I'm a 360 magnum guy and my 16 year old bro scored a 04, 1500 quad cab larimie loaded, hemi, black, 107k, automatic.

I know, but the little **** payed for it himself, only 9k @ the auction.

I know my truck up and down to every bolt, but not so much on the 3rd gens. What are the most common problems with 04s? Anything we need to address on the hemi? How are the trans?

I can list a whole page on 2nd gens, I'm sure you pretty boy 3rd gens got something. Thanks.

 

trans=awful. dont ride it too hard or else you'll be paying out of your pocket...

 

I know my 46re is the basic 727 torqueflight with an overdrive bolted to it and electronicly controlled. It does not fair well with tall gears and towing. What is in the new hemi's? And why are they awfull?

 

if he's got a factory LSD, open up the diff and take a look at it ASAP. factory LSDs grenade.
Ball joints and tie rods are probably ready to start clunking at that mileage, if they aren't already.
if he's got the OEM goodyear wrangler HPs on them, get rid of them. he'll have chit for traction in snow/ice. will be a problem since you're in CO.

 

Whats up with the LSD? Weak ring gear, or is it the clutches inside the locker? He has som alright nitto's on there. Got to get him some Toyo's.

 

little clips on the LSD fall out, get between the gears and tear chit up. do a search for 'retaining clip' or 'c clip'. many have come to the conclusion that the clips are just to assist in manufacturing. some guys have pulled the clips out and driven 20k+ without them in there, haven't heard of any problems yet after doing that. Have heard of PLENTY of people who have had the clips destroy the gears.

hemis have 545rfe. it's not as bad a transmission as it sounds. lots of us on here have abused them, they hold up alright. not as good as transmissions of old, and not up to the task of daily towing, but not terrible.

 

Right on, check his diff tonight. Thanks for the info PoonDaddy. Now, what about the hemi? Solid, or does it have quirks like the Mag?

 

solid motor. not the low end grunt motor that the magnum is, but got plenty mid and high up to make up for it. it may develop or already have what's referred to as the 'hemi tick', which in most cases is harmless. the thought is that it is a valve guide issue.

 

besides the C.A.I, flowmasters, and S.C. 3815 (going to give him mine when I get my SCT), what else will "compliment" the Hemi?

 

yeah, now that's great advice..??? Sounds like you had an issue with yours...???

The 3rd gen transmissions are a mile ahead of your 2nd gen trans. While they could be better, they are not shabby. Don't forget, they got 345hp going through them instead of 2something..lol


plugs are due every 30kmi. he prob better do them right away so he's clear for 30kmi more. (use only cheapo copper lugs....NOT fancy one's..Hemi don't like them)
Just because a plug "looks" good when pulled, the gap could be off and every plug could be off from one another. i always change plugs when i buy a used vehicle. That and every fluid usually gets flushed.