I own a 2004 dodge ram 4x4 1500. I have blown the engine, my buddy has a 5.7 from a 2005 ram 1500. When i call the local salvage yards they tell me that the 2004 ram is a special year and will only take a motor from 2004. Is that true or will i just have to splice a few wires?

 

call back and ask them what makes it difference and what different sensors it has that the 04 does not.

or ask them to thrown in the PCM and engine harness if they want to sell the engine to you.

 

they said its camshft sensor is built in on the 05 and that there is no way to make it work on a 04. but i think you can just change out the cams?

 

The cam shaft sensor is the same P/N on both the 04 and 05 and cost $23. No "sensor" is "built-in". That would make it impossible to replace.

 

I'm pretty sure if you just swap your sensors over from original to replacement, you should be fine.

 

Could it be the difference between the MDS engine in 05 and the non MDS engine in 04 and earlier? That's the only thing I can see as a difference.

 

I believe MDS started in 06, so you should be clear there.
I talked to a guy who put an 08 Hemi into an 03 and he said everything bolted right up and all wiring worked

 

MDS started in 06 for 1500's only and can be disabled/removed (2500 and 3500 hemis do not have it).