First of all I am new to the truck world and this forum. I'm big into jeeps, I'm no mechanic, but I'm pretty mechanically inclined.
I have a couple of questions
I am looking to get an 04-05 dodge ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8, automatic, 4x4, factory tow package( I want the 3.92 gears), quad cab. The trucks primary use will be my DD, but it will be towing my Jeep Wrangler on a single car trailer(around 5500-6000 total weight) to the trails(about 3-4 hours each way, mostly highway) a couple times a year.
Here's my questions:
1. Is there anything I should look out for while I inspect the truck?
2. The truck should have no problems towing the jeep, right?
3. How are the transmissions in the 04-05's, any common problems? This is my #1 concern.
4. Are there any common problems with the 5.7? Also is it really a Hemi or is it just a name?
5. Do "bolt on" (CAI, exhaust, programmer/chip, etc) performance parts make a difference on the 5.7?
6. Anything else that may be helpful?
Thanks for the help,
Joey

 

depending on miles and the condition (service records) them years are a god truck If it was taken care of . now with 3.92 gears towing that amount you may want to upgrade gears and or a tunner like SC for the tow mode .

i had a 04 ram hemi 4x4 that had 3.92's strugled in the tow department so i got a SC for it ran it in the tow tune it helped a bit but was still a dog while towing . then i upgraded to 4.56's and wow ....didnt even feel what i was towing . now i drive the 2500 with 4.10's and its like butter .

 

I'm shooting for less than 80,000 miles.
I figured it would be a pig while towing, but I'm kind of confused how 3.57(taller gears, lower rpms) would be better for towing than 3.92(lower gears, higher rpms)?

 

yeah im confused on that too? and dont worry about towing it my dad has a hemi with 3.55's and it pulls more than that fine. even my dak will pull that load

 

What did your dad do about brakes, does he have a brake controller?

 

Dumb Dumb meant he upgraded to 4.56s.

IMO the '04 & '05s are the cream of the crop 4x4s in the 1500 class anyway. I much prefer a torsion bar front end as opposed to a coil over ('06+) if I have to have an IFS truck. Also, no MDS crap to deal with...

 

ya thats what i ment thanks tubby

 

That makes much more sense.

I have another question, realistically what kind of gas milage should I expect if I drive it nice?

 

stock, about 14/18 with 17" wheels, take off a mpg or two with 20" wheels...

 

I LOVE my HEMI but haven't towed anything yet