hard, but be skeptical that it has.

Minor changes to the body and dash board betwean 04 and 06, not really worth being concerned over.

 

The dealer wants $12,000 for the truck, that seems a bit high (I think?). Should I shoot for $9,000?


Thanks,
Zack

 

the 04 ram is the best ram made IMO you can read about them. least likley for problems with the 04 model year. if you dont believe me google it car and driver ect . out of all years they said 04 was the best . i like mine

 

Well I think the deal is off.....I went to drive the truck today, it drove great and was very clean. However I had them run a Carfax on it, and it has had four seperate owners, it has been in NJ (2 seperate owners), NY one owner, GA one owner, now it is back in NJ at a dealer. And the other strange part is that since July 08, the truck has had 20,000 miles put on it, that seems very odd. And the truck only has a 30 day or 1,000 mile warr. I think I will pass on this one, something seems odd. Any input?


Thanks,
Zack

 

where in jersey you at? i think id stay away from it if i changed owners so much. i was lucky my 04 had one owner, i guess he had a lease. but too bad cause 66k for a 2500 at $12k aint too shabby. at least it would have the soild front axel. i dont know about the heavy duties but the 1500 tend to have steering issues with the 04's.

and 20k miles since JULY 08!!! what!!? hopefully it was a typo and they meant to put 2k. regardless, your making the right decision. but keep looking, nows the time to buy.

 

Actually it really is 20,000 miles since July 08 (It was on the carfax prinout). Something is not right with the truck, I will keep looking. The sad part is that the truck drove great, and looks great, but my guess is that there is something going on here. I always figured that it was best to buy a used car from a new car dealer, I guess not in this case.