First off, I am a proud new owner of a 2004 quad cab 4x4 hemi. A couple of questions.

Is there a way to program a new key fob for my truck without going to the dealer? My truck is used and I didnt get one, but I have my old one from a 01 Dakota my local dealer says will work.

Also, I am in need of a tow hitch, but I noticed there is a thick tubular support that runs from the frame to the center of my rear bumper and it already has a hitch ball going through this support and the hole in the rear bumper. Is this an add on or does it come this way? I have a drag car and boat I will be pulling from time to time and I have always had class 3 hitches installed and I have never used my bumper for pulling. Is this support I am speaking of considered a class 3 hitch? Max weight I know I will be pulling so far is about 4000lbs.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

For your towing capacity of your bumper. It should say on it. At least mine does.

Don't know about the other stuff.

 

So what is the differance with the different classes of hitches? I noticed that my towning package gives me a class 4 hitch on my 2006 Quad.

 

I believe you have to go to the dealer for a program. Did you buy yours from a Dodge dealer? If so they might do it for free. The newer fobs are RF. They cant be programmed without the dealers help. The old ones were infrared, there was a way to do that yourself.

 

Im not sure about the rating on the bumper hitch..

if you ONLY have the bumper hitch (standard on all rams) then you do not have the towing package.

Im not sure the max rating for the bumper....but i dont think it is 4000lbs.....i think its more like 2000-2500lbs.


I have the "Towing Packing" on my truck and it includes:

a 750amp battery (instead of the standard 600-650amp)

a class 4 hitch

heavy duty transmission oil cooler

and a 7-pin wire harness built into the bumper (next to the license plate)


if you are towing more than 2000-2500lbs...you want the towing package....especially since you should install a brake controller if you have electric brakes.



I tow a 17' enclosed snowmobile trailer (or quads and dirtbikes, my motorcycle) etc....and it has an unloaded weight of 1600lbs....loaded up its between 2800-3600 lbs....and i NEED the electric brakes that it came with to stop....

with 4000lbs...you will TOO!!!!

with the towing package....its a simple install for the brake controller you buy....just plug and play connectors.

 

Welcome aboard. Here's the scoop on re-programming your entry fob. It assumes you have one good transmitter (fob). Without that, you'll probably need to go to a dealer, or someone with a DRBIII tool (it's a portable tool for doing all computer-related stuff on DC vehicles and isn't cheap, so not all independent mechanics have them).

STANDARD PROCEDURE - RKE TRANSMITTER
PROGRAMING
New Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters can
be programed using the DRB IIIt scan tool and the
proper Diagnostic Procedures manual. The DRB IIIt
scan tool can provide confirmation that the PCI data
bus is functional, and that all of the electronic modules
are sending and receiving the proper messages
on the PCI data bus.
The following procedure can be used as long as one
programmed transmitter is available:
NOTE: When entering program mode using that
programmed fob, ALL currently programmed fobs
will be erased and they will have to be reprogrammed
for the vehicle. If program mode is
entered and no action is performed, the previously
programmed fobs will continue to function.
(1) Enter the vehicle and close all doors.
(2) Fasten the seat belt (this will cancel the seat
belt chime). Turn the ignition to the RUN position.
(3) Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for 4 to 10 seconds. Within the
4 to 10 seconds with the UNLOCK button still
depressed, press the PANIC button for one second.
When a single chime is heard, release both buttons.
The chime indicates the system is in program
mode.
(4) Press and release both the LOCK and
UNLOCK buttons simultaneously on a fob to be programmed.
A single chime will be heard, this indicates
the fob has been recognized.
(5) Press and release any button on the same fob.
A single chime will be heard, this indicates the fob
has been programmed.
(6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 for up to a total of 4 fobs.
(7) Turn the ignition OFF.
(8) Turn the ignition ON or wait 60 seconds.
The vehicle will remain in program mode for up to
60 seconds from when the original chime (step 3) was
heard. After 60 seconds, all programmed transmitters
will function normally.

Hope this helps.

 

My owners manual has instructions on how to do it, I was quite shocked....

 

You can program the key fob as mentioned above.

Since you have the Hemi, you already have the tranny cooler. You can add the 7pin wiring harness and hitch for under $200. It would be well worth it IMHO. It took me 2 hrs to put it all together. About 15-20 mins for the hitch and the rest getting the trailer wiring secured to the factory wiring harness (just running the wires and securing them to my liking). It is super easy and I suggest if you'll be towing a car trailer and boat, I suggest you do it. Also, if you put on the hitch, you don't have to cut out the plastic like it says to. You'll understand if you get the hitch to install.

Also the bumper is rated at 500/5000, but your turning radius is limited by the step bumber design (as are all of the step bumpers).

 

Go to a camping supply store and get the correct Hitch for your truck. Ask them if they sell hidden hitches >They'll know. Do you have brakes on your trailer.?

 

Thanks for all the replys. I called my local dealer and the class 3 hitch is pretty inexpensive.
I just have never seen this "brace" that runs under my bumper on any other vehicle before.
My truck has the 3.92 rear and the big gas tank also. It also has the extra coolers also.

So far I love the truck. Just has a slight knocking noise in the left front when going over bumps. I'll be getting the dealer to check it out on Monday. I've tried the key fob program instructions, but it wont work for me. I'll prob get the dealer to take car of that too.

Thanks again for the info!